Review: Paratroopers, Fringe 2025

In the murky world of internal party politics, how does a candidate get selected to run for Parliament? Paratroopers is a sharp, timely two-hander that dives headfirst into the grubby reality of the Labour Party’s selection process.

Based on real-life political manoeuvring, the play uses projections of news footage and genuine soundbites to ground its fiction in uncomfortable fact, leaving the audience to question just how much is fiction at all.

A Political Cavern

To get to Paratroopers, you must first ascend. Up one flight of stairs, then another, around a corner, and up yet another. Only at the Edinburgh Fringe can you climb a tower inside Just The Tonic at The Caves only to find yourself in a literal cavern. The performance space, the ‘Wee One’, is hot, humid, and intimate. It’s a challenging environment for any show, let alone one featuring two actors in full suits.

The performers do an admirable job of battling the venue’s stifling atmosphere, and their dedication is clear. However, the oppressive heat makes it difficult to fully immerse oneself in the drama unfolding. While the play itself is compelling, this reviewer can’t help but feel it would have been even more impactful in a more comfortable, traditional theatre setting. The environment, in this case, becomes an obstacle that the performance never entirely overcomes.

The Dirty Business of Politics

The play centres on two friends and political allies, both vying to be the Labour candidate for a local seat. They have an agreement to support each other against a more established local figure, but as the pressure mounts, their pact frays and fractures. One is a charismatic speaker, excellent on the hustings but seemingly grappling with personal demons and a weaker connection to the constituency. The other is deeply rooted in the community with stronger long-term ideas, but fumbles his opportunities in the spotlight.

The central, and most chilling, allegation of the play is that the Labour Party uses its ‘Anonyvoter’ computer system to rig these internal selection contests. The theory, as one character explains, is that the system holds records on all members, and if certain people don’t vote, their vote can be… reassigned. While the allegation remains unproven, the Anonyvoter system is genuinely used by the party, adding a terrifying layer of plausibility to the drama. It’s a stark reminder that the battle for democracy often begins long before the public ever gets to cast a ballot.

As their friendship disintegrates into rivalry, the two candidates engage in a physical tussle. In the struggle, they end up on the floor of the ancient chamber, rising with their smart suits covered in actual dirt and grime. It’s a potent and fitting metaphor for British politics; two aspiring MPs, literally soiled by their ambition and the environment they fight in.

Overall

Despite the challenging venue, Paratroopers is a compelling piece of theatre. It shines a light on the often-overlooked corners of politics, exploring the timeless conflict between charisma and competence. The performances are committed, breathing life into a story that feels both Evergreen and frighteningly current. If you have an interest in British politics, sharp new writing, and the issues the mainstream media often ignores, then Paratroopers is one to put on your list.