Yes, We're Related Review at the Edinburgh Fringe

Grief, family and a rouge squirrel take centerstage at the Big Belly at Underbelly Cowgate as part of the Edinburgh Fringe with Florence Lace-Evans' new show Yes, We're Related.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Poster Photographer: Rebecca Need-Menear and Poster Design: James O’Brien

Upon entering the smokey theatre space at Underbelly Cowgate, I immediately was drawn to two things; a wonderful lighting design of cigarette yellow washes and practical lighting from Oliver McNally and the grief support leaflets across the seating. From this moment, I knew I was in for a rollercoaster of emotions.

Florence Lace-Evans’ new play Yes, We're Related is a gripping, darkly comedic exploration of grief which is examined from two sides: the hidden, internalised and the loud, expressive kind. At its heart is the tense relationship between two dysfunctional sisters, Sara and Saskia, navigating life after the loss of their mother. When one sister forms an unlikely bond with a red squirrel, it triggers an outpouring of family tensions and heartbreaking truths.

Lace-Evans’ script is very well written. It's full of depth, sharp humour, and rich character work. The pacing keeps the audience hooked, with twists and emotional beats that feel authentic. Many moments will resonate with anyone who has experienced grief; I recognised several stages of my own loss reflected in the writing.

The performances are excellent. Jonas Moore is an absolute delight, effortlessly likeable and in full control of the stage. His final scene is one of the best moments in the play. Lace-Evans herself gives a heartfelt turn as the grief-stricken Sara, resisting melodrama and grounding the character in reality, or as much as she can. Alexandra O’Neill is equally strong as Saskia, one of the play’s most layered characters; she balances the changes from harshness to vulnerability with ease. The chemistry between O’Neill and Lace-Evans is electric, particularly in the speech scene towards the end of the play.

Director Fran Davies-Cáceres excels at world-building, aided by Sarah Spencer’s clever sound design and McNally’s atmospheric lighting. The low, practical lighting choices perfectly complement the play’s mood, enhancing both its comedy and poignancy. One minor note: occasionally, the blocking felt unnecessarily busy, at times stillness could have been more powerful than movement.

Yes, We're Related is a dark comedy with a big heart, brought to life by a talented team who know how to balance the absurd and the deeply human.

Ticket Information for Yes, We're Related:

Yes, We're Related runs at the Big Belly at Underbelly Cowgate at 14:00PM each day as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival until the 24th of August. You can buy tickets here.

Location:  Big Belly at Underbelly Cowgate, Edinburgh

Date of Review: 6th of August

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Disclaimer: I was invited to this show on August 6th, 2025 in exchange for an honest review. All views are my own and were not influenced by the invite.