Fringe review: NUCLEAR CHILDREN, Platform Presents - Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Photo credit: Alex Brenner

Written and performed by Ezra England and directed by Sean Linnen, Nuclear Children is a dark comedy that follows the struggles of Isla. After the death of her father in a submarine accident, Isla is struggling to cope. So she does what anyone else would do in this situation and runs off to University. Intrusive thoughts, declining mental health and witnessing an old lady die in her arms in Asda doesn't really help matters.

England's storytelling is relaxed and simple, despite the content. The style is very matter of fact, it's just being told the way that it is. It's engaging from start to finish and the time just flies by.

The set is a simple block of steps centre stage, but they are used well and lit superbly, changing from home or university to underwater submarine whenever Isla is talking to her Dad.

The way the 'other' characters in the story are referred to conjures up their image's easily and we share Isla's frustrations and angst. It is relatable in many ways, even if one of them is not linked to submarines.

This piece is the winner of the 2021 Platform Presents Playwright's Prize, and it's an unbelievable debut by England. We can't wait to see what comes next!

Much more than a sub...standard piece.

***** Five stars

Reviewed by: Rachel Louise Martin

Nuclear Children plays at The Attic at Pleasance Courtyard at 2.05pm until 28 August.