Review: Firebird

📍 Southwark Playhouse Borough

🗓️ 28th July 2026

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Every once in a while, you come across a play that completely hooks you, and you want nothing more than to see it again after leaving, still thinking about it days later.

This is exactly how I felt watching Firebird — an incredibly harrowing and powerful story about Tia, a girl who has been in care since she was three. She forms a connection with a man she thinks she can trust, but it ultimately unfolds into a deeply real story about grooming.

Written by Phil Davies, Firebird was originally staged in 2015, set in Rochdale, with Double Telling working alongside the writer to bring a new version set in Glasgow.

The set, as you walk into "The Little" theatre space at Southwark Playhouse Borough, is very minimalistic, with just a raised stage and a wheelchair. Little did I know how this stage would transform into such an impactful part of the story later in the play.

When we first meet Tia (Mollie Milne), she’s tough and fiery, with a hard exterior. This is a stark contrast to the personality of her new friend Katie (Kelise Gordon-Harrison), a young girl full of hope, a dreamer with a much more childlike nature than Tia. I guess you could say, a personality that feels much more typical of a 14-year-old girl - wanting to play games with her new friend.

We’re yet to learn why Tia is in a wheelchair, and it’s clear she hasn’t been honest with her friend either.

Firebird is Mollie’s London debut, and her performance is nothing short of phenomenal. Everything from the way she embodies Tia’s personality to the emotional struggle she faces is utterly captivating, not only in her voice but in her movement too, with her entire body shaking for long periods of the performance. I fully believed her story — a sadly very real one that, although I was aware of it, I’d never really stopped to consider the reality of it happening. Her fiery personality throughout much of the play slowly fades, revealing the innocence and vulnerability of a young girl who just wants to be wanted.

Kelise played Katie with such joy, wonder and enthusiasm, bringing moments of lightness to an otherwise incredibly heavy story. 

That light relief was so welcome, but she handled the more difficult, emotional moments just as wonderfully. She also seamlessly transitioned into the role of Deborah later in the play.

Taqi Nazeer similarly brings incredible life to the character of AJ. When we first meet him, he seems charming, although it's clear he's up to something. The way he draws Tia in is unsettling to watch, especially given how young she is. Then, almost like the flick of a switch, his personality changes and he instantly becomes a far more intimidating presence. The speed at which a young girl can be taken advantage of is genuinely shocking and incredibly eye-opening. Taqi also takes on two roles within the piece and considering how emotionally intense this play, he handles it brilliantly. 

Although the staging seemed minimal, the lighting completely blew me away throughout the performance. Each lighting choice was made with purpose and played a powerful part in telling Tia’s story. From dramatic blackouts, to lighting used around the stage area itself, to spotlights on Tia that focused on her during those vulnerable moments, each decision drew me into the story even more.

The set was used cleverly with a real feeling of entrapment. I truly felt the sense of suffocation, panic and fear from Tia. What first looked like a simple stage turned into something much more impactful. 

Marlie Haco’s direction really does the story justice, keeping the fo

cus on Tia’s perspective throughout the 90 minutes, making every moment feel raw. 

I was lucky enough to catch this performance when a Q&A was planned afterwards, and it was really interesting to hear how the play had changed and developed further from its original run.

Firebird is an incredibly difficult and uncomfortable watch, but I was completely hooked from start to finish. It’s hard to not get emotionally caught up in this play when it’s presented so brilliantly. 

Grooming is a sad reality of the world, and something that I was aware of but I don’t think truly considered the reality of until I watched this play. I’m still thinking about it days later and if I could fit in another trip to see it, I absolutely would. Hopefully another chance arises in the future - I doubt this will be the last we see of this one.  

Raw, emotional and eye-opening, I urge you to see this before it closes.