one4review | On 15, Aug 2025

Olivia McLeod’s fever-dream of what the world would be like if she hadn’t been made to doubt herself is a lovely show that leans into her roots in musical theatre performance. You can see it in her massive smile and the theatricality of her staging, which draw you in and really set the vibe.

We’re dropped into the show in the middle of things, and as with all good hooks, not given the explicit context until we’ve come full circle. The show foregrounds and celebrates two what would properly be called – without insult – dad jokes, as well as some great visual punch lines and some excellent storytelling. Olivia’s had some experience in the industry, and with industry adjacent people, and she draws on this to explore all of the people who’ve wronged her.

This isn’t simply a show declaring ‘I’m wonderful and everyone else is wrong’ however, there’s analysis and reflection, and a really lovely ongoing description of a particularly nasty choreographer. When she gets into it, Olivia has a particularly evocative way of describing people. Olivia might be unrepresented, but with this show and it’s novel concept she does a great job of representing herself as a great performer.

Reviewed by Laura
18:20
Gilded Balloon Appleton Tower (Pip)
Until 24th (not 18th)