REVIEW: Graduatric, Lucy Linford, EdFringe 2026, ★★★★

Graduatric is loving and caring story of growth and evolution. With strong writing and fantastic acting this play shows how, despite thinking people don’t like you, there’s always room for a second chance if you’re willing to speak to them and not immediately jump to conclusions.

Set across various meetings between mature student Susan and her tutor Daniel, this retelling of Educating Rita has been modernised to tackle issues that are appearing in society today. Susan, a bold but blunt character, gets into trouble with her trans classmate and this sparks the progression in her relationship with Daniel as he opens up on his sexuality and the troubles he’s had with his mother.

This new piece of writing from Lucy Linford is a bold and daring in the subject matter that it chooses to tackle. With tight dialog and impressive pacing, little feels wasted in terms of time spent on stage. Moving quickly, the 45 minute duration passes in no time. If Graduatric were to go up to an hour, it would give the piece time to breathe and mature certain themes and ideas.

The two actors Joanna Harte and Calum Beaton have a great chemistry, bouncing back and forth effortlessly between each other. Always reacting and complimenting each other’s performance well, and giving space to the other knowing that, with the nature of the dialogue, this is a collective performance rather than stand-out moment.

The undercurrent of the trans issue that has made Susan the outcast amongst her class mates feels relevant in a time when there has never been a bigger conversation around trans people. Her bluntness has led to misunderstanding and rightfully being shunned. Once she apologies and they begin to talk, the situation starts to resolve itself. It’s a message of communicating with one another and how, rather than just reacting, we should stop and speak to people first before doing anything else.

For a debut play, Lucy Linford has captured what it takes to open up and allow someone in so that they can help and give you a chance to grow. The bits of dialogue in between the exposition shows a great handle on language and the way we speak to each other.

Recommended Drink: A big swig from your water bottle, similar to one you’d take before you have to go and meet your tutor.

Performances of Graduatric have now concluded at EdFringe 2026.