During our first ever visit to The Lion and Unicorn Theatre to see the beautifully intensely powerful Daughter (which you can read about here: https://rhysreviews.com/2026/02/09/daughter-performance-review/), we absolutely fell in love with the intimate venue and the gorgeous bar/restaurant conveniently located below the theatre itself. So, we were incredibly excited to receive another invite to return and this time seeing the fantastic Witch Girl Summer. Coming from the same incredible creative team behind Little Lion Productions, Witch Girl Summer documents the downfall of a fame-obsessed influencer who, after the messy breakup of her successful podcast, explores unconventional methods to achieve flawless skin. However, she ends up giving up more than she expected when she becomes inhabited by a murderous, bloodthirsty witch.
If you have been following our blog for a while now, you will know that there is nothing we love more than a relaxing evening of self-care, including scented candles and unconventional face masks (which you can read about here: https://rhysreviews.com/2021/10/21/starry-llama-product-review/). We have even dipped our toes into the world of TikTok, selling teeth-whitening strips (which have since been removed from the TikTok shop—but that is another story!). Even with our brief exploration of the beauty industry, we are aware that this world can easily take on qualities similar to cult-like behaviour, with pyramid schemes, unconventional advice, and the idolisation of people who supposedly follow certain regimes and programmes.
The entire show is underscored by some of the most iconic girly pop anthems, including Chappell Roan’s ‘Hot to Go’, Britney Spears’ ‘Work Bitch’, and even the brilliant ‘Boss Bitch’ by Doja Cat. This not only plays into my personal love of these camp classics but also fits the stereotypical image of some female influencers, particularly within the beauty industry. Alongside the strong language in these songs, the exploration of dark arts, and the inclusion of a dead body on stage, this is clearly a show aimed at a more mature audience. However, the supernatural elements and social media-driven plot mean that slightly younger audiences will still find it highly relatable—and everyone will be on the edge of their seat throughout.
The audience is first introduced to the aspiring influencer, brought to life by the incredible Giullianna Martinez, who instantly establishes the character and captures her desperation following the breakdown of her podcast. This strong character foundation allows the audience to understand how she becomes entangled in a twisted collaboration with the villainous witch. Despite the supernatural elements and possession storyline, the grounded portrayal makes the character highly relatable—especially for more tech-savvy viewers—and highlights how easily someone could slip into the darker side of the beauty industry (perhaps not to such an extreme degree, but still in unexpected ways).
The show is structured so that the more unsettling scenes are not overused but instead carefully spaced throughout, particularly building towards the closing moments. This not only creates a flawless sense of tension but also makes these darker scenes stand out even more. At one point, the lead character is possessed by the evil spirit, writhing across the stage before slowly walking towards the audience in total darkness. I have to admit, this moment made me feel genuinely uneasy and caused me to physically recoil—exactly as intended—and showcased just how talented Giullianna Martinez truly is.
The only other performer in this production is the wonderful Elinor Coleman who took of the role of the manipulative and other worldly leader. The audience is first introduced to Elinor Coleman during the opening moments of the show, as she takes on a plethora of roles representing those leaving negative comments on the influencer’s posts. Watching Elinor transform both physically and vocally into each persona is incredibly impressive, and it also serves a strong narrative purpose. Her character’s manipulative nature suggests that these shifting identities may be part of her method for drawing victims deeper into her web. What is particularly clever about this portrayal is how the character initially appears charismatic and likeable, before becoming increasingly unhinged as her plan unfolds. In the later stages of the show, Elinor commands an intense presence every time she steps on stage. Even when she lingers in the shadows, the audience remains on edge, as her sinister aura looms over each scene. In the final moments, her delivery of near-villainous monologues perfectly complements the tension that had been building throughout the performance.
In conclusion, Witch Girl Summer by the Little Lion Theatre Company is a wonderfully spooky and intense story that explores the darker side of the beauty industry. Both actors deliver exceptional performances, bringing their character arcs to life in a way that is both relatable and engaging. The show is easy to follow—despite its supernatural themes—while ensuring that its more surreal moments remain striking and memorable. I would rate this production 5 out of 5 stars.
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