Little Animals

The debut play from the well-known actor - a frank and funny one-man show about what we've lost, the stories we tell ourselves, and the ever-present chance to write a new one. Premiered at the Traverse Theatre as part of the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

'We are really born of the stars. Really think about that. Try to remember that the next time you’re filling out your tax return.'As Richard's climate concern grew ever more extreme, and his friend struggled with mortgages, parenthood and the stresses of modern living, a wedge was driven between them. Because we can't all sit around growing tomatoes, can we?Now Richard is dead, and his friend hasn't been invited to the funeral. But he can't just let go, because something has happened. Something he needs to lay to rest. And this is his chance…Little Animals is a frank and funny one-man show about what we've lost, the stories we tell ourselves, and the ever-present chance to write a new one. Paul Ready's debut play premiered at the Traverse Theatre as part of the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, directed by Caroline Steinbeis and starring its writer.