A beloved children’s story steps onto the Lancaster stage
A schoolyard friendship that rewrites the rules is about to take over the Lancaster Grand, as Lancaster Footlights brings Bad Girls to life next summer. Adapted by Vicky Ireland from the bestselling novel by Jacqueline Wilson, the production promises colour, pace, and a clear heart, pitched for families and young audiences aged seven and up.
At the centre of the story is Mandy, a quiet girl who knows the ache of bullying all too well. Everything shifts when she meets Tanya, the loud, funny, rule-breaking classmate who barrels into her life and won’t apologize for it. Their bond is instant but messy, and that’s the point—the play refuses easy answers as Mandy faces real choices about loyalty, boundaries, and who she wants to be.
Bad Girls is one of Wilson’s most loved titles, and for good reason. It tackles tough stuff—unkind classmates, shaky confidence, peer pressure—with warmth and wit. Families will recognise Wilson’s trademark voice: honest about what hurts, but never mean; hopeful without sugarcoating. The result is a story that kids lean into and adults recognise from the other side of the school gate.
This is an amateur production with professional ambition. Lancaster Footlights’ creative team is steering a local cast and crew through a show built for energy and clarity. Expect bold character work, bright costumes, and clean storytelling that keeps the focus on Mandy and Tanya’s growing, sometimes rocky friendship. The company is presenting the play by arrangement with Nick Hern Books, a staple publisher for contemporary stage adaptations.
Vicky Ireland’s stage script is known for moving quickly, switching from classroom chaos to private moments without losing young audiences. That helps keep the stakes readable for kids while giving space for big conversations. The adaptation also keeps the humour close, because the heavy moments land better when laughter is never far away.
Why revive Bad Girls now? Because the themes haven’t aged. Bullying might travel through different channels today, but the dynamics—who has power, who doesn’t, who stands up and who looks away—are timeless. The play asks children to notice how friendships affect choices, and it nudges adults to listen before they lecture. That combination is why Wilson’s stories keep finding new readers and new audiences.
For many families, Wilson’s books are a first step into tougher topics. She’s the former Children’s Laureate behind characters like Tracy Beaker and Hetty Feather, with more than 40 million books sold worldwide. Bad Girls sits in that universe: big feelings, a resilient kid at the centre, and adults who don’t always get it right. On stage, those ideas are easier to talk about on the way home, because you can point to a scene and say, “What would you do?”
Theatre for young audiences works best when it’s clear and concrete. Footlights’ team is leaning into that: crisp pacing for attention spans, strong character choices for quick understanding, and visual cues that help younger viewers follow the action. The creative approach serves the story’s core message—friendship and identity are choices we make, not labels we’re handed.
Schools and youth groups often look for stories that open doors to discussion without feeling like homework. Bad Girls does that. It invites questions about standing up to bullies, setting limits with friends, and asking adults for help when lines get crossed. The play gives kids room to disagree and figure things out, which is half the point of going to the theatre together.
Dates, tickets, and how to plan your visit
Bad Girls runs across two weekends in June 2025 at the Lancaster Grand, with evening performances and family-friendly matinees:
- Friday 13 June, 7:30pm
- Saturday 14 June, 2:30pm
- Sunday 15 June, 2:30pm
- Thursday 19 June, 7:30pm
- Friday 20 June, 7:30pm
- Saturday 21 June, 2:30pm
Tickets are available through the Lancaster Grand’s box office. Phone bookings can be made on 01524 64695, Monday to Saturday, 10am–3pm. Online booking is also available via the theatre’s official website.
The production is designed for audiences aged seven and up. That guidance reflects content around bullying and risky behaviour, handled with sensitivity and Wilson’s usual balance of honesty and care. If you’re bringing younger children, the matinees give a gentler entry point—daylight, earlier finish, and a crowd full of families.
Local casts don’t just perform; they build community. You see familiar faces, hear laughs ripple from people who might live two streets over, and watch kids recognise themselves in characters they cheer for. That’s the promise here: a bright, big-hearted story told by a company rooted in the city it serves.
For parents, carers, and teachers, this is a chance to pair a night out with a meaningful conversation. For kids, it’s a story that says you can be brave even when your voice shakes—and that real friends help you make better choices, not worse ones.