Verity Mullan’s New Fringe Show Single Use Finds the Funny in a World on Fire

Performer Verity Mullan makes her Edinburgh Fringe debut with Single Use, a one-woman show about trying to save the planet without totally losing the plot. Set in a world of bin juice, hummus pots and climate guilt, it follows Ella, a procrastinator turned recycling crusader, as her life unravels into late-night doomscrolling and accidental plastic use. It runs at Pleasance Courtyard this August.

Where did the idea for Single Use begin - was there a particular moment or story that sparked it?

One new year I decided to give up plastic, I think I lasted less than three days. Even with the best will in the world, I found it virtually impossible. Plastic is so ingrained in our day to day that you fail without even realising. Trying to avoid it becomes really stressful! 

I was always interested in a character who was deeply committed to an environmental cause. Famous figures like Greta Thunberg and groups like Just Stop Oil are seen as ‘othered’. But I was interested to understand how someone with seemingly little environmental guilt who is more relatable can reach an extreme position.

How did you develop the character of Ella, and why did you choose to tell this story through a one-woman show?

I wanted Ella to be a really recognisable character who goes on a unique journey. It was important for me to create a character who is not driven by recycling, but is responding to her relationships and conflicts around her. She begins the show using recycling as a distraction from personal problems; her Mum is unwell, she’s behind on her rent and she is generally unhappy with her lot. But as Ella’s challenges grow, so does her obsession with plastic waste. She wants to fix recycling as a distraction to fixing herself. I chose to tell this story through a one-woman show because it highlights the impossible and overwhleming task for individuals when trying to combat human consumption. One person can only do so much to save the world!

Why was it important to you to show humour, messiness, and everyday life in a show about the climate crisis?

Everyone loves a good laugh! I think humour is the best way for us to connect with issues, especially one as boring as recycling; washing your hummus pot out at midnight, running after the bin men in your slippers. There is also something funny when you think about the bigger picture; Where does your recycling go? Do you actually know what happens to it? Probs not, but you do it anyway. There I am patting myself on the back for taking the bins out, whilst globally over a billion pieces of plastic are made every day. It’s so silly. As for it being messy, the whole thing is messy, from the bin juice dripping through the hallway when you take your rubbish out, to the millions of tonnes of trash being dumped all over the world, to the useless policies in place which are supported to ‘fix’ it. It’s a messy affair. 

Your character Ella procrastinates via Deliveroo and late-night doomscrolling. Be honest – what’s your personal go-to distraction?

I love a scroll – who doesn’t. My screen time is embarrassingly high. I’m on WhatsApp like it’s a full-time job. I open news apps but never actually read an article. I can’t watch reality TV because I get super addicted and end up stalking the cast relentlessly once it’s over. If it’s not my phone, I’m putting a wash on…I just love putting a wash on (30 degrees, of course!)

What conversations do you hope Single Use might spark for audiences after they leave the theatre?

I would love people to acknowledge that trying to save the planet is HARD. It’s no individual’s fault, but it feels like we’re being asked to fix it. Is that fair? And what impact does it have on us as individuals?

While a key theme of the show is recycling, it’s also deeply rooted in our relationships with our family and loved ones. If it encourages people to connect with one another and address old baggage, this would be a win.

Finally, it goes without saying, to find some joy in their recycling.

Single Use will be at 12:50pm daily at the Pleasance Courtyard during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

For tickets and more information, visit: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/single-use