Review: Standing in the Shadows of Giants - Lucie Barât | Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh Fringe 2025
- Lisa in the theatre
- Aug 2
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 3
Lucie Barât, sister of The Libertines' frontman Carl Barât, steps into the spotlight in the world premiere of her autobiographical musical play Standing In The Shadows of Giants, directed by Bryony Shanahan.
Standing In The Shadows of Giants plays at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh from 31 July - 24 August 2025 as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Travfest25.
Lucie Barât: Standing in the Shadows of Giants ★★★☆☆
review: 01 August 2025 | Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh
Standing in the Shadows of Giants is an autobiographical, spoken-word theatre piece by Lucie Barât, sister of The Libertines' co-frontman Carl Barât.
A talented performer, Lucie was always the gifted one of the family: the one with the scholarship to the prestigious drama school and the one expected to do well. That is until her annoying little brother and his friends become one of the biggest indie rock bands on the planet - The Libertines.
Struggling to make it in the industry she loves, Lucie finds herself taking less-than-glamorous odd jobs and spiralling into danger as Carl, Pete Doherty and their band skyrockets to stardom.
'Standing in the Shadows of Giants' is Lucie's very personal story of family, fame and fear of failure. Through storytelling, song and even a bit of poetry, Lucie shares her journey of self-discovery.
Smartly directed by Traverse Associate Artist Bryony Shanahan, 'Standing in the Shadows of Giants' is a stylish, musical play that's at its strongest when Lucie sings. Her love of performing is evident during these moments; her soulful, smooth voice, beautiful. There's no doubt there's more than one sibling in that family with talent. Standing on a glossy red stage, backed by powerful stadium-esque lights, Lucie Barât looks every inch the rock star.
For anyone looking for a Carl Barât or The Libertines exposé, this is not it. Although Carl's voice and music does feature briefly, Lucie's story focuses on being the rockstar's sister, rather than on the rockstar himself.
Lucie's story is perhaps unsurprisingly dark, and does nothing to remediate the tarnished reputations of those in power in the film and TV industries. She openly talks about her battles with addiction, her sexulaity and a yearning to belong.
I do wish we had heard more of her music; too often it was cut short just as it was getting going. But with 'Standing in the Shadows of Giants', Lucie delivers an honest, brave hour that leaves us in no doubt as to her fortitude, and her enduring love for her famous brother. ★★★☆☆
Standing in the Shadows of Giants, Edinburgh 2025 dates:
World Premiere
Standing in the Shadows of Giants
Traverse Theatre & The Hale co-production
Written and performed by Lucie Barât, directed by Bryony Shanahan
Traverse 2, Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh
31 July - 24 August (not 4, 11 or 18) (various times)
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