• Advertise
  • Request Review
  • Write for Us
  • Privacy
  • Login

Theatre Bubble

The UK Theatre Network

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Features
  • Spotlight
  • Opinions
  • Interviews
  • Guides
  • Ed Fringe

EdFringe 2017 – Secret Life of Humans at Pleasance Courtyard

August 14, 2017 by Katie Smith Leave a Comment

Review of: Secret Life of Humans

Reviewed by: Katie Smith
Rating:
4
On August 14, 2017
Last modified:August 16, 2017

Summary:

A thoughtful musing on humanity and the leftover effects of evolution, contemplating the future of the human race.

More Details

“Everything that makes us human exists in theatre.” So details David Byrne, writer and co-director of Secret Life of Humans, in the show’s programme note. It’s a fair explanation of why adapting material from Yuval Harari’s Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind and the work of 70s television presenter Jacob “Bruno” Bronowski for the stage is actually a very good idea. Where better to explore the leftovers of human evolution and our own humanity than in a theatre?

If you’re worried this sounds a little too educational, be assured that Secret Life of Humans is populated by very whole, human characters. Ava is a (recently fired) academic, and our guide to the story. When she isn’t taking her place in the plot, she talks, lecture-style, in a direct address to the audience, Stella Blue Taylor plays her with pathos as her own trials and tribulations become apparent. Particularly wonderful, too, is Richard Delaney as Bruno, breathing to life a fairly forgotten popular figure, whose troubling secrets come to a head throughout the course of the play.

Byrne’s script, devised with the company, is endearing and educational without ever being stuffy or dry. Each and every character, whether historical or fictional, feels fully-formed, which is commendable in a play that tackles such vast subjects as evolution, adaption, and the future of the human race.

If you’ve seen or read anything about Secret Life of Humans, you’ll probably know that the actors walk along the back wall, suspended four metres above the heads of the actors on the ground. For all the play’s brilliance – and it is a brilliant, sparkling gem of a script – I just couldn’t fathom why the aerial walking needed to happen. Other than the very occasional mention of looking at humanity’s past through the eyes of gods, it felt a little bit – unpopular opinion alert – gimmicky. It happened because it could happen, but it is relatively irrelevant to the plot and is almost too distracting.

We can learn a lot from the content explored in Secret Life of Humans, and an extra reading list is even provided for audience members who want to learn more. The staging is a little safe – the (probably unnecessary) aerial work aside, the projections and sliding bookcases are relatively tame. But the show’s speculations on the future of humanity are surprisingly positive, and it’s a wonderful antidote to the gloom and doom of today to hear a perspective with so much faith in our future. Perhaps we could learn from it.

Katie Smith

Author: Katie Smith

Filed Under: Review Tagged With: Edinburgh Fringe 2017

Join the discussion Cancel reply

INTERVIEW / Gavin Maxwell and William Townsend talk Anthropocene

Launching on this year’s World Earth Day (Thursday 22nd April), Anthropocene: The Human Era is a digital choose-your-own adventure from [Read More]

NEWS / Thick ‘n’ Fast announce new show General Secretary

Who run the world? A satirically comic journey through power and diplomacy as two highly unqualified women are suddenly landed [Read More]

Guides / 5 Tools for Actors to Enter the Theatre World like a Pro

Becoming a successful actor is no small feat. Fortunately, for those interested in improving their acting skills, plenty of tools [Read More]

NEWS / Digital Theatre & Arts Micro Festival Living Roots

Hot in the heels of the debut Living Record Festival in January-February 2021, the Living Roots Festival launches 5th April. [Read More]

Hands Face & Empty Space / Abel Law on becoming a musical theatre student during COVID

On the 17th March, it will be exactly one year since UK theatre came to an overnight standstill. Every day [Read More]

Top Posts & Pages

  • Gavin Maxwell and William Townsend talk Anthropocene
  • 10 Tips to Help You Prepare for Your Reality TV Auditions
  • Alison Ford on maternity, redundancy and doing what's right
  • 5 Stage Elements to Consider for a Rousing Theatrical Production
  • Constellations- Bristol Old Vic
  • Peter Pan at the National Theatre
  • Bridge Theatre announces 2019 Season
  • Nick Thompson new Executive Producer Reading Rep Theatre
  • Yasmin Paige on Actually
  • From where I was sat, Tom Hiddleston's Betrayal was a bit meh
  • Katie Smith

    Katie Smith
    Contributor

  • August 14th, 2017
  • comment iconNo Comments
  • Facebook1TweetLinkedInEmail

    Newsletter

    Enjoyed what you've read? Get even more great content directly to your inbox - Completely Free

    About Theatre Bubble

    Theatre Bubble is the news, review and blogging site created by Blue Pie Media and run by a dedicated team of outstanding editors and writers: we're always looking for new contributors - to find out more click here.

    Contact Us

    News: news@theatrebubble.com
    Reviews: reviews@theatrebubble.com
    Website: webmaster@theatrebubble.com

    Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2021 · Blue Pie Media

    Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

    Email sent!