19/08/25

Assembly George Square (The Box), Edinburgh

Writer-director Luke Thornborough’s Alone has been selling out the Assembly’s tiny Box theatre, and it’s easy to see why this intense two-hander is benefitting from great word-of-mouth. Co-directed by Stuart McDougall and performed by Alchemy Theatre, it tells the tale of a couple of astronauts stranded in a failing spaceship, facing their inevitable doom. Even though there are two of them, it’s hard to imagine a more lonely scenario, and the theme of isolation is explored in great detail.

Dr Sarah Taylor (Anthea Freya Hill) is a climate scientist, collecting extra-terrestrial bacteria in an attempt to reduce carbon dioxide back on Earth. Jessica Holland (Courtney Bassett) is her pilot, tasked with keeping the spacecraft on course. They don’t have much in common – they are definitely colleagues rather than friends – but, over time, they have settled into an uneasy alliance. But now, five years into their mission, with everything spiralling out of control, they are really put to the test…

The set, originally by Courty Kayoss (this version designed and built by Indrid Heron), is ingenious: convincingly techy, despite, on closer inspection, comprising mainly painted wooden panels and shiny bolt locks. It’s chaotic without being overwhelming, highlighting the enormity of the women’s work, while still allowing for small-scale, precise actions. It’s immersive too, especially when the smell of cooked noodles pervades the room.

Bassett and Hill deliver flawless performances, their chalk-and-cheese characters both utterly convincing. Taylor’s earnest obsession contrasts nicely with Holland’s down-to-earth approach, and there’s something really endearing about the latter’s excessive ketchup consumption, her sole home comfort confined to a squeezy bottle. As the tension rises and cracks begin to appear in both the spaceship and the women’s relationship, I find myself spellbound by their moral quandaries, wondering where they will draw the line.

And the ending is perfect.

Holland’s wrong about The Smiths though: their lyrics are glorious.

4.6 stars

Susan Singfield