Review: Superfan at the Alma Tavern Theatre

Energetic dive into friendships, fandoms and fall outs

Bags of energy, sharply observed satire and a dive into the parasocial relationships teen girls have with celebrity idols – that’s where you find Superfan.

The new play by Lily Grace Oliver, is a nostalgia dive into being 13 years old again. Those big personalities, the drama, the bitching and not to forget, that all consuming celebrity obsession.

It’s directed by Jazz Summer, who explores the highs and lows of teen friendship and the intensity of that world. It’s interspersed with a super sized helping of never meet your heroes.

This is a play that hits squarely as a pop culture nostalgia dive for young people who grew up fully enmeshed in social media. With that comes toxic fandom. You can see it particularly with Swifties, South Korean idols, Doctor Who, sci-fi movies and anime.

Here the obsession is over fictitious actor Paul Chamalordi. Suzy, Molly, Dorothy and Iris have formed a major following with their fan group and social media handle @chamalordiupdates. It’s an all consuming passion though mostly one which is safe and predicable.

Running in parallel to this is the drama of growing up – the friendships and fallouts and approaching the coming of age.

The girls win a competition to travel to America and meet their idol in person on a film set. It’s not long until the carefully cultivated online and TV personality of Chamalordi drops and the real person emerges.

There’s some really nicely observed pieces in the writing. The typical American chat show interview was spot on. The appearance of Chamalordi in a daydream device worked really well. The break away to monologues – such as the focus on quieter character Dorothy, played by Kara Molloy with a lovely subtle comic performance throughout.

The vacuous pouting of teen boys was perfectly performed by multi-rolling actor Jake Janaway.

There’s a well-balanced dynamic between the writing and acting amongst the girls. Suzy is assertive though really rigid. She’s played by Sarah Gilmore with bags of hyper focus.

Lily Grace Oliver is Iris, the one who is going full on alternative. Affected by the death of her hamster, she carries around its little body in a tiny goth coffin in her bag.

Seren Jones is Molly, who has her eyes on the Chamalordi prize. She has her life married to him all mapped out.

Guy Rudin as Chamalordi stepped into the role just one week ago. Despite this, he plays the suave humour really well, with his TV slot fire.

Katie Evans and Simren Jhalli’s design, captured the energy of the Insta heyday with a cloud of photographs meeting Kylie Allinsson’s 2010 costume kitsch.

The opening night at the Alma Tavern Theatre saw a sold out performance with an energetic audience.

The pacing is fun and immediate. It sometimes gets a little carried away in terms of volume, so a dial back on those moments means lines won’t get lost.

Superfan is on at the Alma Taverm Theatre 17 -18 June 2026

For more information or to book, visit: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/almatheatrecompany/2188541

Cast and Creatives
Suzy – Sarah Gilmore
Molly – Seren Jones
Iris – Lily Grace Oliver
Dorothy – Kara Molloy 
Paul Chamalordi – Guy Rudin
Evil Manager/Multiroled Part – Jake Janaway

Writer – Lily Grace Oliver
Director – Jazz Summer
Producer – Ben Henry Lamb
Set Design – Katie Evans and Simren Jhalli
Costume Design – Kylie Allinsson
Sound Design – Tom Smith
Lighting Design – Amber Springett
Photography – Tom Foley
Marketing Director – Yusuf Y. Topcu
Stage Manager – Elizabeth Tattersall

Featured Image: @tomafoley

For What’s On In Bristol: https://backstagebristol.com/
Bristol Culture: www.tiktok.com/@chopsybristoltt
Bristol Theatre Updates: https://www.facebook.com/backstagebristol
Bristol News and Culture: https://www.youtube.com/user/chopsybaby