With 453 shows, 3569 artists, and 198,000 tickets, theSpaceUK has helped new artists and audiences experience the Fringe
theSpaceUK is one of the largest venues at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with 19 theatres across 6 venues. Every genre in the Fringe programme is represented and there’s a strong focus on new-writing and new companies with a wide-range of support provided for artists bringing work to the Fringe for the first time.
198,000 tickets were issued for shows at theSpaceUK this year, a 5% increase on 2023, demonstrating both the resilience of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the strong platform of shows at theSpaceUK. This year saw 453 shows featuring 3569 artists at theSpaceUK representing over 40 different countries. Each day of the 2024 Fringe saw an average of over 8300 audience members watching shows at theSpaceUK with an average of 61% of seats filled per show.
Artists at theSpaceUK were recognised for their work, including a third consecutive Fringe First for Xhloe and Natasha, who were part of theSpaceUK’s artists development programmewith their brand new show, A Letter to Lyndon B Johnson or God: Whoever Reads This First. The duo was also awarded the prestigious Broadway Baby Bobby Award and were shortlisted for the Holden Street Theatre Award, The Brighton Fringe Excellence Award and the Fringe Encore Series Award.
Artists at two shows at theSpaceUK won critical acclaim and picked up Theatre Scotland’s coveted awards. Alexander Tait for Kev Campbell Was He, and Fraser Allan Hogg and Lorna Panton for Shotgunned won the Bright Spark award, which is given to Scottish actors or theatre-makers just embarking on their careers. A further three shows were shortlisted for Theatre Scotland’s award, including Lads of the Flies, Man of War: The Secret Life of Nadezhda Durova,and The Shadow Boxer.
Parky Players, a theatre group for people with Parkinson’s, also celebrated after their show, Shaken Not Stirred, picked up the Garry Robson Memorial Award at the Neurodiverse Review Awards, which aims to recognise disabled and neurodiverse acts at the Fringe. Black Bright Theatre company was also celebrating after its new folk horror about the female experience, Birdwatching, won the Edinburgh Horror Festival Spookies award for Best New Writing and was runners-up in the Best Stage Play and Best Poster Design categories.
Speakbeast, a queer/trans-led theatre company, picked up the Binge Fringe Queer Performer’s Award for The Freemartin. The award honours the commitment of performers to furthering LGBTQIA+ representation. Trawled (Eoin Ryna) was nominated for the BBC Popcorn writing award.
Charles Pamment, Artistic Director of theSpaceUK said: “What a year, we are so very proud to have been able to host another fabulous festival at theSpaceUK. Our locations have hosted record numbers with 198,000 audience members attending shows.
“Our unrivalled new writing programme boasts a long line of 5 star reviews and not to mention an array of top awards for our shows, from Fringe First, Best of Scottish Theatre to the iconic Bobbly Awards and award debutantes the Queeries @ Bringe Fringe. We also broke producing records with Xhloe and Natasha winning yet another fringe first to add to their Fringe First awards in 2022 and 2023!!
“We celebrate with all our shows and now look forward to planning our 2025 festival and curating a programme to match that of this year!”
It’s not over yet: from pop-rock musicals to queer cabaret icons, cult classics to murder mysteries, and even Ghanian acrobatics alongside a cappella anthems
As Week 3 arrives at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, an array of talented artists at theSpaceUK are just embarking on their Fringe journey.
From pop-rock musicals to queer cabaret icons, cult classics to murder mysteries, and even Ghanian acrobatics alongside a cappella anthems.
With over fifty new shows gracing the stages this week, seize the opportunity to take a chance and discover something that will entice, excite, and thoroughly entertain you at theSpaceUK.
Here’s a small taste of the new shows you can catch in Week 3 at theSpaceUK:
It’s a Different World When the Music Stops! Glastonbury (theSpace@Surgeons’ Hall) Glastonbury promises a dream of youth, but after the pandemic, the characters return to seek out an anchor to the past but encounter revelations far beyond their expectations under the stars in the yurt enclosure.
A comedy-drama about love, dreams, death, whiskey, flags, wellies and getting old.
Can you take Essex out of the Girl? Trust Me, I’m from Essex (theSpace@Surgeons’ Hall) Lindsay Lucas-Bartlett will take you on a journey through life growing up in notorious Essex, England. . Enjoy this fun-filled journey with laughter, singing, and down-right drama. Trigger warnings: there are themes of an adult nature.
Fresh New One Man Musical! Zac Zac Zoom: A Story of Wheels and (F)eels (theSpace@Surgeons’ Hall) A brand-new musical comedy that was supposed to be about exploring life in a wheelchair… But Zac has something much eelier he’d like to talk about.
A hilarious one-man musical, written and performed by Zachary Loram, will have you asking the question… so, how do eels have sex?
An Electrifying, Intimate, New Play What the F*ck Happened to Love and Hope (theSpace on the Mile) Sixteen-year-old Nina is cheeky and naive, experiencing the thrills of young love at school, until a night out takes a horrific turn when she’s spiked, leaving her to navigate the devastating aftermath. Usually confident and outspoken, Faye insists she’s perfectly okay—definitely.
A Sensory Journey into a Seductive World… Auto/Erotic Tango (theSpace Triplex) Prepare to be taken on an intense, drama-fuelled journey. A heady mix of sensual dance, hypnotic music, lifts, kicks and tricks… After the opening night of their new show Tango Passion, an Argentine dance couple find themselves in a trap of their own creation… away from the shimmery stage lights and social media circus, who are they really?
Carly Gibson: salt-of-the-earth, boss bartender with a freeloading cousin. When her stage mom runs off with her money, Misty is broke, squatting on her cousin’s sofa “up north”, and working behind a posh hotel bar.
A Fragmented Fantasy… NeuroChatter (theSpace@Surgeons’ Hall) Elliott: a defensive yet laid-back aspiring artist. And Host: the reluctant, vulnerable core-self… hiding beneath them both.
Can Host take back her true heart and autonomy, or will she forever remain stuck behind the two dominant alter-egos that steer her mind, fight for her body and control over her life?
A summer like no other… Hot Girl Summer (theSpace@Surgeons’ Hall) Being single in her mid-twenties… how hard can it be? Post-breakup, Tilly jets off on a girls’ trip to Barcelona and impulsively lands a job in London.
Leaving behind her small-town life in Scotland, she dives into her new life, and begins the treacherous journey of navigating life in The Big Smoke.
She plans a summer like no other, but the reality is far from the Pinterest board she has envisioned.
A Laugh Out Loud True Story Blood, Sweat and Beers: How One Man Overcame a Complete Lack of Ability to Represent His Country (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 19-24) As a kid, Mick Colliss always dreamed of playing for Australia. He tried a number of different sports, from rugby union to lawn bowls, but failed at all of them. But then, at the age of 42, a chance discovery on the way to a Wallabies game changed everything. He finally got to wear the green and gold – just not in the way you might think.
Classic Tunes and Delightful Chaos Undecided: A Musical Misadventure (theSpace on the Mile, 19-24) Durham University’s 2 x national musical theatre champions are bringing you a show full of iconic musical songs and beloved musical characters to Edinburgh this summer! Laugh yourself silly as you, the audience, vote for which of your favourite musical theatre characters find themselves in the wrong song, and watch in amazement as our troupe members belt out classic tune after classic tune.
Deep Seated Rivalry… Sammy Blew Up a Toilet (theSpace @ Venue 45, 19-24) The story follows instant best friends Azza and Jake as they are forced to take in Sammy – a teacher’s pet, snitch and all-round strange person. Azza and Sammy become frenemies, kept together by unfortunate circumstances and peacemaker Jake. Jump into a nostalgia-filled world with eccentric characters, childhood shenanigans and an exploding toilet!
It’s Hot Fuzz meets Sweeney Todd. Prime Meat (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 19-24) Prime Meat is a horror comedy that follows Esme and Chris Stockton who, five years ago, moved to the idyllic Cotswold village of Raperton-on-the-Water. While Esme has adapted to village life, Chris is struggling. As Roland and Cherry help them prepare for the imminent community fete, the sinister reality of the village is revealed.
It’s Just Another Day at the Puppet Orphanage. Bucket Head (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 19-24) A closed-down puppet orphanage reopens, leaving resident squatters Ozzie Airwalker and Jim Horgletooth having to deal with new friends and challenges. A feel-good family show for everyone. Inspired by Saturday Morning Cartoons, a show packed with laughs and heart.
Who Knew Life Underground would be this Cosy? Six Feet Under (theSpace Triplex, 19-24) America. The 60s. Nuclear war. Eight neighbours escape to the safety of their underground bunker. Under the dim, flickering lights of their metal coffin, they have no idea how long they’ll be spending in each other’s company – and even less of an idea when rescue will come. They may be tucked safely away from the horrors on the surface, but perhaps the real danger still lurks within.
A Tribute to Sheer Young Adult Confusion. Sent from my Phone, (theSpace Triplex, 19-24) Close yourself in a windowless office with Lola, Penelope and Chad to explore their roots, vices and dreams.
How far will Lola go to get her Visa? How can Penelope do the right thing when everyone is lying to her? Will Chad be able to save the girl he loves from herself? It appears a night of shredding paper is all it takes to find out.
Based on the Hit Reality TV Show… Love Is Blind: The Improvised Musical (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 19-24) If you enjoy exploring human relationships’ ups and downs (and sideways!) through musical comedy, this show is for you!
Characters will be built based on audience suggestions and dates, and some will fall in love without ever seeing each other. The couples will have to decide whether love really is blind at the altar, but which relationships will last until the reunion one year later? And which will tear themselves apart?
With over 100 BRAND NEW exciting shows, there’s no shortage of new experiences. The stage is set for an incredible lineup, and this is your chance to catch some truly remarkable performances
As Week 2 unfolds at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, an array of talented artists at theSpaceUK are just embarking on their Fringe journey.
From rollicking cabarets to queer icons, mice stories to folk-rock renditions of Queen Mary’s life, and even a (almost) comeback from Gilbert and Sullivan. With over one hundred new shows gracing the stages this week, seize the opportunity to take a chance and discover something that will entice, excite, and thoroughly entertain you at theSpaceUK.
Here’s a small taste of the new shows that you can catch in Week 2 at theSpaceUK:
3.. 2.. 1… Spell! The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (theSpace @ Niddry St, 12-24) This musical tellsthe story of six middle-schoolers growing up and of the relationships they form. With audience participation and improv elements, it is a heartwarming and hilarious tale of childhood motivations, friendship, making yourself proud and juiceboxes!
Dark Web Shenanigans Ctrl+Alt+Deceit! (theSpace @ Niddry St, 12-24) The story follows trusting, lonely and technologically naïve Aunt June, desperate to connect with her niece Andy, who suggests that June fill her time instead by finding friendships online. Matters take a strange turn when June unwittingly finds herself on the Dark Web.
Shaking Up Shakespeare Sonnets from Suburbia (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 12-24) In Sonnets From Suburbia, Lady Penelope AKA actress Penny Peyser shakes up Shakespeare with her own quirky take on modern life through her wry, beautifully crafted sonnets, while stubbornly clinging to the world’s longest COVID quarantine. An infectious hour of theatre: in the best sense of infectious!
He’s in the best-selling show Is There Work on Mars? (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 12-24) Can someone with ADHD and dyscalculia pass Elon Musk’s Mars immigration test? Set in a dystopian future of space colonisation, Is There Work on Mars? rants about many things: ableist education systems, living in the diaspora and ridiculous immigration requirements.
Feels Good To Be Bad Good Boy (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 12-24) Boy is in love with his first boyfriend. But, after discovering a devastating secret, their relationship crumbles and Boy’s world shatters. Good Boy is a shockingly funny debut play about trauma, the social politics of hook-up apps, and suicidal rabbits. And unbelievably… it’s all true.
It’s A Tough Gig Tales from a British Country Pub (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 12-24) Join comedy musician Chris Sainton-Clark as he takes you through his troublesome and hilarious experiences of working in British pubs.
Hear stories of compulsive liars, disruptive youths, fruit machine addicts and much more. Armed with just a guitar, Tales from a British Country Pub is sure to keep you entertained.
Lights. Camera. Delusion! Nina Rose Carlin: Seeking Representation (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 12-24) Comedian Nina Rose Carlin turns her years of experience in the entertainment industry (derogatory) into a rollicking cabaret with stand-up, clown and musical comedy.
Get an inside scoop of pop culture and Hollywood through her witty and absurdist lens, inspired by her time hosting red carpets, assisting A-List celebs and seeking stardom.
Crazy In Love A Brief Case of Crazy(theSpace @ Symposium, 12-24) Thomas is a remarkable, unconventional introvert – fiddling and fumbling his way through a 9 to 5 job, occasionally looking up to admire his wide-eyed and equally shy colleague, Daisy. Buckle up for a heartwarming and moving story, told through physical comedy, dance numbers and ludicrous characters.
Now… that’s all I can remember If I live until I be a man(theSpace on the Mile, 12-24) 1483: The young princes Edward and Richard are taken to the Tower of London by their uncle Richard in preparation for Edward’s coronation. By the end of the summer, Richard III is crowned and the boys are never seen again. A comedic, playfully anachronistic, unsettling exploration of childhood during perpetual war.
A spectacular line-up as theSpaceUK announces its full programme for the 2024 Fringe
theSpaceUK announces its full 2024 programme with over 400 exciting shows
Largest new-writing programme at the Fringe, packed full of hidden gems
Club Life, the 2023 Fringe First-winning club/theatre immersive experience, returns for eight performances only!
Grammy award-winning cellist Leah Coloff stars in Super Second Rate, the compelling story of playing alongside music greats like David Bowie and Debbie Harry
Double Fringe First winners Xhloe & Natasha ride back into town with their brand-new show, A Letter to Lyndon B Johnson or God: Whoever Reads This First
…and join theSpaceUK for an EdFringe first in conjunction with ITVX as we present live at the fest, a global broadcast of the festival’s best comedians, live from the Grand Theatre at theSpace @ Surgeons Hall and hosted by your favourite comedians.
theSpaceUK is announcing the full 2024 programme with over 400 shows on sale at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The 2024 line-up features the return of Fringe favourites and a packed programme of new writing and companies.
Audiences can see the full programme and purchase tickets via theSpaceUK website (www.thespaceuk.com).
Theatre Highlights
Double Fringe First winners Xhloe and Natasha return with A Letter to Lyndon B Johnson or God: Whoever Reads This First and explore the blurred lines between childhood fantasy and harsh reality. Club Life, the 2023 Fringe First-winning club/theatre immersive experience, returns for eight performances only! Lemon Jelly’s Fred Deakin hosts an interactive joy ride through his 80s/90s clubland adventures.
Jess by Glass Half Full Theatre offers an honest look into a woman’s life facing loss and heartbreak. Jess, a cardiothoracic surgeon, struggles with her career, relationships, and the desire for change. An Act of Grace from Ottawa Little Theatre invites audiences to a gripping tale of suspense in this contemporary thriller brought to you by the producers of the 2022 Carol Tambor Award-winning production of Burn.
Via Dolorosa by Chasing Rainbows presents David Hare’s exploration of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Through encounters with various public and private figures, this performance lays bare the complexities and tensions of the region. There are further poignant tales brought about by conflict in Hagar: War Mother, which tells the story of a mother and son fleeing the brutality of Syria’s war.
Bluffing Your Way in Ballet from Seizing The Day Company takes a fast-paced, irreverent journey through the history of ballet. From Isadora Duncan to Václav Nijinsky and Margot Fonteyn, this avant-garde performance blends stories and dances of ballet’s greatest stars. Hannah Whittingham stars in Death Becomes Us, confronting the final taboo head-on with tales of Walt Disney’s rumoured cryogenics and Meryl Streep’s accidental escapades. In this one-person biographical drama, Trawled – When Adventure Becomes Survival by Eoin Ryan recounts the true story of an Irish backpacker on a prawn trawler in the Coral Sea.
Malion by Tired Horses Theatre presents a feminist retelling of the Pygmalion and Galatea myth and explores themes of masculine identity and artistic vision in this brand-new production. Something To Believe In by The Brooklyn Bottling Company tackles the clash between faith and queerness at an all-girls Catholic school in a dark comedy that questions who truly deserves a place in heaven.
There are plenty of Fringe favourites returning for 2024. In A Highly Suspect Murder Mystery – The Great British Bloodbath by Highly Suspect, the nation’s favourite baking competition turns deadly in an interactive murder mystery that invites the audience to solve a fiendish plot filled with evidence and cryptic clues. Charles Dickens: The Hanged Man’s Bride from Blue Orange Arts brings to life a ghostly tale of passion, deceit, and the fine line between reality and the supernatural. Elizabeth I: In Her Own Words by Flying Solo! Invites you into the tumultuous world of late 16th-century England through Elizabeth I’s letters and Shakespeare’s speeches. After a sell-out fringe in 2023, Nicole Nadler returns with Why Am I (Still) Like This? , a humorous and relatable exploration of living with ADHD at 30.
Cabaret Highlights
Magician and mind illusionist Sean Alexander takes you on a reflective journey through the moments that shape us in 1 Moment in Time, packed with jaw-dropping magic. Murder: The Mind-Reading Lawyer by Tomas McCabe combines mentalism with courtroom drama in a family-friendly performance filled with incredible mentalism and the drama of court. Naughty or Neurodiverse – Magic from Another Planet features rising star Angus Baskerville. Diagnosed with Autism and ADHD at 15, Angus struggled through school until magic turned his life around. His first solo show at the Fringe delves into this journey, showcasing mind-reading and unbelievable trickery.
Elle Barto: Itchy and Scratchy presents Elle Barton in their premier solo show. New York’s hottest drag sensation takes you on a journey through your favourite film and television moments, lip-synced by memory. Frankie Mack – The Vegas Showman electrifies the Fringe with a blend of Dean Martin’s suave, Elvis’ allure, Bublé’s depth, and Robbie Williams’ energy. Solve Along A Murder She Wrote by Tim Benzie returns with an interactive screening of the classic episode “Paint Me a Murder.” Following last year’s success, this critically acclaimed show involves a race to solve the crime with the Fameometer and Suspiciometer.
Musical Highlights
In Ctrl+Alt+Deceit! by Cambridge University Musical Theatre Society, audiences are introduced to Aunt June, a dowdy, kind, and lonely woman who ends up with a laptop that leads her to the Dark Web and a low-level drug ring. In Mary Mary Quite Contrary, CRE8IV THEATRE CO presents a spoof adult musical about Mary Whitehouse, a religious, moral campaigner from Edwardian England and her clash with the BBC. Lindsay Lucas-Bartlett takes audiences on a personal journey in Trust Me, I’m from Essex. This show chronicles life growing up in notorious Essex.
Cambridge Footlight Lily Blundell’sThe Man Who Wouldn’t Be Murdered is a sinful dark comedy musical set in prohibition-era New York. Nominated for the Standing Ovation Award, this show blends greed, fraud, 1920s jazz, and drink into a gorgeously crafted musical. Delving into darker themes, The Avison Brothers bring Godfather Death: A Grimms’ Musical to the stage. This award-winning musical, based on a lesser-known Grimms’ fairytale, explores mortality, healthcare, and class. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre offers a lighter touch with I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, a hilarious and heartfelt musical that tackles the intricacies of modern love. From first dates to marriage, children, and the twilight years, this show traces the arc of relationships through life’s stages.
Chevron Theatre presents Fringe – The Musical, a hilarious musical comedy set in a beloved family-run hairdressing salon in Essex. Finally, BramwellBrand Productions brings Wallis to the stage, telling the story of Wallis Simpson and her romance with Prince Edward, who gave up his crown for her. This musical explores whether their story is a love tale or a narrative of a woman trapped by her ambition and media scrutiny.
Comedy Highlights
Steve Goodie brings a unique tribute to the stage with AL! The Weird Tribute (and How Daniel Radcliffe Got Mixed Up in This Nonsense)complete with songs, accordions, guitars, and visual effects that cost many dozens of dollars. In Ajahnis Charley: Thots and Prayers, Ajahnis Charley explores the hilariously absurd journey of a nerdy gaymer who, after a failed death drop at a rave, finds himself at the gates of Gay Heaven as audiences witness the HOMO and avoid the FOMO. Described as a hidden gem, Aude Lener returns to the Fringe with a typically French show that redefines love stories in Aude Lener – Love Reboot.
The renowned host of Rule of 7×7 and co-star of Friends from College and Ray Donovan Brett Epstein: Alone on Stage is a darkly comic solo show that delves into the highs and lows of being an artist and the essence of being alone. In Chris Tavener is Faking Cool,Chris Tavener battles intrusive thoughts through witty, satirical songs. Known for his performances and appearances on BBC 6 Music and Sky’s Showcase TV, Tavener brings his unique brand of humour to the stage. Help! My Vagina Is Trying to Kill Me!by Yola Jean Lu is a darkly comedic solo show that explores one woman’s journey through STDs, miscarriages, and pre-cervical cancer.
Tom Hearn Live: How Fabulous is That?! marks the Edinburgh debut of viral comedian Tom Hearn. This Canadian Comedy Award winner brings jaw-dropping musical performances and original characters to the Fringe stage. Disco Horses: A Sketch Revueby American duo Disco Horses presents an hour of absurd, high-concept comedy. Tales from a British Country Pub by Chris Sainton-Clark takes audiences through the hilarious and troublesome experiences of working in British pubs.
And finally, join theSpaceUK for different comedy line-ups every night, with known faces and new acts – all broadcast LIVE on ITVX. Be part of the action and watch the chaos of comedy live from the Fringe!
Children’s Highlights
Goose by TaleGate Theatre tells the charming story of Sophie, who meets Goose while on a trip to the park, and the pair quickly become best friends in a brand new musical for the under-fives that’s the perfect theatre trip, featuring muddy puddles, wild goose chases, and plenty of honking.
The Comedy Games with Coach Monby Monique Warren brings a sports extravaganza to the stage. In this Olympic-inspired kid’s clown show, the audience helps find the missing athletes and participates in sports-tastic events like eyebrow push-ups and a slow-motion running race.
Follow a teacher’s magical seaside summer holiday in Miss English’s Holiday by Action Theatre. With puppetry, masks, magic, sing-along songs, and comedy, this show is a smash hit from Italy and is perfect for those under nine.
Cantonese Opera x Children’s Interactive Theatre presents the Dic Dic Chang Chang Playground and invites young audiences to join Captain Dic Dic and Chang Chang at the Cantonese Opera Playground in Edinburgh.
Dance & Music Highlights
Grammy award-winning cellist Leah Coloff stars in Super Second Rate,the compelling story of playing alongside music greats like David Bowie and Debbie Harry. Janis: The Story, the Music, the Legend, presented by Rockology Productions Australia, is a rockumentary showcasing Janice Smithers fronting a world-class band as they perform the hits of superstar Janis Joplin.
Audiences will be transported back in time with iconic tales that have shaped the phenomenal jazz landscape from the 1900s in Divas of Jazz, From Fitzgerald to Jones. Brief Case of Crazy by Skedaddle Theatre Company tells the story of Thomas, a remarkable and unconventional introvert who navigates his way through a 9 to 5 job while admiring his equally shy colleague, Daisy.
There’s the most extensive a cappella line-up at the Fringe, featuring eight of the finest a cappella groups from the UK: Algorhythm, AcadePitch Productions, Steelworks A Cappella, Cadenza, Durham Dynamics, The Rolling Tones, Trinity A Cappella and Perfect Forth.
Charles Pamment, Artistic Director of theSpaceUK, said:“WELCOME to theSpaceUK! The home of award-winning performance and new writing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
“As we celebrate 30 years of bringing work to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe it’s with great pleasure that we present our 2024 programme.
“theSpaceUK experience is how this fabulous festival is meant to be seen, every genre of live performance in one spectacular programme. We’re very proud to be known in Edinburgh for presenting new and original work, for harnessing grassroots performance, for identifying that untapped ‘gem’, as well as hosting work from established artists.
“Whether it be at our very stylish Royal Mile venues, the magical Venue 45 where we started our fringe journey all those years ago or our state-of-the-art hub at theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, Symposium Hall and theSpaceTriplex, complete with new theatres and garden bars, we look forward to hosting another vast array of exceptional and award-winning work from across the globe.
“Of course, we can’t make any of this happen without the commitment of all who bring shows. It’s to those creatives that we applaud loudly as another August in Edinburgh beckons.”
theSpaceUK continues its tradition of championing new writing with an eclectic array of shows that promise to entertain, enlighten, and engage. From stand-up comedy to poignant dramas, musical mayhem to physical theatre, there’s something for every taste.
With over 150 brand new shows going on sale at theSpaceUK for the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, here are some highlights of the shows you won’t want to miss:
Theatre
David Hare’s groundbreaking drama play, Via Dolorosa deals with the history, complexities, and tensions of the Israel-Palestine conflict in this new adaptation by Chasing Rainbows. The 2023 Fringe First winners, Xhloe Rice and Natasha Roland, return with their smash-hit sell-out, What If They Ate The Baby? Enter the world of housewife secrets and societal expectations in this comedic exploration of hidden desires and untold truths.
There’s a world of suspense and intrigue with Agatha Christie’s The Rats by Hart Players, a one-act play from Agatha Christie’s Rule of Three collection. Take a witty and irreverent trip through ballet history in Bluffing Your Way in Ballet, which features an ensemble of former Royal Ballet dancers telling tales from backstage stories to iconic performances.
Immerse yourself in the vibrant nightlife of 1980s urban culture in Bouncers & Shakers by Paperlight Theatre as nightclubs and cocktail bars come alive with energy. From prom to after-party, follow the generational identity crises of a group of friends in Disco, Baby? by Acting Speaks Louder, set to an original score blending pop, funk, jazz, and disco. Set in the 1980s, follow Kevin’s journey from coding to time travel as he navigates an alternative AI world with his brand-new Commodore 64 in Hungry Like the Future by Greene Shoots Theatre Company.
Join eccentric ex-detective Richard P Cooper in two uproarious adventures, featuring time-bending mysteries and laugh-out-loud escapades in Defective Inspector: A Stitch in Time and Defective Inspector: An American Odyssey by The Defectors. Strap in for a sky-high spectacle as two passengers embark on a comedic journey 30,000 feet above the Atlantic with Cabin Fever by Fresh !nk Theatre Company. Bucket List by Show Don’t Tell Productions is a darkly humorous tale of shared lives and afterlives.
The complexities of platonic and romantic love are explored in Three Bed (No Living Room) by Laldie Theatre, an original play set in a student flat in Edinburgh, exploring queer identity in the 2020s. There’s a feminist retelling of the Pygmalion and Galatea myth in Malion by Tired Horses Theatre, which explores themes of identity and socialisation in a thought-provoking narrative.
Buckle up and brace yourself for a twisted ride through OCD, breakups, breakdowns, and self-discovery in the shockingly funny solo show Driver’s Seat: Obsessive Compulsive Disaster by Ellie Brelis.
Enter a world where nursery politics collide with Shakespearean subplots in Get Thee to a Nursery by Exi Attica, a whimsical exploration of childhood imagination.
Music & Musicals
There are new musicals aplenty in theSpaceUK’s lineup for 2024. Set in 1960s Georgia, USA, The Gardening Club: A New Musical by Wright and McRitchie is a new musical that follows six girls who start an illegal drug ring to distribute birth control pills, using their gardening club as a cover-up.
There’s an exploration into the complexities, love, and ambition of the enigmatic Wallis Simpson in the brand new musical, Wallis by BramwellBrand Productions.
Join six eccentric middle-schoolers as they compete in the hilariously quirky The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee by C&C Productions. Enter the mysteriously spooky world of the Addams Family in the kooky musical, The Addams Family by The Talentz.
Packed with show-stoppers and chart-toppers depicting a day at Cambridge University, Cadenza is a whirlwind journey through smooth jazz, angelic choirs, and beloved pop hits. Embark on a creative musical journey through the rich tapestry of Celtic melodies that connect us to our roots and the places we call home in Celtic Roots by Kevin Littlejohn and Right Here Productions.
Finally, don’t miss the intimate acoustic show by 22-year-old singer-songwriter Sean Lomas. With heartfelt lyrics and acoustic undertones, Sean shares the stories behind his songs, promising an evening of genuine emotion and raw talent.
Comedy
Join Andrei Palchyk for a solo stand-up show filled with Instagram-approved jokes that delve into the immigrant experience and the resilience required to survive dictatorship in The Ultimate Collection of Reels.
Brace yourself for a candid and at times unsettling glimpse into the life of a doctor in Keith Mendes: Medical Negligence by Keith Mendes. From unspeakable acts of medical negligence to encounters with ghosts and demons, Keith shares stories from his career and personal life that are sure to leave audiences both intrigued and entertained.
Love / Less of a Man by Isabella Pip and Jess Elgene is a double bill offering a contrasting exploration of love and self-discovery.
Isabella Pip brings her disdain for love to the forefront, while Jess Elgene shares her journey of transition and empowerment. Join two Plebs as they hilariously recount the tale of Macbeth armed with nothing but their wits, wigs, and willies in MacPlebs by The Raymondos. Despite not having read the play, these surviving cast members give their unique interpretation of Shakespeare’s classic.
Dance Physical Theatre and Circus
Unconventional introvert Thomas typically fiddles and fumbles through his conventional office job until he’s dragged on a journey of discovery by a mischievous briefcase in A Brief Case of Crazy by Skedaddle Theatre Company.
Experience the beauty and mystery of traditional Korean artistry as various pictures are painted on stage using the traditional Korean hat called sangmo in Korean Painter by Contemporary Yunhee.
Pushing the genre of Argentine tango to its limits, there’s super-charged stage tango dancing, acting, video projection, and sensory, sensual immersion in Auto-Erotic Tango by Tango Fantasy, which explores the tension created between a traditional heteronormative tango couple and their unusual, real, and hidden desires.
Cabaret and Variety
Dive into a dazzling night of song, story, and sensuality as Ryan Patrick Welsh and The K*ntz! boldly explore sex, sexuality, and sex work in “Sex, Camp, Rock’n’Roll” by Ryan Patrick Welsh – 8th Best Legs Productions. Step into the world of LA actress Nina Rose Carlin as she navigates the highs and lows of seeking representation in Hollywood in Nina Rose Carlin: Seeking Representation.
Rising star Angus Baskerville combines mind-reading and trickery in an exploration of autism and magic in Naughty or Neurodiverse – Magic from Another Planet. Join scientist and jazz singer Malcolm Windsor as he explores the chemistry between couples through story and song in Love, Loss, and Chemistry by The Swells.
Plenty of shows to pore over and ponder for the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe!
It’s not over yet: hidden gems galore, more new musicals, and juicy comedies are hitting theSpaceUK stages for one last rip-roaring week of shows.
Week 3 is here: bringing you one last knockout selection of shows. Fascinating ancient tales, energetic music bands, and frogs improvising in a box: it’s all go as we plunge into a fantastic final week at the Fringe.
Here’s a just a sample of the new shows gracing theSpaceUK from 21st – 26th:
Dive into ancient China Legend of the White Snake (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 21-26) A classic love story portrayed in traditional Kunqu opera form. Rarely performed in the West, Kunqu is one of the most ancient forms of opera in the world and the North Kunqu Opera Company is one of its leading ambassadors. Sung in Chinese, with English surtitles.
Get ready for a Musical Fiesta! David Rivera la Båmbula (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 21-26) David Rivera and La Båmbula will make you dance with their Caribbean sounds from Puerto Rico and Cuba. The 13-piece band is the first-ever Puerto Rican band to perform at the Fringe.
Croaky laughs guaranteed Improv Comedy with Box of Frogs (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 21-26) Box of Frogs, Birmingham’s premier improv group, brings you a helping of high-octane improvised comedy nonsense, based entirely on your suggestions. Expect the unexpected as quick-witted players conjure up hilarious, spontaneous songs, sketches and scenes on the spur of the moment!
Yes, you’ve already seen this show! Good and Gaslit (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 21-26) Good and Gaslit. A young director launching her career. A less-than-young TV executive performing her first one-woman show. It’s gonna be a gas! Come see the rehearsal, I mean, the show.
Is impostor syndrome even real? this is a scam. (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 21-26) Fake it ’til you make it. Lean In. How far can you stretch the truth in the name of self-optimisation? When does charisma, boldness, and self-promotion become fraud? This play aims to find out.
There’s a first time for everything Does My Fanny Look Big In This? (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 21-26) The anxious sex-ed class you never got in school. An exploration into the sexual world through spoken word, uncomfortable noises, an inflatable sex doll, (bad) singing, anxiety and a limerick.
An insightful play A Night With Me, Myself and Bipolar Brenda (theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 21-26) A captivating one-woman show, based on the critically acclaimed Amazon bestseller Me, Myself and Bipolar Brenda. Former Coronation Street actress and current Bipolar UK ambassador Natasha Rea smashes down barriers and raises awareness of bipolar, drawing on her own real-life story in this hilarious but heart-wrenching solo production.
Monsters, Inc (but it’s children) Vida Slayman in Comedy of Terrors (theSpace on the Mile, 21-26) Sold out at the Adelaide Fringe, now in Edinburgh! After fleeing two wars, Vida Slayman was prepared for anything life could throw at her. But then she faced a battle she couldn’t flee.
Razzle Dazzled Las Vegas in Edinburgh (theSpace on the Mile, 21-26) At this show, a sleight-of-hand spectacle bringing a little Vegas to Edinburgh. Marvel at the two magicians’ mind-bending illusions, brilliant comedy and incredible stage presence at the Fringe premiere on a stunning night of entertainment.
A night with a movie star Call Me Elizabeth (theSpace @ Surgeon’s Hall, 21-26) Fresh off her 1961 Academy Awards triumph and a recent brush with death, Elizabeth Taylor is struggling with her hardest role yet: herself.
Therefore AI am Ctrl (theSpace on the Mile, 21-26) Eager to stand out from the crowd, a group of teenagers turn to the assistance of AI. But what starts as a fun experiment soon turns to alarming obsession. Co-written by AI, this play questions reality and creativity.
Sailing through the high C’s The Impresario (theSpace @ Venue 45, 21-26) It’s 1930 and “talkies” are taking off – a film producer has the daunting task of bringing opera to the masses through the silver screen, made more challenging by diva two sopranos who both insist on top billing!
Wedding night gone wrong Blueballs (theSpace Triplex, 21-26) One bedroom. Two 20-year-olds. Just married and strangers until hours ago – now they are alone for the first time. A twisted version of the twisted tale Bluebeard, Blueballs is a thrilling, 40-minute tequila-shot of theatre in free verse.
Get ready for an exhilarating ride as theSpaceUK welcomes Fringe Week Two!
With over 50 BRAND NEW exciting shows, there’s no shortage of new experiences to indulge in. The stage is set for an incredible lineup, and this is your chance to catch some truly remarkable performances.
As Week 2 unfolds at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, an array of talented artists at theSpaceUK are just embarking on their Fringe journey.
From pop-rock musicals to queer cabaret icons, cult classics to murder mysteries, and even Ghanian acrobatics alongside a cappella anthems. With over 50 new shows gracing the stages this week, seize the opportunity to take a chance and discover something that will entice, excite, and thoroughly entertain you at theSpaceUK.
Here’s a small taste of the new shows that you can catch in Week 2 at theSpaceUK:
Fringe First Winners Return What If They Ate The Baby? (theSpace @ Niddry St, 14-26) From Fringe First 2022 winners Chloe Rice and Natasha Roland. There are three rules every housewife knows: never return a dish empty, always have dinner ready by the time he gets home, and some things are best kept under the table.
Do You Hear the People Sing? Les Millénniables (theSpace @ Niddry St, 14-26) Very loosely based on Les Misérables, Les Millénniables is a pop parody about the plight of the generation deemed “millennials”. Written by two established (but sad) Hollywood female comedy writers of colour and featuring hit songs from our yesteryears,
Pop-Rock Brand New Musical Palindrome: The Musical(theSpace @ Niddry St, 14-26) Heartfelt, funny and set to an original pop-rock score, ‘Palindrome’ is a story of connection, communication, opening up and writing things down. From the company that brought you SiX, the Cambridge University Musical Theatre Society.
Grief, Love and Hope Pieces of Us (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 14-26) Life in the 21st century: isolated, polarised. The divide between us sometimes impassable. But how different are we, really? Explore the grief, love and hope of different American characters to appreciate what makes us all the same.
Ahoy There Mateys! Pirates: You Wouldn’t Steal a Boat (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 14-26) After being betrayed by his captain, Sharkbait Mulligan finds himself with just the clothes on his chest and the rum on his chest. Spruce Moose Comedy – a group of ex-Cambridge Footlights regulars with a high-energy, low-brow style – bring you their brand-new pirate voyage.
Cannibalistic Comedy All is Pink in West Berkshire County (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 14-26) ‘What would it take for you to eat a real-life human being?’ It’s dinner time in the Abbey stately home. From award-winning playwright, Harry Daisley, comes a new, deliciously twisted comedy showcasing Berkshire’s finest family.
Queer Cabaret Icon Aidan Sadler: Melody (theSpace on the Mile, 14-26) Join award-winning queer cabaret icon Aidan Sadler as they take you on a journey to the end of the world! Here you’ll experience belting original synth-pop tunes punctuated by world-class stand-up comedy.
Gossip is rife in 18th-century London’s fashionable society. Two brothers are tested by their uncle to prove who is most virtuous, whilst battling vicious rumours and salacious scandal. Who’ll be rewarded with happiness and love?
Alan Bennett meets Fleabg Violets and Vinegar (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall St., 14-19) A neglected housewife, a determined party girl and a clueless teacher shamelessly expose their sexual exploits. This character comedy is sure to make you laugh out loud. Think Alan Bennett meets Fleabag.
Last Night a DJ Saved my Life Cola Boy (theSpace @ Syymposium, 14-19) The 1990s, when house music exploded! Drama, suspense, comedy and music as a young Scottish journalist and DJ gets sucked into Dubai’s criminal underworld. A gripping and immersive stage adaptation of excerpts from cult book Cola Boy.
Just One More Thing! It’s a Mystery! (theSpace @ Symposium, 14-19) Tim Benzie, the acclaimed creator/host of Solve Along A Murder She Wrote presents a new one-man show: a hilarious and moving exploration of the compelling and enduring appeal of murder mysteries, from Poirot to Fletcher and beyond.
Powerful New Play 97+ (theSpace on the Mile, 14-19)
97+ is based on the Hillsborough Disaster which resulted in 97 people losing their lives. Set in 2012, survivors John and Steve, now middle-aged men, deal differently with the trauma they suffered from the tragedy in 1989.
Multi-layered Choreography and Ecstatic Rhythms Tandava (theSpace @ Niddry St, 18-26) Primal rhythmic energy and the impossible union of opposites: Tandava sees the coalescence of Scottish guitarist Simon Thacker’s startlingly passionate sound-worlds with the infinitely expressive physicality of three gifted dancers from India’s Piah Dance Company. MadeInScotlandShowcase.com
Contortion,Jjuggling Limbo and More Fanti Acrobats International (theSpaceTriplex, 16-26) Come and watch the hottest and most unique African traditional acrobatics and cultural show from Ghana, west Africa. An award-winning acrobatics and cultural group in Africa. Great tradition! Great show!
Fringe-Goers Rrefer Blondes Norma (theSpace on the Mile, 15-19) Norma Jeane Mortenson (Marilyn Monroe) once said, ‘it takes a smart brunette to play a dumb blonde’. This one-woman show aims to challenge the way Monroe has been portrayed by the media and celebrate her strength.
A cappella Anthems Aca-ting Out (theSpace @ Niddry St., 14-19) Oxford’s leading all-female and non-binary a cappella group return to Fringe with a riotous hour of feminist anthems. Using their voices to rebel against sexist stereotypes, the Belles are aca-ting out and you don’t want to miss it.
With 440 shows, 4400 artists, and 155,000 tickets, theSpaceUK has helped new artists and audiences experience the Fringe
theSpaceUK is one of the largest venues at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with 19 theatres across 7 venues. Every genre in the Fringe programme is represented and there’s a strong focus on new-writing and new companies with a wide-range of support provided for artists bringing work to the Fringe for the first time.
155,200 tickets were issued for shows at theSpaceUK this year, only a 1.5% fall since 2019 (157,700) – a remarkable achievement given this was the first year the Fringe has fully returned since Covid-19. This year saw 440 shows featuring 4395 artists at theSpaceUK representing over 35 different countries.
Artists at theSpaceUK were recognised for their work including a Fringe First for And then the Rodeo Burned Down, a Broadway Bobby award for Trial by Jury, The Carol Tambor Incentive awards for Burn, Hotel Elsinore and The Mistake, who also were awarded the Mervyn Stutter Spirit of the Fringe award.
theSpaceUK’s programme saw critical acclaim with numerous shows picking up multiple five-star reviews. Sugar (Mabel Thomas) was a one-hander masterpiece from Royal Conservatoire of Scotland graduate Mabel Thomas and played to rapturous audiences. Assisted (Oxia Theatre) was a five-star smash-hit featuring a next-generation voice assistant alongside an impressive cast and was nominated for the BBC Writer’s Award.
Press and media were instrumental in helping artists achieve their success with over 800 reviews published during the Fringe. An array of reviewing organisations from across both the globe and different media helped ensure that artists were supported at theSpaceUK. We offer them our eternal gratitude.
Charles Pamment, Artistic Director of the SpaceUK said: “We’re delighted by the success that artists & companies have had at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe with theSpaceUK.
“Our programme supports new-writing and new artists and is forward looking, building a relationship for the future. We are thankful to the audiences & artists who come to theSpaceUK and experience festival as it’s meant to be.
“There’s a range of reasons that have made 2022 audiences have been broadly in line with 2019. Sensible ticketing prices have meant that shows at theSpaceUK have been affordable to audiences.
“Extensive support with press and marketing have allowed companies to promote their shows and attract audiences. Being one of the few venues to return in 2021 with a full programme meant that strong relationships with audiences and artists have continued develop positively.”
And then the Rodeo Burned Down and The Mistake
About theSpaceUK Established in 1995, theSpaceUK hosts the largest and most diverse programme at the fringe. Companies, both professional & amateur, are given an affordable, supportive and professional platform to showcase their work.
About the venue theSpaceUK operates 19 venues across 7 sites including: theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, theSpace @ SymposiumHall, theSpace on North Bridge, theSpace on the Mile, theSpaceTriplex, the Space @ Venue45.
It’s not over yet: hidden gems galore, more new musicals, and juicy comedies are hitting theSpaceUK stages for one last rip-roaring week of shows
Week 3 is here: bringing you one last knockout selection of shows. Dramatic dance double bills, surreal murder-themed comedy shows, and getting stuck in elevators: it’s all go as we plunge into a fantastic final week at the Fringe.
Here’s a just a sample of the new shows gracing theSpaceUK from 22nd – 27th:
Cheaper than a night at Balmoral! Hotel Elsinore (theSpace on the Mile, 22-27)
Denmark. 2am. A hotel room. Three weary travellers, an unexpected will, and a production of Hamlet to rehearse before morning. Tragedy and humour blend in this new play by award-winning performer Susanna Hamnett, with Joshua and Lily MacGregor.
Can you teach an old dog new tricks? The New Rock’n’Roll (theSpace @ Niddry St, 22-27)
A washed-up stand-up comedian tries to reclaim his mojo but fails miserably at the hands of his younger, more popular support act who he sets out to sabotage.
Sweet, sweet music The Aca-prentice: Sales Pitch (theSpaceTriplex, 22-27) Lord Alan Sugar tests the nerves and voices of the hungriest hopefuls in the a cappella world as they compete to be his aca-prentice. Watch our candidates tackle tasks to test their ability through chart-topping songs!
Talent that’ll hit you hard SMACK & Spektakel (theSpaceTriplex, 21-24)
SMACK & Spektakel offers an adventurous double bill of dance, refreshing the commentary on the empowered female body, while questioning the relationship between performance and identity.
Breaking a murderer… The Rodney Buzzard Tapes: Evidence of an Honourable Man (theSpace on the Mile, 23-27) A surreal sketch show that tells the story of Britain’s least-successful serial killer, Rodney Buzzard. A satire of murder documentaries that will probe the hidden depths of the criminal underworld.
Theatre this good is a crime In Her Defence (theSpace on North Bridge, 22-27) 1947. A man is dead. His wife has killed him. As a court hears the evidence leading up to the murder, you’ll witness the disintegration of the couple’s marriage revealing the real, surprising truth.
Get stuck right in to new drama Going Down (theSpace on North Bridge, 22-27) Four students stuck in an elevator, with nothing to do except talk to each other. An exploration of how easily we allow our mental heath to stagnate.
It’s wild how good our musicals are Boom Town (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 22-27)
Set in wild-west Arizona, Beau has come of age and must prove herself to her father. Can she save her town by taking on the outlaw? A new musical that puts a bluegrass twist on contemporary musical theatre.
Something to really celebrate birthday girl (theSpace on the Mile, 22-27)
This is a play about birthdays. It’s also about growing up, the future and the inevitability of ageing – a prospect that the birthday girl is finding increasingly unnerving.
War again. It’s 1066, William fights Harry! How do mothers, queens, wives and daughters cope? Gather their skirts and soldier on. Telling stories in plays and songs; working, travelling, gazing at Halley’s Comet in awe.
You don’t know them yet, but you will soon… Women You Know (theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 22-27) The morning after a drunken rendezvous with an old boyfriend, a woman and her friend discuss autonomy, identity and bad sex. A frank new comedy about the hypocrisies of modern womanhood.
In her most intimate musical performance, cellist Jablonska explores how identities are made, unmade and remade on a personal and musical journey from Poland to Scotland, as part of MadeInScotlandShowcase.com.
A show you could see over and over… Water Fruit Loops (theSpace @ Niddry St., 22-27) Richard, a student, finds himself stuck in a time loop after hooking up with his ex. Rather than utilise the period for self-reflection, Richard jumps at the opportunity to keep hooking up with his ex.
About theSpaceUK
Established in 1995, theSpaceUK hosts the largest and most diverse programme at the fringe. Companies, both professional & amateur, are given an affordable, supportive and professional platform to showcase their work.
About the venue
theSpaceUK operates 19 venues across 7 sites including: theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, theSpace @ SymposiumHall, theSpace on North Bridge, theSpace on the Mile, theSpaceTriplex, the Space @ Venue45.
For over fifty shows at theSpaceUK, the Fringe is just about to begin. It’s the perfect opportunity to get your second wind and see some fabulous new shows:
As we move into Week 2 at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, for many artists at theSpaceUK their Fringe is only just beginning.
From politically charged drama to quirky cabaret, catchy musicals to tempestuous tango, Shakespearean spectacle to cake-based violence. Take a chance and find something to entice, excite and entertain in the 50+ new shows starting this week at theSpaceUK.
Here’s a small taste of the new shows that you can catch in Week 2 at theSpaceUK:
Cabaret for Musical Theatre Fans More Than Tracy Turnblad (theSpace on the Mile, 15-27) Abby Rose Morris details her experiences as a plus-size performer while dismantling cultural stereotypes about fat people through musical theatre. This quirky, snarky cabaret exposes the absurdity of the entertainment industry’s body standards.
Brand New Musical Antigone: The Musical (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 15-27) A radical and fun musical retelling of an Ancient Greek myth, about one young girl standing up to tyranny, packed with humour and super catchy tunes that will have you humming all the way home!
Politically Charged Drama Life Before the Line (theSpace @ Venue 45, 15-27) Manchester, 2016. The terrorist alarm goes off in class… and it’s no drill. Set during the rise in anti-Semitism, this is a heartfelt coming-of-age story following four Jewish teenagers growing up in politically charged times.
Smashing Fun (& Cakes) Cake and Violence (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 15-27) Welcome to Cake & Violence, a food-fetish-fever-dream in which Nat delivers a bunch of monologues and smashes a LOT of cakes in an effort to get you to feel SOMETHING. It’s comedic. It’s dramatic. It’s a lot of frosted fun.
Tempestuous Tango Los Guardiola – The Comedy of Tango (theSpaceTriplex, 15-27) The international stars of tango, Los Guardiola lead you into their fantasy world of TangoTeatro, where tragedy, comedy, poetry and humour collide.
The Norse Will Rise Glister (theSpace @ Niddry St, 15-20) A smorgasbord of Viking gods, an enchanting Norse soundscape and a pair of wise-cracking ravens accompany a Yorkshire lass on her journey from childhood to motherhood, revealing myth, mirth and magic in the most unexpected of places.
Surviving in a Man’s World Fake It Till You Make It (theSpaceTriplex, 15-20) A one-woman show about Leda, an actor struggling to make it, and how her perfect mask of control shatters when she is taken advantage of by a famous male actor.
An Imaginative Re-telling The Macbeth Inquiry (theSpace @ Niddry St, 15-20) Shakespeare’s great tragedy is reimagined in a modern political context asking how politics is shaped from, and tarnished by, a pursuit for power. It’s time to see the Scottish Play through a whole new lens! Legendary Theatre Artorigus (theSpace @ Niddry St., 15-27) Based on the legends of old and inspired by the classical lyricism of Shakespeare. This modern adaptation of King Arthur blends prose with verse to create a unique look into the themes of stagnation, idleness, betrayal and love.
Chart-Topping Vocals I’ll Tell You Mine (theSpace @ Niddry St., 15-20) A musical coming-of-age journey, featuring classics from Whitney Houston and chart-toppers by Olivia Rodrigo. Follow Oxford’s original all-female-identifying a cappella group through this story of fragmentary femininity. If you tell me yours, I’ll tell you mine.
Ecological Shakespeare Midsummer (theSpace @ Niddry St., 15-27) The last fairy lurks in a dying forest. A ragtag crew of office drones tries to put on a play. Midsummer remixes Shakespeare for an era of ecological crisis. In a broken, wintery world, can we imagine a future?
Greek Tragedy The Lacehouse (theSpace @ North Bridge, 15-27) Wanna see a real Greek tragedy? On the eve of a funeral, three sisters conduct a seance to awaken the secrets of their ancestors, unearthing family secrets that refuse to stay buried. A tragicomedy in one act.
La Dolce Vita The Olive Tree (theSpaceTriplex, 15-20) ‘A real gem of a show!’ The Olive Tree is a bitter-sweet comedy, taking you on a journey from London to Italy, telling stories of change and loss through sketch, poetry and soundscape.
Sharp Stand Up Kill the Frippery (theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, 15-27) A brand-new stand-up show from David Watson about getting rid of the things that hold you back, which would be: vanity, pastry and Twitter. A personal, frank and funny dip into a life spent focusing on the wholly unimportant without realising it.
A Marrow Filled Musical Plague (theSpaceTriplex, 15-27) The year is 1348 and the small Yorkshire village of Bogsfield is about to be hit by the Black Death. With catchy folk music, this is a fun-filled medieval tale of hope, community… and root vegetables.
Miner’s Strike Gold The Collie’s Shed (theSpaceTriplex, 15-27) Based in a local Men’s Shed in East Lothian, THE COLLIE’S SHED follows four retired miners as they discover how a review into the policing of the mining strikes in the 80’s and a potential Miners Pardon Bill by the Scottish Government suddenly affects them.
About theSpaceUK Established in 1995, theSpaceUK hosts the largest and most diverse programme at the fringe. Companies, both professional & amateur, are given an affordable, supportive and professional platform to showcase their work.
About the venue With 7 Venues, 19 Theatres, over 400 shows theSpaceUK operates 18 venues across 7 sites including: theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall, theSpace @ SymposiumHall, theSpace on North Bridge, theSpace on the Mile, theSpaceTriplex, the Space @ Venue45.
