‘Fast, outrageous, and wildly unpredictable — pure Liverpool fringe chaos in the very best sense’
Hope Street Theatre has long been a home for bold new voices, but Tangfastic arrives like someone has thrown a packet of sweets into a blender and hit maximum speed. Produced by Grace Lister-Akerman it’s loud, messy, heartfelt and completely unapologetic, this electrifying new play by Rio Star and Juliette Collins captures the emotional turbulence of adolescence with wit, honesty and a healthy dose of anarchy.
What begins as a seemingly minor crisis – two school outsiders mistakenly trapped in a bathroom with the school’s untouchable queen bee – rapidly spirals into a whirlwind of confessions, confrontations and emotional fallout. The premise may be simple, but the execution is anything but. The pressure-cooker setting becomes the perfect backdrop for a story that balances laugh-out-loud comedy with genuine emotional depth.
The success of Tangfastic rests firmly on the shoulders of its three performers, and each delivers a memorable turn.
Juliette Collins brings remarkable vulnerability and nervous energy to Frankie. Her performance beautifully captures the character’s insecurities and resilience, providing the emotional anchor that keeps the play grounded amidst the chaos.
As Edie, Rio Star is an absolute force of nature. Their comic timing is razor sharp, injecting the production with infectious energy, while also revealing the deeper hurts and anxieties beneath the humour. It’s a performance full of warmth, wit and authenticity.
Anna Elise-Clain takes what could have been a stereotypical role of Veronica and transforms it into something far richer. Beneath the swagger and confidence lies a touching fragility, and Elise-Clain expertly peels back the layers to reveal a character struggling with her own vulnerabilities.
Together, the trio share an effortless chemistry that feels authentic and lived in. Their relationships are messy, funny, awkward and painfully recognisable, making every emotional shift land with impact.
Writers Rio Star and Juliette Collins demonstrate a sharp understanding of teenage life — its contradictions, cruelties, tenderness and relentless desire for acceptance. The dialogue crackles with energy, balancing biting humour with moments of surprising emotional honesty.
The direction keeps the pace breathless throughout. Scenes tumble into one another with the momentum of a night rapidly spiraling out of control, while never losing sight of the emotional truth at the story’s core. The bathroom setting becomes a battleground, a confessional and a sanctuary all at once, with the staging making excellent use of the claustrophobic space.
Hope Street Theatre’s intimate black-box setting is utilised with imagination and precision.
The set design transforms an ordinary bathroom into a vivid and surprisingly expressive environment. Lighting cleverly shifts between harsh fluorescent reality and softer, more vulnerable moments as emotional barriers begin to crumble. Every creative choice serves the story, enhancing its energy without overwhelming it.
Tangfastic is a riotously entertaining and emotionally resonant piece of theatre. Fearless, funny and deeply human, it captures the chaos of growing up with honesty, humour and heart. Powered by outstanding performances from Juliette Collins, Rio Star and Anna Elise-Clain, and underpinned by the sharp writing of Rio Star and Juliette Collins, this is exactly the kind of ambitious, character-driven work that keeps Liverpool’s fringe theatre scene thriving.
A genuine gem in the Liverpool fringe calendar — fizzing with energy long after the final curtain. It performs for one more night on 27th June, further details and booking The Hope Street Theatre – Tangfastic
Date: 26th June 2026
Star Rating: FOUR