Five Lesbians Eating A Quiche Review

A warm summer’s evening in the charming garden of St Mary’s Church set the scene perfectly for Five Lesbians Eating a Quiche, performed by Pulchritude Theatre Company.

As the audience gathered around a trestle table laden with quiches and flanked by a makeshift outdoor bar, the atmosphere was more garden party than theatre – and that’s precisely the point. Immersive from the outset, the show eased into its satirical world with cast members mingling among the crowd, offering an informal and engaging preamble.

Audience members were each given vintage-style name tags upon arrival – mine read “Barbara” – a playful touch that immediately established the show’s quirky, nostalgic aesthetic. Set in 1956, the play follows the members of the Susan B. Anthony Society for the Sisters of Gertrude Stein, who have gathered for their annual quiche breakfast, an occasion that quickly unravels into chaos as truths emerge and the outside world encroaches on their sanctuary.

The action officially begins once we’re seated in the compact, arched space inside the church grounds – a space that unexpectedly proves ideal for both intimate comedy and the more ominous undertones of the narrative. The committee, composed of O'Donnell, Cromwell, Corner, Leys, and finally Harbin (whose entrance is particularly theatrical), immediately command attention with their heightened performances, sharp comic timing, and tightly choreographed ensemble energy.

Director Naomi Reading ensures the show moves at a brisk pace, with punchy one-liners and egg-related innuendo flying thick and fast. The humour leans heavily into camp absurdity, with layered callbacks and well-placed running jokes keeping the audience in constant laughter. And while the tone is light and irreverent, there's an unexpected emotional weight underpinning it all. The setting – a Cold War-era community shelter – becomes more than just a backdrop: it’s a metaphor for the fear, repression, and unspoken truths the women are all hiding from, including their queerness.

One particularly effective moment comes during an air raid simulation. The low-ceilinged, bunker-like arches of the venue amplify the sense of claustrophobia and imminent danger, heightening the tension in an otherwise comedic piece. This clever use of space blurs the line between safety and threat, mirroring the internal conflict of the characters. It’s both funny and sobering, especially when paired with a post-show fundraising appeal for The Trevor Project – a poignant reminder of the real-world challenges still faced by LGBTQ+ communities.

The ensemble shines throughout, with each actor bringing a distinct character to life while maintaining a cohesive group dynamic. The audience participation – particularly the long-suffering “Marjorie” plucked from the front row – is handled deftly, never crossing into discomfort but always drawing hearty laughs.

Where Five Lesbians Eating a Quiche truly excels is in its refusal to make queerness the butt of the joke. Instead, it celebrates queer identity through humour, solidarity, and the simple joy of women being unapologetically themselves. The audience’s enthusiastic participation in the group chant “I AM A LESBIAN!” was a joyous climax, a mix of comedy and catharsis.

In a theatre landscape where queer stories are often heavy or tokenistic, this show stands out for its irreverence, its warmth, and its ability to wrap serious themes in delicious absurdity. At just 75 minutes, it leaves you laughing, thinking, and maybe even craving a slice of quiche.

To support the cast’s fundraiser for The Trevor Project, you can follow the link below: https://give.thetrevorproject.org/fundraiser/6438479

Written by guest reviewer Amy Sherlock