Review: Second Summer of Love by Emmy Happisburgh

This show will genuinely unlock memories of 90s rave and youth culture

Well, Second Summer Of Love was a thoroughly enjoyable piece of theatre. The multi-faceted show is first and foremost a love letter to 90s rave culture.

It’s written and performed in the main by Emmy Happisburgh. She plays Louise, a middle aged mother who came of age alongside the late 80s and early 90s rave scene. A time when the music was pure, the vibes immaculate and the youth culture was entirely uncommodified.

The commodification of the culture simmers in the background in the form of rave fitness classes Louise attends. Hosted by someone barely older than her own daughter, the music might be right, but the light sticks are all wrong. Merch can be purchased on the company website. It’s the least authentic experience ever. On par with smiley face t shirts at Marks and Spencers, Louise bemoans. Not unlike the current I Heart Nirvana strappy top Primark monstrosity. Another insult to Gen X.

Second Summer of Love is also one of those rare shows that explores what it is to be a middle aged woman. Particularly those who have found themselves in a rut, desperately wishing for one last hit of the hedonistic youth culture in which they grew up.

Louise is now all about shopping at Waitrose. The sensible husband. Parenting a teen through exam stress. The sensible school choir job. She mourns missed opportunities and the person who could have been. It’s not long until that side starts to pop out of the middle class seams.

After a minor family barney with her 16 year old over drugs related homework, Louise disappears into her memories and takes us along for the ride.

Happisburgh recreates that first night of taking ecstasy. The “best night of her life.” She plays Louise as well as her three friends. It’s a lovely comic performance as she hops between each character with their little idiosyncrasies.

For anyone who is familiar with these kinds of nights out this show will unlock memories. Winding down car windows. By actual hand. Bucket hats, Hubba Bubba. The sweat running down the walls. UV light making clothes glow. The chest pounding beats that shake the foundations of a building. Finding everyone beautiful.

It builds through a theatrical crescendo that feels so real that for a moment, it’s like going through a time slip.

There’s themes of drug consumption but just when you worry it might be stampeding in the wrong direction, we meet Brian, one of Louise’s former friends.

Christopher Freestone’s gentle, naturalistic performance is the counter balance keeping the show going in all the right directions. It’s non-judgemental and sensible but not like Zammo.

Rosa Strudwick plays Louise’s daughter Molly – we see what you did there. Loved the moment when the vintage trainers are passed from mother to daughter. It’s both spot on to mother/daughter relationships and also serves as a passing on of the baton of youth. The time to embrace the person you have become and the new-found confidence to take into the future.

With a little nod to Max Romeo and The Prodigy, Second Summer of Love comes to a really lovely uplifting ending.

Second Summer of Love by Emmy Happisburgh will be at the Alma Tavern Theatre until Saturday 13 September 2025

For more information or to book, visit: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/almatheatrecompany/1670697

Contentment Productions: https://linktr.ee/emmyhappisburgh

Cast and Creatives
Louise – Emmy Happisburgh
Molly – Rosa Strudwick
Brian – Christopher Freestone

Written and Produced by Emmy Happisburgh
Director – Scott Le Crass
Co-Producer – Lucy Wylie
Assistant Director – Amelia Calvert
Lighting Designer – Nell Golledge

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