In a comedic, heartfelt look at the pain of extreme shyness, Isabel Renner’s one-woman show celebrates the awkward, the quirky, and those who second-guess themselves into silence. Shy Girl glides between ten vivid characters as she prepares for her NYC birthday party and anxiously rehearses conversations to avoid screwing up in front of the “legends” she’s invited. Intent on proving her coolness and escaping her isolation, she clutches her index cards for guidance—but as her social anxiety escalates, things begin to unravel. From conversations with her therapist (a six-year-old she babysits), her German gynaecologist, her cluelessly sexy roommate Memphis, and sex guru Twilight, the Vagina Goddess, Shy Girl pushes herself to connect—emotionally, physically, and sexually. Casting the audience as friends both real and imaginary, Wyld Woman: The Legend of Shy Girl is a raw, humorous, and empowering tribute to anyone who’s ever wished life came with a manual—and ultimately discovers the legend within themselves.

Wyld Woman: The Legend of Shy Girl comes to Southwark Playhouse following a hit run at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024.

Isabel Renner said, “Wyld Woman is a love letter to anyone who has ever believed the terrible lie that they are not cool enough and a reminder of the age old truth: we are all legends. I wrote Wyld Woman in an attempt to face my deep shame of feeling like the shyest girl in the entire world. And now I get to perform the show in London? No one loves the English like Shy Girl (her most romantic memory is a scene from My Fair Lady). London is her dream home, and it is an honour to take her there.”

Catherine Schreiber said, “I’m so thrilled to introduce Isabel Renner to London. She’s an extraordinary talent both as a writer and actress. No one else could pull off a blowjob ballet with such grace, humour, and poignancy. Shy Girl is desperate to connect and fall in love and I know London will fall in love with her.”

Writer and performer Isabel Renner and director Cameron King are New York based artists. They previously collaborated on Cloud 9 for Theatre Lab.

Southwark Playhouse is a registered charity that delivers a year-round programme of entertaining and enriching work. Southwark Playhouse operates two separate venues ‘Southwark Playhouse Borough’ and its newest theatre ‘Southwark Playhouse Elephant’ which opened in January 2023. Southwark Playhouse has always prided itself in telling stories and inspiring the next generation of storytellers and theatre makers, where support for the community has been rooted at the core of the organisation.

Running Time: 60 mins | Suitable for ages 16+
Company information
Writer and performer Isabel Renner Director Cameron King
Producer Catherine Schreiber General manager RJG Productions

Listings information
23 October – 11 November
Southwark Playhouse Borough
77-85 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BD
Mon – Sat 7.30pm, Tues & Sat 3pm
£10 Pioneer Preview (23 October) 23 October £25 standard / £20 concession | www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk | 020 7407 0234