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The Bardic Breakfasters are back with a brand-new show, with breakfast included! A pleasing plethora of pentameter, puns and pastry. A sensational Shakespearience, perfect for hardened fans and blank-verse virgins alike.‘A bouncy and boisterous take on Willie’s work’ (List).‘Well worth getting out of bed for’ (Independent).‘No holds Bard‘ (FringeGuru.com).‘Irreverent humour… clever’ (Stage).‘Side-splitting… glorious’ (BroadwayBaby.com).‘Full of fun’ (RemoteGoat.com).‘Sizzling’ (Scottish Daily Express).Free coffee and croissants! Fringe favourite since 1992. Book early.www.ctheatre.comfacebook.com/ctheatreedinburghinstagram.com/c_theatre/
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Step into the enchanting world of Ray Bubbles, international Bubbleologist and Guinness World Record Holder! Witness his stunning bubble sculptures, effects and magical displays, all inspired by his work with schools and science centres. Marvel as Ray creates a volcano bubble, a soap bubble carousel and even a tornado inside a bubble! Join him for an unforgettable, inclusive experience filled with excitement, wonder and engagement. Ray Bubbles is the leading professional soap-bubble artist working with special needs schools in the UK and Ireland.
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Hand-picked shows from our digital performance programme and highlights from our critically acclaimed short film programme. Pop in for quirky shorts; linger longer for a moving moment. Features curated work from UK, Europe, Americas, Asia, worldwide. The destination for discerning digital and film audiences. Winner, LiveWire Innovation and Excellence Award for Digital Arts Programme of the Year. ‘Both weird and wondrous’ (ThreeWeeks). ‘Exceptional films’ (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘Delightful… perfect’ (TheWeeReview.com). A much-needed pocket of escapism’ (ThreeWeeks). ‘Spectacular’ (Scotsman). Programme runs continuously. Screenings can be any length (typically 30min-1hr). Some screenings at other times. See website for listings.
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The perfect introduction to Shakespeare’s beloved characters for children and their families. Discover brave adventurers, spell-binding suspense and laughs aplenty. ‘Hidden gem’ (FringeReview.co.uk). ‘Capturing the emotional heart’ **** (List). www.ctheatre.com
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Fast-paced, racy and full of youthful zest, this high-energy musical addresses the disillusionment of the disenfranchised Z and A Generations with comedy, dance and song. Satirically depicting how they view their over-reliance on technology, influencers, career aspirations, social media and non-traditional learning, Gen Z.A! offers a no-holds-barred take on racial and social injustice, sexuality, feeling marginalised and being unemployed in a world overshadowed by economic injustice. With humour, pathos, love and anger, it's interactive, and (like the issues) in your face! Entertainment with a capital E! Not to be missed.
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A fun, engaging show featuring puppets and bubbles. Our hero, Bubbles, leaves the mundane bubble tub behind to embark on an exciting adventure across the globe! From deserts to volcanoes, the North Pole to the ocean depths, and even the night sky, our hero encounters jaw-dropping bubble tricks and meets a cast of puppet animals along the way. You will see a bubble volcano, a tornado inside a bubble, a jellyfish bubble and a bubble snowman, as we explore the world together. Can you help Bubbles on their first adventure into the big wide world?
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After experiencing loss, a solo neuroscientist spirals inward, journeying through memory, mysticism, science and the mind in this poetic exploration of altered states. Blending scientific logic with surreal storytelling, this bold new work merges monologue, movement and sound to explore the liminal space between loss, healing and transformation. Visually evocative and emotionally resonant, it invites audiences into a deeply personal yet universal psychedelic experience. Created by multimedia company PolyXo, this is theatre for curious minds and open hearts – perfect for those drawn to bold new writing, experimental form, and stories that sit between reality and dreams.
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Ray Bubbles, international bubbleologist and World Record Holder, is on a mission to master the art of bubble-making and create the ultimate square bubble! This show promises a whirlwind of excitement and surprises, as Ray uses various gases to craft stunning bubble sculptures, effects and magical displays. Prepare to be amazed as Ray creates a volcano bubble, a soap bubble carousel, a bubble ghost and even a tornado inside a bubble! The show was inspired by Ray’s work with schools and science centres. Join Ray and see if he can create the ultimate square bubble!
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Rewrite her stories. Write her. A one-of-a-kind multidisciplinary performance rooted in Nüshu, the secret script of Chinese women. In this ritualistic solo work, writer and performer Jiayi Chen uses her body as a living scroll, inscribing ancient characters onto her skin with traditional ink. Through live body calligraphy, inspiring contemporary dance and an original soundscape, the piece becomes a haunting altar of memory, grief and feminine resistance. The piece is a tribute to the missing women in Jiayi’s life and a bold act of rewriting silenced histories through the body and voice.
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An autobiographical one-woman drama-comedy show blending comedy characterisation and football performance to tell the unique journey of Lucia Mallardi, a Berlin-based Italian former semi-professional footballer and artist. Travelling the world as a street artist with her football and her hat, she has created poetic dialogue between two seemingly distant worlds: football as an art and art as a discipline of sacrifice and passion. Inspiring audiences across Europe and beyond from the football field to the stage, Lucia's story is empowering – challenging boundaries, merging sports and theatre in a way that only she can.Written, created and performed by | Lucia MallardiPhoto credit | Pino Montisci
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I’m a framer who has been trying to be a good person all my life, but as a result, my wife betrayed me, my son died, and I switched to the police force to survive… In a production that celebrates Bejing's cultural heritage, Lao She's 1950s novella is performed in traditional Bejing musical style by a Chinese troupe famous for interpreting his work. The story takes the perspective of a common man who, despite his personal struggles of loss and pain, continues to find love for the world. English surtitles.
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If you suddenly found yourself in an unfamiliar room with no memory of how you got there, what would your response be? If the only thing in that very room was a strange woman, how would you react? The UnderNeath is filled with mystery, humour and self-realisation. It makes you question everything you thought you already knew and poses the most challenging question we may one day ask ourselves: What is your biggest regret?
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In the not-too-distant future, ecological catastrophe has ripped society’s flesh clean off and civilization is nothing but a rancid husk. From the ashes, one survivor rises. An advertising copywriter. Join a stark raving adman at the end of the world as he tries to rebrand… the end of the world. What do we call this new dystopia? Who’s it for? What’s our why? As he takes the audience on a gonzo brainstorming session, our protagonist faces his own existential crisis: What’s a copywriter without a client?
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Meet the ageing Jake ‘Mental’ Hughes, a psychiatric patient who believes he is the real Muhammad Ali. His voice shows anger, rage and sometimes indifference as he introduces us to his interpretation of a mental health system that has subjected him to 25 years of the painful effects of anti-psychotic drug Zuclopenthixol. In the face of government bungling and in the absence of essential support he takes on the world over his right to live life without ‘the Zuc or the needle’!
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Shakespeare sits in his script, costume and prop-strewn attic amending his Will, when his muse magically materialises. ‘Why are you here?’ She points to the audience. ‘I’ve come to prove to them you wrote the plays’. ‘How?’ ‘By getting you to reveal where you “signed them”’. ‘Screw you’. What follows is a heart-warming, at times tragic, often heated debate between them – the Muse hurling Will’s own lines in his face – that ultimately reveals the truth and the urban legends that make up Will’s life and works, allowing him to adopt the motto: Not Without Right.
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This whimsical allegorical fairytale from China is about the world of food. It follows a peanut’s fantastical journey to avoid its destiny of being eaten, and so reflects the universal human experience of struggling against fate. Through its adventures in the Delicious Metropolis (the restaurant kitchen), the Food Refugee Camp (the leftover bowl), and the Flavourless Hell (the garbage can), the peanut meets a colourful cast of condiments! Along the way, it comes to realise the truth: although death is unavoidable, it can be faced in a way that brings inner peace. Performed in Chinese with English surtitles.
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Discussion, conversation and debate about the arts, society and life. In the digital world there's no greater joy than talking face to face. 300 years ago, a club was set up in Edinburgh to support artists and poets. A centre of curiosity and debate, where horizons were broadened, it heralded the Scottish Enlightenment. It was called the Easy Club, and it lives again in this series of discussions inspired by C’s festival programme. Topics, speakers and artists will differ daily but always provoke thought and further chat. Free afternoon tea (and coffee) provided. See website for listings.
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In this powerful one-man drama set in 2018 at the time the Windrush controversy shook Britain, Rodreguez King-Dorset plays a young white far-right racist party leader, a black Caribbean diplomat and a white Oxford-educated Home Office official. Each explains the Windrush scandal from wildly opposing perspectives. For one, a dark secret that he struggles to come to terms with will change his life forever… A provocative unmasking of a horrific calamity in history that forced a nation to look in the mirror and reconsider its path. ‘An energetic and passionate performance’ (Guardian).
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After eating from the tree of the Fruit of Knowledge and leaving Paradise, Adam dreams that Lucifer shows him the entire history of humanity and its unavoidable failure. As Adam travels through time, and tries to find ways to prevent this, the values that dominated society at different times in history are brought to life with everyday objects. Hungary’s classic philosophical play Az Ember Tragédiája (The Tragedy of Man) by Imre Madách is given a new treatment in this original non-verbal object theatre re-telling with original music, written, directed and performed by actress Flora Novak with music and masks.
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This captivating one-person show dives deep into the life of mysterious aviator, Amelia Earhart, known for her daring ambition. People fell in love with her as a romantic icon, but beyond the public persona, we see the woman behind the headlines, confronting her vulnerabilities, sexuality, insecurities and the cost of chasing the unknown. Through raw, intimate performance, this play explores her darker side – uncovering the personal fears and struggles that shaped her pursuit of greatness. A powerful reflection on what any ambitious woman might need to do and the price of a life lived on the edge.
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A gripping solo performance that plunders the murky depths of human psychology, exploring themes of rebellion, power and moral ambiguity. Hitchens, forged from the crucible of a controlled upbringing and law-enforcement training, must now confront the ghosts of his past and the dangerous allure of radical ideologies. As the lines between hero and villain blur, the audience becomes the jury that must decide Hitchens’ fate. How will he be judged? Where does righteousness end and extremism begin? A thought-provoking exploration of guilt, reckoning and the quest for justice and identity prevalent in today’s socio-political climate.
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Manhattan buskers, cockney con-men, Broadway dreams. Nina and Robert have high hopes for the big stage. But when they get mixed-up in a scam that promises them everything, they discover that money is the loudest mouth, even in art. This Side of Life is a feel-good Golden Age throwback musical from The Cambridge University Musical Theatre Society that explores the struggle for artistic recognition, the lengths people will go to “make it” and the importance of staying in love with the art you create.
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Aged four, Augustin never finished his food. Now he has a terrible habit of always cleaning his plate, and lecturing people on how they should eat. Today is his thirtieth birthday, and he's cooking dinner. The ratatouille is on the stove, his friends are arriving soon and everything seems under control. But that's without counting on an unexpected visit, and some unwelcome memories. Around the simmering pot, he is forced to examine his relationship with food, as well as his relationship with himself. Funny solo show about hunger, who we are, and the mess of growing up.
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Murder, arson and traumatic tragedy abound in this groundbreaking new drama by soon to be award-winning playwright Sebastian Maroun. A middle class family is pushed to the brink when their patriarch discovers he is going blind. As his vision fades, details of torrid affairs come to light which threaten to tear the family apart. The only thing that can save them is the journalistic instinct of their young daughter and a helpful stray dog who may not be what he seems. This is a normal staged reading. Everything is fine. Why wouldn't it be?
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The Scotsman’s top highlighted Fringe 2025 show. Caspar returns to showcase his renowned sleight of hand with an all-new show. Stunning magic. Unbelievable skill. Elegant performance. Pure close-up magic and sleight of hand: no stooges, no electronics, no camera tricks! Presented in style by an understated showman.‘You won't see this level of skill anywhere else in the world. He should be charging £100 per ticket’ (Jerry Sadowitz).‘Jaw-dropping sleight of hand in an intimate show that puts the audience inches away from magic’ (Scotsman). ‘Master of sleight of hand’ (FringeReview.co.uk).
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A mysterious new musical in which three strangers are summoned to a secluded seaside manor on New Year’s Eve by the enigmatic Mr Dellamort, who leads them through an evening of revelations and eerie delights. Exploring themes of unrequited love, mortality and deception, this theatrical gem features an original pop score, live theremin and vintage Foley sound effects. Gothic, quirky, and delightfully unpredictable, it’s a uniquely immersive experience that balances heart, humour, and haunting surprises. 'Will keep you guessing right up to the dramatic conclusion!' **** (NorthWestEnd.com).
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A laugh-out-loud stand-up comedy show that dives into the messy, magical madness of motherhood. From giving birth to surviving sleepless nights, toddler tantrums and the "romance" of marriage after kids, this high-energy special blends sharp storytelling, brutally honest truths and original ukulele songs. Whether you’re a parent, thinking about becoming one or just enjoy watching others struggle with tiny humans, this show is for you. Hilarious, heartfelt and totally relatable, Super Mama proves that not all heroes wear capes… some just carry 17 bags and never drink hot coffee.
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What would’ve happened if Romeo and Juliet didn’t die? If Romeo went off and found himself? This upbeat modern coda to the tragic events of Shakespeare's famous play follows what happens when Juliet stumbles across a new-styled Romeo. Romiet follows the star-crossed lovers as they meet again and this time, Romeo is doing a very different job. Will they get back together now that Romeo is a drag queen? Can Juliet put her beliefs aside for the love of her life? Join us as we discover if Romeo and Juliet can rekindle their love in a modern age!
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A tragicomic one-woman show about the absurdity of searching for a home today. Miriam, a street artist, waitress and actress, takes the audience through a series of absurd and often hilarious encounters with real estate agents and landlords, highlighting the struggles of a young person trying to navigate an overpriced and increasingly inaccessible housing market. Facing the harsh reality that without a home, there’s no mental stability, Miriam explores the difficulty of growing up and finding a sense of belonging in a seemingly hostile world.
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A fully improvised narrative play in the style of William Shakespeare from Thorn and Petal Stick – alias veteran improvisers Hal Munger, John Mistele, and NIck Zimmerman – founders of the first UnScripted Shakespeare Festival in New York. Nothing is pre-planned! At the beginning of each show the audience is asked to provide a title that inspires a delightful comedy in Elizabethan language, unlike any Shakespearian play you've ever seen before. Love, marriage, scheming and mistaken identities abound in an entertaining improvised romp… all in the poetic language of the bard. Accompanied by Sebastian Hochman on piano.Created and performed by | Hal Munger, John Mistele, Nick ZimmermanMusic by | Sebastian Hochman
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An old book, What It Means to Be a Woman, given to Georgia on her sixteenth birthday, becomes the thread connecting three women’s lives: Georgia, now a woman in an unhappy marriage to a brutish man; Shirley, her long-lost best friend, now a nightclub singer in New York; and Maud, Georgia’s mother, the orchestrator of their downfall. From childhood to motherhood, the book’s secrets are passed from hand to hand, revealing the choices we make and the chances we miss. One Voice Theatre Company proudly presents this one-woman musical, with eight original songs.
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Celebrity designer Mat Sanders’ fabulously designed existence implodes spectacularly when sudden betrayal triggers a hysterical, one-man meltdown. Rugburn explores what happens when you’ve built a glittering life on a foundation of unresolved shame and perfectly upholstered defences begin splitting at the seams. Hollywood gossip, popper-fuelled confessions and impeccably appointed interiors collide in this fast-paced, filthy, deliciously deranged neo-vaudevillian spectacle. From the highs of styling A-listers and hosting makeover TV to the lows of underground sleaze and spectacular self-destruction, watch Sanders shape-shift through the dazzling wreckage of his life as style spirals into chaos. Brace yourself for Rugburn.
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This solo multimedia performance celebrates the raw power of creation and destruction embodied by a volcano, as it explores parallels between the cyclical movements of the earth and the emotional landscape of humanity. Through a series of vignettes, a combination of expressive dance, recorded narration, video, music and scent, immerses the audience in the essence of an evolving mountain. Performed on a set crafted from recycled and natural materials, Mountain Woman showcases the sacred feminine spirit, embodying growth, self-destruction and balance as a call to reconnect with the cycles of the earth.
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Jive along to jazz, party to punk rock, cavort to classics and experience electropop with our cherry-picked musical assortment. A powerhouse of bands and soloists from across the globe. Enjoy the warmth of the world through a hand-picked selection of of bands, singers and instrumentalists, and soak up their sound! Discover new artists from five continents! We’ve got bangers, beats, bass and Brahms! Come enjoy jazz, blues, world music, electronica, pop, classical music and more. See website for listings.
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The alternative late-night Fringe experience returns. A unique blend of comedy, circus, burlesque, bands, live art and speciality acts from across the Fringe. With a different line-up every night this is a chance to see some of the Festival’s most exciting new artists. ‘A smorgasbord showcase of the wonderful delicacies... wacky, weird and wonderful’ (AYoungerTheatre.com). ‘One of the most fun variety cabarets around... Explosive and adaptable’ ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). See website for listings.
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God created mankind in seven days, but twelve children drifting at sea take the same seven to become murderers. Inspired by Géricault’s painting and Georg Kaiser’s play The Raft of the Medusa, this contemporary re-telling unfolds through image-based vignettes – a chimpanzee with painted nails, an ignored petition, a missing doll. Who are the figures on the raft? When we look again, do we see ourselves reflected? Alienation doesn’t knock – it drifts in. And by the time we feel the tide, we are already far from the shore. Performed in Mandarin.
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Eight teenagers take you back in time to an analogue age when telephones had wires and television was not so demanding. Square Pegs return with a brand-new, life-imitating-art play about growing up, which asks lots of questions about what it means to be human, but offers absolutely no answers whatsoever. Join Macready Theatre’s Offie-nominated Young Actors for 45 minutes of absurdist, fast-paced, fun-filled storytelling, to share time-travelling tales of nostalgia and a yearning for meaning when all seems fake. ‘A short spectacular showcase’ ***** (TheMumble.uk). ‘Another joyous bag of wild imagination, comedy and physicality’ **** (BroadwayBaby.com).
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A wild, hilarious solo show about grief, love and mommy issues. Candice Fox dives into the chaos of loss and a complex mother-daughter saga, blending raw storytelling with striking visuals. She explores grief in its messy glory, awkward moments and accidental wisdom, navigating the strange ways we stumble forward. This show isn’t just about death, it’s about mourning someone still alive, dealing with estrangement and how addiction distorts family history. Deeply intimate, darkly funny, it's cathartic, relatable and unexpected. You’ll laugh, cry and probably text your mom something unhinged afterward!
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Lily Casson invites you to join her in a world of songs and stories from a century of musical theatre. Sharing her favourites – some familiar, some exciting new discoveries – she takes you on a journey of how they came to be and why she hearts them. Lily has always loved musicals. Growing up in a theatrical family, she has experienced musical magic from both sides of the velvet curtain. As she shines a spotlight on the wonder of escapism, Lily makes musicals the star of the show. ‘Delightful, and beautifully sung cabaret’ (BroadwayBaby.com).
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The inspiring true story of the cheerful Edinburgh factory girl with a big heart for Jesus and for helping others, who could be Scotland's next canonised Saint. This down-to-earth model of everyday sanctity is brought vividly to life onstage by Rachel Callaghan – her actual living relative (second cousin). Stephen Callaghan's funny and moving play was first performed at the 2016 Fringe in the Edinburgh church where the venerable Margaret's body is interred and he directs the revival marking 100 years since her death. 'The response of the audience lining the pews… is undeniable' (Scotsman).
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Award-winning flamenco dance from an international duo based in Spain. Flamenco, Brazilian music and jazz fuse in this inspirational showcase of strength, elegance and beauty embodied in Aylin Bayaz’s dance and Raul Mannola's guitar music. The shared passion and synergy of this five-year collaboration produces a unique experience of beauty and inspiration. ‘Flamencodanza is more than just a show – it’s a breathtaking journey, with its fusion of tradition and contemporary flair… leaving an enduring impression on every fortunate spectator’ (Dancelife.com.au). ‘Flamencodanza is hot, and you won’t see anything else like it’ (TheStageRaw.com). ‘Manola is amazing to watch’ (TheTVolution.com).
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Set against a stunning deep-sea dreamscape, The Legend of Shanhai is a magical musical blending fantasy, adventure and the bittersweet journey of growing up. In the whispering waves of the North Sea, young Beiming dreams of the skies beyond his island home. Swept into a mysterious undersea world, he meets Kun – a mighty fish longing to soar. As they brave whirlpools and sea beasts, Beiming learns that true freedom lies in embracing both roots and wings. Inspired by ancient Chinese mythology, this lyrical tale is a soaring ode to family, dreams and self-discovery.
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Scarlett Smith is an electroacoustic harpist and comedian. Tired of the harp's demure, classical reputation, Scarlett’s debut solo show Any Objections? defies traditional stereotyping. Instead, audiences are taken on a surreal quest to prove this unwieldy, celestial instrument has a place far beyond the orchestra pit. Blending live looping covers of popular songs, self-produced indie-pop jingles and fast-paced punchlines, the show is a playful celebration of creativity and harp innovation. Expect wedding industry musings, a fateful boat trip and an interactive gameshow in this whimsical world where chaos meets creativity.
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The Salem Witch Trials told through dance. This story of fear and power, fiction and humanity, is as important as ever today. Arthur Miller's classic re-imagined in a captivating blend of movement and narrative. The physicality of this production produces an impressive impact, heightening the emotional vulnerability of each of the characters. Ten dancers from California who are all incredible storytellers, directed and choreographed by Jacob Gutiérrez-Montoya, artistic director of Sacramento Contemporary Dance Theatre.
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‘Christmas Morning 2018, and I’m hiding in a graveyard from my family…’ Part disability history lecture, part autobiography, part agility course, part rant, part quiz and a whole lot of laughter. A Brief History of Neurodivergence will bust the current misunderstandings around neurodivergence – all whilst bouncing on a trampoline, skipping the alphabet, smashing the star jump challenge and occasionally pausing for breath. Join theatre-maker Fiona Moon in an embodied exploration of neurodivergence, and glimpse the chaos of a hundred-mile-an-hour mind. ‘A bold, striking voice reminiscent of an early Polly Stenham’ (The Bush Theatre).
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A contemporary Kunqu opera adaptation of the Chinese classic Dream of the Red Chamber. Jia Baoyu, once a sentient stone, is reborn and guided by Buddhist and Daoist forces to realise the world is empty of permanent identity and intrinsic independence. Wang Pushi, a fourth-generation actor of the Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre, mirrors this awakening through his performance, discovering a generative and empowering transcendence of emptiness. A dynamic fusion of classic Kunqu with modern experimental theatre, immersive media and slow rock music. Performed in Mandarin and English, with English surtitles.
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Colin has moved to Cornwall. Below his new home stands a shed. Forgotten. Unloved. Ideal for growing in – and according to one curious stranger, soon to be blown up. A post-modern gothic comedy about rural communities, isolation and the dangers of obsessively trying to fit in, Cold, Dark Matters follows a new resident’s rural retreat into the murky underwaters of a community in Cornwall, where everything is not as it seems... 'Beautifully written, structured, and performed. Loved it!' (Mark Jenkin, BAFTA-winning film director). 'A show that delights in storytelling tools and Russian-doll trickery‘ (LPTSA Nomination).
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This experimental physical theatre piece boldly deconstructs the philosophical classic Zhuang Zhou, Dreams of a Butterfly and the folk-legend, Zhuang Zhou Tests His Wife, to explore the essence of humanity, love and existence. Set in the lacquer garden of the Warring States period, the work blends traditional shadow puppetry, stylised Chinese opera and avant-garde theatrical language. The surreal world, inspired by Tao philosophy, intertwines reality and illusion. The audience embarks on a philosophical journey that asks , how does one prove existence? and touches upon the true nature of life itself. Performed in Mandarin.
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A mysterious message from the “future self” invites participants into an immersive space where AI unveils their projected histories. In The Waiting Room, choices shape a unique, evolving audio narrative, guiding participants through moments of dreams realised and challenges faced. As their future unfolds, from the fulfilment of deepest aspirations to a global crisis that transforms the world, participants explore a bizarre, unpredictable world where technology and humanity collide, prompting reflection on how our choices shape the future.
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Can those who overthrow idols avoid becoming what they once despised? In a rehearsal room an actor prepares for the role of Magistrate Wu, questioning the character’s moral motivation and in doing so, confronts his own relationship with performance, authority, and self-deception. Inspired by Pu Songling’s Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, this piece invites the audience into a world where actors become ghosts, gods are bureaucrats, and belief itself becomes a performance. Traditional Yue Opera, classical Chinese instruments, and stylised historical costume create a layered meditation on power, identity, and legacy. Performed in Mandarin.
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Dutch composer/pianist Hermane composes beautiful songs with intricate harmonies. Before settling in Andalusia, he spent thirty years in Latin America, USA, Asia and Africa, soaking up the traditional music of each country. A meticulous composer, his goal is to create virtuoso pieces, endowed with a fragility that moves the listener – so different from the typical four repeated chords structure common to much contemporary music. While drawing inspiration from classical grand-masters, his compositions are palpably twenty-first century, offering an intricate kaleidoscope of colourful musical landscapes bearing Latin, Soul, Tango and Flamenco influences.
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Set in 1977, Damn the Dark follows five women navigating Soho's vibrant discotheque scene. Jean, a night-shift nurse, spends time with her sister Daphne, an aspiring housewife, and Daphne’s friend Layla, an ambitious journalist. The club’s regulars, Margot, a Gogo dancer, and Kim, a punk enthusiast, are each chasing their dreams. Amid rising violence and fear in the 1970s, these women unite through courage and activism, joining the Reclaim the Night march. This immersive production celebrates disco, punk and empowerment, inviting the audience to dance in solidarity with the characters.
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How can we inhabit landscapes that are transforming due to climate change? Re-Shape-Land-Scape is a dance-theatre performance that delves into the ephemerality of transforming landscapes. Original choreography devised to evoke the numbers of the coordinates with movement in multimedia live-digital performance, takes audiences on an eco-journey through three geographically diverse landscapes looking for answers: the windswept shores of the Norfolk Coast in East Anglia (52.96691, 0.532), the historic Panagia Chrysopolitissa Church in Cyprus (35.3413, 4.6333), and the bustling Wan Chai Reclamation in Hong Kong (22.2803, 4.1141). An exploration of the impact of human interaction on ever-changing terrains.
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Meet young wizard Hugo Listworth, who discovers he has a skill in seeing into the future… A storytelling adventure with beautiful props, music and theatre-magic, The Divination Tent is an immersive and interactive experience for young audience members encouraging creative play between children and their grown-ups. They will get hands on with crystal balls, tea-leaf-reading, tarot cards and astronomy to actively influence the story. The untold story is one of finding pride in your differences. In a world where there's pressure on children to succeed, The Divination Tent is an opportunity to enjoy creative play and discovery.
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Colourful and whimsical clown Bubblegum Gumdrop returns to the Fringe with an adventure filled with games, and physical comedy. This year, there’s just one problem… she’s lost her voice! But that won’t stop her from delivering a spectacular show bursting with slapstick humour, interactive moments and original music as she discovers new ways to communicate and connect. This high-energy family entertainment is designed for children who love to wiggle, giggle and get involved. More than just entertainment, it empowers children to use their voices – through words, movement and laughter – while fostering creativity and imagination.
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A bold, witty and moving autobiographical solo performance exploring queer identity, diaspora, racial injustice and the search for belonging. Krishna, a queer Indian-Malaysian man, attends a gay speed-dating event in Berlin. Through five-minute conversations, his regret and grief at never coming out to his late mother emerge. With raw storytelling, multimedia projection and poetic honesty, the piece weaves together personal memories, political insight and humour to challenge dominant narratives and celebrate the voices of the marginalised. It speaks to anyone who has ever felt like an outsider, because of their skin, sexuality, culture or class.‘Once in a while you see something that takes your breath away, something so perfectly formed and delivered that you would happily see it again and again… Second Class Queer made me laugh… and cry. It made me feel guilt and shame, it made me feel uncomfortable and then proud. It made me want to be a better man and it made me want to see this important piece of theatre be shown to young people and old, worldwide’ Andrew Kay, TheLatest.co.uk
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This award-winning play explores the cultural, social and political significance of Black women’s hair. Through dynamic storytelling and music, it delves into themes of identity, self-esteem, race and resilience, offering a profound commentary on beauty standards, history and empowerment. The success of Black To My Roots since its 2002 debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, including its 25th Anniversary production in 2024, showcases its enduring relevance. With upcoming global tours and adaptations, these African American tales clearly continue to resonate deeply with audiences worldwide.
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Who truly holds power in the theatre? The writer, the director, the producer, the actor – or the audience? This genre-defying new work is not just a show: it's a conversation that tears apart the comfortable distance between stage and audience. Why do we come to the theatre? To escape, to feel, to be seen, or to be changed? In this bold, chaotic and thought-provoking work, audiences are invited to question the invisible forces that keep theatre in motion. As the lights fade, you might wonder: was I just watching, or was I part of something bigger all along?
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What stories must we tell to offer ourselves and our children the best possible future? This prequel to the Icarus myth takes us on a journey in, through and to the centre of a labyrinth. As we journey, we hear the mythical story of Icarus told through the eyes of a woman enslaved in her youth. She explores what happens when an unfathered father has a son and invites us to interrogate the stories we are told, offering an opportunity to look at how they shape our future and give weight to the past.
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An uproariously inaccurate portrayal of a party amidst the smallpox epidemic in 1810 England. The show is a mix of scripted and improvised dramedy that explores what happens when a group of young people in the regency era decide to get together for a night of debaucherous fun. However, their night of fun quickly spirals into a night of gossip and shortly after a night of full-on chaos, courtesy of a government-enforced quarantine in response to a smallpox epidemic. Let’s see if these young people can get a grip!
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1561. Scotland. Returning from France to rule her country, Queen Mary is faced with hostility from the Protestant lords. Seen as more French than Scottish, she has much to overcome as Queen, especially as a Catholic woman. The lords choose Henry Darnley for her husband, but as the marriage frays both Mary and Darnley find respite in Italian secretary David Rizzio. Flitting between comedy and tragedy, Into Thy Hands explores the bond between the Queen, her husband and lover. This tale examines homophobia and relationships, and questions: Who decides our fate?
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A wildly original uproarious comedy that brings the absurd to life. Follow Klein and Calvin, two anthropomorphic butt cheeks with big dreams, as they navigate culture shock, friendship and the perils of studying abroad. Packed with sharp humour, unexpected depth and yes – plenty of fart jokes – this play is a fresh take on identity, belonging and the universal struggle of finding your place in the world. Whether you love witty banter, heartfelt moments, or just a good laugh, this is a theatrical experience not to miss. Come for the absurd premise, stay for the surprisingly moving story!
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The number one Google search term for 2022 was climate-change – the first time that it ranked as a comprehensive yearly search term. Now many people are aware of its seriousness and are starting to think about solutions together. Creative art, from the Republic of Korea, are kick-starting this response from a uniquely artistic perspective. They use waste to make music – cellos from abandoned equipment from rural areas, stringed instruments of thrown away plastic toys – and compose piano songs based on the characteristics of endangered animals, to ask vital questions about the climate crisis.
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In its 75th anniversary year, we have forgotten why we have the ECHR. A living commemoration of a living law, this beautiful song cycle offers a new way to view the Convention, telling its story through the words of its British artisan, Edinburgh-born David Maxwell Fyfe. It shows how the seeds of ECHR grew in the wasteland of the evidence of the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials. Firmly rooted in humanity, David's personal papers, Sue Casson’s music and archive film blend in this powerful celebration of the Convention's protections. ‘Magnificent work about freedom, democracy, liberty’ (MusicalTalk.co.uk).
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I am the voice of the dead, cast upon the dry shores by the sea. The voice of the dead is the ever-present voice that collects and remembers the stories and conditions of life of the unjustly killed and innocent victims of humanity. At a time of humanity’s greatest development, we have commited the most dire crimes of war and live in moral paradox. Ha highlights the ambivalence of attitude, the ignorance of guilt, and the pleasure of comfort. An uninterrupted performance built on the performer’s voice and depth of breath.
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Remember the Kids from Fame? It's time to meet the Kids with Nae Hame. Experience what it's like to grow up in care in the 1980s, where songs from the American hit series represent a lifeline that helps the kids cope with their ever-changing environment. Witness first-hand the process of some of the kids having to adapt to independent living. And see how they are faring now as the show looks at the effects the care system has had on these kids – and what is currently being done to assist the care-experienced community.
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The Fringe is an Odyssey – where will your journey take you? Artist is a card-based workshop created for Fringe artists. It's a space to pause and recalibrate amidst the festival chaos. With a custom deck of conversation cards, each session sparks open dialogue on themes like community, expectations and strategy, both at and beyond the Fringe. This is not a lecture: it’s an immersive experience designed to spark reflection, connect with community and explore new perspectives. You're even invited to take the cards with you and continue the conversation into your next journey!
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‘Once upon a time, a milkmaid wished upon a star…’ Join trans artist Hunter King on his journey of gender self-discovery. This brand new uplifting queer parody musical, Maid in the Wild, Wild, North West is based on a true story. It explores themes of belonging, self-discovery and joy through storytelling and music. Expect Disney songs as you’ve never heard them before, bad puns, terrible tropes, a damsel in distress, an animal sidekick, villains galore and a hero! Feel the Pride, live the magic, and cheer as the story unfolds... ‘Pure camp, country, comedy’ (Audience review).
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24 July 1943. Rome. The Grand Council of the fascist government convenes to discuss the removal of the Duce. Inside a small study-room of Palazzo Venezia, the authoritarian leader, tired and overwhelmed by the failures of the Italian army, reflects on how destiny drove him from poor and humble origins to be crowned Italy’s supreme leader – and how much of his sanity he lost along the way. This solo tour-de-force by Tom Corradini offers a satirical journey into the mind of the sentimental and deeply human man who became Italy's greatest modern statesman.
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A joyous dance, irreverent and innocent at the loss of memories. Featuring internationally renowned Cirque du Soleil clown conceptor Daniel Passer and co-created and directed by award-winning director Beth F Milles, this immersive solo performance of spontaneity investigates losing track of one’s past while discovering and cherishing one’s present. The audience embarks on a surreal journey, finding hilarity, joy and unexpected revelations in the ironies of fading memory. Passer’s beautiful, whimsical performance breathes life into moments that challenge the mind, an unforgettable experience where humour transcends the challenge of forgetting.
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A multitalented, multilingual singer, actor and stand-up comedian you might recognise from the Fantastic Beasts movie franchise, brings her solo stand-up show to the Fringe! Calling herself The Foot Putter because of her graceful ability to often say things that others might find a bit unusual (at the very least!), permanent outsider Maja Bloom will delight you with her energy, her jokes, some useful tips for other 'foot-putters' and frank social observations of an immigrant Brit that is just never British enough…
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Have you heard the gossip? The improvised story of a small town where a rumour ruins all: romance, reputation and petty revenge! With audience suggestions setting up the action, a single rumour is born. Chaos erupts, relationships implode, reputations shatter and the quest for revenge turns hilariously petty. From misplaced love letters to scandalous secrets, no one is safe, proving that in a tight-knit community the juiciest gossip is always the most destructive. As heard on BBC Radio, seen at Hoopla Impro, Camden Comedy Club, Barons Court Theatre, and sold out at Brighton and Cambridge fringes.
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Juul, anxious and plagued by compulsions, discovers their fetish for choking. Ashamed, but desperate for euphoric relief, Juul retreats into their hole beneath the tree. With Juul hiding away, echoing the dark path of their late father, loneliness and worry creeps up on their mum, Annette. Constricted within the bounds of their arboreal home, Annette and Juul unravel the messy and absurd lengths we go to understand ourselves – and each other. Written and performed by Ilja van Ravels, this is a dark comedy about shame, identity, desire, belonging and the ties that bind us.
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Leave the kids at home (if you bothered to have them) for this interactive improv, sketch and naughty game show. This production features a real-life married comedy couple (winners of the 2017 National Sketch Comedy Championship in Los Angeles) who explore relationship dynamics, emotions and sexual positions. Audience members can even compete to win a titillating title! You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. And you’ll invest in birth control. Erin has been described as ‘fiercely funny’ and Andrew as ‘utterly silly’ (ArtsTalkMagazine.nl). ‘Their chemistry is enviable’ (SketchReview.com). ‘Wonderfully twisted and absurdist’ (Chicago Tribune).
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In this fast-paced, cabaret-style solo musical comedy, one actress plays six vibrant characters to tell the story of Tomi – a luxury-obsessed teen whose world flips when she discovers she’s the heir to the Kazakh throne. Thrust into a remote village, Tomi faces intense culture shock, eccentric relatives and a journey of hilarious, chaotic self-discovery. Featuring original music blending jazzy and theatrical styles, Kazakh Princess Diaries is a bold, heartfelt exploration of identity, privilege and what it really means to belong, told through the eyes of a Kazakh performer reclaiming her narrative with humour and heart.
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Uma Gahd from Canada’s Drag Race Season 5, everybody’s favourite unofficial auntie, brings you her one-woman drag comedy exploring small talk and big issues: fame, family, feminism, and failed marriages! Stuffed with stand-up, lip-sync, and plenty of hysterical pathos, Uma tells the story of her life - from sneaking into bars with her childhood best friend, Margaret, to breaking into showbusiness with her growing family. Part environmental theatre, part cabaret, and part drag show. Come hear the word of Gahd!‘She is warm, slightly daft, and thoroughly loveable’ **** (List)‘A wildly entertaining way to spend 45 minutes’ (MontrealTheatreHub.com)'Montreal's #1 Drag Artist’ (CultMLT.com)
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Are you angry? This punk clown musical comedy show is very, very angry, and if you’re not, then you’re not paying attention. And Loose T doesn’t want to be alone. So with improvised interactions with the audience, short clown skits and punkish songs she will make you angry too – with men in suits, fossil fuels, fascists, plastic, Brexit, labels... until you scream, dance and sing along with her. And hopefully laugh too. ‘She surprises once again, making the listener have fun, reflect and sing along’ (RoadieMusic.com). ‘A highly intelligent and politically-charged performer’ (YorkCalling.co.uk).
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They’re sisters! They’re lovers! They’re cross-dressing murders! Two maids play out a sadomasochistic wet dream of killing their boss… until the line between their fantasies and reality blurs. Two actors swap parts each performance, role-playing servant and master, indulging their fantasies of control and wealth while on the clock as housemaids. Inspired by anti-capitalist metatheatrical play The Maids, Jean Genet’s response to the Papin murders in 1930s France which he saw as an act of political and social rebellion. Drag performance, audience interaction and gender-f*ckery are utilized to explore rituals of repression and revolt.
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Lavinia Draper, alcohol-soaked performer of a certain age, maintains her dream despite the struggle. The strife of ageing artists, most particularly women, facing unrepentant discrimination and harassment, and the resultant dysphoria and substance use, is profound. But Lavinia is the rare hopeful dreamer who never gives up on herself and inspires the audience to do the same. A one-woman show performed by Susan Campanaro that shatters genre as deftly as the title character severs the comic/tragic line. Brimming with hysterical comedy, dark sensitivity and harsh reality, the play features a moving score by Lynn Portas.
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This compelling new music theatre piece, inspired by the Wei-Jin era’s Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove, reimagines the legendary final moments of Ji Kang. Before his execution in 263 CE, he played the guqin, a traditional Chinese musical instrument. In Echoes, this zither becomes a spiritual vessel, through which his companions confront grief, freedom and existential meaning. Blending music, drama and physical theatre, the narrative intertwines metaphysical dialogue with poetic defiance, mirroring the struggle of the sages to reconcile idealism with a chaotic world. Performed in Mandarin with English surtitles.
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Step into a vibrant cabaret where the ancient myth of the Minotaur is reinterpreted through the eyes of Ariadne. As she unravels the truth behind the twisted legacy she’s inherited, she dares to challenge the myths that uphold patriarchal control. No mere bystander, she is a force of change, navigating the labyrinth of power, truth and identity. Driven by a genre-blending score and powerful, poetic storytelling, both psychological and political, this production transports audiences into a living labyrinth and invites them to question the stories we accept, systems we uphold and who really controls the narrative.
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Inspired by shamanic journeying and altered states of consciousness, this electrifying healing ceremony is a meditative ritual celebrating the human experience. Six powerful male dancers surrender to instinct, moving through a trance-like ritual that blurs the line between isolation and connection. Through movement, Rite offers a unique opportunity to contemplate your humanity, ignite a release of what weighs you down, and emerge with a newfound clarity: a personal and collective spiritual catharsis. Witness the intensity of energy, surrender to the movement and dynamically explore the profound connections between body and soul.
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Finding the right vet is like finding the right pair of heels… Take a seat at the InFurMary Vets, where Dr Fantasy reminisces about becoming a certified vet and watch her navigate her day treating a menagerie of poorly pets. Starring Veronica Green from Ru Paul’s Drag Race, and all set within a veterinary surgery set, Vetted is a show filled to the brim with quirky comedy puppets, original songs and fabulous drag queens. You’ll love this show, I Shih Tzu not!
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Hear the incredible real-life stories of Marvin and others who have faced challenges and turned their lives around. Find out why a near-death experience led him to turn his back on his criminal past and what motivated him to become the reformed person he is today. Now working as a crime-prevention activist, his motivational talks aim to reduce re-offending by inspiring youth and changing lives. With guest interviewees whose lives have involved challenge, change, change and transformation. Followed by a no-holds-barred Q&A.
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This contemporary dance-theatre piece delves into the emotional tension between the yearning for connection and the fear of intimacy in human relationships. Drawing from psychological theories and personal experiences, it explores the ways in which attachment shapes our behaviours and emotional responses blending movement, psychology, and visual storytelling. Fragmented in structure, each section of the piece portrays different emotional moments, conveying the subtle shifts between desire, rejection, fear and longing. This delicate balance between connection and separation creates a rich narrative that invites the audience to reflect on their own experiences with attachment, vulnerability and emotional complexity.
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Sometimes the world disappears in the blink of an eye. Everything is destroyed and everything recreated. In the midst of it, we forget that what matters most is home, where everything has a place to belong. Following a group of friends who stick together through their personal struggles and joys in a hostile world, Wink Wink Murder explores the darker aspects of childhood and children's reflections on death. Through fragmented narratives this new choreographic piece delves into the hidden emotional experiences and memories of youth, revealing the complexities of innocence, fear and time.
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Two-woman band Finova came together in 2024 after meeting as students in Aberdeen. When aspiring singer/songwriter Ali Kova, the stage name of Rachel Allan Molotnikov, released her first single Loved Me Too that summer, she looked to Galloway girl, Erin Findlay to accompany her with masterful piano playing. The musical fusion of this new-found duo soon led to creative collaboration off-stage too, as time between classes was spent writing and rehearsing. Hear Kova’s lyrics and melodies made whole by Findlay’s moving, compositional genius in this original, acoustic night to remember!
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When the goddess Nüwa creates the world, her twin children, Day and Night become imbalanced. Seduced by this chaos, the Night Demon disrupts the natural order, plunging the world into darkness and disarray. The spirits of the twenty-four Solar Terms awaken and join forces with the four divine beasts of Eastern mythology, restoring harmony between heaven and earth, humanity and nature. Pupils from Jingdong Primary School in Shanghai depict the twenty-four natural spirits marking the different seasons from the unique Chinese system, in this visual and auditory feast. Performed in Cantonese with English surtitles.
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An intimate, one-on-one multimedia piece inspired by the novel Fahrenheit 451. Based on Kyle Yamada’s play, this new immersive experience leads you into a world where words survive through spoken transmission. As you lie on a bed, distant landscapes and voices surround you. Wrapped in a quilt, you discover another’s memories through a multimedia montage of whispers, warmth and deep personal connection. More than a performance: you are invited to join the Alliance. When you leave, the cycle continues: you record your own voice and images, to send back to be shared with someone, somewhere.A digtal version of this work, The Fahrenheit Alliance III, is also avaialble in our on-demand programme.The same company perform The Story of the Tower in our digital on-demand programme.www.mitsukohirai.comwww.facebook.com/mitsuko.hirai.5www.instagram.com/hiraimitsuko/
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In a world still healing from isolation and digital saturation, this compelling performance offers a quiet but powerful invitation: to stop; to feel; to be seen, if you choose. This raw, immersive work about human connection movingly explores our physiological need for touch. At the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time since its Herald Angel award-winning premiere in 2007, Little Dove Theatre Art's groundbreaking live artwork returns: stripped back, immediate, more relevant than ever. Come and experience this unmissable work for yourself – and please do touch.***** Guardian***** ThreeWeeks***** Herald**** ScotsmanWinner of Herald Angel Award, Edinburgh Fringe 2007Winner of Scotland on Sunday Best Director Award, Edinburgh Fringe 2007Winner of Best Dance Award, Melbourne Fringe 2009Winner of Best Interactive Performance, Sydney Fringe 2023
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A hilarious fantasy tale where you choose the adventure! Come merry folk from yonder to craft an original tale, with aid from your Story Master and a sprinkle of imagination. Fill in a character sheet, then watch your creations spring to life as they embark on an epic quest – or go way off track. Will they fight a dragon? Save a village of pixies? Get stuck in a dungeon and eat their shoes? Anything can happen! Your characters, your locations... their fate is in your hands. Come and roll the dice. A fantasy fun-filled show for all.
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When the ghost of her father returns seeking revenge, Hamlet has to choose: play along, or break the cycle? When she makes her choice, the ghost makes his and haunts her coat. Crownless fuses Shakespeare’s text with contemporary female poetry in a bold exploration of grief and power. It's a ghost story, a coming-of-age tale and a stylish love letter to saying 'no’. With sharp dialogue, unexpected laughs and a coat full of unresolved trauma, this show walks the line between comedy and heartbreak. If you’ve ever argued with a parent’s voice in your head, this one’s for you.
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Jaja has done everything right. First class degree, ICAN certified, determined. Yet all he has earned is seven years of waiting and unanswered CVs. From exploitative interviews to absurd job offers, his journey exposes the broken and corrupt system facing many young people. One company wants him as a bouncer, another wants free labour. Through sharp humour and raw honesty, Dear Applicant explores the frustration, desperation and quiet resilience of a generation promised everything but handed nothing. Still, Jaja keeps pushing. Because if no one sees you, are you even there?
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The Emmy-nominated screenwriter of King of the Hill, Beavis and Butt-Head, Just Shoot Me, Wilfred and Rules of Engagement is coming to Edinburgh! In his critically acclaimed one-man show, writer/performer Michael Jamin asks: What if the smallest, almost forgotten moments were the ones that shaped us most? Audaciously funny yet achingly poignant, A Paper Orchestra will change the way you think about life. Perfect for fans of David Sedaris and Mike Birbiglia. Based on the best-seller, which Vulture.com named Best Comedy Books of 2024.
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In an era where migration, exile, and political oppression remain urgent global issues, Büke Erkoç plays a young immigrant woman caught in the currents of history, as she grapples with choices that define her existence. A shape-shifting single suitcase transforms into a high-rise building, a bed, a consulate kiosk, even a coffin, as this visually striking piece of object theatre brings to life a story of exile, memory and resistance. Devised from Turkish writer Sebnem Isigüzel’s novel Hanene Ay Dogacak. ‘A poetic physicality runs through Büke Erkoç’s veins’ (Erdem Avsar, UNESCO Resources Blog and Briefings).
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There aren’t as many spectators in life as you think. This powerful interdisciplinary performance, influenced by the dance-theatre style of Pina Bausch, integrates physical expression and symbolic installations to challenge perceptions of social anxiety. Are we really being watched? Or is it all in our heads? This fear can stem from a distorted sense of self, but as Hey Stop!!! shows, there is often a significant gap between perception and reality. Contrasting exaggerated fears with actual social interactions, the piece breaks this misconception and ultimately challenges the fear of “being watched”. A profound reflection on modern social psychology.
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Özen Yula's highly acclaimed play takes the audience on a journey to the Ottoman Empire in 1558. It tells the unofficial story of Roxelana, who rose from being part of the Sultan's harem to become an influential figure within the state, mastering the subtleties of state governance with her ambition for power, even to the extent of sacrificing her children. The storytelling is enhanced with shadow play and masks showcasing the unique style of Turkish theatre, as Selçuk Yilmaz's music takes the audience on a journey back in time with Ottoman melodies. English surtitles.
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This surreal tale begins with the recruitment of a hapless newcomer to a rural neighbourhood volunteer association. Responding to a complaint about noisy frogs, he goes to investigate. He encounters a supernatural world populated with yokai, mysterious supernatural entities of Japanese mythology who sing, dance and struggle to coexist with contemporary human society. The result is a funny sideways look at humans from their perspective. With wild hand-made costumes, giant sculptural origami puppets and original music, this is a unique and mind-blowing Japanese experience for all ages. Performed in Japanese with English surtitles.
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Scott is taking a day off work. A quest begins that will take him through an array of quirky characters and situations as he attempts to answer the question: where does one find hope today? Pilgrim of Hope is an uplifting story of an everyday man, Scott Adams, who goes in search of hope. Trouble is – where does one find hope today? A funny, poignant fable about life, death, air-fryers and one man’s search for hope. A third Fringe solo show from versatile writer-performer Stephen Callaghan (Pew With a View 2018, and Oggie! Oggie! Oggie! 2023).
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Two bold and satirical dance theatre pieces, Four and Death to Duets, that confront one of humanity’s greatest mysteries – death and what lies beyond. This thematic double-bill weaves together both Asian and Western perspectives to present two strikingly different yet complementary works exploring the myths, fears and absurdities surrounding our final moments. Through a unique blend of physical theatre, contemporary dance and dark humour, The 11th Hour challenges audiences to question their own perceptions of mortality, shedding light on the universal human experience of contemplating life’s end.
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Rejected by Hillary Clinton at Yale, he now trashes her nightly on Fox News! When ‘Mommy’ announces her presidential run, conservative pundit Chet Bigsley's carefully constructed reality implodes in spectacular fashion. Watch one man's obsession spiral into a whiskey-soaked, saxophone-interrupted breakdown that asks: is cable news just revenge porn for the politically rejected? This late-night satire from Oh No Theatre serves up sex, politics and delusion with a shot of irreverence. Perfect for anyone who enjoys their comedy with teeth and their commentary uncensored. ‘I don't like theatre, but I like this!’ (Audience review).
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This original Chinese campus youth musical delves into the complex emotions and struggles faced by today’s teenagers and even adults, exploring self-doubt, anxiety and the search for identity. Co-created by teachers and students, As You Wish encourages individuals to confront their fears, embrace their uniqueness and discover their own inner spark through an engaging and heartfelt narrative. More than just a school musical, this is an artistic expression of the hopes, dreams and challenges faced by today’s youth. Will leave audiences inspired by a renewed appreciation of the beauty of individuality. Performed in Mandarin with English surtitles.
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The island of Jeju draws everyone with its charm and beautiful Korean dialect. So why couldn’t Sodam go? This captivating play invites you to experience the soul of Korea through the beauty of its language, culture and sounds. Delving into universal themes of love, loss and human connection, it offers a rare opportunity to experience Korea's distinct theatrical style, merging tradition with modern expression. The universal themes of grief and relationships transcend cultural boundaries, making this raw and poetic performance deeply resonant. Korean and English blend seamlessly, with Jeju dialect accompanied by English surtitles.
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From Wimbledon Music Hub comes this youthful double-focus show: a cappella and strings. You’ll hear pop, gospel-ballad, alternative rock songs from the 60s (California Dreamin’), the 80s (Hallelujah), through to the 00’s (Scientist), 10s (Budapest) and 2020 World Soundtrack Award song, Stand Up. And from our string group: folk, classical, film music, jazz and popular music too, from Ashoken Farewell and Shostakovich Jazz Waltz to Pirates of the Caribbean, the theme from Up and of course Sing, Sing, Sing! All songs have been specially arranged for the group.
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Enter the world of Matilda, the extraordinary girl with a love of books and a mind as sharp as her wit. Featuring electrifying songs, thrilling choreography and a cast of young stars, Matilda Jr brings Roald Dahl’s timeless tale to life. Join Matilda and her friends as they stand up to the fearsome Miss Trunchbull in this inspiring, heartwarming musical packed with laughter, rebellion and a touch of magic. A dazzling theatrical experience for all ages – don’t miss your chance to witness the power of imagination!
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A compilation of some of the Beatles’ best-known songs from 1962-69. Arranged and played as you’ve never heard them before with a video gallery of rare images of the boys themselves. Researched and created by Beat Mutante over five years, the sings are performed with electronic instruments using instantly recognisable iconic sounds from the Fab Four's albums: Hohner bass, Gibson guitars, Ludwig drums, Vox organ and the Moog Modular synthesizer, played both virtually and live by the artist, Beat Mutante, with lighting effects and other surprises.
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‘Many times I wanted to step off the train of life, but faith and hard work kept me tethered to my seat.’ Cambridge-educated eye-surgeon Sola Amure returns to the fringe with an interactive presentation of his inspirational memoir Beyond the Horizon Might Be Better. The book tells the story of his life, from an abusive childhood divided between Nigeria and England to confronting prejudice from both NHS staff and patients as a medical professional. His presentation is followed by a Q&A.
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A digital live dance-theatre performance designed for Zoom Webinar format that explores space, presence and connection in one ground-breaking event. Conceived and developed during the lockdown in Chile, Deshacer el Rostro (To Undo the Face) is performed entirely from the artists’ homes, and streamed to audiences online. Inspired by French philosopher Gilles Deleuze’s idea of 'undoing the face' as a gesture toward imagining other possible worlds, the piece examines the digital medium’s capacity to cultivate meaningful encounters and shared experiences, regardless of geographical location. New, dynamic and immersive.Directed by | Paulina MelladoMusic by | José Miguel MirandaVisual Artist | Nury GonzálezAssistant Director | Gonzalo VenegasProduced by | Cristián HormazábalInterpreters | Marcela Retamales, Camila Jiménez, Macarena Pastor, Cristián Hormazábal, Vannia Villagrán, Matías Carvajal, Hugo Castillo, Manuela Perea, Verónica Canales
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portal – on demand
A powerful combination of film, text, and performance exploring the birth of modern human rights, told through the eyes of Nuremberg prosecutor and champion of the ECHR, David Maxwell Fyfe. His words intertwine with Sue Casson’s musical settings of the poets who inspired him on his journey along his stream of natural law. Conceived and performed by members of the next generation of Maxwell Fyfe’s family. ‘Tells a very necessary story of not only an amazing man, but also the hopelessness of man and mankind's hope for the future. Brilliantly performed’ (Derek Awards). ‘Richly layered… celebrates the concept of natural law’ (LouReviews.blog).A companion piece to the film version of this work, Dreams of Peace and Freedom: The Human’s in the Telling.Available in our digital on-demand programme and was performed live in our Edinburgh Fringe 2022 season.www.englishcabaret.co.ukwww.facebook.com/EnglishCabaretwww.instagram.com/streamsofnaturallawwww.youtube.com/channel/UCKh0R1gZ6GQ7c_tgs4ebpBgsoundcloud.com/english-cabaret/sets/dreams-of-peace-and-freedom Watch Trailer
C ARTS | C venues | C digital
portal – on demand
Experience a bold theatrical adaptation of one of Japan’s most powerful war novels: Ōoka Shōhei’s classic Fires on the Plain reimagined for the stage. This solo performance brings to life the harrowing journey of a soldier lost in the chaos of World War II. Through multiple roles, one actor explores the depths of war, solitude, and human survival. Explores themes of faith, dignity and humanity through the loneliness, hunger and moral dilemma of the Philippine front. A visceral, intimate take on Ooka’s classic, confronting the darkness of war with haunting clarity.Original text by | Ōoka ShōheiAdapted and directed by | Horikawa HonohPerformed by | Nagai HidekiPhoto | Igaki Photo Studio (use courtesy of Toyooka Theatre Festival, Japan)
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portal – on demand
An inspired, powerful and elegant piece with Flamenco dance and guitar. Aylin Bayaz’s contemporary flamenco dance combines strength, elegance and beauty. Raul Mannola's music draws on Flamenco, Brazilian music and jazz, giving depth and colour. Bayaz’s dance and Mannola’s music fuse together to produce an unique show of beauty and inspiration.‘Flamencodanza is more than just a show – it’s a breathtaking journey, with its fusion of tradition and contemporary flair… leaving an enduring impression on every fortunate spectator’ (Dancelife.com.au)‘Flamencodanza is hot, and you won’t see anything else like it’ (TheStageRaw.com)‘Mannola is amazing to watch. He does not “play” the guitar, he dominates it’ (TheTVolution.com)'An audience favourite' (Hudson Theatre, Hollywood)‘Pure artistry and emotional tour de force’ (LouReviews.blog)Best Dance and Physical Theatre, Hollywood Fringe 2022Award for Artistic Merit, Hollywood Fringe 2023Choreography and Dance by | Aylin BayazMusic by | Raul Mannolawww.eflamencodanza.comfacebook.com/aylinbayazinstagram.com/aylinbayaz/ Watch Trailer
C ARTS | C venues | C digital
portal – on demand
Think you know your Shakespeare? Think again! This is Shakespeare as you’ve never seen him before – ‘trippingly on the tongue’… Migrant actors take on the Bard, reinterpreting his words in alien environments you will never have imagined before. They give his iconic characters a new life, migrating them into the roles assigned to outsiders by society. Hamlet is a meat-packer, King Lear a construction worker, Caliban a hotel cleaner, Lady Macbeth a housewife looking after children, and Shylock washes the dishes in a restaurant. This is no one Bard: Shakespeare belongs both to no-one and to everyone.’Migrant Shakespeare and Seyyar Theatre are a gift… Even hindered by an English that I’m sure they struggle for, their Shakespeare is pretty damn good’ (British Theatre Guide)‘A fascinating look at how those whose first language is other than English treat the words and meaning of the Bard’ (LouReviews.blog)‘Highly dramatic… These people grasp the undercurrents so well… It made me think’ (FringeReview.co.uk)Monologues by | William Shakespeare Adapted and Directed by | Naz YeniThe Players Hamlet (Hamlet) | Tuana Arayici Jacques (As You Like It) | Zülfü KaplanEdmund (King Lear) | Gözde IșikLady Macbeth (Macbeth) | Gülİstan SarbasLauncelot Gobbo (The Merchant of Venice) | Semba TekİnKing Lear (King Lear) | Tuncay AkpinarCaliban (The Tempest) | Seda ÇelİkKatherine (The Taming of the Shrew) | Eser RüzgarShylock (Merchant of Venice) | Denİz OkuProspero (The Tempest) | Özlem TașDramaturgy | Stephanie TillotsonMusic | Jan ÇIitakSinging | Hüseyİn ErdoǧanVideo Editor | Asli Tokmanwww.seyyar.companywww.facebook.com/seyyarcompanywww.instagram.com/seyyarcompanywww.youtube.com/channel/UClJlJDJKbTGUEb2hxv1pf-Awww.tiktok.com/@seyyarcompanyopen.spotify.com/user/3b0cyl3st83fthn2aubq6awklsoundcloud.com/seyyar-company Watch Trailer
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portal – on demand
Shakespeare sits in his script-, costume- and prop-strewn attic amending his Will, when his Muse magically materialises. ‘Why are you here?’ She points to the audience. ‘I’ve come to prove to them you wrote the plays.’ ‘How?’ ‘By getting you to reveal where you “signed them”.’ ‘Screw you.’ What follows is a heart-warming, at times tragic, often heated debate between them – the Muse hurling Will’s own lines in his face – that ultimately reveals the truth and the urban legends that make up Will’s life and works, allowing him to adopt the motto: ‘Not Without Right’. www.willsplayers.org
C ARTS | C venues | C digital
portal – on demand
A drunk, a clown, a disabled soldier, an old crone. A moth, a mirror, a muse. Welcome to the world of Rey Camoy, Japanese painter of the human soul. tarinainanika’s latest production shows the artist in his studio, surrounded by the characters from his creations. The drama unfolds without a word, with intricate ensemble-work and breath-taking physicality. It’s a gut-wrenching love song to beauty – the kind worth living and dying for.‘One of the most exquisite pieces I have seen in a long time’ ***** (BritishTheatre.com).‘A tour de force of physical theatre’ ****(*) (Salterton Arts Review).Cast | Kentaro Suyama, Tania Coke, Ryuta Kawai, Yukiko Masui, Teruya Sugimoto, Masaya TsujimotoDirected by | Kentaro Suyama and Tania CokeMusic by | Tania CokeVideo by | Kentaro SuyamaFilm version directed and edited by | Taro MizunoFilm version planning and production by | SCS Osakawww.tarinainanika.comwww.facebook.com/tarinainanikawww.instagram.com/tarinainanika Watch Trailer
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portal – on demand
Original multimedia performance inspired by Kyle Yamada’s play The Fahrenheit Alliance. Actors trapped in their room by Covid-19 organise a secret, invisible alliance on the cloud, transcending walls and distance. The play poses a secret way of gathering during an emergency time when we are forbidden to assemble in one place. One person records a voice for someone else. that someone listens and performs along with the recording. The performer then records their voice for another person, thus passing the baton.First shown in Edinburgh at the 2022 Edinburgh Festival FringeA live version of this work is, The Fahrenheit Alliance V, can be also experienced in our Edinburgh Fringe 2025 seasonThe same company perform The Story of the Tower in our digital on-demand programmewww.mitsukohirai.comwww.facebook.com/mitsuko.hirai.5www.instagram.com/hiraimitsuko/ Watch Trailer
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portal – on demand
Language creates awareness and reinforces stereotypes, but what if the vocabulary is not enough to describe one’s identity? Female, male, both or neither. It is difficult to describe in words what has long been a reality. The traditional gender division based on one’s sex is far outdated. However, do our language and behaviour follow this change? This interactive dance film addresses the following questions: What impact does language have on gender differentiation? How do certain meanings of a word become established? And what cultural, political and ethical influence do these have on us and our bodies?
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portal – on demand
1 August 2022
C ARTS | C venues | C digital
23-24 August 2025
C ARTS | C venues | C alto
11-17 August 2025
C ARTS | C venues | C aurora
30 July 2025-24 August 2025
C ARTS | C venues | C alto
1 August 2022
C ARTS | C venues | C digital
29 September 2022
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1 August 2022-2 February 2024
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30 July 2025-24 August 2025
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The Bardic Breakfasters are back with a brand-new show, with breakfast included! A pleasing plethora of pentameter, puns and pastry. A sensational Shakespearience, perfect for hardened fans and blank-verse virgins alike.‘A bouncy and boisterous take on Willie’s work’ (List).‘Well worth getting out of bed for’ (Independent).‘No holds Bard‘ (FringeGuru.com).‘Irreverent humour… clever’ (Stage).‘Side-splitting… glorious’ (BroadwayBaby.com).‘Full of fun’ (RemoteGoat.com).‘Sizzling’ (Scottish Daily Express).Free coffee and croissants! Fringe favourite since 1992. Book early.www.ctheatre.comfacebook.com/ctheatreedinburghinstagram.com/c_theatre/
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main house
Step into the enchanting world of Ray Bubbles, international Bubbleologist and Guinness World Record Holder! Witness his stunning bubble sculptures, effects and magical displays, all inspired by his work with schools and science centres. Marvel as Ray creates a volcano bubble, a soap bubble carousel and even a tornado inside a bubble! Join him for an unforgettable, inclusive experience filled with excitement, wonder and engagement. Ray Bubbles is the leading professional soap-bubble artist working with special needs schools in the UK and Ireland.
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studio
Hand-picked shows from our digital performance programme and highlights from our critically acclaimed short film programme. Pop in for quirky shorts; linger longer for a moving moment. Features curated work from UK, Europe, Americas, Asia, worldwide. The destination for discerning digital and film audiences. Winner, LiveWire Innovation and Excellence Award for Digital Arts Programme of the Year. ‘Both weird and wondrous’ (ThreeWeeks). ‘Exceptional films’ (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘Delightful… perfect’ (TheWeeReview.com). A much-needed pocket of escapism’ (ThreeWeeks). ‘Spectacular’ (Scotsman). Programme runs continuously. Screenings can be any length (typically 30min-1hr). Some screenings at other times. See website for listings.
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library
The perfect introduction to Shakespeare’s beloved characters for children and their families. Discover brave adventurers, spell-binding suspense and laughs aplenty. ‘Hidden gem’ (FringeReview.co.uk). ‘Capturing the emotional heart’ **** (List). www.ctheatre.com
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main house
Fast-paced, racy and full of youthful zest, this high-energy musical addresses the disillusionment of the disenfranchised Z and A Generations with comedy, dance and song. Satirically depicting how they view their over-reliance on technology, influencers, career aspirations, social media and non-traditional learning, Gen Z.A! offers a no-holds-barred take on racial and social injustice, sexuality, feeling marginalised and being unemployed in a world overshadowed by economic injustice. With humour, pathos, love and anger, it's interactive, and (like the issues) in your face! Entertainment with a capital E! Not to be missed.
C ARTS | C venues | C aquila
temple
A fun, engaging show featuring puppets and bubbles. Our hero, Bubbles, leaves the mundane bubble tub behind to embark on an exciting adventure across the globe! From deserts to volcanoes, the North Pole to the ocean depths, and even the night sky, our hero encounters jaw-dropping bubble tricks and meets a cast of puppet animals along the way. You will see a bubble volcano, a tornado inside a bubble, a jellyfish bubble and a bubble snowman, as we explore the world together. Can you help Bubbles on their first adventure into the big wide world?
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main house
After experiencing loss, a solo neuroscientist spirals inward, journeying through memory, mysticism, science and the mind in this poetic exploration of altered states. Blending scientific logic with surreal storytelling, this bold new work merges monologue, movement and sound to explore the liminal space between loss, healing and transformation. Visually evocative and emotionally resonant, it invites audiences into a deeply personal yet universal psychedelic experience. Created by multimedia company PolyXo, this is theatre for curious minds and open hearts – perfect for those drawn to bold new writing, experimental form, and stories that sit between reality and dreams.
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theatre
Ray Bubbles, international bubbleologist and World Record Holder, is on a mission to master the art of bubble-making and create the ultimate square bubble! This show promises a whirlwind of excitement and surprises, as Ray uses various gases to craft stunning bubble sculptures, effects and magical displays. Prepare to be amazed as Ray creates a volcano bubble, a soap bubble carousel, a bubble ghost and even a tornado inside a bubble! The show was inspired by Ray’s work with schools and science centres. Join Ray and see if he can create the ultimate square bubble!
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main house
Rewrite her stories. Write her. A one-of-a-kind multidisciplinary performance rooted in Nüshu, the secret script of Chinese women. In this ritualistic solo work, writer and performer Jiayi Chen uses her body as a living scroll, inscribing ancient characters onto her skin with traditional ink. Through live body calligraphy, inspiring contemporary dance and an original soundscape, the piece becomes a haunting altar of memory, grief and feminine resistance. The piece is a tribute to the missing women in Jiayi’s life and a bold act of rewriting silenced histories through the body and voice.
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temple
An autobiographical one-woman drama-comedy show blending comedy characterisation and football performance to tell the unique journey of Lucia Mallardi, a Berlin-based Italian former semi-professional footballer and artist. Travelling the world as a street artist with her football and her hat, she has created poetic dialogue between two seemingly distant worlds: football as an art and art as a discipline of sacrifice and passion. Inspiring audiences across Europe and beyond from the football field to the stage, Lucia's story is empowering – challenging boundaries, merging sports and theatre in a way that only she can.Written, created and performed by | Lucia MallardiPhoto credit | Pino Montisci
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studio
I’m a framer who has been trying to be a good person all my life, but as a result, my wife betrayed me, my son died, and I switched to the police force to survive… In a production that celebrates Bejing's cultural heritage, Lao She's 1950s novella is performed in traditional Bejing musical style by a Chinese troupe famous for interpreting his work. The story takes the perspective of a common man who, despite his personal struggles of loss and pain, continues to find love for the world. English surtitles.
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main house
If you suddenly found yourself in an unfamiliar room with no memory of how you got there, what would your response be? If the only thing in that very room was a strange woman, how would you react? The UnderNeath is filled with mystery, humour and self-realisation. It makes you question everything you thought you already knew and poses the most challenging question we may one day ask ourselves: What is your biggest regret?
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temple
In the not-too-distant future, ecological catastrophe has ripped society’s flesh clean off and civilization is nothing but a rancid husk. From the ashes, one survivor rises. An advertising copywriter. Join a stark raving adman at the end of the world as he tries to rebrand… the end of the world. What do we call this new dystopia? Who’s it for? What’s our why? As he takes the audience on a gonzo brainstorming session, our protagonist faces his own existential crisis: What’s a copywriter without a client?
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theatre
Meet the ageing Jake ‘Mental’ Hughes, a psychiatric patient who believes he is the real Muhammad Ali. His voice shows anger, rage and sometimes indifference as he introduces us to his interpretation of a mental health system that has subjected him to 25 years of the painful effects of anti-psychotic drug Zuclopenthixol. In the face of government bungling and in the absence of essential support he takes on the world over his right to live life without ‘the Zuc or the needle’!
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studio
Shakespeare sits in his script, costume and prop-strewn attic amending his Will, when his muse magically materialises. ‘Why are you here?’ She points to the audience. ‘I’ve come to prove to them you wrote the plays’. ‘How?’ ‘By getting you to reveal where you “signed them”’. ‘Screw you’. What follows is a heart-warming, at times tragic, often heated debate between them – the Muse hurling Will’s own lines in his face – that ultimately reveals the truth and the urban legends that make up Will’s life and works, allowing him to adopt the motto: Not Without Right.
C ARTS | C venues | C alto
studio
This whimsical allegorical fairytale from China is about the world of food. It follows a peanut’s fantastical journey to avoid its destiny of being eaten, and so reflects the universal human experience of struggling against fate. Through its adventures in the Delicious Metropolis (the restaurant kitchen), the Food Refugee Camp (the leftover bowl), and the Flavourless Hell (the garbage can), the peanut meets a colourful cast of condiments! Along the way, it comes to realise the truth: although death is unavoidable, it can be faced in a way that brings inner peace. Performed in Chinese with English surtitles.
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main house
Discussion, conversation and debate about the arts, society and life. In the digital world there's no greater joy than talking face to face. 300 years ago, a club was set up in Edinburgh to support artists and poets. A centre of curiosity and debate, where horizons were broadened, it heralded the Scottish Enlightenment. It was called the Easy Club, and it lives again in this series of discussions inspired by C’s festival programme. Topics, speakers and artists will differ daily but always provoke thought and further chat. Free afternoon tea (and coffee) provided. See website for listings.
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library
In this powerful one-man drama set in 2018 at the time the Windrush controversy shook Britain, Rodreguez King-Dorset plays a young white far-right racist party leader, a black Caribbean diplomat and a white Oxford-educated Home Office official. Each explains the Windrush scandal from wildly opposing perspectives. For one, a dark secret that he struggles to come to terms with will change his life forever… A provocative unmasking of a horrific calamity in history that forced a nation to look in the mirror and reconsider its path. ‘An energetic and passionate performance’ (Guardian).
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studio
After eating from the tree of the Fruit of Knowledge and leaving Paradise, Adam dreams that Lucifer shows him the entire history of humanity and its unavoidable failure. As Adam travels through time, and tries to find ways to prevent this, the values that dominated society at different times in history are brought to life with everyday objects. Hungary’s classic philosophical play Az Ember Tragédiája (The Tragedy of Man) by Imre Madách is given a new treatment in this original non-verbal object theatre re-telling with original music, written, directed and performed by actress Flora Novak with music and masks.
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theatre
This captivating one-person show dives deep into the life of mysterious aviator, Amelia Earhart, known for her daring ambition. People fell in love with her as a romantic icon, but beyond the public persona, we see the woman behind the headlines, confronting her vulnerabilities, sexuality, insecurities and the cost of chasing the unknown. Through raw, intimate performance, this play explores her darker side – uncovering the personal fears and struggles that shaped her pursuit of greatness. A powerful reflection on what any ambitious woman might need to do and the price of a life lived on the edge.
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studio
A gripping solo performance that plunders the murky depths of human psychology, exploring themes of rebellion, power and moral ambiguity. Hitchens, forged from the crucible of a controlled upbringing and law-enforcement training, must now confront the ghosts of his past and the dangerous allure of radical ideologies. As the lines between hero and villain blur, the audience becomes the jury that must decide Hitchens’ fate. How will he be judged? Where does righteousness end and extremism begin? A thought-provoking exploration of guilt, reckoning and the quest for justice and identity prevalent in today’s socio-political climate.
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studio
Manhattan buskers, cockney con-men, Broadway dreams. Nina and Robert have high hopes for the big stage. But when they get mixed-up in a scam that promises them everything, they discover that money is the loudest mouth, even in art. This Side of Life is a feel-good Golden Age throwback musical from The Cambridge University Musical Theatre Society that explores the struggle for artistic recognition, the lengths people will go to “make it” and the importance of staying in love with the art you create.
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temple
Aged four, Augustin never finished his food. Now he has a terrible habit of always cleaning his plate, and lecturing people on how they should eat. Today is his thirtieth birthday, and he's cooking dinner. The ratatouille is on the stove, his friends are arriving soon and everything seems under control. But that's without counting on an unexpected visit, and some unwelcome memories. Around the simmering pot, he is forced to examine his relationship with food, as well as his relationship with himself. Funny solo show about hunger, who we are, and the mess of growing up.
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studio
Murder, arson and traumatic tragedy abound in this groundbreaking new drama by soon to be award-winning playwright Sebastian Maroun. A middle class family is pushed to the brink when their patriarch discovers he is going blind. As his vision fades, details of torrid affairs come to light which threaten to tear the family apart. The only thing that can save them is the journalistic instinct of their young daughter and a helpful stray dog who may not be what he seems. This is a normal staged reading. Everything is fine. Why wouldn't it be?
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studio
The Scotsman’s top highlighted Fringe 2025 show. Caspar returns to showcase his renowned sleight of hand with an all-new show. Stunning magic. Unbelievable skill. Elegant performance. Pure close-up magic and sleight of hand: no stooges, no electronics, no camera tricks! Presented in style by an understated showman.‘You won't see this level of skill anywhere else in the world. He should be charging £100 per ticket’ (Jerry Sadowitz).‘Jaw-dropping sleight of hand in an intimate show that puts the audience inches away from magic’ (Scotsman). ‘Master of sleight of hand’ (FringeReview.co.uk).
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theatre
A mysterious new musical in which three strangers are summoned to a secluded seaside manor on New Year’s Eve by the enigmatic Mr Dellamort, who leads them through an evening of revelations and eerie delights. Exploring themes of unrequited love, mortality and deception, this theatrical gem features an original pop score, live theremin and vintage Foley sound effects. Gothic, quirky, and delightfully unpredictable, it’s a uniquely immersive experience that balances heart, humour, and haunting surprises. 'Will keep you guessing right up to the dramatic conclusion!' **** (NorthWestEnd.com).
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temple
A laugh-out-loud stand-up comedy show that dives into the messy, magical madness of motherhood. From giving birth to surviving sleepless nights, toddler tantrums and the "romance" of marriage after kids, this high-energy special blends sharp storytelling, brutally honest truths and original ukulele songs. Whether you’re a parent, thinking about becoming one or just enjoy watching others struggle with tiny humans, this show is for you. Hilarious, heartfelt and totally relatable, Super Mama proves that not all heroes wear capes… some just carry 17 bags and never drink hot coffee.
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studio
What would’ve happened if Romeo and Juliet didn’t die? If Romeo went off and found himself? This upbeat modern coda to the tragic events of Shakespeare's famous play follows what happens when Juliet stumbles across a new-styled Romeo. Romiet follows the star-crossed lovers as they meet again and this time, Romeo is doing a very different job. Will they get back together now that Romeo is a drag queen? Can Juliet put her beliefs aside for the love of her life? Join us as we discover if Romeo and Juliet can rekindle their love in a modern age!
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studio
A tragicomic one-woman show about the absurdity of searching for a home today. Miriam, a street artist, waitress and actress, takes the audience through a series of absurd and often hilarious encounters with real estate agents and landlords, highlighting the struggles of a young person trying to navigate an overpriced and increasingly inaccessible housing market. Facing the harsh reality that without a home, there’s no mental stability, Miriam explores the difficulty of growing up and finding a sense of belonging in a seemingly hostile world.
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studio
A fully improvised narrative play in the style of William Shakespeare from Thorn and Petal Stick – alias veteran improvisers Hal Munger, John Mistele, and NIck Zimmerman – founders of the first UnScripted Shakespeare Festival in New York. Nothing is pre-planned! At the beginning of each show the audience is asked to provide a title that inspires a delightful comedy in Elizabethan language, unlike any Shakespearian play you've ever seen before. Love, marriage, scheming and mistaken identities abound in an entertaining improvised romp… all in the poetic language of the bard. Accompanied by Sebastian Hochman on piano.Created and performed by | Hal Munger, John Mistele, Nick ZimmermanMusic by | Sebastian Hochman
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theatre
An old book, What It Means to Be a Woman, given to Georgia on her sixteenth birthday, becomes the thread connecting three women’s lives: Georgia, now a woman in an unhappy marriage to a brutish man; Shirley, her long-lost best friend, now a nightclub singer in New York; and Maud, Georgia’s mother, the orchestrator of their downfall. From childhood to motherhood, the book’s secrets are passed from hand to hand, revealing the choices we make and the chances we miss. One Voice Theatre Company proudly presents this one-woman musical, with eight original songs.
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studio
Celebrity designer Mat Sanders’ fabulously designed existence implodes spectacularly when sudden betrayal triggers a hysterical, one-man meltdown. Rugburn explores what happens when you’ve built a glittering life on a foundation of unresolved shame and perfectly upholstered defences begin splitting at the seams. Hollywood gossip, popper-fuelled confessions and impeccably appointed interiors collide in this fast-paced, filthy, deliciously deranged neo-vaudevillian spectacle. From the highs of styling A-listers and hosting makeover TV to the lows of underground sleaze and spectacular self-destruction, watch Sanders shape-shift through the dazzling wreckage of his life as style spirals into chaos. Brace yourself for Rugburn.
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theatre
This solo multimedia performance celebrates the raw power of creation and destruction embodied by a volcano, as it explores parallels between the cyclical movements of the earth and the emotional landscape of humanity. Through a series of vignettes, a combination of expressive dance, recorded narration, video, music and scent, immerses the audience in the essence of an evolving mountain. Performed on a set crafted from recycled and natural materials, Mountain Woman showcases the sacred feminine spirit, embodying growth, self-destruction and balance as a call to reconnect with the cycles of the earth.
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studio
Jive along to jazz, party to punk rock, cavort to classics and experience electropop with our cherry-picked musical assortment. A powerhouse of bands and soloists from across the globe. Enjoy the warmth of the world through a hand-picked selection of of bands, singers and instrumentalists, and soak up their sound! Discover new artists from five continents! We’ve got bangers, beats, bass and Brahms! Come enjoy jazz, blues, world music, electronica, pop, classical music and more. See website for listings.
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temple
The alternative late-night Fringe experience returns. A unique blend of comedy, circus, burlesque, bands, live art and speciality acts from across the Fringe. With a different line-up every night this is a chance to see some of the Festival’s most exciting new artists. ‘A smorgasbord showcase of the wonderful delicacies... wacky, weird and wonderful’ (AYoungerTheatre.com). ‘One of the most fun variety cabarets around... Explosive and adaptable’ ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). See website for listings.
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temple
God created mankind in seven days, but twelve children drifting at sea take the same seven to become murderers. Inspired by Géricault’s painting and Georg Kaiser’s play The Raft of the Medusa, this contemporary re-telling unfolds through image-based vignettes – a chimpanzee with painted nails, an ignored petition, a missing doll. Who are the figures on the raft? When we look again, do we see ourselves reflected? Alienation doesn’t knock – it drifts in. And by the time we feel the tide, we are already far from the shore. Performed in Mandarin.
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main house
Eight teenagers take you back in time to an analogue age when telephones had wires and television was not so demanding. Square Pegs return with a brand-new, life-imitating-art play about growing up, which asks lots of questions about what it means to be human, but offers absolutely no answers whatsoever. Join Macready Theatre’s Offie-nominated Young Actors for 45 minutes of absurdist, fast-paced, fun-filled storytelling, to share time-travelling tales of nostalgia and a yearning for meaning when all seems fake. ‘A short spectacular showcase’ ***** (TheMumble.uk). ‘Another joyous bag of wild imagination, comedy and physicality’ **** (BroadwayBaby.com).
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studio
A wild, hilarious solo show about grief, love and mommy issues. Candice Fox dives into the chaos of loss and a complex mother-daughter saga, blending raw storytelling with striking visuals. She explores grief in its messy glory, awkward moments and accidental wisdom, navigating the strange ways we stumble forward. This show isn’t just about death, it’s about mourning someone still alive, dealing with estrangement and how addiction distorts family history. Deeply intimate, darkly funny, it's cathartic, relatable and unexpected. You’ll laugh, cry and probably text your mom something unhinged afterward!
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studio
Lily Casson invites you to join her in a world of songs and stories from a century of musical theatre. Sharing her favourites – some familiar, some exciting new discoveries – she takes you on a journey of how they came to be and why she hearts them. Lily has always loved musicals. Growing up in a theatrical family, she has experienced musical magic from both sides of the velvet curtain. As she shines a spotlight on the wonder of escapism, Lily makes musicals the star of the show. ‘Delightful, and beautifully sung cabaret’ (BroadwayBaby.com).
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theatre
The inspiring true story of the cheerful Edinburgh factory girl with a big heart for Jesus and for helping others, who could be Scotland's next canonised Saint. This down-to-earth model of everyday sanctity is brought vividly to life onstage by Rachel Callaghan – her actual living relative (second cousin). Stephen Callaghan's funny and moving play was first performed at the 2016 Fringe in the Edinburgh church where the venerable Margaret's body is interred and he directs the revival marking 100 years since her death. 'The response of the audience lining the pews… is undeniable' (Scotsman).
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Award-winning flamenco dance from an international duo based in Spain. Flamenco, Brazilian music and jazz fuse in this inspirational showcase of strength, elegance and beauty embodied in Aylin Bayaz’s dance and Raul Mannola's guitar music. The shared passion and synergy of this five-year collaboration produces a unique experience of beauty and inspiration. ‘Flamencodanza is more than just a show – it’s a breathtaking journey, with its fusion of tradition and contemporary flair… leaving an enduring impression on every fortunate spectator’ (Dancelife.com.au). ‘Flamencodanza is hot, and you won’t see anything else like it’ (TheStageRaw.com). ‘Manola is amazing to watch’ (TheTVolution.com).
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Set against a stunning deep-sea dreamscape, The Legend of Shanhai is a magical musical blending fantasy, adventure and the bittersweet journey of growing up. In the whispering waves of the North Sea, young Beiming dreams of the skies beyond his island home. Swept into a mysterious undersea world, he meets Kun – a mighty fish longing to soar. As they brave whirlpools and sea beasts, Beiming learns that true freedom lies in embracing both roots and wings. Inspired by ancient Chinese mythology, this lyrical tale is a soaring ode to family, dreams and self-discovery.
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Scarlett Smith is an electroacoustic harpist and comedian. Tired of the harp's demure, classical reputation, Scarlett’s debut solo show Any Objections? defies traditional stereotyping. Instead, audiences are taken on a surreal quest to prove this unwieldy, celestial instrument has a place far beyond the orchestra pit. Blending live looping covers of popular songs, self-produced indie-pop jingles and fast-paced punchlines, the show is a playful celebration of creativity and harp innovation. Expect wedding industry musings, a fateful boat trip and an interactive gameshow in this whimsical world where chaos meets creativity.
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The Salem Witch Trials told through dance. This story of fear and power, fiction and humanity, is as important as ever today. Arthur Miller's classic re-imagined in a captivating blend of movement and narrative. The physicality of this production produces an impressive impact, heightening the emotional vulnerability of each of the characters. Ten dancers from California who are all incredible storytellers, directed and choreographed by Jacob Gutiérrez-Montoya, artistic director of Sacramento Contemporary Dance Theatre.
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‘Christmas Morning 2018, and I’m hiding in a graveyard from my family…’ Part disability history lecture, part autobiography, part agility course, part rant, part quiz and a whole lot of laughter. A Brief History of Neurodivergence will bust the current misunderstandings around neurodivergence – all whilst bouncing on a trampoline, skipping the alphabet, smashing the star jump challenge and occasionally pausing for breath. Join theatre-maker Fiona Moon in an embodied exploration of neurodivergence, and glimpse the chaos of a hundred-mile-an-hour mind. ‘A bold, striking voice reminiscent of an early Polly Stenham’ (The Bush Theatre).
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A contemporary Kunqu opera adaptation of the Chinese classic Dream of the Red Chamber. Jia Baoyu, once a sentient stone, is reborn and guided by Buddhist and Daoist forces to realise the world is empty of permanent identity and intrinsic independence. Wang Pushi, a fourth-generation actor of the Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre, mirrors this awakening through his performance, discovering a generative and empowering transcendence of emptiness. A dynamic fusion of classic Kunqu with modern experimental theatre, immersive media and slow rock music. Performed in Mandarin and English, with English surtitles.
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Colin has moved to Cornwall. Below his new home stands a shed. Forgotten. Unloved. Ideal for growing in – and according to one curious stranger, soon to be blown up. A post-modern gothic comedy about rural communities, isolation and the dangers of obsessively trying to fit in, Cold, Dark Matters follows a new resident’s rural retreat into the murky underwaters of a community in Cornwall, where everything is not as it seems... 'Beautifully written, structured, and performed. Loved it!' (Mark Jenkin, BAFTA-winning film director). 'A show that delights in storytelling tools and Russian-doll trickery‘ (LPTSA Nomination).
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This experimental physical theatre piece boldly deconstructs the philosophical classic Zhuang Zhou, Dreams of a Butterfly and the folk-legend, Zhuang Zhou Tests His Wife, to explore the essence of humanity, love and existence. Set in the lacquer garden of the Warring States period, the work blends traditional shadow puppetry, stylised Chinese opera and avant-garde theatrical language. The surreal world, inspired by Tao philosophy, intertwines reality and illusion. The audience embarks on a philosophical journey that asks , how does one prove existence? and touches upon the true nature of life itself. Performed in Mandarin.
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A mysterious message from the “future self” invites participants into an immersive space where AI unveils their projected histories. In The Waiting Room, choices shape a unique, evolving audio narrative, guiding participants through moments of dreams realised and challenges faced. As their future unfolds, from the fulfilment of deepest aspirations to a global crisis that transforms the world, participants explore a bizarre, unpredictable world where technology and humanity collide, prompting reflection on how our choices shape the future.
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Can those who overthrow idols avoid becoming what they once despised? In a rehearsal room an actor prepares for the role of Magistrate Wu, questioning the character’s moral motivation and in doing so, confronts his own relationship with performance, authority, and self-deception. Inspired by Pu Songling’s Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, this piece invites the audience into a world where actors become ghosts, gods are bureaucrats, and belief itself becomes a performance. Traditional Yue Opera, classical Chinese instruments, and stylised historical costume create a layered meditation on power, identity, and legacy. Performed in Mandarin.
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Dutch composer/pianist Hermane composes beautiful songs with intricate harmonies. Before settling in Andalusia, he spent thirty years in Latin America, USA, Asia and Africa, soaking up the traditional music of each country. A meticulous composer, his goal is to create virtuoso pieces, endowed with a fragility that moves the listener – so different from the typical four repeated chords structure common to much contemporary music. While drawing inspiration from classical grand-masters, his compositions are palpably twenty-first century, offering an intricate kaleidoscope of colourful musical landscapes bearing Latin, Soul, Tango and Flamenco influences.
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Set in 1977, Damn the Dark follows five women navigating Soho's vibrant discotheque scene. Jean, a night-shift nurse, spends time with her sister Daphne, an aspiring housewife, and Daphne’s friend Layla, an ambitious journalist. The club’s regulars, Margot, a Gogo dancer, and Kim, a punk enthusiast, are each chasing their dreams. Amid rising violence and fear in the 1970s, these women unite through courage and activism, joining the Reclaim the Night march. This immersive production celebrates disco, punk and empowerment, inviting the audience to dance in solidarity with the characters.
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How can we inhabit landscapes that are transforming due to climate change? Re-Shape-Land-Scape is a dance-theatre performance that delves into the ephemerality of transforming landscapes. Original choreography devised to evoke the numbers of the coordinates with movement in multimedia live-digital performance, takes audiences on an eco-journey through three geographically diverse landscapes looking for answers: the windswept shores of the Norfolk Coast in East Anglia (52.96691, 0.532), the historic Panagia Chrysopolitissa Church in Cyprus (35.3413, 4.6333), and the bustling Wan Chai Reclamation in Hong Kong (22.2803, 4.1141). An exploration of the impact of human interaction on ever-changing terrains.
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Meet young wizard Hugo Listworth, who discovers he has a skill in seeing into the future… A storytelling adventure with beautiful props, music and theatre-magic, The Divination Tent is an immersive and interactive experience for young audience members encouraging creative play between children and their grown-ups. They will get hands on with crystal balls, tea-leaf-reading, tarot cards and astronomy to actively influence the story. The untold story is one of finding pride in your differences. In a world where there's pressure on children to succeed, The Divination Tent is an opportunity to enjoy creative play and discovery.
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Colourful and whimsical clown Bubblegum Gumdrop returns to the Fringe with an adventure filled with games, and physical comedy. This year, there’s just one problem… she’s lost her voice! But that won’t stop her from delivering a spectacular show bursting with slapstick humour, interactive moments and original music as she discovers new ways to communicate and connect. This high-energy family entertainment is designed for children who love to wiggle, giggle and get involved. More than just entertainment, it empowers children to use their voices – through words, movement and laughter – while fostering creativity and imagination.
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A bold, witty and moving autobiographical solo performance exploring queer identity, diaspora, racial injustice and the search for belonging. Krishna, a queer Indian-Malaysian man, attends a gay speed-dating event in Berlin. Through five-minute conversations, his regret and grief at never coming out to his late mother emerge. With raw storytelling, multimedia projection and poetic honesty, the piece weaves together personal memories, political insight and humour to challenge dominant narratives and celebrate the voices of the marginalised. It speaks to anyone who has ever felt like an outsider, because of their skin, sexuality, culture or class.‘Once in a while you see something that takes your breath away, something so perfectly formed and delivered that you would happily see it again and again… Second Class Queer made me laugh… and cry. It made me feel guilt and shame, it made me feel uncomfortable and then proud. It made me want to be a better man and it made me want to see this important piece of theatre be shown to young people and old, worldwide’ Andrew Kay, TheLatest.co.uk
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This award-winning play explores the cultural, social and political significance of Black women’s hair. Through dynamic storytelling and music, it delves into themes of identity, self-esteem, race and resilience, offering a profound commentary on beauty standards, history and empowerment. The success of Black To My Roots since its 2002 debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, including its 25th Anniversary production in 2024, showcases its enduring relevance. With upcoming global tours and adaptations, these African American tales clearly continue to resonate deeply with audiences worldwide.
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Who truly holds power in the theatre? The writer, the director, the producer, the actor – or the audience? This genre-defying new work is not just a show: it's a conversation that tears apart the comfortable distance between stage and audience. Why do we come to the theatre? To escape, to feel, to be seen, or to be changed? In this bold, chaotic and thought-provoking work, audiences are invited to question the invisible forces that keep theatre in motion. As the lights fade, you might wonder: was I just watching, or was I part of something bigger all along?
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What stories must we tell to offer ourselves and our children the best possible future? This prequel to the Icarus myth takes us on a journey in, through and to the centre of a labyrinth. As we journey, we hear the mythical story of Icarus told through the eyes of a woman enslaved in her youth. She explores what happens when an unfathered father has a son and invites us to interrogate the stories we are told, offering an opportunity to look at how they shape our future and give weight to the past.
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An uproariously inaccurate portrayal of a party amidst the smallpox epidemic in 1810 England. The show is a mix of scripted and improvised dramedy that explores what happens when a group of young people in the regency era decide to get together for a night of debaucherous fun. However, their night of fun quickly spirals into a night of gossip and shortly after a night of full-on chaos, courtesy of a government-enforced quarantine in response to a smallpox epidemic. Let’s see if these young people can get a grip!
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1561. Scotland. Returning from France to rule her country, Queen Mary is faced with hostility from the Protestant lords. Seen as more French than Scottish, she has much to overcome as Queen, especially as a Catholic woman. The lords choose Henry Darnley for her husband, but as the marriage frays both Mary and Darnley find respite in Italian secretary David Rizzio. Flitting between comedy and tragedy, Into Thy Hands explores the bond between the Queen, her husband and lover. This tale examines homophobia and relationships, and questions: Who decides our fate?
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A wildly original uproarious comedy that brings the absurd to life. Follow Klein and Calvin, two anthropomorphic butt cheeks with big dreams, as they navigate culture shock, friendship and the perils of studying abroad. Packed with sharp humour, unexpected depth and yes – plenty of fart jokes – this play is a fresh take on identity, belonging and the universal struggle of finding your place in the world. Whether you love witty banter, heartfelt moments, or just a good laugh, this is a theatrical experience not to miss. Come for the absurd premise, stay for the surprisingly moving story!
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The number one Google search term for 2022 was climate-change – the first time that it ranked as a comprehensive yearly search term. Now many people are aware of its seriousness and are starting to think about solutions together. Creative art, from the Republic of Korea, are kick-starting this response from a uniquely artistic perspective. They use waste to make music – cellos from abandoned equipment from rural areas, stringed instruments of thrown away plastic toys – and compose piano songs based on the characteristics of endangered animals, to ask vital questions about the climate crisis.
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In its 75th anniversary year, we have forgotten why we have the ECHR. A living commemoration of a living law, this beautiful song cycle offers a new way to view the Convention, telling its story through the words of its British artisan, Edinburgh-born David Maxwell Fyfe. It shows how the seeds of ECHR grew in the wasteland of the evidence of the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials. Firmly rooted in humanity, David's personal papers, Sue Casson’s music and archive film blend in this powerful celebration of the Convention's protections. ‘Magnificent work about freedom, democracy, liberty’ (MusicalTalk.co.uk).
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I am the voice of the dead, cast upon the dry shores by the sea. The voice of the dead is the ever-present voice that collects and remembers the stories and conditions of life of the unjustly killed and innocent victims of humanity. At a time of humanity’s greatest development, we have commited the most dire crimes of war and live in moral paradox. Ha highlights the ambivalence of attitude, the ignorance of guilt, and the pleasure of comfort. An uninterrupted performance built on the performer’s voice and depth of breath.
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Remember the Kids from Fame? It's time to meet the Kids with Nae Hame. Experience what it's like to grow up in care in the 1980s, where songs from the American hit series represent a lifeline that helps the kids cope with their ever-changing environment. Witness first-hand the process of some of the kids having to adapt to independent living. And see how they are faring now as the show looks at the effects the care system has had on these kids – and what is currently being done to assist the care-experienced community.
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The Fringe is an Odyssey – where will your journey take you? Artist is a card-based workshop created for Fringe artists. It's a space to pause and recalibrate amidst the festival chaos. With a custom deck of conversation cards, each session sparks open dialogue on themes like community, expectations and strategy, both at and beyond the Fringe. This is not a lecture: it’s an immersive experience designed to spark reflection, connect with community and explore new perspectives. You're even invited to take the cards with you and continue the conversation into your next journey!
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‘Once upon a time, a milkmaid wished upon a star…’ Join trans artist Hunter King on his journey of gender self-discovery. This brand new uplifting queer parody musical, Maid in the Wild, Wild, North West is based on a true story. It explores themes of belonging, self-discovery and joy through storytelling and music. Expect Disney songs as you’ve never heard them before, bad puns, terrible tropes, a damsel in distress, an animal sidekick, villains galore and a hero! Feel the Pride, live the magic, and cheer as the story unfolds... ‘Pure camp, country, comedy’ (Audience review).
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24 July 1943. Rome. The Grand Council of the fascist government convenes to discuss the removal of the Duce. Inside a small study-room of Palazzo Venezia, the authoritarian leader, tired and overwhelmed by the failures of the Italian army, reflects on how destiny drove him from poor and humble origins to be crowned Italy’s supreme leader – and how much of his sanity he lost along the way. This solo tour-de-force by Tom Corradini offers a satirical journey into the mind of the sentimental and deeply human man who became Italy's greatest modern statesman.
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A joyous dance, irreverent and innocent at the loss of memories. Featuring internationally renowned Cirque du Soleil clown conceptor Daniel Passer and co-created and directed by award-winning director Beth F Milles, this immersive solo performance of spontaneity investigates losing track of one’s past while discovering and cherishing one’s present. The audience embarks on a surreal journey, finding hilarity, joy and unexpected revelations in the ironies of fading memory. Passer’s beautiful, whimsical performance breathes life into moments that challenge the mind, an unforgettable experience where humour transcends the challenge of forgetting.
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A multitalented, multilingual singer, actor and stand-up comedian you might recognise from the Fantastic Beasts movie franchise, brings her solo stand-up show to the Fringe! Calling herself The Foot Putter because of her graceful ability to often say things that others might find a bit unusual (at the very least!), permanent outsider Maja Bloom will delight you with her energy, her jokes, some useful tips for other 'foot-putters' and frank social observations of an immigrant Brit that is just never British enough…
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Have you heard the gossip? The improvised story of a small town where a rumour ruins all: romance, reputation and petty revenge! With audience suggestions setting up the action, a single rumour is born. Chaos erupts, relationships implode, reputations shatter and the quest for revenge turns hilariously petty. From misplaced love letters to scandalous secrets, no one is safe, proving that in a tight-knit community the juiciest gossip is always the most destructive. As heard on BBC Radio, seen at Hoopla Impro, Camden Comedy Club, Barons Court Theatre, and sold out at Brighton and Cambridge fringes.
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Juul, anxious and plagued by compulsions, discovers their fetish for choking. Ashamed, but desperate for euphoric relief, Juul retreats into their hole beneath the tree. With Juul hiding away, echoing the dark path of their late father, loneliness and worry creeps up on their mum, Annette. Constricted within the bounds of their arboreal home, Annette and Juul unravel the messy and absurd lengths we go to understand ourselves – and each other. Written and performed by Ilja van Ravels, this is a dark comedy about shame, identity, desire, belonging and the ties that bind us.
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Leave the kids at home (if you bothered to have them) for this interactive improv, sketch and naughty game show. This production features a real-life married comedy couple (winners of the 2017 National Sketch Comedy Championship in Los Angeles) who explore relationship dynamics, emotions and sexual positions. Audience members can even compete to win a titillating title! You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. And you’ll invest in birth control. Erin has been described as ‘fiercely funny’ and Andrew as ‘utterly silly’ (ArtsTalkMagazine.nl). ‘Their chemistry is enviable’ (SketchReview.com). ‘Wonderfully twisted and absurdist’ (Chicago Tribune).
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In this fast-paced, cabaret-style solo musical comedy, one actress plays six vibrant characters to tell the story of Tomi – a luxury-obsessed teen whose world flips when she discovers she’s the heir to the Kazakh throne. Thrust into a remote village, Tomi faces intense culture shock, eccentric relatives and a journey of hilarious, chaotic self-discovery. Featuring original music blending jazzy and theatrical styles, Kazakh Princess Diaries is a bold, heartfelt exploration of identity, privilege and what it really means to belong, told through the eyes of a Kazakh performer reclaiming her narrative with humour and heart.
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Uma Gahd from Canada’s Drag Race Season 5, everybody’s favourite unofficial auntie, brings you her one-woman drag comedy exploring small talk and big issues: fame, family, feminism, and failed marriages! Stuffed with stand-up, lip-sync, and plenty of hysterical pathos, Uma tells the story of her life - from sneaking into bars with her childhood best friend, Margaret, to breaking into showbusiness with her growing family. Part environmental theatre, part cabaret, and part drag show. Come hear the word of Gahd!‘She is warm, slightly daft, and thoroughly loveable’ **** (List)‘A wildly entertaining way to spend 45 minutes’ (MontrealTheatreHub.com)'Montreal's #1 Drag Artist’ (CultMLT.com)
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Are you angry? This punk clown musical comedy show is very, very angry, and if you’re not, then you’re not paying attention. And Loose T doesn’t want to be alone. So with improvised interactions with the audience, short clown skits and punkish songs she will make you angry too – with men in suits, fossil fuels, fascists, plastic, Brexit, labels... until you scream, dance and sing along with her. And hopefully laugh too. ‘She surprises once again, making the listener have fun, reflect and sing along’ (RoadieMusic.com). ‘A highly intelligent and politically-charged performer’ (YorkCalling.co.uk).
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They’re sisters! They’re lovers! They’re cross-dressing murders! Two maids play out a sadomasochistic wet dream of killing their boss… until the line between their fantasies and reality blurs. Two actors swap parts each performance, role-playing servant and master, indulging their fantasies of control and wealth while on the clock as housemaids. Inspired by anti-capitalist metatheatrical play The Maids, Jean Genet’s response to the Papin murders in 1930s France which he saw as an act of political and social rebellion. Drag performance, audience interaction and gender-f*ckery are utilized to explore rituals of repression and revolt.
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Lavinia Draper, alcohol-soaked performer of a certain age, maintains her dream despite the struggle. The strife of ageing artists, most particularly women, facing unrepentant discrimination and harassment, and the resultant dysphoria and substance use, is profound. But Lavinia is the rare hopeful dreamer who never gives up on herself and inspires the audience to do the same. A one-woman show performed by Susan Campanaro that shatters genre as deftly as the title character severs the comic/tragic line. Brimming with hysterical comedy, dark sensitivity and harsh reality, the play features a moving score by Lynn Portas.
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This compelling new music theatre piece, inspired by the Wei-Jin era’s Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove, reimagines the legendary final moments of Ji Kang. Before his execution in 263 CE, he played the guqin, a traditional Chinese musical instrument. In Echoes, this zither becomes a spiritual vessel, through which his companions confront grief, freedom and existential meaning. Blending music, drama and physical theatre, the narrative intertwines metaphysical dialogue with poetic defiance, mirroring the struggle of the sages to reconcile idealism with a chaotic world. Performed in Mandarin with English surtitles.
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Step into a vibrant cabaret where the ancient myth of the Minotaur is reinterpreted through the eyes of Ariadne. As she unravels the truth behind the twisted legacy she’s inherited, she dares to challenge the myths that uphold patriarchal control. No mere bystander, she is a force of change, navigating the labyrinth of power, truth and identity. Driven by a genre-blending score and powerful, poetic storytelling, both psychological and political, this production transports audiences into a living labyrinth and invites them to question the stories we accept, systems we uphold and who really controls the narrative.
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Inspired by shamanic journeying and altered states of consciousness, this electrifying healing ceremony is a meditative ritual celebrating the human experience. Six powerful male dancers surrender to instinct, moving through a trance-like ritual that blurs the line between isolation and connection. Through movement, Rite offers a unique opportunity to contemplate your humanity, ignite a release of what weighs you down, and emerge with a newfound clarity: a personal and collective spiritual catharsis. Witness the intensity of energy, surrender to the movement and dynamically explore the profound connections between body and soul.
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Finding the right vet is like finding the right pair of heels… Take a seat at the InFurMary Vets, where Dr Fantasy reminisces about becoming a certified vet and watch her navigate her day treating a menagerie of poorly pets. Starring Veronica Green from Ru Paul’s Drag Race, and all set within a veterinary surgery set, Vetted is a show filled to the brim with quirky comedy puppets, original songs and fabulous drag queens. You’ll love this show, I Shih Tzu not!
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Hear the incredible real-life stories of Marvin and others who have faced challenges and turned their lives around. Find out why a near-death experience led him to turn his back on his criminal past and what motivated him to become the reformed person he is today. Now working as a crime-prevention activist, his motivational talks aim to reduce re-offending by inspiring youth and changing lives. With guest interviewees whose lives have involved challenge, change, change and transformation. Followed by a no-holds-barred Q&A.
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This contemporary dance-theatre piece delves into the emotional tension between the yearning for connection and the fear of intimacy in human relationships. Drawing from psychological theories and personal experiences, it explores the ways in which attachment shapes our behaviours and emotional responses blending movement, psychology, and visual storytelling. Fragmented in structure, each section of the piece portrays different emotional moments, conveying the subtle shifts between desire, rejection, fear and longing. This delicate balance between connection and separation creates a rich narrative that invites the audience to reflect on their own experiences with attachment, vulnerability and emotional complexity.
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Sometimes the world disappears in the blink of an eye. Everything is destroyed and everything recreated. In the midst of it, we forget that what matters most is home, where everything has a place to belong. Following a group of friends who stick together through their personal struggles and joys in a hostile world, Wink Wink Murder explores the darker aspects of childhood and children's reflections on death. Through fragmented narratives this new choreographic piece delves into the hidden emotional experiences and memories of youth, revealing the complexities of innocence, fear and time.
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Two-woman band Finova came together in 2024 after meeting as students in Aberdeen. When aspiring singer/songwriter Ali Kova, the stage name of Rachel Allan Molotnikov, released her first single Loved Me Too that summer, she looked to Galloway girl, Erin Findlay to accompany her with masterful piano playing. The musical fusion of this new-found duo soon led to creative collaboration off-stage too, as time between classes was spent writing and rehearsing. Hear Kova’s lyrics and melodies made whole by Findlay’s moving, compositional genius in this original, acoustic night to remember!
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When the goddess Nüwa creates the world, her twin children, Day and Night become imbalanced. Seduced by this chaos, the Night Demon disrupts the natural order, plunging the world into darkness and disarray. The spirits of the twenty-four Solar Terms awaken and join forces with the four divine beasts of Eastern mythology, restoring harmony between heaven and earth, humanity and nature. Pupils from Jingdong Primary School in Shanghai depict the twenty-four natural spirits marking the different seasons from the unique Chinese system, in this visual and auditory feast. Performed in Cantonese with English surtitles.
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An intimate, one-on-one multimedia piece inspired by the novel Fahrenheit 451. Based on Kyle Yamada’s play, this new immersive experience leads you into a world where words survive through spoken transmission. As you lie on a bed, distant landscapes and voices surround you. Wrapped in a quilt, you discover another’s memories through a multimedia montage of whispers, warmth and deep personal connection. More than a performance: you are invited to join the Alliance. When you leave, the cycle continues: you record your own voice and images, to send back to be shared with someone, somewhere.A digtal version of this work, The Fahrenheit Alliance III, is also avaialble in our on-demand programme.The same company perform The Story of the Tower in our digital on-demand programme.www.mitsukohirai.comwww.facebook.com/mitsuko.hirai.5www.instagram.com/hiraimitsuko/
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In a world still healing from isolation and digital saturation, this compelling performance offers a quiet but powerful invitation: to stop; to feel; to be seen, if you choose. This raw, immersive work about human connection movingly explores our physiological need for touch. At the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time since its Herald Angel award-winning premiere in 2007, Little Dove Theatre Art's groundbreaking live artwork returns: stripped back, immediate, more relevant than ever. Come and experience this unmissable work for yourself – and please do touch.***** Guardian***** ThreeWeeks***** Herald**** ScotsmanWinner of Herald Angel Award, Edinburgh Fringe 2007Winner of Scotland on Sunday Best Director Award, Edinburgh Fringe 2007Winner of Best Dance Award, Melbourne Fringe 2009Winner of Best Interactive Performance, Sydney Fringe 2023
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A hilarious fantasy tale where you choose the adventure! Come merry folk from yonder to craft an original tale, with aid from your Story Master and a sprinkle of imagination. Fill in a character sheet, then watch your creations spring to life as they embark on an epic quest – or go way off track. Will they fight a dragon? Save a village of pixies? Get stuck in a dungeon and eat their shoes? Anything can happen! Your characters, your locations... their fate is in your hands. Come and roll the dice. A fantasy fun-filled show for all.
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When the ghost of her father returns seeking revenge, Hamlet has to choose: play along, or break the cycle? When she makes her choice, the ghost makes his and haunts her coat. Crownless fuses Shakespeare’s text with contemporary female poetry in a bold exploration of grief and power. It's a ghost story, a coming-of-age tale and a stylish love letter to saying 'no’. With sharp dialogue, unexpected laughs and a coat full of unresolved trauma, this show walks the line between comedy and heartbreak. If you’ve ever argued with a parent’s voice in your head, this one’s for you.
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Jaja has done everything right. First class degree, ICAN certified, determined. Yet all he has earned is seven years of waiting and unanswered CVs. From exploitative interviews to absurd job offers, his journey exposes the broken and corrupt system facing many young people. One company wants him as a bouncer, another wants free labour. Through sharp humour and raw honesty, Dear Applicant explores the frustration, desperation and quiet resilience of a generation promised everything but handed nothing. Still, Jaja keeps pushing. Because if no one sees you, are you even there?
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The Emmy-nominated screenwriter of King of the Hill, Beavis and Butt-Head, Just Shoot Me, Wilfred and Rules of Engagement is coming to Edinburgh! In his critically acclaimed one-man show, writer/performer Michael Jamin asks: What if the smallest, almost forgotten moments were the ones that shaped us most? Audaciously funny yet achingly poignant, A Paper Orchestra will change the way you think about life. Perfect for fans of David Sedaris and Mike Birbiglia. Based on the best-seller, which Vulture.com named Best Comedy Books of 2024.
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In an era where migration, exile, and political oppression remain urgent global issues, Büke Erkoç plays a young immigrant woman caught in the currents of history, as she grapples with choices that define her existence. A shape-shifting single suitcase transforms into a high-rise building, a bed, a consulate kiosk, even a coffin, as this visually striking piece of object theatre brings to life a story of exile, memory and resistance. Devised from Turkish writer Sebnem Isigüzel’s novel Hanene Ay Dogacak. ‘A poetic physicality runs through Büke Erkoç’s veins’ (Erdem Avsar, UNESCO Resources Blog and Briefings).
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There aren’t as many spectators in life as you think. This powerful interdisciplinary performance, influenced by the dance-theatre style of Pina Bausch, integrates physical expression and symbolic installations to challenge perceptions of social anxiety. Are we really being watched? Or is it all in our heads? This fear can stem from a distorted sense of self, but as Hey Stop!!! shows, there is often a significant gap between perception and reality. Contrasting exaggerated fears with actual social interactions, the piece breaks this misconception and ultimately challenges the fear of “being watched”. A profound reflection on modern social psychology.
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Özen Yula's highly acclaimed play takes the audience on a journey to the Ottoman Empire in 1558. It tells the unofficial story of Roxelana, who rose from being part of the Sultan's harem to become an influential figure within the state, mastering the subtleties of state governance with her ambition for power, even to the extent of sacrificing her children. The storytelling is enhanced with shadow play and masks showcasing the unique style of Turkish theatre, as Selçuk Yilmaz's music takes the audience on a journey back in time with Ottoman melodies. English surtitles.
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This surreal tale begins with the recruitment of a hapless newcomer to a rural neighbourhood volunteer association. Responding to a complaint about noisy frogs, he goes to investigate. He encounters a supernatural world populated with yokai, mysterious supernatural entities of Japanese mythology who sing, dance and struggle to coexist with contemporary human society. The result is a funny sideways look at humans from their perspective. With wild hand-made costumes, giant sculptural origami puppets and original music, this is a unique and mind-blowing Japanese experience for all ages. Performed in Japanese with English surtitles.
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temple
Scott is taking a day off work. A quest begins that will take him through an array of quirky characters and situations as he attempts to answer the question: where does one find hope today? Pilgrim of Hope is an uplifting story of an everyday man, Scott Adams, who goes in search of hope. Trouble is – where does one find hope today? A funny, poignant fable about life, death, air-fryers and one man’s search for hope. A third Fringe solo show from versatile writer-performer Stephen Callaghan (Pew With a View 2018, and Oggie! Oggie! Oggie! 2023).
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Two bold and satirical dance theatre pieces, Four and Death to Duets, that confront one of humanity’s greatest mysteries – death and what lies beyond. This thematic double-bill weaves together both Asian and Western perspectives to present two strikingly different yet complementary works exploring the myths, fears and absurdities surrounding our final moments. Through a unique blend of physical theatre, contemporary dance and dark humour, The 11th Hour challenges audiences to question their own perceptions of mortality, shedding light on the universal human experience of contemplating life’s end.
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Rejected by Hillary Clinton at Yale, he now trashes her nightly on Fox News! When ‘Mommy’ announces her presidential run, conservative pundit Chet Bigsley's carefully constructed reality implodes in spectacular fashion. Watch one man's obsession spiral into a whiskey-soaked, saxophone-interrupted breakdown that asks: is cable news just revenge porn for the politically rejected? This late-night satire from Oh No Theatre serves up sex, politics and delusion with a shot of irreverence. Perfect for anyone who enjoys their comedy with teeth and their commentary uncensored. ‘I don't like theatre, but I like this!’ (Audience review).
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This original Chinese campus youth musical delves into the complex emotions and struggles faced by today’s teenagers and even adults, exploring self-doubt, anxiety and the search for identity. Co-created by teachers and students, As You Wish encourages individuals to confront their fears, embrace their uniqueness and discover their own inner spark through an engaging and heartfelt narrative. More than just a school musical, this is an artistic expression of the hopes, dreams and challenges faced by today’s youth. Will leave audiences inspired by a renewed appreciation of the beauty of individuality. Performed in Mandarin with English surtitles.
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The island of Jeju draws everyone with its charm and beautiful Korean dialect. So why couldn’t Sodam go? This captivating play invites you to experience the soul of Korea through the beauty of its language, culture and sounds. Delving into universal themes of love, loss and human connection, it offers a rare opportunity to experience Korea's distinct theatrical style, merging tradition with modern expression. The universal themes of grief and relationships transcend cultural boundaries, making this raw and poetic performance deeply resonant. Korean and English blend seamlessly, with Jeju dialect accompanied by English surtitles.
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From Wimbledon Music Hub comes this youthful double-focus show: a cappella and strings. You’ll hear pop, gospel-ballad, alternative rock songs from the 60s (California Dreamin’), the 80s (Hallelujah), through to the 00’s (Scientist), 10s (Budapest) and 2020 World Soundtrack Award song, Stand Up. And from our string group: folk, classical, film music, jazz and popular music too, from Ashoken Farewell and Shostakovich Jazz Waltz to Pirates of the Caribbean, the theme from Up and of course Sing, Sing, Sing! All songs have been specially arranged for the group.
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temple
Enter the world of Matilda, the extraordinary girl with a love of books and a mind as sharp as her wit. Featuring electrifying songs, thrilling choreography and a cast of young stars, Matilda Jr brings Roald Dahl’s timeless tale to life. Join Matilda and her friends as they stand up to the fearsome Miss Trunchbull in this inspiring, heartwarming musical packed with laughter, rebellion and a touch of magic. A dazzling theatrical experience for all ages – don’t miss your chance to witness the power of imagination!
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A compilation of some of the Beatles’ best-known songs from 1962-69. Arranged and played as you’ve never heard them before with a video gallery of rare images of the boys themselves. Researched and created by Beat Mutante over five years, the sings are performed with electronic instruments using instantly recognisable iconic sounds from the Fab Four's albums: Hohner bass, Gibson guitars, Ludwig drums, Vox organ and the Moog Modular synthesizer, played both virtually and live by the artist, Beat Mutante, with lighting effects and other surprises.
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‘Many times I wanted to step off the train of life, but faith and hard work kept me tethered to my seat.’ Cambridge-educated eye-surgeon Sola Amure returns to the fringe with an interactive presentation of his inspirational memoir Beyond the Horizon Might Be Better. The book tells the story of his life, from an abusive childhood divided between Nigeria and England to confronting prejudice from both NHS staff and patients as a medical professional. His presentation is followed by a Q&A.
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A digital live dance-theatre performance designed for Zoom Webinar format that explores space, presence and connection in one ground-breaking event. Conceived and developed during the lockdown in Chile, Deshacer el Rostro (To Undo the Face) is performed entirely from the artists’ homes, and streamed to audiences online. Inspired by French philosopher Gilles Deleuze’s idea of 'undoing the face' as a gesture toward imagining other possible worlds, the piece examines the digital medium’s capacity to cultivate meaningful encounters and shared experiences, regardless of geographical location. New, dynamic and immersive.Directed by | Paulina MelladoMusic by | José Miguel MirandaVisual Artist | Nury GonzálezAssistant Director | Gonzalo VenegasProduced by | Cristián HormazábalInterpreters | Marcela Retamales, Camila Jiménez, Macarena Pastor, Cristián Hormazábal, Vannia Villagrán, Matías Carvajal, Hugo Castillo, Manuela Perea, Verónica Canales
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portal – on demand
A powerful combination of film, text, and performance exploring the birth of modern human rights, told through the eyes of Nuremberg prosecutor and champion of the ECHR, David Maxwell Fyfe. His words intertwine with Sue Casson’s musical settings of the poets who inspired him on his journey along his stream of natural law. Conceived and performed by members of the next generation of Maxwell Fyfe’s family. ‘Tells a very necessary story of not only an amazing man, but also the hopelessness of man and mankind's hope for the future. Brilliantly performed’ (Derek Awards). ‘Richly layered… celebrates the concept of natural law’ (LouReviews.blog).A companion piece to the film version of this work, Dreams of Peace and Freedom: The Human’s in the Telling.Available in our digital on-demand programme and was performed live in our Edinburgh Fringe 2022 season.www.englishcabaret.co.ukwww.facebook.com/EnglishCabaretwww.instagram.com/streamsofnaturallawwww.youtube.com/channel/UCKh0R1gZ6GQ7c_tgs4ebpBgsoundcloud.com/english-cabaret/sets/dreams-of-peace-and-freedom Watch Trailer
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portal – on demand
Experience a bold theatrical adaptation of one of Japan’s most powerful war novels: Ōoka Shōhei’s classic Fires on the Plain reimagined for the stage. This solo performance brings to life the harrowing journey of a soldier lost in the chaos of World War II. Through multiple roles, one actor explores the depths of war, solitude, and human survival. Explores themes of faith, dignity and humanity through the loneliness, hunger and moral dilemma of the Philippine front. A visceral, intimate take on Ooka’s classic, confronting the darkness of war with haunting clarity.Original text by | Ōoka ShōheiAdapted and directed by | Horikawa HonohPerformed by | Nagai HidekiPhoto | Igaki Photo Studio (use courtesy of Toyooka Theatre Festival, Japan)
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portal – on demand
An inspired, powerful and elegant piece with Flamenco dance and guitar. Aylin Bayaz’s contemporary flamenco dance combines strength, elegance and beauty. Raul Mannola's music draws on Flamenco, Brazilian music and jazz, giving depth and colour. Bayaz’s dance and Mannola’s music fuse together to produce an unique show of beauty and inspiration.‘Flamencodanza is more than just a show – it’s a breathtaking journey, with its fusion of tradition and contemporary flair… leaving an enduring impression on every fortunate spectator’ (Dancelife.com.au)‘Flamencodanza is hot, and you won’t see anything else like it’ (TheStageRaw.com)‘Mannola is amazing to watch. He does not “play” the guitar, he dominates it’ (TheTVolution.com)'An audience favourite' (Hudson Theatre, Hollywood)‘Pure artistry and emotional tour de force’ (LouReviews.blog)Best Dance and Physical Theatre, Hollywood Fringe 2022Award for Artistic Merit, Hollywood Fringe 2023Choreography and Dance by | Aylin BayazMusic by | Raul Mannolawww.eflamencodanza.comfacebook.com/aylinbayazinstagram.com/aylinbayaz/ Watch Trailer
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portal – on demand
Think you know your Shakespeare? Think again! This is Shakespeare as you’ve never seen him before – ‘trippingly on the tongue’… Migrant actors take on the Bard, reinterpreting his words in alien environments you will never have imagined before. They give his iconic characters a new life, migrating them into the roles assigned to outsiders by society. Hamlet is a meat-packer, King Lear a construction worker, Caliban a hotel cleaner, Lady Macbeth a housewife looking after children, and Shylock washes the dishes in a restaurant. This is no one Bard: Shakespeare belongs both to no-one and to everyone.’Migrant Shakespeare and Seyyar Theatre are a gift… Even hindered by an English that I’m sure they struggle for, their Shakespeare is pretty damn good’ (British Theatre Guide)‘A fascinating look at how those whose first language is other than English treat the words and meaning of the Bard’ (LouReviews.blog)‘Highly dramatic… These people grasp the undercurrents so well… It made me think’ (FringeReview.co.uk)Monologues by | William Shakespeare Adapted and Directed by | Naz YeniThe Players Hamlet (Hamlet) | Tuana Arayici Jacques (As You Like It) | Zülfü KaplanEdmund (King Lear) | Gözde IșikLady Macbeth (Macbeth) | Gülİstan SarbasLauncelot Gobbo (The Merchant of Venice) | Semba TekİnKing Lear (King Lear) | Tuncay AkpinarCaliban (The Tempest) | Seda ÇelİkKatherine (The Taming of the Shrew) | Eser RüzgarShylock (Merchant of Venice) | Denİz OkuProspero (The Tempest) | Özlem TașDramaturgy | Stephanie TillotsonMusic | Jan ÇIitakSinging | Hüseyİn ErdoǧanVideo Editor | Asli Tokmanwww.seyyar.companywww.facebook.com/seyyarcompanywww.instagram.com/seyyarcompanywww.youtube.com/channel/UClJlJDJKbTGUEb2hxv1pf-Awww.tiktok.com/@seyyarcompanyopen.spotify.com/user/3b0cyl3st83fthn2aubq6awklsoundcloud.com/seyyar-company Watch Trailer
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portal – on demand
Shakespeare sits in his script-, costume- and prop-strewn attic amending his Will, when his Muse magically materialises. ‘Why are you here?’ She points to the audience. ‘I’ve come to prove to them you wrote the plays.’ ‘How?’ ‘By getting you to reveal where you “signed them”.’ ‘Screw you.’ What follows is a heart-warming, at times tragic, often heated debate between them – the Muse hurling Will’s own lines in his face – that ultimately reveals the truth and the urban legends that make up Will’s life and works, allowing him to adopt the motto: ‘Not Without Right’. www.willsplayers.org
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portal – on demand
A drunk, a clown, a disabled soldier, an old crone. A moth, a mirror, a muse. Welcome to the world of Rey Camoy, Japanese painter of the human soul. tarinainanika’s latest production shows the artist in his studio, surrounded by the characters from his creations. The drama unfolds without a word, with intricate ensemble-work and breath-taking physicality. It’s a gut-wrenching love song to beauty – the kind worth living and dying for.‘One of the most exquisite pieces I have seen in a long time’ ***** (BritishTheatre.com).‘A tour de force of physical theatre’ ****(*) (Salterton Arts Review).Cast | Kentaro Suyama, Tania Coke, Ryuta Kawai, Yukiko Masui, Teruya Sugimoto, Masaya TsujimotoDirected by | Kentaro Suyama and Tania CokeMusic by | Tania CokeVideo by | Kentaro SuyamaFilm version directed and edited by | Taro MizunoFilm version planning and production by | SCS Osakawww.tarinainanika.comwww.facebook.com/tarinainanikawww.instagram.com/tarinainanika Watch Trailer
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portal – on demand
Original multimedia performance inspired by Kyle Yamada’s play The Fahrenheit Alliance. Actors trapped in their room by Covid-19 organise a secret, invisible alliance on the cloud, transcending walls and distance. The play poses a secret way of gathering during an emergency time when we are forbidden to assemble in one place. One person records a voice for someone else. that someone listens and performs along with the recording. The performer then records their voice for another person, thus passing the baton.First shown in Edinburgh at the 2022 Edinburgh Festival FringeA live version of this work is, The Fahrenheit Alliance V, can be also experienced in our Edinburgh Fringe 2025 seasonThe same company perform The Story of the Tower in our digital on-demand programmewww.mitsukohirai.comwww.facebook.com/mitsuko.hirai.5www.instagram.com/hiraimitsuko/ Watch Trailer
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portal – on demand
Language creates awareness and reinforces stereotypes, but what if the vocabulary is not enough to describe one’s identity? Female, male, both or neither. It is difficult to describe in words what has long been a reality. The traditional gender division based on one’s sex is far outdated. However, do our language and behaviour follow this change? This interactive dance film addresses the following questions: What impact does language have on gender differentiation? How do certain meanings of a word become established? And what cultural, political and ethical influence do these have on us and our bodies?
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portal – on demand