Them

Theatre (physical theatre)

  • Pleasance Dome - KingDome
  • 12:00
  • Aug 27
  • 1 hour
  • Suitability: 16+ (Guideline)
  • Country: Finland
  • Group: From Start to Finnish in association with Spindrift Theatre
  • Warnings and additional info: This performance contains strong language and distressing or potentially triggering themes including misogyny, violence, sexual violence and homophobia.
  • Accessibility:
    Audio enhancement system
    Wheelchair Accessible Toilets
    Relaxed Performance
    May not apply to all performances. You'll find more information about accessibile performances and how to book tickets in the accessibility tab below.
  • Babes in arms policy: Babies do not require a ticket
  • Policy applies to: Children under 2 years

Description

How can you live, when a huge part of you is repressed? A thought-provoking show about men dealing with toxic masculinity and women dealing with men. Through interviews with male-identifying individuals and personal stories, the show vividly portrays the pain of not fitting in, the thrill of finding one's strength, the shame of misusing it, and the sorrow of not knowing how to cry. Powerfully performed by four women from Iceland and Finland, Them challenges audiences to question their own preconceptions and consider how we can work towards a world where everyone has the right to be themselves.

Please note that while all media gallery content is provided by verified members of the event, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society does not review or approve this content before it is posted. Reports of inappropriate content or copyright infringement can be directed to [email protected].

General venue access

  • Audio enhancement system
    Wheelchair Accessible Toilets
    Relaxed Performance
  • Accessible entry: Main queue inside Dome at left of building. Level access to left of venue — ask staff for assistance.
  • Wheelchair access type: Level Access (Building Lift)

  • Stairs: 20+
    Number of stairs is provided as guidance and is not in addition to any wheelchair access type (lift/ramp etc) stated above.

Each venue can contain several space with different accessibly information. Visit the venue page for full venue accessibility info


Relaxed performances

  • Dates: 16 August
  • Booking options: You can book independently online, or contact our access team for more information or to discuss any accessibility requirements.
  • Character Introduction Details
  • Additional information: Information not supplied

Be aware that this show features:

  • Audience required to walk around
  • Characters expressing anger
  • Heavily dialogue-driven scenes
  • Permission to move around and make noise

Show does not feature:

  • Total Audience Black Out
  • Flashing Lights/Strobed Lighting
  • Loud/repetitive/high pitched/unexpected or overlapping sound
  • Distinctive smells
  • Special effects (e.g. smoke/bubbles/pyrotechnics)
  • Latex balloons
  • Audience required to undertake directed movement
  • Audience required to sing/speak along with/for performer
  • Audience invited on stage
  • Performer goes into audience area
  • An intermission
  • Audience chill out area
  • Permission to engage with performer
  • Show guide or synopsis or character list

How and when to make an access booking

Our access tickets service is available to anyone who:

  • Would like to book specific accessibility services, e.g. a hearing loop, audio description headsets, captioning units, seating in relation to the location of the BSL interpreter
  • Requires extra assistance when at a venue
  • Has specific seating requirements
  • Is a wheelchair user
  • Requires a complimentary personal assistant ticket to attend a performance

Fran 31 days ago

Good writing with great topics touched upon. There’s no real flow to the story or narrative but is interesting at points. Some physical theatre bits are excellent while others seem random and inconsistent with the story/message at the time.

hugh carter 31 days ago

I loved this show about toxic masculinity, the script, the choreography, the performances .A must see, especially for all the tough lads out there

Christian Hege 36 days ago

I've had the great luck of seeing this show in two iterations -- first at the Reykjavik Fringe in 2020 (online in my living room, because of Covid lockdown) and now here in Edinburgh.

These four women are inciteful observers of what it's like to be human. Some of the bits in the show could be a little maddening -- except for the context of all the other loving, or even heartbreaking episodes. This is not a smash-the-patriarchy, hour-long diatribe. It's a deeply sympathetic look at the weariness of living up to expectations that make no sense in the first place. Well done, Spindrift.

Steve 37 days ago

I did not know what to expect in this show and was worried about yet another anti-male rant. However this was a tender sympathetic treatment of male behaviour by the four impeccably accented actors. We have seen the Start to Finnish group before and this did not disappoint. I would encourage men to see this show as a window into issues women and men face in many situations. One of my top shows this year.

Nikkie Clay 40 days ago

Wow, just loved this, so powerful. Their energy, facial expression and body aptly convey the script, crafted purely from real people’s voices in interviews. Very affirming of the history of toxic masculinity and where we are today with it. A must see.

Zhen Yu Yao 42 days ago

The performance is so well crafted! The collection of real conversations were put together in a really thought provoking way and the performers’ delivery is such perfection!
A enjoyable show for everyone who doesn’t think Barbie’s radical feminism message is gonna kill us all :)

Bel 47 days ago

This show is excellent. Thought provoking with beautiful honest real accounts. There are lovely comic moments. Recommended this show to anyone looking for a thoughtful moment to watch something real. Well done.

Sammy 48 days ago

Really enjoyed this show! It strikes a perfect balance between the brutal feminist honesty of women, and a refreshingly tender understanding of men's struggles, too. Particularly when it comes to bravado and what lies beneath that. It portrayed the good and the bad with an authentic, sometimes comical, air and was coupled with absolutely fantastic physical performance. The four women were perfection. Each one of them brought every single character to life with nuance and passion. The gravitas of the choreography combined with the actress' sometimes subtle facial expressions really pulled you into the performance. They are brilliant actors and individually all had a unique charm.
My favourite part was the reading of the housewives guide where three of the women are acting it out with hilariously exaggerated movements. It was SO funny but also got the message across very well.


Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.

The Stage (3/5 stars) 37 days ago

Slippery, humorous exploration of masculinity from female collective Spindrift Theatre

Read the full review

Broadway World (4/5 stars) 46 days ago

A frighteningly lifesize portrait of the patriarchy.

Read the full review


Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.

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Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.