After a critically acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Fringe and a string of sold-out dates at Soho Theatre, this Popcorn Award-shortlisted gem of a show has officially landed at Riverside Studios (running 24–29 March 2026), and it’s every bit as “bonkers” and brilliant as the hype suggests.
At the heart of the story is Daisy, a cynical and reluctant teaching assistant in a South London primary school. Daisy is swimming in grief following the loss of her brother, attempting to numb the pain with a mix of mundane routines, awkward phone calls to her grieving mother, and a questionable entanglement with a sexy plumber.
Her world shifts when she is assigned to Paddy, a young Irish Traveller who has been largely written off by the education system. What begins as a begrudged literacy assignment transforms into an awkward but close friendship. Through the chaos of school life—soundtracked by everything from whale noises to classroom tantrums—Daisy and Paddy find a shared language for their unspoken sorrows.
“A one-woman show with a lot of heart, a pin-drop performance and writing that tears you apart and stitches you up anew.”
Raw, real, and hilarious
Squidge is the biting yet deeply moving debut from award-winning screenwriter and actress Tiggy Bayley. Her writing is a masterclass in the dark comedy genre and here, she avoids the typical pitfalls of over-dramatizing tragedy, instead opting for a dry, self-deprecating wit that catches the audience off guard. Bayley, who both wrote and performs the piece, has a gift for capturing the visceral awkwardness of being a young woman today.
One moment we were are laughing at the “Fleabag-esque” absurdity of Daisy’s dating life, and the next, you are hit by the raw reality of a system failing its most vulnerable children.
Why this show matters
If you’re looking for a polished, “everything is fine” kind of narrative, this isn’t it. But if you want a raw, hilarious, and heartbreaking look at the reality of modern womanhood, you have to see this show. Tiggy Bayley is a voice that feels like a friend—the kind of friend who tells you the truth even when it’s uncomfortable.
We left the theatre wanting to give all young adults of today a hug and then go get a drink with all Daisies in our lives! It’s a beautiful, sticky, essential piece of work coming from a very talented writer/performer who ‘cares’.
Squidge is at Riverside Studios from 24 to 29 March. Tickets from £12. Age 18+