Courtney Büchner’s latest show, One of the Girls, offers an intimate look at a deep, platonic relationship that defined her youth. The narrative centers on her bond with Stella, a friend she met after moving from South Africa to the UK. While Büchner has recently married her partner, Maddy, this performance focuses on the intense, rollercoaster history she shared with Stella—a connection forged through shared milestones like GCSE results, early romantic experiences, and nights spent dancing in clubs.
The production, currently running at the Pleasance Courtyard in Edinburgh until 31 August, leans into a nostalgic, sleepover-style atmosphere. Büchner actively engages the audience to build this rapport, asking attendees, “I’m Courtney – what’s your favourite colour?” before leading them in a karaoke session. She frequently draws the crowd into her inner circle, at one point giggling, “I have exciting news,” as she prepares to share personal revelations.
As the story unfolds, the dynamic between the two friends shifts. Tensions arise when Büchner comes out as a lesbian and introduces Maddy into their lives, illustrating the complications that can arise as childhood friendships transition into adulthood. Büchner captures the messy, vivid reality of teenage perspectives and the lingering habits that persist into later life, including a penchant for social media stalking that she playfully extends to her audience members.
While the performance is less of a traditional comedy and more of a conversational, reflective experience, it resonates with the universal pain of drifting apart from a close friend. Büchner serves as a magnetic storyteller, offering insights into the desperation many feel when trying to hold onto the past. The show is playing at the Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh, through 31 August, capturing the bittersweet nature of growing up and the inevitable changes in our most cherished relationships. The report also notes that saw each other through their first kisses and GCSE results, and told each other they were the most beautiful woman in the world, together they danced for their lives on sticky-floored club nights. The report also notes that pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh From embarrassing anecdotes to karaoke and lurking on Instagram, this love story sweeps you along. The report also notes that nostalgia-fuelled tale, but one that at times feels too slight to sustain an hour, it is a sweet.
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