Presented by The Edinburgh Graduate Theatre Group

Review by Hunter King

The Hepburn Suite at The Royal Scots Club

To get things started, Plano is an irreverent play that makes no sense, but relies heavily on vibes and evoking feelings that are relatable, rather than being grounded in reality. The Edinburgh Graduate Theatre Group finds the vibe that is needed and brings the audience on a strange adventure at a time-bending pace that never lets up in their production of Plano.

The story vaguely tells the story of three sisters and their husbands as they try to navigate life while time goes by at a breakneck pace and their lovers begin to act differently than usual. SaraBeth Samuels’ direction keeps the play moving quickly, which is much needed especially for a show that is this much of a thinker. 

Per usual, the EGTG approach the script with competence. It is clear from early on that even though the script exists in a realm of absurdity, that the Edingrads’ conviction and confidence in the material ensure that it will land with audiences and make some sort of sense. The leader of this is surely Hannah Fitzpatrick as Anne. She approaches each line as if they are entirely normal conversation, despite never really making sense. She also adds humor into the role that can be twisted and morphed later with repeated lines that make the role turn horrifying with added context.

Providing some of the strongest physical performances are Olivia de Pury as Isabel and Michael Flynn as Steve, who multiroles in different versions of himself with distinct personalities and physicalities. De Pury provides an innocence as Isabel that makes her immediately empathetic, adding to the tragedy as her character develops illnesses and eventually, slugs. 

Aspen Ashworth rounds out the three sisters as Genevieve. If the other sisters provide performances that make them feel like they are in a horror movie, Ashworth is the classic “final girl.” She presents strength and fear simultaneously and makes the audience root for her just out of brute tenacity.

Plano admittedly is a strange show; it doesn’t make a lot of sense and getting lost in it is very easy. With that being said, the show encapsulates horror, ageing, living in unprecedented times, and the nightmares of daily life in a beautiful way, that while not making sense on paper, does connect in the minds and hearts of audiences, often leaving them with a deep sense of dread and a reminder that nothing is permanent. 

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