Parasocial Activity

Parasocial Activity description

Parasocial Activity is a dark comedy about a young woman who is certain that a film star is the love of her life.

Jenny meets her favourite A-list celebrity, James McAvoy, in a branch of Costa, and as far as she is concerned they fall in love on the spot. She knows they are meant to be together. The people around her are less convinced, and their doubts only harden her resolve. As the story unfolds, the play asks where a harmless crush ends and obsession begins, and how far Jenny is prepared to go in the name of love.

The play won a Scotsman Fringe First Award at the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Its Edinburgh run drew five-star reviews from Corr Blimey, which called it "theatre at its best", and from Binge Fringe, which described its star as "a powerhouse performer", as well as four stars from The Scotsman and BroadwayWorld. McAvoy himself is quoted on the production's material, calling it "a bloody triumph". The piece explores parasocial relationships, the one-sided attachments people form with public figures, in the digital age. In London it plays The Little, the smaller of the two auditoriums at Southwark Playhouse Borough.

The play is written and performed by Briony Martha and directed by Megan Brewer, with sound design by Arianna Muñoz. It is presented by Gallus Productions and Silly Mission Productions, in association with Disruptable Theatre Productions.

Briony Martha plays Jenny in this solo show, which runs for 1 hour 15 minutes without an interval and is recommended for ages 15 and over. It contains strong language and depictions of mental illness and murder. The run includes a captioned performance.

Book now for a sharp, funny and unsettling look at fandom, fame and the point where devotion goes too far.

Playing at Southwark Playhouse Borough

77-85 Newington Causeway, London, SE1 6BD GB (venue info)

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