Esme Davis
Take a trip back in time and peer through a window into the backstage of a Great American Saloon. What dark deeds and hushed secrets dwell behind closed curtains?
Saloon Girls begins with a slow, sultry dance, a strip tease, and a story. We’re lulled into the seductive tones of the dancer, leaning forward to catch every word as she puts on her show. And then – snap. We’re backstage, with the performer and her colleagues as they take a moment to prepare for the next part of the night. The five of them work and live at the Saloon, which turns into a brothel by night. Each with their own challenges to overcome, we begin to learn about each girl’s situation as their rowdy, playful interactions flesh out the main body of the show.
The moment at the beginning of the show where Marvel, one of the girls, switches from her suggestive performance persona to a sharper, stronger character is massively powerful. From the beginning of the piece, we have an understanding of just how much the women are expected to perform, to hide away who they truly are in order to cater to male attention and earn their living. The moment captures the essence of the show. This piece delves into the reality of what women have historically had to endure in order to secure their livelihood, and what many women still endure today. Navigating aggression, sickness, and assault, the lack of autonomy within their lives is stark through the entire piece, as are the new risks which would emerge should any of them attempt a different path in life.
Despite the intensity of several of the themes and storylines, it’s a show that’s also brimming with joy and fun. In their stolen moments backstage, the girls laugh, dance, love, and support each other. The danger of their situation makes these moments both special and necessary, and the high-energy style of acting this company maintains throughout creates a consistent and authentic picture of girlhood and comradeship. This endears a deeper empathy from the audience; we share in their jokes and songs when they have a moment to be themselves, we watch as they support and reconcile with each other, and we too are ripped away from that joy when they have to face the men they must service.
This piece has a wonderful rhythm, with the text coming across as natural and conversational, whilst still having a poetic beat to it. The slower descriptive moments are vivid and enticing, all supported by a very strong cast of actors who all have a clear care for the work and the people they have placed on the stage.
Saloon Girls tells the important stories of women who have been silenced, shunned and shamed for doing what was demanded of them to survive. It does a brilliant job of depicting the humanity of the characters and the inescapability of their situation, providing an audience with an entertaining and enjoyable chance to learn and reflect on the flaws and inequalities that have always sustained the sex industry.
This message is timelessly important and Saloon Girls sure know how to drive it home.
Recommended Drink: A swig of whiskey for the road.
Performances of Saloon Girls have now concluded at EdFringe 2025.
Jake Mace
Lamesha Ruddock
Jasmine Silk
