‘I dunno how it happened,
But I like you.
I don’t know where it came from,
But I…
Need to stop saying I like you.’
Eve’s eyes are green like guacamole, she has posh hair, a freckle on her chin (it might be chocolate), and when she puts her hand on Elle’s arm…
Bloody Elle – A Gig Musical is a heart-warming and belly-achingly funny story about falling in love for the very first time, stuffed full of stomach-flipping, time-stopping moments, touches, glances, kisses.
Written and originally performed by Lauryn Redding, this one-person gig musical, set to an original score, was first performed at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, in June 2021. It was directed by the theatre’s Joint Artistic Director Bryony Shanahan and co-produced with Rebel Productions. It was revived at the Royal Exchange in June 2022, before transferring to the Traverse Theatre for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
‘A joyful solo show buzzing with live-gig energy… Redding beautifully captures the feeling of infatuation in all its intensity and awkwardness… her songs soar in a moment from the humdrum to the heart-swelling… irresistible’
— Guardian
‘The most joyous and romantic love story… a storytelling show with songs, spoken word, and an awful lot of heart’
— Reviews Hub
‘A gratifying, superbly accomplished display of invention and craft’
— WhatsOnStage
‘Intoxicating… I was left speechless’
— A Younger Theatre
‘Redding is a compelling storyteller, and she holds the audience with a story that never lets the pace lapse… the songs are great as well’
— British Theatre Guide
‘Warm and uplifting… captures the wonder of first love: the delicious tingle of attraction, the pain of heartbreak’
— The Stage
‘Superb… Redding’s solo play is studded with her own magnificent original songs’
— Scotsman
