In partnership with the High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom, the Beaverbrook Canadian Foundation is proud to support Canada’s continued presence across all the Edinburgh festivals this August.
Together we offer the world a window into Canada as we celebrate the creativity and passion of artists, while creating opportunities for them to reach new audiences from across the globe.
The Beaverbrook Canadian Foundation is a charitable organisation based in Canada that supports various causes, with a focus on education, arts and culture. Established by Lord Beaverbrook in 1960, it continues his philanthropic work and supports organisations reflecting his interests.
COVER PICTURES: HOMECUMMING BY BRENNAN MARTIN; GLOB BY ALEX GUILLAUME; MERE MORTALS BY CHRIS HARDY; MADAME CHANDELIER BY ALEXIS DUBUS PHOTOGRAPHY; MONKS BY AUDRIANNA MARTIN DEL CAMPO; A PUBLIC DISPLAY OF AFFECTION BY DHALIA KATZ; THE HETEROSEXUALS BY GREG WONG.
PHOTO: TOMMY GA-KEN WAN
Welcome to Canada @ Edinburgh 2026. Once again, the very best of Canada’s performers, theatremakers, comedians, musicians, writers and filmmakers will claim their place at the greatest show on earth: Edinburgh’s August festivals. From the sheer musical power of the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal’s two major performances as part of the International Festival to the quiet communality of the long-lost knitting songs that feature in Stitch In Time: A Knitting Cabaret; from chaotic sketch comedy by She/They to Glob’s wild reimagining of circus; from brand-new work in progress shows like Nude Parade by cult favourite SE Grummet (Creepy Boys) to Tenderly from the always gorgeous Duane Forrest; it’s time to fill your boots with new ideas, new ways of thinking and a whole lot of fun. Canadian writers are here too, whether it’s Alycia Pirmohamed talking poetry or Cory Doctorow (Enshittification) talking about why everything’s just a bit, well, rubbish these days. If that makes you want to escape to the silver screen, the Film Festival has you covered too, with Canadian talent popping up all over the programme.
Spotlight Canada also returns for 2026, a selection of work supported by the High Commission of Canada in the UK in partnership with the Beaverbrook Canadian Foundation. This aims to reflect and support a rich diversity of Canadian talent across all the major festivals in Edinburgh: look for this logo as you browse the guide.
As proud Canadians, we continue to believe in the power of art to confront, to comfort and, ultimately, to connect people across borders and cultures. We’re delighted to showcase the best Canadian talent in Edinburgh as we resolutely continue to celebrate our shared humanity and optimism for the future. Visit culturecanada.co.uk to find out more . . . and enjoy the show!
PHOTO:
CANADA @ EDINBURGH 2026
MESSAGE FROM THE HIGH COMMISSIONER
Canada and Scotland share deep cultural connections that span centuries and generations. The spirit of the people of Scotland is woven throughout the story of Canada, helping to shape the rich and diverse country we know today. It is therefore fitting that some of Canada’s most exciting artistic talent comes to Edinburgh each year to take part in the Edinburgh Festivals, which together form one of the world’s foremost celebrations of arts and culture.
This August, audiences across Edinburgh will have the opportunity to experience an exceptional showcase of Canadian creativity. From circus and comedy to dance, film, literature and theatre, Canadian artists are bringing a remarkable breadth of work to this year’s festivals. Whether thoughtprovoking, inspiring, joyful or bold, these performances and creations reflect the diversity, talent and imagination of Canada’s cultural community.
The Edinburgh Festivals offer Canadian artists an unparalleled opportunity to share their work on the international stage. Each year, they bring together audiences, producers, curators, publishers, commissioning editors and arts professionals from around the world, creating invaluable opportunities for exchange, collaboration and discovery. For many talented Canadians, participation in the festivals represents an important stepping stone in their artistic journey, and the High Commission of Canada is proud to once again partner with the Beaverbrook Canadian Foundation to celebrate the remarkable Canadians taking part in this year’s festivals.
On behalf of everyone at the High Commission, I encourage you to experience the fantastic range of Canadian performances and artistic work on offer across Edinburgh this summer. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the many festival and venue staff, volunteers, producers and everyone else involved whose hard work, creativity and dedication have made the 2026 festival season possible.
Bill Blair
High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom
EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE
Friday 7–Monday 31 August edfringe.com
Every possible way to entertain, enlighten and entrance the human spirit is here in Edinburgh over the Fringe’s three weeks. From nervous comedians in dingy nightclubs to spectacular circus shows in enormous tents, from brand-new writing to reimaginings of Shakespeare and the ancient Greeks, it’s all here. And so is Canada, with a huge number of shows to choose from.
10,000 DIGITS OF PI
Vinay Sagar navigates his memory palace of absurd images to recite 10,000 digits of pi. Every time he makes a mistake, he must do an audience-chosen punishment. The digits and images are shown on a screen for the audience to follow along. Previously, he only managed to recite 2000 digits: this year he’s going for 10,000! Shortlisted for the Malcolm Hardee Comic Originality Award.
‘The kind of show true Fringegoers will talk about for years to come’ **** (Scotsman).
Banshee Labyrinth, 8–30 August, 11pm.
A LITTLE GREEN LEAF
Inspired by Odette Hallowes (MBE, Legion d’Honneur, George Cross), Britain’s most highly decorated spy of the Second World War. This play tells the story of Odette’s service as an agent of the Special Operations Executive, resilience in the face of Gestapo brutality, surviving Ravensbrück concentration camp and her remarkable ability to retain her light, humanity and compassion in the face of unimaginable suffering. A poignant and timely reminder of sacrifice, courage and achieving peace.
Space Surgeons’ Hall & Space Symposium Hall, 7–22 August, times vary.
A PUBLIC DISPLAY OF AFFECTION
At a queer community event, an ‘inspirational’ elder steps up to deliver the speech everyone
A Little Green Leaf
CANADA @ EDINBURGH 2026
expects: warm, wise and reassuring. Instead, he tells the truth. Funny, furious and deeply human, this solo show tumbles through 1970s Toronto bars, police raids, bathhouses, Aids wards and the polished cruelty of rainbow capitalism. Friends are lost, old compromises resurface and survival proves messier than nostalgia allows. A sharp, unsentimental reckoning with queer history, intergenerational memory and what it really means to live long enough to watch your identity become marketable.
n Gilded Balloon Patter House, 5–30 August, 7.20pm.
A SEANCE SPECTACULAR WITH THE MYSTICAL MEDIUM WOLF SISTERS FROM THE GREAT WHITE NORTH
An invitation to a proper Victorian seance in an appropriately eerie attic. Comedians Carly Anna Billings (Second City Toronto) and Cecilia O’Grady will take you back in time as the Wolf Sisters, two founders of American spiritualism, on the road, sharing their gifts of spirit and sisterhood when everything goes awry. Part comedy, part scare, this 60-minute show created and performed by these ‘hilarious
n Just The Tonic Mash House, 20–30 August, 5.20pm.
ANNE OF GREEN GABLES
The misadventures of a wildly independent orphan with fiery red hair and a temper to match. LM Montgomery’s timeless classic comes to life in a new musical commissioned by the awardwinning Theatreworks USA. Anne Shirley is mistakenly sent to live with a plainspoken farmer and his spinster sister, who thought they were adopting a boy. She wins them over with her irrepressible spirit and imagination, and wins over audiences with this warm, poignant story about love, home and family.
n Space Venue 45, 7 & 8, 10, 12 August, times vary.
THE AUGUR
You’re going to die (eventually). Have questions? The osseous oracle has answers in an unforgettably macabre and darkly comedic puppetry fortune-telling experience. Each performance is bespoke, fusing puppetry, improv and the occult (and the puppet is built from bones). After slumbering for thousands of years, The Augur is a misanthropic and ornery oracle with a penchant for ornithological oration. ‘The Augur is so very special. Everything you dream of when you think of Fringe’ (Nancy Kenny, executive producer, On
A Public Display Of Affection
PICTURE: DAHLIA KATZ
The Fringe). Winner, Outstanding Design, Halifax Fringe 2025.
Laughing Horse City Café, 7–31 August, 12.05am.
THE BALLAD OF ISOBEL GUNN
A new Scottish-Canadian musical recounting the extraordinary true tale of Isobel Gunn, a Scottish woman who explored Canada in 1806, living as a man and working for the
Hudson Bay Company. After journeying from her home in the remote Orkney Islands, Isobel travelled 1800 miles across the Canadian wilderness as John Fubbister, a labourer in the fur trade. But when she unexpectedly gives birth, Isobel’s identity is revealed. ‘Glorious singing and first-rate storytelling’ ***** (Adelaide Advertiser).
Space Symposium Hall, 7–29 August, times vary.
BIG STUFF
Acclaimed Canadian Second City comedy duo, Matt Baram and Naomi Snieckus, directed by genius collaborator Kat Sandler, bring their signature mix of storytelling and improvisation to a hilarious and heartfelt exploration of the stuff we leave behind. A fast-paced unpacking of the emotional and absurd aspects of loss, from basement clutter to memories that linger.
A Seance Spectacular With The Mystical Medium Wolf Sisters From The Great White North
CANADA @ EDINBURGH 2026
Quick wit and sharp chemistry turns life’s big questions into big laughs. ‘One of those pieces of theatre you’ll carry with you for the rest of your life’ (The Globe And Mail).
n Assembly Roxy, 5–30 August, 2.55pm.
CATCHING A CHEESE PERVERT: A PRISCILLA PATTON MYSTERY
Who’s flashing women in Sorryton, Canada, with cheese? Canada’s favourite dairy heiress and antivegan influencer, Priscilla Patton, races to find the culprit before they spoil dairy’s wholesome image. Questionable detective skills face off against Big Dairy in the most talked about show in Canada (amongst our circle of friends). ‘A must-see for fans of quirky “proper Fringe” theatre.’ (Edinburgh-Reviews.co.uk). ‘I
don’t know what I was expecting, but not this! I loved it so much.’ (Audience Review). Regrettably inspired by true events.
n Just The Tonic Westside Rodeo, 6–27 August, 2.40pm.
THE CHEESECAKE BURLESQUE REVUE
Canada’s Cheesecake
Burlesque Revue, winners of the Burlesque Hall Of Fame Best Large Group 2024, celebrate 20 joyously ridiculous years of burlesque brilliance. This high-energy, gloriously camp, feel-good spectacle is a buffet of comedy, curves and body confidence. Expect silly group numbers, quirky songs and delightful solos bursting with glitter, glamour and giggles. The Cheesecakes serve up a delicious slice of sass, proclaiming proudly that every
body is welcome and every body is fabulous!
n Space Surgeons’ Hall, 17–23 August, 10pm.
CITIZEN CHEN
She’s Chinese. She’s Canadian. She’s confused. Scarlet Chen turns immigration into a laughpacked hour of stand-up and storytelling in her solo show, Citizen Chen. She skewers border control, bureaucracy and the absurd things we do to fit in, with warm charm and razor-sharp observations. Expect cultural whiplash, language mishaps and laugh-out-loud recognition. No small talk. Just punchlines and heart.
n Just The Tonic Mash House, 6–30 August, 9.55pm.
CRAY CRAY CABARET
Direct from London’s West End and world-famous Comedy Store, this electrifying comedy-cabaret delivers an hour of action-packed laughs. Hosted by Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Phil Nichol and irrepressible musical sidekick David Tims (of the Amy Winehouse Band), the show blends sequin-soaked cabaret, world-class circus, quirky music and laugh-out-loud stand-up. Wrapped up in the high-octane chaos of its hosts, with topnotch surprise guests previously including Chris Rock and Adam Hills. ‘A great night out with a twist’ **** (Chortle.co.uk).
n The Voodoo Rooms, 18–30 August, 7.30pm.
Big Stuff
CREEPY BOYS: SLUGS
It’s about nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing. We promise. For tonight, we are free. From the award-winning performance/comedy duo Creepy Boys (SE Grummett and Sam Kruger), this anarchic fever dream is a techno-punk concert, a play, a clown show and a basement puppet nightmare all rolled into one. Best Show Nominee, Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2025. ‘The underground hit of the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe’ (Telegraph). **** (Guardian). **** (Scotsman). **** (Chortle.co.uk). ***** (ToDoList.org.uk). ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). **** (The
List). **** (Financial Times). **** (Fest).
Summerhall, 6–17 August, 10.40pm.
CYCLOPATH STAND-UP AND SONGS VOL 3
Canadian comedian and cycling advocate Dion Owen returns for his seventh Fringe with a show honed from years of professional touring. Featuring a mix of polished jokes, improvised keyboard songs and occasional cycling propaganda.
comedy under his belt, Canadian David Tsonos is doing it by himself. He will be a one-man comedy club in which he is the compere, the opening act and the headliner. No sad stories, no uplifting tales, just straight standup comedy club humour. David has not only performed stand-up but has studied it and will bring his years of experience to the show and make sure you come out still laughing.
Laughing Horse Kick Ass Cowgate, 7–30 August, 4.30pm.
DEFINE QUEERNESS
How do you define queerness? What was your first exposure to queerness? What does being queer mean to you? A
The Cheesecake Burlesque Review
CANADA @ EDINBURGH 2026
verbatim piece which explores gender, sexuality and identity within relationships, friendships and social pressures. Written using text from recorded interviews with two queer couples and showcasing a variety of experiences and issues regarding queer love in an authentic and personal way. Built through a devised theatre process, it aims to uplift queer communities and create a space for queer joy.
Sawyer is a recent university graduate returning to their hometown in rural northern Canada. After reuniting with childhood best friend Casey, it becomes clear that something is amiss as masked creatures start seeking them out, threatening both their relationship and their lives. As their oncefamiliar hometown becomes unrecognisable, the two must learn to forgive and let go before they lose themselves to their crumbling realities.
In a thoughtful (yet close to the bone) stand-up tale, Fringe legend Glenn Wool recounts the bumps, scrapes, highs and lows of receiving the shock
news of a surprise divorce two weeks before his 50th birthday. ‘The best comedian in the UK’ (Doug Stanhope: ten years ago). ‘One of the most important voices in comedy’ (Jim Jefferies: last year, actually). ‘The first time I saw Glenn Wool reminded me of the first time I saw Sam Kinison’ (Norm Macdonald: can’t remember exactly when but it was more than five years ago, obviously).
The Beehive Inn, 7–31 August, 9pm.
GLOB
Les Foutoukours return to Edinburgh with Glob, a circus adventure like no other. Without a single word, two lovable characters tumble, glide and soar through the unknown. Join them and discover a world that is tender, magical and wonderfully absurd. They’ll make you laugh, gasp and cheer, all while tugging at your heart. For anyone who needs the world to slow down just a little, Glob is a wordless journey where emotion speaks louder than words.
Perfect for all ages.
Underbelly Bristo Square, 5–30 August, 3pm.
THE HETEROSEXUALS
A deep dive into the shocking world of heterosexuality. They walk among us! But where did they come from? And what do they think they’re wearing? This explosive solo show, based on undercover research gathered while posing as one of their
own, spills the T on what The Queers really think about The Straights with storytelling, satire and deep personal humiliation. ‘Comic genius’ ***** (Irish Times). ‘Electric stage presence’ ***** (TheReviewsHubs.com). ‘Fringe’s best . . . exquisitely energetic’ (Orlando Sentinel). Winner, Outstanding Theatre Award (FringeReview.co.uk). Winner, English Comedy Award (Montreal Fringe).
Gilded Balloon Patter House, 5–31 August, 8pm.
HOMECUMMING
Our heroine can’t come anymore . . . while orgasms are the inciting incident (and an entertaining one), they’re really an invitation into a much larger conversation about mental health, depression, shame and self-worth. This isn’t a story about sex (maybe a little): it’s about healing. Inspired by real life, Homecumming explores the taboos surrounding female sexuality with honesty, humour and tenderness. Messy, funny, sexy, vulnerable and painfully relatable. Through therapy, selfreflection and a growing desire to reconnect with herself, she begins a transformation from caterpillar to butterfly.
Summerhall, 6–16 August, 4.15pm.
HOW TO BELIEVE IN ANYTHING
Sam, obsessed with stars and stuck in middle-of-nowhere British Columbia, is given an out-
of-this world opportunity the night of her 14th birthday. An alien (who looks suspiciously like her missing mother) visits and promises a whirlwind adventure with deadly repercussions. Escape isn’t easy: sometimes you have to blast off in order to survive. If you want your mother to hold you, if you want your current life to go up in flames, or if you want the kind of revenge that puts people in jail, this is for you.
In 1541, Marguerite de la Rocque embarks on the adventure of a lifetime: to colonise the land that is now Canada. Strong-willed and self-assured, the prospect of being free from the rigid life of nobility is thrilling. But when her secret affair is brought to light, Marguerite finds herself doomed: exiled (unwed and with child) to the Island Of Demons. Witness her story of survival as Marguerite discovers the One who can save her from the constant darkness and bring her Into The Light
Duncan Street Baptist Church, 18–21 August, 7pm.
JOSIAH
Based on the autobiography of Josiah Henson, born into slavery in Maryland, who endured 41 years of unimaginable brutality and persecution before escaping
CANADA @ EDINBURGH 2026
to Canada. His unwavering resilience, determination, faith and indomitable spirit led him to become a respected leader, minister and teacher, inspiring Harriet Beecher Stowe’s seminal novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin. This is a story that matters today: in a time when histories are being erased and challenged, it’s a compelling true Canadian story of triumph over adversity.
n Space Surgeons’ Hall & Space Triplex, 17–29 August, times vary.
JULIE BELLIVEAU: ENLIGHTENED?
Julie Belliveau is enlightened? Nope! Join this Canadian/Kiwi recovering Catholic in a highenergy and uplifting journey filled with tales of marrying an Irishman, motherhood, IVF, health (sometimes mental) problems, moving to Italy and the odd adult nursery rhyme thrown in for good measure. Known for her hilarious storytelling and quick-witted crowd work, Belliveau was a
finalist in the New Zealand Raw Comedy Quest and nominated as Best Newcomer at the 2021 New Zealand Comedy Awards. As Kyla Cobbler exclaimed, ‘what a woman!’.
n Greenside George Street, 24–29 August, 10.10pm.
KATE HAMMER: GOVERNMENT APPROVED COMEDIAN
One Canadian needs to make you laugh, otherwise she will be deported. Join Kate as she navigates getting a Global Talent Visa, getting dominated on Vinted and breaking up with an identical twin. As seen on Breaking The News, BBC Scotland, Roast Battle League and Channel 4. ‘A full package, all-tools comedian, it is impossible not to vibe with Hammer’ (Comedy.co.uk). ‘Frenetic and clownishly graphic’ (Chortle.co.uk). ‘Dynamic and charismatic’ (BroadwayWorld. com). ‘Delightful on stage . . . knows exactly how to land a line’ (One4Review.co.uk).
n Monkey Barrel Niddry Street, 3–30 August, 5pm.
KATIE-ROSE PETLEY: DIRTY BITCH
Canadian comedian Katie-Rose Petley makes her Edinburgh debut with a fearless dive into growing up in the church, progressive parenting and sex pre-9/11. Petley is known for her fresh, filthy and unfiltered storytelling, with material that’s dark, shameless, disturbingly
Josiah
relatable and delightfully vulgar. Whether she’s unpacking religion, motherhood or the ups and downs of dog ownership, she tells it like it is, with zero apologies (I know, how unCanadian!).
n Laughing Horse Raging Bull, 19–30 August, 10.15pm.
LATE NIGHT IN CANADA
The nation’s most popular (and only) late-night talk show. Host Gord pulls double duty as the band and interviewer, kicking things off with a monologue before welcoming a fresh lineup of nightly guests. Expect live music, unpredictable performances and interviews that get to the important questions: what to do with a baby beaver? Can you legally touch a Mountie’s hat? Part talk show, part variety chaos, think classic late night with a Canadian twist and a new show every day.
n Laughing Horse Counting House, 6–30 August, 10.15pm.
LE VENT DU NORD
The multi award-winning and highly acclaimed Le Vent du Nord is a leading force in Québec’s progressive francophone folk movement. The group’s vast repertoire draws from both traditional sources and original compositions, while enhancing its hard-driving soulful music with a broad range of global influences. The group exhibits great finesse and
flexibility, appearing regularly on Canadian, American, French and UK television and radio, participating in a wide variety of special musical projects.
n The Queen’s Hall, 16 August, 9pm.
LIVE AT THE MANOR: DIARY OF A 7FT CANADIAN MAN IN A DRESS
For this world premiere, drag entertainer, writer, comedian and singer Joan-E has written a brutally honest, candid and hilarious one-man show. It highlights the journey of a shy boy who became one of Canada’s most prolific drag
queens before packing up her frocks to move to Scotland. Join Joan-E to hear about her extraordinary, glitteringly fabulous journey filled with more than a few famous names and plenty of laughs.
n Edinburgh Thistle Hotel, 7 & 8, 10–15, 18–22, 25–29 August, times vary.
LIVE COMEDY FROM TORONTO
Get ready to laugh out loud with Live Comedy From Toronto well, kinda. Everyone in Toronto is from somewhere else so we brought the best and brightest from everywhere else: Michi (Chile), Clif Knight (Guyana), Dimi
Le Vent Du Nord
CANADA @ EDINBURGH 2026
Kolovopoulos (Greece), Arsy (Iran), Manny Mangat (India). It’s like the World Cup from The 6ix. A fast-paced showcase of sharp-witted jokers, you’re sure to be in stitches! Make it the place you cap off the night.
Space Surgeons’ Hall, 10–15 August, 11.40pm.
LOUISE:
THE LAST DANCE
Paris, 1928. A bent and squinting old woman in rags shuffles out of a caravan in a
slum market. This is Louise Weber: the woman who invented the can-can, seduced princes and made the Moulin Rouge famous. ToulouseLautrec painted her. Journalists destroyed her. Nobody let her speak. Until now. A solo multidisciplinary performance with live dance, projection and theatre, Louise: The Last Dance reclaims the story of the most famous woman you’ve never heard of.
Greenside George Street, 7–29 August, 4.20pm.
LUSCINIA
Bear your testimony and watch your tongue! Luscinia brings Ovid’s Philomela and Procne myth to the American South at the height of the Great Depression. An upbeat folk-musical with a tragic end, this Gothic adaptation combines comedy and tragedy as sisters attempt to escape their fundamentalist cult. Who will sing when you’ve lost your voice? And who will save you when the gods won’t? Can salvation and freedom be found in the same man?
When Madame Chandelier’s daughter gets sucked into her video game and is kidnapped by the evil Queen Of The Night, there’s only one thing to do: gather opera’s fiercest characters for an epic battle. Will Carmen, Tosca and Madame Butterfly help defeat the ultimate boss, or will all arias lead to death? Directed by P BurtonMorgan. ‘Expert timing’ **** (Observer). ‘Madame Chandelier could be the ticket that opens up opera to new audiences’ **** (Broadway Baby). ‘Infectiously bonkers’ **** (Scotsman).
Pleasance Courtyard, 5–16 August, 12.15pm.
MAGIC MAESTROS
Join the Canadian Watson
Men Love Horsies: The Musical
brothers in a world where melodies shimmer, rhythms cast spells and every note feels enchanted. This one-of-a-kind, magic-themed music show blurs the line between concert and illusion. It invites audiences into an immersive experience where sound and wonder collide, encouraging creativity long after the show ends. Become part of the performance: whether you’re a fan of live music, theatrical spectacle or sleight of hand, this is an experience not to miss.
n Laughing Horse Bar 50, 6–16 August, 22 & 23, 29 & 30 August, 12.30pm.
MARTIN LUTHER: NOT FOR SALE
After abandoning his promising career in law, Luther dedicated his life to answering one question: what can I do to be made right with a god who seems impossible to please? Luther became a monk but found no peace. He followed the church’s ordinances but felt no assurance. It was not until he began to read the bible that he realised the truth: salvation cannot be purchased. Under constant threat of arrest and death, Luther must decide: is this truth worth dying for?
n Duncan Street Baptist Church, 12–14 August, 7pm; 15 August, 2.30pm.
MARVELOUS WONDERETTES ’58
Travel back to the 1958 Springfield High School prom
and meet The Wonderettes: four girls with big dreams, bigger personalities and harmonies to match. As friendships shift and romances unfold, they perform beloved 50s hits like ‘Lollipop’ and ‘Stupid Cupid’. A high-energy musical capturing the joy, heartbreak and excitement of teenage life, all wrapped in timeless songs and vintage charm. Perfect for audiences of all ages, it’s a fun, fast-paced trip down memory lane.
n Space Venue 45, 8 August, 2pm; 9 August, 6.15pm; 10 August, 7pm; 11 August, 8.30pm.
MEN LOVE HORSIES: THE MUSICAL
Just a man singing songs about horses. Men Love Horsies: The Musical won Best In Fringe, Critic’s Pick and Best In Series at the Hamilton Fringe Festival. It was selected to showcase at San Francisco Sketchfest and Toronto Sketchfest. Which is surprising. Because again: it’s just a man singing songs about horses. n Greenside George Street, 17–29 August, 7.45pm.
MOMME DOMME
You’re invited to an exclusive preview of How To Be A Domme 101, hosted by performance artist and aspiring institutional darling Peggy Mitchell. Each night, four women arrive ready for a private mistress class. From TikTok tarot readings to strap-on sashaying, Momme Domme
weaves sonic intervention, ritual and voyeurism into an embodied surrender to the matriarchy. Part workshop, part intervention, this seductive and surreal performance interrogates complicity, artistic consumption and the commodification of the feminine body. Done asking if we’re dating the same guy? Ready to surrender to the matriarchy?
n Braw Venues Grand Lodge, 7–30 August, 10pm.
MONKS
Falala, brothers! Join two medieval monks (modest!) on the quest of a lifetime (brave!) in this sacredly stupid interactive clown epic. For the lentils are many, the donkey is happy and the abbot won’t be back for hours. When two medieval brothers are left home alone, they fling open the monastery doors and invite a wagonload of strangers to join them for a full day of doing nothing . . . what could go wrong? Ahhhhh! ‘Sublime’ ***** (NextMag.ca), ‘These clowns are gifts from god’ ***** (MyGayToronto.com), ‘Wickedly funny and surprisingly poignant’ (TheGlobeandMail. com), Canada’s Best New Work (Toronto Theatre Critic’s Awards).
n Greenside George Street, 7–29 August, 7.35pm.
MRS MACBETH
If you hear everything and say nothing, does that make you complicit? From multi awardwinning writer and performer
CANADA @ EDINBURGH 2026
Susanna Hamnett (Nearly Lear, Hotel Elsinore), this new solo show explores the complexities of integrity in dark times. Set in the aftermath of Macbeth’s fascist rule, explanations are being demanded from those closest to the murderous couple, including Margaret, Lady Macbeth’s gentlewoman, who happens to share her last name. Tragic, funny, and unsettling. ‘A virtuosic performer’ (New York Times)
Space On The Mile, 24–29 August, 12.05pm.
NUDE PARADE (WIP)
Roll up your sleeves and go under the knife as we enter into an anaesthetic world turned upside down. Like a live theatre version of the game of Operation, but make it trans. Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee SE Grummett combines live-feed video, interactive surgery and trash puppets. From the creators of Slugs ‘brilliantly smart and beautifully stupid’ **** (Guardian), Creepy Boys ***** (ToDoList.org.uk) and Something In The Water (Winner Best Theatre Award, Adelaide Fringe). A glittery and gory dissection of bodies, queerness and identity.
Summerhall, 19–24 August, 10.40pm.
OTUZ BIR
Deniz faces afflictions of sexual assault by her boyfriend Emir, coinciding with the withdrawal of the Istanbul Convention which is meant to protect women from sexual and domestic violence.
‘Otuz bir’ is a Turkish slang word
that means ‘to masturbate’. Turks see it as a joke, but like every joke, it carries a dark truth. Deniz’s journey explores masturbation as a means to heal sexual trauma by meeting her vagina (yes, literally!) and reconnecting with herself.
Lou Reed. The lottery. Ecstasy. Prince Andrew. Punk. Barenaked Ladies. Crisps. Terry Jones. Leukemia. Butterflies. Dizzy Gillespie’s cheeks. Chance. Scat. Sunshine On Leith. Boo-bee-deedo. Wasps. Double helix. Comedy. Dennis Hopper. Scrotums. Life. Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Phil Nichol is back with a brand-new show. An acclaimed actor, award-winning comedian, producer, presenter, writer and musician, there is no end to his talent. As seen on The Graham Norton Show and Never Mind The Buzzcocks. ***** (Scotsman). ***** (The List).
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 5–30 August, 5.20pm.
PHIL NICHOL: THE NAKED RACIST
Twentieth anniversary of the 2006 Edinburgh Comedy Awardwinning show. The unhinged retelling of an Amsterdam trip gone wrong ending with an epiphany of epic proportions. ‘You won’t see many comedy shows that actually exert g-force.
Exhilarating, incredibly funny and clever. This is a show that makes you laugh and think while you are watching and then wakes you up in the night to laugh and think again’ (Scotsman). ‘Mindblowing. Infectious joy’ ***** (Scotland On Sunday).
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 5–18 August, 9.45pm.
SHE/THEY
She/They is an award-winning Canadian sketch comedy duo. Chaotic, queer, chronically offline. Authentic, underground, need to tell your friends comedy. Bronwyn Farkas (she/her) and Sophie Jean (they/them) are experienced actors and improvisers and their dynamic will leave you wondering: will they? Won’t they? She/They have performed at Toronto Sketchfest 2026, Just For Laughs 2025 (two sold-out shows), Montreal Sketchfest (Best Of The Fest, Best New Troupe Award 2025), won Montreal Theatresports (2025) and been featured in countless other sketch, improv and stand-up shows.
SINNER: A MUSICAL TRAGICOMEDY ABOUT BREAKING UP WITH WHITE JESUS
If Fleabag went to bible college in the North American bible belt. An irreverent solo musical tragicomedy about faith, shame and being raised to shrink. Blending razor-sharp comedy, jaw-dropping vocal
virtuosity and original songs, the show interrogates belief, family systems and the cost of becoming ‘good’. Funny, tender and unapologetically honest, audiences have called Sinner ‘the soul healing I didn’t know I still needed.’ Come for the comedy. Stay for the catharsis.
Just The Tonic The Caves, 6–17 August, 9.05pm.
SISTER SOPHIA KICKS THE HABIT
The divine wisdom of the Holy She delves into the humorous and serious revelations of Sister Sophia, an ageing nun in crisis. As she grieves the loss of her friend, she grapples with her own restless night of the soul
through musings and songs, confronting god to discover a newfound outlook on life. ‘Witty, curious, and easy to root for . . . a stellar performance. The one-nun show is cheeky, introspective and thoughtful’ (Hamilton City Magazine). ‘ . . . a helluva voice’ (Hammer Monthly).
Venue 13, 7–21 August, 4.15pm.
SLEIGHT OF SOUND
Part concert, part magic show, part storytelling. A solo music-magic experience about wandering, wondering and finding connection in unexpected places. With a passion for closeup magic, the audience isn’t just watching: they’re listening,
responding, laughing and sometimes holding their breath together. Every performance is shaped by the room, the audience and the unpredictable beauty of live art. This is not a show about perfection, it’s about presence.
Laughing Horse Bar 50, 17–21, 24–28 August, 12.30pm.
SNEAKING INTO TAYLOR SWIFT COST ME $1989
I’ve been sneaking into the biggest stadiums across North America wearing a hidden camera, then redistributing the ticket value to people in each city that could really benefit. As I released these videos on my YouTube channel (Matt Watson Comedy), security
Nude Parade (WIP)
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started hunting me. But when I had a shot at Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, I was determined to pull off my biggest heist yet.
Laughing Horse Three Sisters, 6–30 August, 7.45pm.
STITCH IN TIME: A KNITTING CABARET
Excitement! Drama! Romance! And . . . knitting? An awardwinning hour of lost wartime knitting songs. Bring your knitting (or crochet) and stitch along to toe-tapping, needle-clicking tunes. Come out and have a ‘ball’! During the World Wars, millions of women knitted for the soldiers. Mere days after the first bullet was fired, dozens of knitting-themed songs began to appear which were lost after the conflict. This cabaret concert preserves a clever, sweet and entertaining footnote in history. ‘Amazing!’ (Guardian). ***** (GlamAdelaide.com.au).
Space Surgeons’ Hall, 7–29 August, 9.45am.
TENDERLY: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF NAT KING COLE
Award-winning artist Duane Forrest brings the timeless music of Nat King Cole to life through soulful performance and storytelling. Blending velvety renditions with personal reflection, he explores how a black artist in 1950s America became a cultural pioneer while navigating a world that celebrated him onstage but resisted him off it. Raised in Toronto, Forrest reflects on
his own journey with jazz and belonging, discovering how Cole’s presence opened doors. A moving exploration of legacy, dignity and the quiet power of simply showing up.
The Jazz Bar, 26–30 August, 2.30pm.
THIRD PARTY
After Brett crashes Julie’s car in downtown Winnipeg, they find themselves caught in the web of a detective turned insurance adjustor, who will do anything to uncover the secrets they’ve been keeping from Manitoba Public Insurance and from each other. ***** (EdmontonJournal. com, 2025).
Just The Tonic The Caves, 6–17 August, 2.10pm.
TOMATOES TRIED TO KILL ME BUT BANJOS SAVED MY LIFE
‘Storytelling at its best!’ (Playbill. com). Sold-out runs in 2023, 2024 and 2025. This highly awarded, internationally touring, inspirational true story is about overcoming obstacles, pursuing passions and the healing power of the arts, and is told with warmth, humour and banjo music. The show has raised over $1.2m for various charities, including cancer organisations, music programmes, community groups, artist funding and development. All proceeds from this Edinburgh Fringe run will benefit Summerhall Arts.
Summerhall, 6–31 August, 11.40am.
WIENER BEACON
Along Highway 401, approaching Kitchener from Toronto, you’ll see two billboards. One, an icon, an idol and a symbol of home. The other, a distant figure, often passed without a second thought. When Catherine’s car spins out in a snowstorm, she is launched into the world of Schneider and Jesus Saves. She stays with them, eats wieners with them and listens to their marital problems. Exploring themes of selfishness, greed, love and power, it begs the question: what does it take for a giver to start taking?
A deeply unserious investigation into hard choices, accidental adulthood and all the beautiful mistakes we keep making. It’s about my mom obviously. It’s about hovering on the edge of parenthood like it’s an ice-cold swimming pool, wondering if I should jump in or just applaud from a distance. It’s about becoming a ‘grownup’ and realising that involves decisions you can’t undo. This second hour from Canada’s greatest export since Celine Dion includes overthinking, undermining and several elegant spirals disguised as life plans.
Banshee Labyrinth, 8–30 August, 3.55pm.
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL
Saturday 15–Sunday 30 August
edbookfest.co.uk
The Book Festival brings around 600 events to Edinburgh, all celebrating the power of the written word. Programme strands include fiction and nonfiction, with panel events dedicated to the hottest topics and freshest journalistic thinking of the day. There’s also a lively and exciting children’s programme which aims to introduce younger readers to their new favourite character or author.
All Canadian Book Festival presentations are proudly supported by Spotlight Canada
ALYCIA PIRMOHAMED & ECE TEMELKURAN: HOPE WHEN HOME IS LOST
How does our understanding of the ideas of ‘home’ and ‘belonging’ shift in a war-torn and warming world? This event features a powerful conversation with two authors writing urgently about displacement and connection: Alycia Pirmohamed (poet and winner of the Nan Shepherd Prize with non-fiction debut, Shorelines), and Ece Temelkuran (essayist and Women’s Prize For Nonfiction-shortlisted author of Nation Of Strangers).
Edinburgh Futures Institute, 27 August, 5.30pm.
CORY DOCTOROW: ENSHITTIFICATION
Tech critic, sci-fi author and seer of digital dystopia, Cory Doctorow’s Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse And What to Do About It is a blistering take-down of formerly utopian tech companies’ constant chase for bigger profits. In this urgent discussion
CANADA @ EDINBURGH 2026
with Heather Parry, Doctorow sets out the case for how to cure ourselves from the lure of big tech, resist the monetisation of every aspect of our lives, demand regulation and reclaim our privacy online.
Edinburgh Futures Institute, 16 August, 3.15pm.
FIRST EDITIONS: INTERNATIONAL REPORTING
Start your day with the facts. High-quality, thorough, trustworthy journalism has never been more important in helping us understand the world as it really is, but it can be hard to keep up. First Edition events offer the chance to join leading journalists from across the media (and the world) to discuss the day’s breaking news over a cup of coffee. BBC chief international correspondent Lyse Doucet joins journalist Sally Hayden to chew over events.
Edinburgh Futures Institute, 27 August, 10am.
THE FRONT LIST: CORY DOCTOROW AND JIMMY WALES
Remember when the internet was exciting and full of possibilities? As online content becomes darker, more divisive and sensationalist, join Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia and author of The Seven Rules Of Trust, and journalist and sci-fi author Cory Doctorow, writer of Enshittification: Why
Alycia Pirmohamed
Everything Suddenly Got Worse And What To Do About It, for a frank, fascinating discussion chaired by Gabriel Gatehouse on the current state of our online lives. Can the internet ever be good again?
McEwan Hall, 17 August, 1pm.
THE FRONT LIST: LYSE DOUCET
As the BBC’s chief international correspondent, Lyse Doucet has witnessed 30 years of seismic events at dangerously close quarters. With The Finest Hotel In Kabul: A People’s History Of Afghanistan, she’s also been shortlisted for 2026’s Women’s Prize For Nonfiction. Examining decades of deadly political tumult in Afghanistan through the story of the Hotel Intercontinental and its extraordinary staff, join
journalist Sally Hayden for a critical conversation with Doucet about current global events, drawing on her experience in global postings from Tehran to Abidjan, and their potential future outcomes.
McEwan Hall, 27 August, 1pm.
OUR MANY-VOICED COUNTRY
Now in his second year as Scotland’s Makar, Peter Mackay brings together contemporary poets working in Scotland who showcase the range of languages being spoken and written across the country. From English, Catalan, Orcadian, Scots and Gaelic, to Tamil, Arabic, Persian, Kutchi (and beyond), this special event will weave together a tapestry of multi-language poetry, featuring performances from Helena
Fornells Nadal, Harry Josephine Giles, Marjorie Lotfi, Robbie Macleòid, Q Mannivanan and Alycia Pirmohamed
Edinburgh Futures Institute, 16 August, 6pm.
ZOULFA KATOUH: THE OCEAN WOULD PAINT ME BLUE
How do you start from scratch when grief looms large? In The Ocean Would Paint Me Blue, Zoulfa Katouh tells the story of Jihad, a young woman navigating a prestigious new school as the only Muslim student. The internationally bestselling author of As Long As The Lemon Trees Grow joins the Book Festival line-up for a chat about friendship, resilience and identity.
Edinburgh Futures Institute, 16 August, 4.30pm.
Lyse Doucet
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EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
Friday 7–Sunday 30 August
eif.co.uk
The International Festival’s programme of worldleading dance, opera, music and theatre has been bringing the world to Edinburgh for almost 80 years. All Rise is this year’s theme, a rallying cry and invitation that Festival director Nicola Benedetti hopes will ‘inspire artists and audiences to stand with us, in our belief that through artistic endeavour we will see each other more truthfully and more tolerantly’.
All Canadian International Festival presentations are proudly supported by Spotlight Canada
THE GALLOPING CURE
This bold new opera for the opioid age is a haunting allegory for a crisis that has become a worldwide epidemic. Visually stunning and emotionally gripping, this contemporary fable evokes a darkly funny and devastating vision of a crumbling society. The world premiere reunites Scottish Opera with the creative forces of Missy Mazzoli, librettist Royce Vavrek and Tom Morris, following their International Festival hit Breaking The Waves (2019). Royce Vavrek is a Canadian librettist and lyricist celebrated as ‘an exemplary creator of operatic prose’ by The New York Times and ‘the indie Hofmannsthal’ by The New Yorker. His opera Angel’s Bone was awarded the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Music. Festival Theatre, 9, 11 & 12 August, 7pm.
MERE MORTALS
Open Pandora’s Box and come face-to-face with the perils of our tech-obsessed age. San Francisco Ballet takes on eternal questions about the
Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal
PHOTO:
quest for knowledge through the contemporary lens of artificial intelligence. Returning to the International Festival for the first time in over 20 years, this forward-looking company brings its ‘unmatched creative ambition’ (The Washington Post) to the Edinburgh Playhouse stage. Their bold approach is a perfect fit for visionary Canadian choreographer Aszure Barton, whose works ‘offer an entire world’ (The New York Times). Composer and electronic musician Floating Points (Sam Shepherd) performs his original score live with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. With cutting-edge visuals, the full power of the orchestra in the pit and 40 of the world’s best dancers commanding the stage, this European premiere is a breathtaking spectacle.
n Edinburgh Playhouse, 28–30 August, 8pm (also 29 August, 3pm).
ORCHESTRE SYMPHONIQUE DE MONTRÉAL
Founded in 1934, the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal (OSM) is a distinguished leader in the musical life of Canada. Internationally recognised as one of the finest orchestras in the world, they’re bringing two major performances to Edinburgh. First, there’s a chance to see Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s monumental 1899 cantata trilogy The Song Of Hiawatha performed in full for the first time at the Festival. Uchenna Ngwe, a specialist in black British classical music, introduces its fascinating history. Three superb soloists perform with the OSM,
conductor Rafael Payare and the Edinburgh Festival Chorus for this masterpiece. The following evening, Voices Of Canada opens with two brand-new vocal works paying tribute to Canada’s Indigenous peoples. With input from Innu artists Michelle Sylliboy (librettist) and Élisabeth St-Gelais (soloist), and Mi’kmaw artists Emma Pennell (soloist) and Natasha Kanapé Fontaine (librettist), these distinguished artists and performers proudly demonstrate Canadian excellence. Alongside, Gabriela Ortiz’s cello concerto Dzonot summons an evocation of the subterranean rivers, caves and wildlife of Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula.
n The Song Of Hiawatha, 19 August, 7pm; Voices Of Canada, 20 August, 7.30pm; both at Usher Hall.
The Galloping Cure
PHOTO: MIKEY LLAND
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EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Thursday 13–Wednesday 19 August
edfilmfest.org
The 79th Film Festival opens with the international premiere of Edinburgh-born Louis Paxton’s The Incomer and closes with Bel, Louise Lockwood’s raw tribute celebrating the late Scottish-Kenyan singer and songwriter Beldina Odenyo. In between, expect animation, shorts, action, drama, competition and conversations with some of the best-known names in filmmaking, while The Retrospectives strand throws it back to some of the biggest movies ever made, including a special tribute to Trainspotting on its 30th birthday.
All Canadian Film Festival presentations are proudly supported by Spotlight Canada
EMPTY HEAVEN
Director Abdolreza Kahani (A Shrine, Mortician and winner of The Sean Connery Prize For Feature Filmmaking Excellence) returns to EIFF with a confident and cleverly crafted character study. When a lonely Iranian dissident becomes embroiled with a local criminal mob in Canada, their bullish bidding leads to a complex turn of events. With clean, inventive cinematography and beautifully calibrated performances set against frosty Canadian snowscapes, this is a crisp, lean and dry-humoured thriller rich in thematic depth that once again demonstrates Kahani’s mastery of cinema.
A vivid, immersive and visually striking portrait of the founder of the satirical Mad magazine and its influence on some of our most prominent artists. Kurtzman’s commitment to integrity and challenging the status quo with humour, edge
Mortician and resilience is a hymn for our times. It’s rich in historical context, artistic expression and contemporary politics, with thoughtful reflections from contributors including Terry Gilliam, the late Stan Lee and Robert Crumb. This is an insightful exploration of counterculture, commerce, creative compromise and the power of conviction in raw truth and honesty.
Frustrated with living out his final days in a nursing home, elderly rogue Arthur (Bruce Dern) recruits his uptight grandson Kevin (Hunter Parrish) to break him out. Together the pair head north to Canada, picking up an
enigmatic stranger (Julia Fox) along the way. Acidly funny, unpredictable and ultimately very moving, this sharply directed and superbly acted film from director William Scoular is a showcase for Dern’s magnetic screen presence and a character who bursts off the screen. Features a final performance from legendary actor Graham Greene as well as superb supporting turns from Joanna Cassidy and Dylan Baker.
n Cineworld, 17 August, 9pm; Filmhouse, 18 August, 3.15pm.
PARADAÏZ
Part of the Animation Shorts strand. This subversive, funny and poignant short is a visually striking absurdist homecoming exploring the slippery nature of memory and the destructive power of war.
n Cineworld, 15 August, 7.15pm; Cameo, 16 August, 12.45pm.
SACRED CREATURES
Three estranged siblings reunite at a rural retreat in Italy after the middle sister has been released from psychiatric treatment following a breakdown she experienced as a deep spiritual awakening. As this troubled young woman behaves more erratically and relationships fracture, the local community takes on an unexpected significance as power dynamics shift and change. Frieda Luk’s artfully composed and highly compelling debut feature is a deftly woven, unpredictable and black-humoured thriller of superstition, idolatry and communal faith, with a distinctive magical realist edge.
If you want spectacle, Edinburgh Castle is the place to be. The Tattoo brings together over 800 performers, massed pipes and drums, musicians, dancers and singers from the UK and globally to celebrate our fragile peace. A Call To Gather is this year’s theme, which creative director Alan Lane promises will push the boundaries of what the Tattoo can be. Whatever that looks like, you’re going to be on the edge of your seat. Representing Canada will be Vancouver Police Pipe Band, the world’s oldest continuous serving police pipe band. Established in 1914, the official band of the City Of Vancouver have performed everywhere from local celebrations to The Changing Of The Guard at Buckingham Palace. What began with a handful of pipers at the opening of a new police station in 1914 has grown into a legendary institution carrying forward a tradition of musical excellence and public service.
DAY PLANNER
9AM
FRINGE STITCH IN TIME: A KNITTING CABARET
Space Surgeons’ Hall, 7–29 August, 9.45am. Page 18.
FRINGE A LITTLE GREEN LEAF
Space Surgeons’ Hall, 7–15 August, 9.50am; Space Symposium Hall, 17–22 August, 11am. Page 5.
Summerhall, 6–31 August, 11.40am. Page 18.
NOON
Madame Chandelier’s Grand Theft Opera
10AM
BOOK FIRST EDITIONS: INTERNATIONAL REPORTING
Edinburgh Futures Institute, 27 August, 10am. Page 20.
11AM
FRINGE TOMATOES TRIED TO KILL ME BUT BANJOS SAVED MY LIFE
FRINGE MRS MACBETH
Space On The Mile, 24–29 August, 12.05pm. Page 15.
