The Edinburgh Fringe and The Other Palace are both known for being hugely supportive of new theatre, so it seems only fitting that I Was A Teenage She-Devil has now been staged at both of them. Described as an 80s horror fever dream, the show is currently running at The Other Palace until 26th April 2026.
A comedy rock horror musical, I Was A Teenage She-Devil centres around Nancy, a four-eyed wallflower who, after being pushed over the edge by the most popular kids at school, cries to the heavens for help…and is answered by none other than Satan himself! The Devil transforms Nancy into a big-haired, foul-mouthed, sex bomb rocker who’s hungry for souls, and sweet revenge is on the menu. So, who will save Nancy, and will the power of love for who she really is break the spell before it’s too late?
I got the chance to interview Sean Matthew Whiteford, the writer behind this non-stop, big laughs and high-voltage musical. I found it so interesting getting to learn more about how this show came to be, and I hope you enjoy reading Whiteford’s answers as much as I did!
Note: None of these answers have been edited in any way, shape or form. They are exactly as they were sent to me.
Hi there, and thanks for doing this interview with me! Let’s start simple – can you tell us who you are and a little bit about yourself?
Thank you so much! I’m Sean Matthew Whiteford. I’ve been a performer, producer, and vocal coach for over 20 years, and I’m the creator of She-Devil, which I’ve been developing for the past 15 years.
What can people expect from I Was A Teenage She-Devil?
It’s a feel-good, high energy experience – a mix of being at an incredible party, a high-octane rock concert and watching the best 80s B-movie brought to life on stage. You’ll laugh, you’ll cheer, you might even cry – it’s a lot!
What was your inspiration behind the show?
I grew up in my local video stores as a child, and have my own extensive collection of VHS tapes in my studio closet. My “Video Treasures”! This show is meant to embody that exact feeling of a childhood back in the day, finding some random tape at the store, watching it late at night with your friends, and having the best night ever. I’m a bit of an 80s historian and I love writing retro-style music, so to continue to work on a project that encompasses all of my passions (and being) is a total blessing.
What were your hopes when writing the show?
I’ve always been extremely ambitious. When I was 12, I wrote down that my life goal was to create one great rock musical. I have big dreams for this show, and hope it will resonate with people all over the world someday.
What makes this show unique?
It brings together everything I love about the decade in a way that feels both familiar and fresh. We take some of the more outdated 80s tropes and flip them on their head, creating a show that celebrates the era while telling a story for a new generation.
How has I Was A Teenage She-Devil developed from The Edinburgh Fringe to The Other Palace?
Fringe was a thrill, but we were technically limited. At The Other Palace, we’ve been able to really expand. The marriage of the set, costumes, lighting, and sound design has significantly leveled up the show. I also wrote new material and developed the book further—and I’m already working on what’s next. I never get tired of writing for these characters.
You’re not only a writer of this show, but a performer; what was it like writing a show rather than being in it?
I originally played Satan from the show’s inception in 2011, and reprised it for the recent Concept Album (now streaming everywhere!). We have a tremendous performer, Sean Arkless, who has been playing Satan in the UK, and he brings the house down every single night! It’s been quite lovely sitting back and just enjoying the show. I think perhaps being a performer has also made me a better writer, which I think is part of why the cast has so much fun doing it.
Comedy and horror are frequently seen to go hand in hand; why do you think they complement each other so well?
I tend to like my horror with at least a little comedy! You need the comic relief to break up the tension. And when you add 80s rock in there, that’s the secret sauce!
What was it like handing your writing over to someone else to bring to life?
I’m incredibly grateful for our entire team that brings the show to life—it’s amazing to see it evolve each time. Working with Rachel Klein has been especially kismet, who really understands the time period and all the show’s references. As a writer, it’s always interesting to see how others interpret the material, and for me, as long as the heart stays intact and the characters remain relatively sincere, I trust the formulas to work!
Last question, what would you like audiences to take away from I Was A Teenage She-Devil?
I want audiences to leave feeling uplifted, inspired, and like they’ve just had one of the best nights they’ve ever had at the theater!
I Was A Teenage She-Devil sounds like a completely unique show, one that has clearly been written with so much genuine passion and enthusiasm, and I really enjoyed this interview with Sean Matthew Whiteford, and getting the chance to have more insight on the musical. I Was A Teenage She-Devil sounds like a show that is full of energy and guaranteed to provide some escapism. Running at The Other Palace until the 26th April, there is not long left to catch the show, but with it being so popular at both The Edinburgh Fringe and The Other Palace, I have hopes that this will not be the last we see of the musical.
You can find out more about I Was A Teenage She-Devil here: https://www.teenageshedevil.com/
You can buy tickets for I Was A Teenage She-Devil here: https://theotherpalace.co.uk/i-was-a-teenage-she-devil/
One Show at a Time 