REVIEW: Courier, EdFringe 2025 ★★

Piers Mackenzie, writer and performer, is pedalling his butt off as we enter the space at Zoo Playground. Dressed head-to-toe in Deliveroo, we are instantly brought into the world of ‘Courier’.

We follow Mackenzie’s Benny through a night on the job, delivering popcorn chicken to 25 Swanpool Road, a notoriously rough part of town. After being knocked off his bike by fellow Deliveroo-er Nathan, stumbling into a surprise party, and having a romantic encounter with Lucy, a fellow ‘essential worker’, Benny finally makes it to his destination. 

Mackenzie’s concept is undoubtedly promising, and has originality. There are currently few shows that depict the Deliveroo story at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe. The themes that arise surrounding social isolation, career prospects and communal responsibility are fascinating, and provide a unique insight into the nation’s couriers. 

Too many themes, however, are spoiling the broth. As spectators, we long for the story to hone in on something, a singular event, or topic, but the narrative remains muddied throughout. 

The intrigue threatens to increase, yet never makes itself fully known. By the end, the well-trodden ‘he was crazy’ finale rears its head once again, in a story that deserved so much better. 

Mackenzie puts on an exhausting, committed performance. His talent is clear, as he switches between characters with ease, and manages to take us along the journey despite the lack of narrative drive. 

The Ring doorbell interactions between crazed Benny and formerly mentioned characters Nathan and Roxanne are well-conceived. Along with a clever use of the space, using the venue’s door to converse between interior and exterior works incredibly well. 

After exiting ‘Courier’, the lasting question is one of purpose. Why this story, why this character, and why now? Is there more to find out about this Deliveroo worker, or have we been led to a dead end?

Recommended Drink: Bottle of vodka. Deliveroo’d @ 9:45pm.

You can catch Courier at Playground 1 at ZOO Playground from Aug 3-24 at 17:45. Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.