This spiky and heartfelt comedy might be powered by the lead character’s autism, but it’s not defined by it. It gives people with the condition a long overdue voice
Nina (Ashley Storrie) and Evie (Kat Ronney) are Glasgow sisters in their early 30s, who are also best friends and live together. Within five minutes of Dinosaur, we have established their dynamic. Evie is sunny of outlook, while Nina has a knitted brow and has just been overwhelming the proprietor of a coffee van with a detailed complaint about his loyalty card scheme. Evie’s recent trip to London with her boyfriend – we sense that Nina does not feel ready for either of these things – has caused her to miss a planned joint viewing of a Real Housewives reunion episode, but Nina isn’t too vexed, despite having had no audience for her watchalong quips: “We can watch it again tonight, with my commentary.”
Yet Evie has news: they have only recently begun dating, but her boyfriend has proposed and she has said yes. Isn’t that amazing? Isn’t Nina happy for her? Nina stares. “It’s not amazing news, and I’m not happy for you. You’ve only known this man for six weeks. You’ve had thrush that lasted longer.”
