I WAS A TEENAGE SHE-DEVIL

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JULY 16, 2025: Grab your scrunchies and crank up the synths – the totally outrageous new 80s horror comedy rock musical from the twisted mind of Sean Matthew Whiteford, I WAS A TEENAGE SHE-DEVIL, is about to unleash some serious chaos at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Playing this August at theSpace @Niddry St: Venue 9, expect wild nights, wicked riffs, and way too much Aqua Net.

Directed and choreographed by New York stalwart Rachel Klein (Bettie Page: Queen of Pinups, The Gospel According to Heather), music directed by Ryan MacKenzie (Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra), costumed to kill by Juda Leah 

(Juda Leah Atelier), with lighting and sound design by Moses Brzeski-Reilly (Bedlam), this monster of a show is produced by Feuille Dooley Productions (Operation Mincemeat), Bryan Campione, and Leo de Rothchild.

Cast for this hotly anticipated run includes: Faith Pasch, Lee Beka Harper, Sean Arkless, Caitlin Anderson, Matt Bader, Louis Hearsey, Charis Stockton, and Ollie Thomas-Smith.

Meet Nancy Nelson – your average bespectacled wallflower, dumped on by the cool kids and dreaming of something more. But when she makes a desperate plea for help, it’s Satan who answers. Poof! Nancy’s transformed into a high-heeled, high-volume, foul-mouthed rock goddess of the damned. Revenge never looked so good – or sounded so metal. Will her soul survive the spotlight? Or will this teen queen burn it all down?

Think CARRIE meets FAUST, with a dash of Heathers, a heavy pour of The Rocky Horror Show, and a wink to every B-horror movie ever to hit your old VHS player. It’s 90 minutes of high-camp, horror glam, and total musical mayhem.

“I love this rock'n roll horror spectacular because it has a ton of heart and pathos, centering on the very human need to be loved and accepted. It’s the ultimate love letter to the 80s—musically and stylistically. Sean and I have been developing the piece together now for about 7 years, and I’m so excited for this outrageous show to make its international debut at Edinburgh Fringe!” ​ said Rachel Klein (director and choreographer)

“I’m beyond elated to bring this brand-new show to life at Edinburgh Fringe with this tremendous team. I WAS A TEENAGE SHE-DEVIL is, at the surface, a hilarious 80s horror rock show in the spirit of the films and music I’ve adored my whole life. Threaded within is a beautiful love story about how proudly owning your true, authentic identity has the power to save the world. It’s a feel-good time, the music is outrageously high-octane, and while it’s set in the past, the story is meant for today,” said Sean Matthew Whiteford (book, music, lyrics). 

Originally conceived by Sean Matthew Whiteford in 2011 under the title Girlfriend From Hell, the show has since evolved into I WAS A TEENAGE SHE-DEVIL—a 90-minute love letter to high-camp, 80s gore flicks, and kick-ass rock music, with book, music, and lyrics by Whiteford. Over the years, it has rocked stages across New York City, including The Gene Frankel Theatre, Green Room 42, 54 Below, The Cutting Room, and the CENTER for Performing Arts in Rhinebeck, NY, and was featured in the 2022 Playbill Pride in Times Square Festival. Now refreshed, retitled, and re-energized, this iconic musical is finally ready to make its UK debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe—and it’s all outta bubblegum.

Instagram: @teenageshedevil
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More About Upper Theatre at theSpace @ Niddry St
​Right in the middle of it all, in the best location and part of our Royal Mile hub (6 theatres), we present three very special spaces, offering an array of new and established work – from theatre to musicals, dance, comedy, and music, a real feast for all. The buzzing courtyard bar adjacent to the venue offers audiences pre- and post-show drinks and an unrivalled Fringe experience. https://www.thespaceuk.com/edinburgh/thespace-on-niddry-st 

More About Edinburgh Festival Fringe ​
​For three weeks in August, the city of Edinburgh welcomes an explosion of creative energy from around the globe. Artists and performers take to hundreds of stages all over the city, presenting shows for every taste. Venues can be anywhere, from existing theatres and concert halls to repurposed spaces like bars, parks, buses, and shipping containers. The Fringe street events bring colour, excitement, and vibrancy to outdoor areas, free of charge. From big names in the world of entertainment to unknown artists looking to build their careers, the festival spans every genre of live performance, including theatre, comedy, dance, physical theatre, circus, cabaret, children’s shows, musicals, opera, music, spoken word, exhibitions, and events.

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