Bitesize Festival - Riverside Studios, London
Bitesize is where the next generation begins; from Shakespearean fairies to banana tree weddings, Bitesize offers big stories in small packages.
Come with me as I attend a day of the Riverside Studios Bitesize Festival.
Running across four weeks, the Bitesize Festival at Riverside Studios is a celebration of fresh talent, offering emerging performers and theatre-makers a platform to showcase their work. This year’s run continues until 3rd August. You can book individual tickets or opt for an all-inclusive day pass if you're feeling adventurous. Naturally, I went for the full day experience.
I’d scheduled my day pretty tightly, with just ten-minute breaks between shows, just enough time to breathe, maybe grab a drink, and make my way to the next performance. As the name suggests, these shows are "bitesize" each running around an hour, making it possible to pack in a diverse range of performances in one go.
First up: Are You Even Indian?
This play follows a new relationship between two characters, played by Mohit Mathur and Nisha Aaliya, as they navigate milestones through the lens of culture and identity. What does it mean to be Indian? On one side, there's the idea of assimilating into British culture and forging a new life. On the other, the argument that even if you’re generations removed from your heritage and only visit the country occasionally, you can still claim it as your identity.
I’m a fan of this debate in real life, so seeing it played out on stage was a treat. There were a few moments in different languages and some ‘in’ jokes, usually involving aunties, but the performances were strong enough to carry meaning across, regardless of your background. I even learned about being Manglik Dosha and marrying banana trees (yes, really!). There’s a touch of movement and dance, but don’t expect a full-blown Bollywood number. The music track was a little loud at times, especially when it needed to fade out for dialogue. Hopefully, that’ll be ironed out in future performances.
Next: Puck: A Fairy’s Tale
Written and performed by Fay Downie and directed by Olivia Mace, this high-energy solo piece draws inspiration from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Fans of the original will recognise a few borrowed verses and echoes of familiar themes. Told in a kind of pseudo-Shakespearean style, the show reimagines Puck’s origin story and explores why he’s so different from Titania’s other fairies.
This one’s packed to the brim with dramatic devices: puppetry (in several creative forms), physical comedy, and audience interaction - think more along the lines of children’s theatre, nothing to be afraid of. It’s engaging and vibrant, though I’d recommend it especially for younger audiences. Personally, I felt out of breath just watching it!
After this one, we had a quick break. It’s worth noting that many of the shows are repeated throughout the day, and I could only see a handful. So plan your visit wisely there’s a lot to choose from. This time we sat down for a drink in the bar and enjoyed a short stop at the riverfront. The view of Hammersmith Bridge is gorgeous, and there are announcements to let you know when the next show is starting, no need for clock-watching or queuing unless you’re keen to nab the best seats.
Final show of our day: The Girls I Look Up To
Written and performed by Anna Cleden and directed by Anna Wicks, this touching piece explores growing up with grief and the impact it can have on friendships and identity. The story felt familiar and poignant, echoing themes from other shows I’ve seen, but with its own unique charm.
The cast; Anna Cleden, Jessica Dix, Georgia Maguire, and Rẹmi Shorunke-Samuel were all excellent. There were some lovely moments involving song, Shloer, and cake but I won’t spoil the details. I will say, though, a few people around me were clearly fighting back tears by the end.
There’s more to the Bitesize Festival than just theatre. There's also a Bitesize Film Festival, plus Riverside’s regular schedule of films and performances. After catching our breath and grabbing one of the outdoor tables, we had a final drink and bite to eat before heading to The Empire Strips Back. While not part of the Bitesize programme, it felt like a wonderfully ridiculous way to end the day.
This Star Wars parody burlesque show is as wild as it sounds. With form-fitting Stormtrooper armour and a life-sized Jabba, it’s not just parodying Star Wars but probably burlesque itself. If you’re a fan of either, it’s an absolute must see.
You can read our previous review of The Empire Strips Back here: internal://c2450500-ac5b-43e9-bd5c-047a4e0bbee4
Bitesize Festival runs at Riverside Studios, London until the 3rd August 2025. More details here: Bitesize Festival | Riverside Studios
Written by Valentine Gale-Sides
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