Scotland's Stage Door

“Keron Day is disabled. Dani is his Personal Assistant (not as fancy as it sounds). A touching and funny exploration of how care goes both ways.”

There are some stories that make you laugh, some that make you think, and some that stay with you long after you’ve left the theatre. You and Me (and Whoever Comes Next) manages to do all three.

Following Keron Day and his Personal Assistant Dani, the show explores a relationship that is rarely seen on stage in this way. Inspired by Keron’s own experiences, it looks beyond the  idea of someone providing care for someone else, instead asking what happens when care becomes something that goes both ways. And it does so with a huge amount of warmth, honesty and humour. At the centre of the story is Keron, played by Keron himself, and Dani, his Personal Assistant. What begins as two strangers working together gradually develops into a much deeper relationship, bringing friendship, trust and complications along the way. The show doesn’t shy away from the difficult realities that can come with care, but it never allows those difficulties to completely define either character.

One of the strongest things about the show is the way it challenges the idea that a personal assistant simply gives care while the person receiving it gives nothing in return. Instead, we see two people who both need things from each other, both have their own lives and experiences, and both have the ability to support the other. It is a story about disability, but it is also a story about friendship, independence, vulnerability and human connection. Despite the more serious themes, this is far from a relentlessly heavy production. There is plenty of humour throughout, and the comedy feels natural to the characters rather than being added simply to lighten the mood. The laughs make the more emotional moments hit even harder, creating a production that feels incredibly human.

Keron Day gives an incredible performance. There is an openness to his storytelling that makes it feel as though the audience isn’t simply watching a play, but being invited into a very personal part of his life. Playing a version of himself could easily have made the performance feel overly autobiographical, but instead it gives the story an intimacy that is difficult to replicate. Lauren Koster as Dani brings another important perspective to the story, creating a believable relationship between the two characters. Their chemistry is at the heart of the production, and it is easy to become invested in their relationship with each other and the challenges they face.

The live music, is another highlight. The folk-infused score works beautifully alongside the storytelling, adding another layer of emotion without overwhelming the performances. Rather than feeling like music that has been placed around the story, it feels like an important part of how the story is told.

The title itself becomes increasingly meaningful as the story unfolds. You and Me (and Whoever Comes Next) doesn’t just refer to the relationship between Keron and Dani, but to the uncertainty that comes with the role of a personal assistant. When someone can leave for a new job, a change in circumstances or simply because the relationship isn’t right for them, how do you build such a close connection with someone who might not always be there? That question gives the production an emotional depth that extends beyond the relationship we see on stage. 

Importantly, the show also gives its characters agency. Disability isn’t presented simply as something tragic or something that needs to be overcome. Keron is allowed to be funny, frustrated, vulnerable, independent and complicated, just like anyone else. The production asks its audience to look beyond assumptions and consider care as something that affects everyone. Because ultimately, none of us can know exactly what the future holds. We might need to care for someone else, need care ourselves, or find ourselves somewhere in between.

With an engaging cast, an incredibly personal story, beautiful live music and a perfect balance of humour and emotion, this is a production that leaves you with plenty to think about. You and Me (and Whoever Comes Next) is a reminder that care isn’t one-directional, relationships aren’t always straightforward, and sometimes the people we think we’re helping can end up helping us too. A touching, funny and deeply human piece of theatre – and one that deserves to be seen this Fringe.