Alone in the Universe: Alchemy Theatre on bringing ALONE to Edinburgh
- London Theatre Doc
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
ALONE has hopped from New Zealand to Paris and now lands at the Edinburgh Fringe with Alchemy Theatre at the helm. It is a tense, thought provoking space drama that asks what happens when survival collides with silence. I caught up with writer Luke and actor producer Anthea to dig into how the show has grown and why it still feels like a story that needs telling right now.
ALONE has already crossed continents and won awards. What does this new Edinburgh version mean to you, and how has the piece evolved?
Anthea: We are thrilled to bring ALONE to Europe and the UK. As a Paris based English language company, this feels like the right moment to give the play the life it deserves here.
Luke: Sadly, the themes are more urgent than ever. Climate change and the silencing of women in STEM have only intensified. This sixty minute version is leaner and more action packed, but still grounded in those big questions.
Luke, you live in a remote part of Aotea and work in conservation. Has that shaped your storytelling?
Luke: Definitely. I wrote ALONE before moving to the island, but the play is part of what pushed me there. Being surrounded by nature changes how you think about fragility and survival.
Anthea, you have called Dr Sarah Taylor both brilliant and overlooked. Was there a moment in rehearsal when she truly came into focus for you?
Anthea: Yes. Late in rehearsals, Sarah says, “They all rely on me and my research.” The weight of that line crushed me. She has dedicated her life to solving the climate crisis. In our story, the atmosphere is no longer safely breathable, and yet she is still persecuted for her beliefs and her gender. That moment captures her profound isolation.
Two people trapped on a failing spaceship, how do you keep that intensity alive every night?
Anthea: It is demanding, emotionally and physically. The concentration, the vocal work, the sheer stamina, it could get exhausting. But my co star Courtney Bassett is incredible. She keeps me on my toes with jokes and little surprises. As soon as I step into the space and connect with her, the story breathes again.
Bowie was an influence on the piece. What did you want to capture?
Luke: A key theme in ALONE is how words fail us. Love is impossible to fully define, yet we know what it means when we feel it. Bowie often wrote songs that seemed nonsensical, like Life on Mars, yet through performance you still felt the emotion. That paradox really resonated.
Alchemy is proudly female led. How have audiences responded to that mix of political and emotional storytelling?
Anthea: Audiences become deeply invested. At first there is laughter, then I can feel the breath leaving the room. By the end, the silence is deafening. People are stunned, and it is powerful to share that.
Luke: Reactions vary. Some are moved, some are furious about the astronauts’ situation. Female scientists often connect strongly with Dr Taylor. They recognise the hostility she faces and the pressure of her position.
The show has been performed in New Zealand, Australia, Paris and now Edinburgh. Have those different audiences changed your experience of it?
Luke: Absolutely. Each audience highlights something different. Humour that works in Australia does not always land in Edinburgh, and the reverse can be true as well. That cultural lens keeps the play alive.
Writing two brilliant but vulnerable women, what was the hardest part?
Luke: At first I wrote Sarah as celebrated back on Earth. Audiences told me flat out that would not happen. Just look at the vitriol aimed at Greta Thunberg. That pushed me to interview women in science and the military to understand what they endure. The relationship itself took months of workshopping with Courtney Bassett and Kat Glass to capture a natural banter and familiarity.
Anthea, you also teach and produce. How do you balance everything?
Anthea: Before Fringe it was chaos. Teaching, producing another show in Paris, prepping ALONE. Once here, I can focus fully. In rehearsal I give everything, then switch gears for admin later. Luckily we have a brilliant team. At our little apartment in Leith, our producer Charlotte and co director Stuart cook for us and even send me to bed on time. For a month I get to be a spoiled actor.
And finally, the spaceship is doomed. One luxury item for your pod. No shame, no logic required
Anthea: A hi fi system and my vinyl collection. Especially my Joni Mitchell albums
.Luke: Same. Spaceship hi fi please.
Show - Alone
Venue - Assembly George Square
Dates - Until 24th August
Time - 1300
Tickets available at https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/alone
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