Squidge

I saved , quite accidentally , the best till last . What a cracker of a one person show . Such talent . A brilliantly written piece , beautifully done .

Superb performance, funny, heartfelt, sad and engrossing. Doesn’t feel like an hour, felt lucky I got to see it.

'Squidge' is a one-woman show that takes its audience on an unexpected journey through the life of a teaching assistant and her unlikely friendship with a young student. It’s a simple premise, yet through brilliant performance and layered storytelling, it becomes a complex exploration of human connection, grief, and mental health.

The minimal set design is another highlight of the production. With no distractions, the focus remains entirely on the performance, allowing the story to shine. The simplicity of the staging enhances the intimacy of the show, drawing you in and making you feel almost as if you’re in the room with the characters, living their experiences alongside them.

Tiggy Bayley's ability to switch seamlessly between humor and raw emotion is one of the most striking aspects of the show. She brings a warmth and relatability to her character, making you laugh one moment and then pulling you into deep introspection the next. This contrast creates an emotional rollercoaster, but one that feels genuine and reflective of real-life experiences.

While 'Squidge' is enjoyable and often funny, it doesn't shy away from hard-hitting themes. The way it touches on grief and mental health is particularly moving, bringing these issues to the forefront in a way that feels authentic and deeply personal. It’s a reminder of the silent struggles people go through, often hidden beneath the surface of everyday interactions.

Overall, 'Squidge' is a masterful piece of theatre. It’s raw, real, and packed with emotion, but also filled with warmth and humor. A must-see for anyone at the Edinburgh Fringe looking for a show that both entertains and challenges its audience to think deeper about the connections we form and the pain we carry.

An excellent story and performance! Would highly recommend Squidge!!

The story unfolds gradually as the characters, all played by one performer, develop. I was engrossed from the start. The story was beautifully written and performed. I loved it.

Tiggy is incredible creating a character you get hooked on immediately

I was wrapped up in the story within a few minutes and emotional at the end

Beautiful piece

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I laughed but I also was literally in tears. Stunning writing and perfect clever performance. A young lady to watch out for. Was my top show this year. Thank you, as a teacher your creation with live with me.

Beautifully acted, skilfully directed. Varied pace and voices and settings and time shifts but all seamless. The chair and the coat and Daisy - the dance between them was a joy.
I work in The SEN department of a busy school. It's a massively rewarding but hugely underpaid job - Thank you Tiggy for shining your light.

Squidge is an excellent one woman show exploring the realities of existing and trying to do good in a world against you. The cynical humour of the play slowly transforms into a heartfelt message of empathising with the right people and rejecting those that make the world ‘smell of fishes’.

The acting, writing and special effects were witty and stripped back, allowing the performer to work in an abstract place that really enraptured me. Excited to follow Tiggy Bayley, White Noise Theatre, and Ray Productions for their future endeavours !

Squidge took the audience for a ride that was so well crafted that I felt immediately drawn in to the story. All that was needed was a chair and a jacket and the world of the story was complete - a wonderful story about grief and connection.

A one woman play with tons of characters (all played beautifully by the performer) and a complex story with so many layers. It was thought provoking and entertaining. Funny and lighthearted in parts, then heartbreaking and tearjerking in others. This is a character driven story with so much heart. I highly recommend seeing Squidge.

I was absolutely blown away by this show. I was captivated from start to finish, practically drooling in my seat. I laughed and I certainly cried. This performance was stripped to the bone and left me raw, open hearted to all emotions. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Pure life.

What an incredible and beautifully told story about grief. Tiggy made me laugh and she really made me cry. The emotional availability she presents on stage is truly beautiful. I'd highly recommend!

Tiggy is such a talented writer and performer, I loved this from start to finish. Excited to see a life for this show, a great fringe and beyond. Best use of the phrase “good point well made”

A really well-crafted piece of theatre, with laughs and heart in spades. The sparseness of the set really helps Tiggy’s storytelling, and the writing is superb!

Tiggy Bayley’s writing is just exquisite! Her story is equally sensitive and irreverent, delicate and unexpected. Her intimate yet intense performance draws you in, illustrating the bond between a teaching assistant and her student with such care and attention to detail. The offbeat humor and absurdist plot turns only add to the uniqueness of this show. I highly recommend it!

Our favourite show of the Fringe. So compelling we forgot about the outside world for the whole hour, but so real at the same time. So many emotions. A pure delight.

Great new writing, full of heart and an excellent performance that will make you laugh!

A show with pace and depth, the performer kept me locked in throughout. It's gripping, as Tiggy takes you on her characters journey to finally find peace. Loved it !

The writing in this piece really shines. A detailed and sensitive portrayal of grief, so emotive and heartfelt. Tiggy had me leaning in listening to every word. A highlight!

Squidge tells the story of a Teaching Assistant and an SEN Irish traveller pupil connecting over grief. Tiggy Bayley is a powerhouse of a performer - you forget that it’s only one person telling this story. It’s heartwarming, it’s inspiring and it comments painfully on the education system without being preachy. Really beautiful and special story.

What a tender, heartwarming, and beautiful play. Brilliantly acted, written, and directed. Tiggy brings remarkable depth to each character. Heartbreaking, yet filled with moments of pure hope and joy. I can’t recommend Squidge enough—a true fringe highlight!

A beautiful & heart-breaking ode to a teaching assistant. Tiggy's writing and performance is not to be missed - a star in the making!

Squidge made me laugh out loud - loads of heartwarming moments that are super truthful to working in a school. Also made me cry! The play and Tiggy sure have range. I’d love to see it again

Had such a lovely time at the show! v funny and interesting look into prejudice within our education system. an all round good time!

The perfect combination of hilarious, heartwarming and darkly comedic. Squidge will leave you with a smile on your face - don’t miss this incredible show!!

Tiggy Bayley is an absolute powerhouse. What a performance. A sensitive, kind and impressive piece of work. Go to see Squidge please!!!

The anti-Irish sentiment in this play had me nearly walk out. I think it must have bern unintentional, because it was quite a decent and nuanced show apart from some howlers. So with that in mind, here are three things that could be removed to fix it:
1. The reference to the teacher as "that Irish c*nt" for absolutely no reason
2. Doing the teacher's Irish accent. Just don't.
3. That the child said "I can count to 5 in Irish: one, two, tree..." Seriously?