'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.



Paul Ready is an actor for stage and screen, whose acting credits include Utopia, The Terror and Motherland. Little Animals is his debut play.