Emily Alice Ambrose writes about creating the iconic lesbian gig-theatre play
IMAGES BY NIAMHTOGRAPHY
I felt quite snubbed by the Grammys this year. The infamous Song of the Year category felt like it should soundtrack the lives we’ve just led, and the winner, Billie Eilish’s Wildflower is a little too mellow to represent my 2025 in all its campy queer glory. Don’t get me wrong, I have Billie Eilish lyrics tattooed on my arm, and I’ve cried to what is arguably one of the greatest sapphic heartbreak albums ever, but Manchild by Sabrina Carpenter was definitely my song of the summer. Gone are the days of crying over exes. I’ve done my time in lesbian limerence jail. Instead I’m welcoming in flirty little looks, hookups with friends, cringy dating profiles and TikTok dances. In fact, you might have seen us: six lesbians dancing to Manchild outside The Lion & Unicorn Theatre, having closed the first run of the Girl Kisser play. And while it wasn’t our intention to go viral, we can now pay thanks to Sabrina Carpenter for helping us reach 44,000 of you on TikTok.
The Camden Fringe run of Girl Kisser was electric. A play giving you a slice of life of the 20-something London Lesbian.
There were nine of us running about Kentish Town, spreading the word about our lesbian gig theatre play in coffee shops and making friends with the local lesbian running group, who we then spotted in the front row during closing night. There were rave reviews, gasps and giggles, and fair few sobs from the audience. There were post-show celebrations in pubs, with everyone very tipsy, having been too nervous to eat all day. Then there were exes with cards and friends with flowers and kisses that shouldn’t have happened (call it method acting). I won’t forget the production meetings in my Dad’s kitchen with pasta, wine and crazy ideas for the future.
So what’s become of the play today? Well, I’m excited to introduce you to the second date. Girl Kisser, rewritten, reinvented and gayer than ever. A group of lesbians and non-binary people with a whole bunch of new questions to answer. Can lovers ever just be friends? Can friends ever become lovers?
The play, set partially in a queer arts venue (not dissimilar to The Divine in Dalston, which we sold out in January with our cabaret night), also asks if queer clubbing culture can be toxic. In a room full of women I had a crush on, introducing me to their girlfriends, it is definitely something I questioned myself.
Director Hollie Milne has taken on the challenge of creating yearning club tracks (think Radiohead meets Charli xcx) with Rose Barwick returning to direct movement that immerses you in the emotions of each character. It’s a play for non-theatre goers, with original music written and performed by Emily Ambrose, played on a hot pink electric guitar. Conceived at Chappell Roan’s O2 Brixton gig, the story of Girl Kisser remains relevant, with the desires and stories shared by last summer’s audience at the forefront of our reinvention.
So, what’s coming next? Girl Kisser, the Lesbian gig-theatre play returns to The Lion & Unicorn Theatre, Kentish Town, from 7 to 11 April 2026, with tickets available now on The Lion & Unicorn website. Come and give us a try. You might hear your new favourite song, find yourself represented in a coming-of-age story, or meet the love of your life in the audience.
Find tickets for the play here: app.lineupnow.com/event/girl-kisser-1
Find us on Instagram & TikTok: @girlkisserplay
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