Pilgrims has received good reviews from their performances in London and they’ve now arrived at the Edinburgh Fringe. A tale of two mountaineer ‘buddies’’ Dan played by Robert Thomas, and Will Adam Radford who casually meet Rachel Rebecca Barbossa a strong willed, and forthright woman in a bar. Rachel recounts a story of an innocent girl Janet who is entrapped by a wicked queen, raped by a Knight and forced to have the child to save him from the curse betrothed upon him. Bewildered by this encounter Will seductively teases Rachel to get her attention and from here the fable collides with reality.
Dan and Will have been friends for years and have conquered Everest together. Whilst the two mountaineers plan and dream of their next summit climb Rachel is busy planning for her PHD. She falls in love with Will a man of entitlement whose jealousy and self-centred behaviour pushes her into the arms of Dan who is gentler in nature. Does this mean Rachel is setting herself up for a life of ‘service’ and letting her doctorate fall by the waste side.
The dialogue between the three changes course as a masculine feministic battle ensues.
Elinor Cook’s short playdivesinto deeper core meaning as she challenges gender assumptions and dissects relational freedom through each character’s vulnerability and truth, which is laid bare. The rawness of the acting set against simplistic staging and lighting emphasises the brilliance of the figurative writing of Pilgrims and the ability of the actors to deliver it with such sensitivity and poise. Rachel, Dan and Will are very relatable exposing their sensitivities and forthright personalities alongside their blinding desires to aim for the summit in life.
This play is an authentic uncensored performance which more than succeeds in bringing this story to life. From it you get a sense of how relationships are formed from the need to belong, and the juxtaposition of wanting to hold onto your independence. Sixty minutes of beautiful acting, and no doubt a love triangle with a difference.
Writer Elinor Cook
Directed by Adam Radford
Reviewer: Michelle Knight
Reviewed: 27th August 2026
North West End UK / Theatre Muse UK Rating:
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