Interview with Sean Matthew Whiteford – I Was a Teenage She Devil

Sean Matthew Whiteford isn’t interested in doing things quietly. His new musical I Was a Teenage She Devil arrives at the Fringe with its volume up and its eyeliner smudged, ready to take late-night audiences somewhere loud and unexpected. As the show prepares to open at theSpace, Sean talks about the long road to getting it here and why this version feels like the one he was always meant to share.

You’ve called I Was a Teenage She Devil a "non stop, big laugh, high voltage musical" and it already sounds like a Fringe fever dream in the best way. What first sparked the idea, and when did you know it was meant for the stage?

It has always been my dream to write a great rock musical. Since I was a kid I wanted to be the next Richard O’Brien. I ran a rock and roll theatre company in upstate New York for 15 years, and in 2011, when I couldn’t decide what to programme, I finally decided to write something original. I went into my closet, which is full of VHS tapes, and pulled out a B-movie called Girlfriend from Hell. I didn’t adapt it directly, but the concept of a girl possessed by the Devil inspired me to build my own story. Over time, it has grown into something much deeper, a show that really connects with teen audiences. I’m so glad I stuck with it.

This show is dripping in 80s energy. Big hair, big vocals, bigger eyeliner. What inspired your version of that world, and what can audiences expect from the sound of the show?

The show is basically my soul onstage. I wanted it to feel authentic to the era while flipping outdated tropes on their head. It used to lean more toward parody, but I realised that only gets you so far. Now, it's self-aware but grounded. If you're a true 80s fan, almost every line is a reference. We’ve hidden tons of Easter eggs throughout.

Musically, there’s nothing overly theatrical about it. It sounds like real 80s rock and pop, gritty, big, and fully committed. My taste runs deep, and every song reflects that.

There’s plenty of chaos and glitter, but there’s also a heartfelt story underneath. How did that emotional side evolve over time?

The heart was always there, but it used to only show itself at the end. As the show matured, the emotional throughline became more honest and important. It’s not just about laughs or spectacle, it’s about making people feel seen. I used to get too focused on replicating 80s movies where characters didn’t need arcs. That got old fast. The more I stayed true to myself, the stronger the show became.

After concert versions and workshops in New York, this is the first fully staged UK production. What’s changed creatively now that She Devil is stepping onto the Fringe stage?

Everything. I’m 14 years older and have learned a lot. If you want to be a great writer, you have to be a great editor. Stick to your gut, but always keep working to make the show better.

You’ve got a killer creative team. What have Rachel Klein, Juda Leah, and Ryan MacKenzie brought that’s helped push She Devil into full theatrical overdrive?

I’m so lucky to have them. Rachel has been involved for seven years, Juda since the very beginning. They’re true 80s devotees, and their attention to detail keeps the show from becoming cheesy or inauthentic. Ryan is a newer addition, but he’s brilliant. He helps shape the music in ways I couldn’t do alone. And he’s a great friend.

Without giving too much away, is there a scene, lyric or moment that still makes you think, I can’t believe I actually got away with that?

All of it.

You’ve performed in shows like Rocky Horror and Hedwig, big cult musicals with huge energy. Has that experience changed how you write for performers now?

Totally. In rock musicals, you need to be fearless. Rocky Horror changed my life. I saw it on Broadway in 2000 and never looked back. It taught me how to be honest, raw, and outrageous onstage. It gave me the permission to fully express myself, which has shaped how I write. I didn’t want to just be a singer. Those shows encouraged me to be the most extreme, expressive version of myself.

Looking back on this show’s journey, what’s one lesson you’ve learned as a writer that you wish you knew when it all began?

It’s a long journey. Keep learning, stay open, and don’t limit yourself. Be true to who you are.

What kind of reaction are you hoping for when that first Fringe audience takes their seats?

I want people to feel transported, to leave the theatre uplifted and inspired.

This show is a dopamine shot to the heart.

I won’t spoil anything, but I hope they have the time of their lives.

The Cast of I Was A Teenage She-Devil

I WAS A TEENAGE SHE-DEVIL is currently playing at theSpace until August 22nd, with performances nightly at 22:30.

Tickets available here