Soho Theatre, London – until 21 November 2026
Reviewed by Celia Armand Smith
4****
Fresh off a fantastic run at the Edinburgh Fringe this year, Temi Wilkey brings her funny, bold, and heartwarming show Lover Girl to the Soho Theatre and it could not be a more perfect tonic for the cold and dark November nights. It is a funny exploration of queer identity, modern dating and the ever lasting complicated search for love (self included) seen through the lens of a young bisexual black woman. Wilkey describes herself at the outset as a “Lover Girl” but cannot work out why she is single, and it is this questioning that sets in motion some of the funniest and most poignant conversations with herself and specifically and more importantly her body. The performance is 60 mins but it whistles by with WIlkey’s infectious energy and you can’t help but be carried along.
Wilkey begins the performance with song and dance, flirting with the audience and pondering whether the love of her life might be there, before introducing the concept of the “infinity pussy”. This interaction with WIlkey’s inner monologue (infinity pussy) provides plenty of opportunity for storytelling and physical comedy, and the pink dress which is part of her transformation, looks gloriously sumptuous against the draped red set. Her ability to swiftly move through the narrative, changing character and accent demonstrates Wilkey’s versatility and skill. She uses music to visit various autobiographical scenes, exploring loves lost and found, and in particular her relationship to her own self worth and ultimately leads her to empowerment.
With direction by Ragevan Vasan, Lover Girl is full of interesting ideas and is jam packed with laugh out loud moments, however the comedy does give way to vulnerability. It is in these quieter, more meaningful moments that the message of self-discovery comes through loud and clear. Temi Wilkey’s Lover Girl is a refreshingly honest yet celebratory portrayal of modern life and is a lovely way to spend a November evening.