Sugar Coat to run at Southwark Playhouse this spring

Feminist pop-punk hit Sugar Coat will come to London’s Southwark Playhouse this spring.

The gig theatre show will run from 29 March – 22 April 2023 following an acclaimed run at VAULT Festival in 2020.

From the producers of Fringe First winning Bobby & Amy, Sugar Coat is written by singer-songwriter Lilly Pollard (as featured on BBC Music Introducing) and award-winning playwright Joel Samuels (Fever Pitch), with co-Musical Direction from Anya Pearson of the British punk band, Dream Nails.

Celine Lowenthal (Pecs) directs the five strong cast: Rachel Barnes (Manic Street Creature, Paines Plough; Ladhood, BBC), Eve De Leon Allen (Doctor Who, BBC), Dani Heron (Peter Gynt, National Theatre), Anya Pearson and Sarah Workman (Girls Don’t Play Guitar, Liverpool Royal Court).

Performed by an all female and non-binary band, we follow one woman’s coming-of-age journey, spanning across eight years of sexual highs and lows, with sprinklings of 90s nostalgia and an unashamedly queer and feminist call to arms.

Featuring original live music inspired by Riot Grrrl bands, such as Bikini Kill, Le Tigre, Veruca Salt and Letters to Cleo, to soundtrack the hilarious and heartfelt mix of rebellious empowerment and laugh-out-loud teen angst.

Producer Emma Blackman said: “I am thrilled to bring Sugar Coat back on stage following its preview run at VAULT Festival 2020. Since its last performance that took place a week before the first lockdown, we received numerous messages from people who were empowered and moved by the production – and I’m delighted that our award-winning team can share this powerful story with more audiences at Southwark Playhouse.

“The last few years have proved to us all that women’s rights still need to be furiously fought for, so I couldn’t imagine a more appropriate time for this rebellious and uplifting show about female experiences that have been kept out of the spotlight for far too long.”

Director Celine Lowenthal added: “It is a privilege to be reviving this gorgeous, radical piece of gig theatre. As a queer creative, it is such a pleasure to bring together our unbelievably talented all female and non-binary cast of actor-musicians, and to unravel the unexpected and tender journey of a young woman finding her place in the world. The punchy, sexy, front-footed writing, alongside Lilly Pollard’s raucous and riotous punk music, makes Sugar Coat a very meaningful addition to the contemporary canon of queer and female-led theatre.”

For more information and tickets, visit southwarkplayhouse.co.uk