Our Town Needs a Nando’s at theSpace on the Mile Review

Opening with four girls standing on a cube fiercely stating they didn’t see what happened, Our Town Needs A Nando’s focuses on five girls, predominantly during their drama classes, navigating life in a town too small for them.

Dealing with a range of topics that feel relevant to most girls, the piece knows when to push the emotional weight it carries and when it gives breathing space. I would have liked to see some areas explored a little deeper; sometimes just a line or two didn’t feel like enough. However, if I understand right, the script was written by an external source before this production, so I can't fault it too much.

There seems to be a second space regarded on the stage, the actors never leaving. Instead loitering at its edges, almost in the way that they describe male characters doing, showing that they are never truly safe. This is greatly aided by Sam Baird (movement) and Milly Sweeney’s directions; movement never feels forced or structured, but flows with the pace of the piece.

All five girls give strong performances, never outshining one another, yet there did seem to be some imbalance in how much it explored some of the characters compared to others. There is a case to be made that the friendship of the girls is the strongest part of the show. But it would have been nice to see more than a couple of friendships develop, though due to fringe shows being shorter than most mainstream theatre, it makes sense to play to characters’ strengths quickly and efficiently.
Nonetheless, Our Town Needs A Nando’s is a striking piece that explores what it feels like to be lost in life at an age that you’re expected to plan it out in its entirety (without becoming a James Bond villain).

Our Town Needs A Nando’s plays at Space 1 at theSpace on the Mile until 15 August.

★★★

---

Written by Kerry for Theatre and Tonic, August 2026.