Bad Girls: The Musical

Rachel Hicks arrives at Larkhall Prison. She meets prison officers Sylvia Hollamby and Jim Fenner, wing governor Helen Stewart, and the other women of Larkhall ("I Shouldn't Be Here"). Fenner behaves in a friendly manner to Rachel, who is distraught over having her baby removed from her custody.

Rachel is visited by Shell Dockley and her sidekick Denny Blood, who introduce Rachel to life in prison. Shell offers Rachel her protection ("Guardian Angel"). Rachel tells Fenner about the encounter but is brushed off.

Governor Helen places Nikki Wade, a long-term inmate, on an enhanced regime[lower-alpha 1] as incentive to win an appeal. Fenner and Sylvia disagree with the decision but congratulate themselves on their skills ("Jailcraft"). During the performance, Fenner communicates with Number One, the governor in charge of Larkhall Prison, regarding his lack of faith in Helen's abilities.

During the transportation of Nikki, a fight breaks out between Nikki and Shell. Nikki is blamed and put in segregation where she laments the events that placed her in prison ("One Moment"). Helen visits Nikki and reinstates her enhanced status. Helen relays the bad news to Julie Saunders and Julie Johnston that Saunder's child has been taken into foster care. Johnston is unsurprised ("Life of Grime").

Yvonne Atkins arrives, who Shell perceives as a threat to her standing in the prison. Yvonne has successfully smuggled in alcohol and cigarettes and the inmates have an impromptu party. The alcohol prompts Nikki to flirt with Helen, who rebuffs her.

It is revealed that Fenner is a sexual predator who sneaks into inmate's rooms after hours ("The Key"). He assaults Shell and then forces his way into Rachel's room. The following morning, Rachel is found hanged in her cell. The unsympathetic behaviour of the prison officers prompts a protest ("That's The Way It Is") which escalates into an all-out riot.

After the riot, the inmates are on lockdown, and lament their confinement ("Freedom Road"). Fenner convinces Number One to offer him the job of wing governor ("The Future Is Bright"), but Helen is prepared to fight for her job at tribunal.

The lockdown ends and after a power struggle, Shell and Denny are assigned to the canteen, prompting a hunger strike led by Yvonne. Helen negotiates for Julie to speak to her son, and she confessed to lying about where she is ("Sorry").

Nikki visits Helen in her office. After a tense encounter, interrupted by Justin, they both individually struggle with their feelings for each other ("Every Night"). Justin visits Helen's home, where she rebuffs his advances and confesses that Nikki got under her skin.

Back at the prison, Yvonne befriends Denny and tells the Julies of her attraction to Justin ("All Banged Up"). Drugs are found at the prison in Shell's possession, planted by Fenner in an attempt to discredit Helen. She decides to join Justin and Nikki's attempt to save Helen's career ("The Baddest And The Best").

Shell, Nikki and Justin embark on a sting to catch Fenner where Shell has to seduce him ("First Lady"). It succeeds, but Shell also sets fire to the cell ("The Baddest And The Best (Reprise)").

There's a celebration for Denny's 21st birthday, and Yvonne has arranged a fireworks display. Nikki and Helen confess their feelings for each other ("This Is My Life"). A helicopter appears – Yvonne has arranged for a prison break using her husband's criminal connections. She takes Denny with her to "serve their time" in Spain.