Written by Madison Mayer

Composed by Aila Swan

Directed by Emory Kemph

Review by Mhairi Sime

Go along expecting a sparkly and fun cabaret, and you’ll find something sharper. Bombshell, presented by Cross the Pond Theatre, follows three showgirls, who mix feminist pop musical energy with sharp topical bite as they perform in a struggling nightclub called Club Fistfight. Their mission? To inspire the masses to address climate change by making global warming hot again, that is until the club’s imminent closure forces a last-ditch performance.

Madison Mayer, Aila Swan and Emory Kemph double as both cast and creatives, imbuing the piece with vibrancy, solid vocal performances and excellent physicality. Scenes addressing the dairy industry, overfishing and daddy issues are both hilarious and unexpectedly poignant, while the portrayal of the bad boyfriend is relatable and riles up the audience.

What resonates most is the way Bombshell threads climate anxiety and political unease through its pop-cabaret veneer. The show laughs instead of lecturing, even as it cuts close to home. A humorous perspective grounded in real lived experience makes the piece feel poignant and alive.

There are genuine laugh-out-loud moments from outrageous costuming and choreography to vocal flourishes as we question how far we would go for love and the planet.  A talented, feminist-powered musical that’s as funny as it is thoughtful, Bombshell goes big on heart, humour and climate consciousness.

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