Edinburgh Fringe 2026: Primal Scream – Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh

Writer: Robin Hawdon

Director: Robin Hawdon

Set inside an office where Sugar, a working class woman who has been in prison for the attempted murder of her stepfather, is being assessed by Bernard, a psychologist who, even at the discounted rate he gets for a job like this, is being paid £90 an hour, Primal Scream often feels like it could turn into a modern day Educating Rita as cultures clash, collide and eventually come together.

Under Robin Hawdon’s script and direction, Sugar is carefully crafted to initially conform to all the expected stereotypes with a short dress, dismissive attitude to the aims of the session and a back story that involves all the usual tropes of drunken mother, abusive stepfather and more. Carly Paoli plays her superbly, capturing the nonchalance and provocativeness of the character as she engages with Bernard.

Bernard, played by Neil Roberts, is also a textbook example of a fictional psychologist. For the most part, he is formal, uptight and reserved but lurking behind this there are also more playful undertones and a hint of a less repressed background waiting to emerge.

As the session continues, Bernard slowly gets Sugar to reveal more of the reasons for her crime and more about herself, even as her reticence towards the exercise continues. A bond forms between the two as she also pushes him to reveal details about himself in return.

It leads to a twist that steers it away from the Educating Rita and My Fair Lady stereotype, and invites the audience to question assumptions they would have about Sugar or anyone in a similar position to her. However, a brief look at the listing for the show and how it describes Paoli will immediately give this away. It also feels more like a reveal that is designed to showcase Paoli’s wider talent than it is a plausible conclusion to the drama that has gone before.

It is a good play, with great performances but a sadly foregone conclusion for anyone who reads the listing, and an unconvincing one for anyone who doesn’t.

Runs until 30 August 2026 | Image: Contributed