Review of “Those People” at Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh

“Those People” is a two-hander that blends sketch comedy, dance, and confessional storytelling to explore a queer female friendship. The show opens with a mime sequence in which two women crash a car into a lake and one rescues the other, establishing a theme of mutual salvation that recurs throughout the hour. The performers shift between humor, resentment, and intimacy, using physicality—often moving over one another—to underscore the complexity of their relationship.

The Guardian

Fifteen years ago, the Pleasance Courtyard hosted Lizzie and Sarah Daykin’s duo “Toby,” a piece noted for its charged sibling-rivalry dynamic. The current production revisits that energy through Lara Ciulli and Riana White, whose chemistry refracts the earlier work into a contemporary exploration of friendship and possible romance.

The Guardian

• Lara Ciulli – performer; brings charismatic stage presence and self-delighted audience flirtation.

The Guardian

• Riana White – performer; provides a grounded counterbalance to Ciulli’s flamboyance.

The Guardian

• Lizzie Daykin – co-creator of “Toby,” whose earlier work informs the show’s thematic lineage.

The Guardian

• Sarah Daykin – co-creator of “Toby,” contributing to the conceptual framework behind the current piece.

The Guardian

The review highlights the “gripping and slippery” nature of the performance, noting how the duo’s bickering feels “close to the bone” and blurs the line between friendship and romance. Physical comedy—such as an ex-partner’s refusal to return a Calvin Klein item that morphs into an underwear fever dream—coexists with moments of raw vulnerability, like a naked breakdance that steals the scene. The production’s major movement component, with performers constantly atop one another, amplifies the sense of codependency and mutual resentment. A filmed ending, shot against a London backdrop rather than Edinburgh, feels grafted onto the live material, and the reviewer describes it as a slight misstep. Nonetheless, the striking stage pictures and the unfiltered portrayal of confused passion are praised as central strengths.

The Guardian

The reviewer characterizes “Those People” as an arresting debut, emphasizing its visual boldness and the authenticity of its emotional texture. The piece is positioned as a notable addition to Edinburgh’s contemporary theatre scene, offering a fresh, queer-focused narrative that resonates with audiences seeking both humor and depth.

The Guardian