'Humans. We're born of the stars. Really think about that. Try to remember that next time you're filling in your tax return.' As Richard's climate concern grows more extreme, and his lifelong friend struggles with mortgages, parenthood and the stresses of modern living, a wedge is driven between them. Suddenly Richard is dead, and his best friend isn't invited to the funeral. And now he can't let go, because something happened. Something he needs to lay to rest. And this is his chance… Little Animals is a frank, funny and provocative one-man show which unfolds in a culture that can't stop consuming. It's about what we've lost, the stories we live by, and the ever-present chance to write ourselves a new one. It was conceived, written and performed by Paul Ready, directed by Caroline Steinbeis, produced by Fern Culture and first performed at The Lyceum Studio as part of the Traverse Theatre's 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme.
"'Direct and courageous... Stripped back to the barest theatrical essentials... a brilliant exploration of what constitutes sanity and rational behaviour, in a civilisation apparently bent on destroying the natural abundance on which all life depends... a challenging and hugely empathetic hour of theatre, brilliantly paced and structured... it's time to listen to brave artists like Paul Ready, who dare to confront this frightening moment with heart, mind, body and soul'"
The Scotsman
"'Clever and urgent'"
Guardian
"'Such a clever show. So simple; so direct. So charged with guilt and grief... Ready's spare, warm, unpreachy solo turn reminds that we need to tell a different story if we want to save ourselves and the planet'"
