the latest reviews on uk shows and experiences
Music & Murder By... is a new musical to die for! A last-ditch writer's retreat to finish writing a new musical turns deadly when two of the writers decide the only way to save their show is to rid themselves (permanently) of their insufferable collaborator – only to find the plot spiral out of control when his faded Broadway diva mother crashes the retreat with a sinister scheme of her own.
After becoming a viral sensation, identical twins Carine and Frances land in couples therapy as the world’s most co-dependent non-couple. The session erupts into a hilarious musical intervention and a reckoning that threatens to collapse their lifelong duet. Best known as @thegilberttwins to their 3M+ followers online, Carine and Frances return to their musical theatre roots with their original score co-written by Shona Maule. Loud, ridiculous, and unexpectedly heartfelt, this new musical comedy explores the chaos of sisterhood, online pressure, and the search for your own voice.
Perfect for fans of The Play That Goes Wrong and Noises Off. ***** (Skinny). Returning to the Fringe for the sixth time due to phenomenal demand, this Oscar Wilde twist is guaranteed to have you in stitches. When a traditional production of Oscar Wilde’s classic play gets underway, everything seems to be going perfectly to plan... until the lead actor fails to arrive on cue. 'Guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of even the greatest of improv-phobic curmudgeons' **** (Scotsman).
She's not crazy – she's just done her research. On Facebook. At 3am. With a glass of pinot. Meet Sharon Hargreaves: part-time keyboard warrior, full-time flat-Earth believer, forever tumbling down online rabbit holes. When she heads to a flat Earth convention in Vegas, a Shakespearean mix-up sends her spiralling into chaos, conspiracies and unexpected self-discovery. With best mate Debs and a crew of lovable oddballs, Sharon sets out to expose "the truth". What she finds? Big laughs, bigger tunes and absolutely zero scientific credibility. This is a gloriously unhinged, surprisingly heartfelt musical comedy.
Cinderella's gone – the lucky brat's living it up while her stunning stepsisters are left wondering why they don't get their happily ever after. Witness their magical, musical misadventure as they discover what it truly means to be "ugly". Packed with lush, original music, dazzling costumes, outlandish characters and comedic madness, Apparently Ugly is a gleefully deranged fairy tale for kids, adults and anyone who's ever felt not-quite-perfect. Written by Nicky Douglas. Produced by ERA Theatrical Productions.
A hilarious one-woman musical based on an unapologetic dating advice book that writer-performer Grace O'Keefe's own mother wrote. Publishers said it would set feminism back 20 years. 40 years later, let's find out! The theatrical equivalent of a little girl struggling in her mother's heels, this musical explores relationships, romance and the performance of womanhood. Featuring original music by Grace O'Keefe, the show will leave audiences with a deeper appreciation of their mothers and a chaotic new approach to dating and life.
Joe experiences music viscerally and physically, feeling rhythm through his body and crafting lyrics that pulse with life and exhilarating originality. When their unlikely creative partnership sparks something extraordinary, ambition and belonging collide. But as prejudice and the music industry’s ableist blind spots close in, their bond is pushed to breaking point.
The hilarious hit musical with more bite, more sass and zero damsels in distress. Forget happily ever after! Cinderella's done cleaning, Sleeping Beauty's wide awake and Snow White's calling the shots now. These princesses don't want to play nice; they want to storm the castle! One showstopping number at a time. Disenchanted! is the side-splitting, cheeky, musical mash-up of all your favourite fairy tales. If you're looking to let your hair down, take a magic carpet ride or maybe kiss a frog or two, Disenchanted! is the night out you didn't know you desperately needed.
Arthur Hull returns with an updated version of his blockbusting musical cabaret celebrating Theatreland's casualties. This love letter to Broadway and the West End features a motley assortment of the misunderstood, critically panned and financially catastrophic musical misfires, including forgotten gems and pleas for redemption! Best Entertainment Award (DarkChat, Edinburgh Fringe 2025). Best Emerging Artist Award (Adelaide Fringe 2025).
Recipient of the 2026 Mary Dick Award. Keron Day is disabled. Dani is his Personal Assistant (not as fancy as it sounds). A touching and funny exploration of how care goes both ways, inspired by a true story, with a live folk-infused score. From the multi award-winning Patch of Blue (Cassie and the Lights – Lyn Gardner's Best Theatre of Edinburgh Fringe (Stage), **** (Guardian), **** (New York Stage Review)) and 3 hearts canvas (SPIN – Best Solo Show of The Fringe (Theatre Weekly)).
From the Olivier Award-winning producers of Cabaret and Benjamin Button, this 'dazzling, genuine musical treat' ***** (Stage) – one of The New York Times' picks of the Fringe – is the biggest new musical of the Edinburgh Fringe, turning the classic fairytale inside out. Four sisters escape their tower and collide with the outside world. Where fairy godfathers rule and happy endings come at a cost, this 'hilarious, 80 minutes of tremendous fun' ***** (BroadwayBaby.com) rewrites the concept of happily ever after.
