EDINBURGH 2026: Review: THE REAL KYLE MCCARREN, Pleasance Courtyard, Forth

Theatre is often at its most meaningful when it comes from a place of truth. The Real Kyle McCarren is testament to that, transforming personal grief into a tender, funny and deeply affecting new musical which celebrates friendship, family and the extraordinary ways in which music can connect people.

Created and performed by Andy Roninson, the musical begins with the devastating fact of Kyle’s death at just 21. Yet this is not a story interested solely in mourning. Instead, it explores what happens afterwards, when the people left behind must attempt to understand the person they have lost and, in doing so, discover parts of themselves which they had previously left unexplored.

Andy Roninson who plays himself recalls himself as 'a lonely nerd, a piano geek with a bad haircut and cargo pants', for whom music provided a way of connecting with the world. His friendship with Kyle was forged through that shared musical language, with the two finding a sense of unity in playing notes together. It is an affecting foundation for a story which understands that friendship does not need to be uncomplicated to be profound.

Kyle himself is no saint. He could be disruptive, regularly finding himself in trouble at school, yet he was also someone who was deeply loved. During the week surrounding his funeral, Andy begins to discover just how many lives Kyle touched. His encounters with Kyle’s friends and his exuberant Irish American family reveal a warmth and openness which initially catches him by surprise.

That community becomes central to the musical’s emotional journey. An unexpected act of kindness sees Andy welcomed further into the celebrations of Kyle’s life, forcing him to confront his own complicated feelings about who truly understood his friend. His discomfort over university friend Liam being chosen by Kyle’s mother to deliver the eulogy leads to an exploration of confidence and tribute. 

The Real Kyle McCarren recognises that mourning is communal. It is something which can be shared, and in sharing it, perhaps made a little easier to bear. The score is integral to that storytelling. Music is never merely decoration, but the language through which Andy processes experiences which words alone cannot adequately express. The show moves confidently between musical styles, humour and moments of striking vulnerability, creating a distinctive musical identity which feels rooted in its creator’s own experiences.

One of the most beautiful moments comes with the supporting cast's extraordinary vocal performances. Sarah Coffey's performance as Justine’s "The Last Snow", is a song which captures the show’s ability to suddenly quieten the room and allow its emotional core to speak for itself. Additionally Vincent Jamal Hooper's vocal performance as Liam is self assured and compelling and Jaygee Macapugay is excellent as the no nonsense advocating mother Siobhan.

The ensemble bring considerable warmth and energy to the production, while Sean McVerry gives Kyle a distinct presence, which ensures he feels like more than a memory. There is an appealing spontaneity to the live musical setting, with the performers and musicians creating a sense that the audience is being invited into something intensely personal.

Andy's resilience allows him to brave the storm, embrace the love surrounding him and share the grief of losing his friend, rather than attempting to carry it alone. That journey gives The Real Kyle McCarren its considerable emotional power.

There is something especially poignant about watching a musical about a young life which ended too soon being performed with such exuberance. It is a work about death which is, fundamentally, determined to celebrate life.
The Real Kyle McCarren is funny, heartfelt and musically accomplished, but its greatest strength is its sincerity. It understands that remembering someone is not simply about preserving who they were, but about recognising the mark they left on everyone fortunate enough to have known them. This is a deeply personal story which becomes something universal, and moving. 

The Real Kyle McCarren runs at the Pleasance Courtyard, Forth until 30 August at 1.50pm

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