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Do Astronauts Masturbate in Space?

 
Richard Beck Review by Richard Beck 4 Published: 18 Oct 2025 The Keiller Centre Show Dates: 15 Sep 2025-16 Sep 2025

Perhaps contrary to expectations, Do Astronauts Masturbate in Space? is not about the sexual activities of those circling the Earth in spaceships, but, in the words of the company, “a dystopian, dark, physical theatre comedy”. It premiered at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe after a London preview and is now at Dundee Fringe.

A triumph in tackling serious and increasingly credible threats to freedom

The play’s setting is a future Britain ruled by an authoritarian regime whose control the people fear and whose intervention in their lives is absolute. A law, innocuously called the Parental Act, requires all couples to apply for a licence in order to have children. Trying to see a lighter side to this invasion of privacy, the people refer to it as a Stork Card.

Under different circumstances, as a young couple, Lily (Briony Martha) and Gareth (Zak Reay-Barry) might be looking forward to raising a family. Instead, the unexpected pregnancy instils panic as they face the prospect of attending the week-long mandated Retreat, in a bid to gain their Stork Card, and a government-imposed abortion should they fail the various tests and questionings they are subjected to. Their initial attitude of “Oh, it can’t be that bad,” and “Everything will be alright” is soon eroded, and no number of Digestive biscuits can allay their concerns. They are placed under the auspices of The Voice (Torya Winters), whose tone and questioning become increasingly threatening as the process grows destructive to their relationship.

Under the impactful direction of Megan Brewer, this first project by the couple is packed with humour and physicality, using only a couple of light cubes and various costumes for effect – an appropriately minimalist and clinical setting, suitably lit by Ruben Sparks. Reay-Barry plays a phlegmatic, rational male in contrast to Martha’s often hilariously emotional and hysterical female, with outbursts that lighten the dire situation. They make a well-balanced double act of opposites.

As to the title, it is given voice and almost elicits a sigh of relief as we finally hear where it fits in and our curiosity is satisfied – a great moment. The play is a triumph in tackling serious and increasingly credible threats to freedom and issues of state oppression, brought home through familiar personal relationships and comedy, and augurs well for future works.

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The Blurb:

In an overpopulated Britain, a law called the Parental Act requires everyone to obtain a license to have children. This electric dark comedy follows charming young couple Lily and Gareth, who after falling pregnant, must attend a week long “retreat" where their baby’s fate is decided by the State. Failing the retreat means a forced abortion, but they’re confident it’ll be a breeze. Once inside, however, cracks begin to show and their love is pushed to the limit.