Halfway Home
★★★☆☆ Fresh
theSpace on the Mile (Venue 39): Mon 17 – Sat 22 Aug 2026
Review by Ed Boulter-Comer
There is something very apt in seeing Halfway Home, a new play by Deliverance Theatre, in its late-night slot. The characters are tired. Tired of working so hard, tired of the bureaucracies they need to deal with. Tired of being stuck
That is not to say that this is a tired production – far from it. This play about three working class Scots, as they try to move on from the past and build new lives, crackles with energy at times, while the potential of both script and Alexander Artis and Claire Chateauneuf’s grassroots theatre company are obvious. Make no mistake, this is a serious outfit and one to watch in the future.
Abbie Robertson and Connor Fallon. Pic: Claire Chateauneuf.
Connor Fallon’s Freddie, an upright man with intentions of joining Police Scotland, gives a wiry and nervous opening to the piece. He stalks the set as he awaits the arrival of his brother from prison. Initially his performance almost tips into French farce territory but it settles into a more naturalistic style. The brittleness is still there but his Freddie has become believable and stays that way for the rest of the play.
Abbie Robertson gives a subtle performance as Laura, Freddie’s new-ish fiancé. She has a way of drawing the audience to her side. She stares intently at the other characters at times, and this acts as a comment on the actions of the two men. Roberston ensures the character never falls into lazy judgement. It gives her Laura a credibility and makes her the core of the play.
Alexander Artis stars as Davie, the younger brother returning to society after being imprisoned for domestic violence. Artis is an eminently watchable and likeable actor and this makes his Davie sympathetic, whilst also making Freddie somewhat less appealing.
Interesting dynamic
It makes for an interesting dynamic at the centre of the piece and asks questions about which of the characters are actually “good.” Casting aside, Artis has a simple rawness to his acting. Whilst he is a skilful performer, his embodiment of Davie is entirely unaffected.
Artis also provides the script. The set up here is good and strongly naturalistic with clear, unfussy dialogue. It would be interesting to see these characters move into less comfortable territory. The play, however, retains its focus on decent people trying to lead decent lives.
Abbie Robertson, Connor Fallon and Alexander Artis. Pic: Claire Chateauneuf.
Director Chelsea Grace shows moments of standout excellence. The sequence where Laura sinks into a stupor of red wine and Nextflix is a brilliant, fresh marriage of tech and acting. We should expect more of this.
Alexander Artis and Claire Chateauneuf describe their Deliverance Theatre as a grassroots theatre company but make no mistake, they are a serious outfit and one to watch in the future.
As a play, Halfway Home is not perfect. As a calling card for this exciting, Scottish company, it works brilliantly. Remember the names. You will want to see more of their work.
Running time: 50 minutes (no interval).
theSpace on the Mile (Space 3), 80 High St, EH1 1TH (Venue 39).
Monday 17 – Saturday 22 August 2026.
Daily: 10.30pm.
Tickets and details: Book here at EdFringe.com.
Tickets direct from venue: Book here.
Instagram: @deliverance_theatre
Instagram: @alexandartis
Instagram: @clairechateauneuf
Abbie Robertson and Alexander Artis with Connor Fallon. Pic: Claire Chateauneuf.
ENDS
