Courtney Büchner's "One of the Girls" Explores Platonic Love

Courtney Büchner's solo show, "One of the Girls," presented at the Pleasance Courtyard in Edinburgh, delves into a significant platonic love story. The narrative centers on Büchner's relationship with Stella, whom she met shortly after relocating from South Africa to the UK. This relationship is characterized as a "rollercoaster platonic relationship," a sweet and nostalgia-infused tale that, according to the review, occasionally feels too insubstantial to fill its hour-long runtime. The show traces the development of their bond from their school days, highlighting shared experiences such as club nights, first kisses, and mutual affirmations of beauty. Stella quickly became Büchner's "ride or die," a close confidante through formative teenage years, including navigating GCSE results. The review notes that an undercurrent of potential future complications is perceptible early in the narrative. The dynamic shifts when Büchner comes out as a lesbian to Stella and introduces her partner, Maddy, into their lives, introducing a new layer of complexity to their friendship. The performance is described as sweeping the audience along through a series of relatable moments, including embarrassing anecdotes, karaoke sessions, and the modern-day habit of lurking on Instagram. Despite the emotional depth explored, the review suggests the narrative's weight might not fully sustain the entire performance duration. The play's setting at the Pleasance Courtyard in Edinburgh places it within the context of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, a major international arts festival known for showcasing a wide array of theatrical productions. Büchner's personal journey, including her move from South Africa and her coming out, forms the emotional core of the piece, examining how deep friendships adapt to evolving personal identities and romantic relationships. The review emphasizes the personal nature of the storytelling, positioning it as a love story, albeit one that deviates from conventional romantic narratives. The inclusion of Maddy signifies the introduction of a romantic partner into Büchner's life, a development that inevitably impacts the long-standing platonic connection with Stella. The performance aims to capture the essence of enduring friendships and the challenges they face as individuals grow and their life circumstances change. The narrative arc, while personal, touches upon universal themes of friendship, identity, and the complexities of adult relationships. The review's assessment highlights both the charm and the potential limitations of the show's scope, suggesting that while the story is engaging, its thematic breadth might be constrained. The overall impression is of a heartfelt and relatable performance that offers a unique perspective on the multifaceted nature of love and connection.