ALONE @ Assembly George Square

A studio theatre in a shipping container proves an ideal setting for ALONE, a claustrophobic drama which unfolds aboard a spaceship. The ship’s pilot Jessica Holland (Courtney Bassett) and scientist Sarah Taylor (Anthea Freya Hill) have become relatably over-familiar with each other as the only crew on a research voyage to a distant planet. They’ve collected bacteria that might help to purify the tainted air on an ailing planet Earth.

They argue over many things, from music to the existence of God, while maintaining a reasonably functional relationship. The warm humour in Luke Thornborough’s script is realised superbly by the performers, whose timing is impeccable. They interact with the voice of Phil at mission control (Steve Austin) and go about their business in a relaxed and casual way, until a space storm hits.

This provides a significant gear-change in the drama which becomes more serious, very quickly. After the storm has passed, only gradually do the crew discover that all is not well. Again, the acting, setting and soundscape prove convincing and engrossing. The action rings true as a study of what happens to people in extreme situations, with crude self-interest butting up against moral and ethical concerns.

Originating in New Zealand, ALONE is on its third outing to Edinburgh, having previously been performed in 2023 and 2025. The play also exists in a 90-minute format. Were it to come back again, hopefully we’d be treated to the longer version. This is a fantastic production and a credit to everyone at Alchemy Theatre who’s worked on it. This is a genuinely immersive piece of drama that takes us away from the here-and-now – and gets us pondering and emoting in ways that only the very best Fringe shows can achieve. 

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ALONE, Assembly George Square (The Box), until 30 Aug (not 17, 24), 1.35pm and 25-28 Aug, 5.40pm, £13.50-16.50