Leo Hincks: Emotional Cowboy
With the Edinburgh Festival now getting going for 2026, it's time for more edfringe Q&As, starting with Leo Hincks.

I always like to hear about new acts making their way to the Edinburgh Fringe and, while this isn't Hincks' first time performing at the Festival, 'Emotional Cowboy' is his debut hour and it sounds fab.

It's listed in comedy, but the show is a stand-up/theatre mash-up, a bit meta – is that the right word? – in that it depicts Hincks' attempts to perform his first comedy show.

We already know that he's a talent, because he's a Chortle Student Comedy Awards 2024 finalist, so we are expecting good things.

I spoke to him, ahead of his edfringe run.

THREEWEEKS AT EDINBURGH FESTIVAL 2026
Follow all our coverage of this year's Festival here
Tell us about your edfringe 2026 shows here
Apply to join the ThreeWeeks review team here

Andrew Pearson-Wright: I Dreamt You Differently
I was immediately interested when I heard about 'I Dreamt You Differently', because it explores a father-daughter dynamic. Written by Abbey Gillett, and produced by debuting company Milk + Mallet, it's a two hander that stars Gillett herself, and Andrew Pearson-Wright.

Pearson-Wright, a familiar face from both stage and screen, who also co-runs his own concern, The Long Lane Theatre Company, is no stranger to Edinburgh.

I spoke to him to find out more about the play, what he loves about the Festival, and what to expect from him in the future.

Josh Pickar: Getting Off
Many comedians take a conventional performer route into their comedy career, but many also have a whole different career behind them before they embark on the comedy stuff. And, from my own obviously unscientific observations, that initial career nearly always involves medicine or the law.

Anyway, Josh Pickar falls into the lawyer camp, having spent time in the US as a defence attorney before taking to the stage and doing things like attending the Gaulier school.

In his Edinburgh debut, he performs a show based on his own experiences that looks at the system of capital punishment in the US.

It's a topic that I have pretty strong feelings about, so I am really interested to hear what he has to say. I spoke to him about the show, his expectations of Edinburgh, and his plans for the future.

Caro Moses from ThreeWeeks recommends shows to see at this year's Edinburgh Festival in handy sets of three...

THREE SHAKESPEARE TWISTS

Shakespeare Dice: As You Like It | Venue 13 | 7-23 Aug
There's always a fair amount of Shakespeare to take in at the Fringe and, although more traditional stagings do happen, lots of them really shake up the text, or are merely somewhat inspired by the original plays. These three are like that, this first one being an immersive adaptation involving karaoke and cowboys, with the cast chosen on the roll of a die. Different show every time, obv. Find the edfringe listing here.

Dogberry And Verges Are Scared | C aurora | 5-30 Aug
It's probably a bit cliched, or something, for me to love 'Much Ado About Nothing' as much as I do (I do also love other Shakespeare plays, honest), but it makes me prick up my ears whenever there's a staging of it or a show that's riffing on it. Or, as is the case here, plucking out two minor (though significant) characters to "bumble their way through the plot". Expect something clever and funny. Find the edfringe listing here.

The Last Audition | theSpace On The Mile | 7-29 Aug (pictured)
"A once-celebrated Shakespearean actor returns to an empty stage to rehearse 'King Lear' and prove he can still live independently. As memory falters, voices from his past intrude, turning rehearsal into reckoning". A solo show written and performed by Paul Shearman that promises to be darkly humorous but also moving, as it explores themes like ageing and caregiving. Find the edfringe listing here.

THREE SPORTY SHOWS

The Distance | Summerhall | 6-31 Aug (pictured)
How about some sporty shows for all you people who love sport? Or even the ones that don't, to be frank, because obviously these are all really just human stories with a backdrop of sport. This first one, based on Ben Norris's real life experiences, is a coming of age story about Chris, who is forced into cross country when the football field is frozen and finds his niche. "Part play, part extreme workout", because a whole lot of real running goes on. Find the edfringe listing here.

Cadel: Lungs On Legs | Gilded Balloon At The Museum | 6-30 Aug
And from long distance running to long distance cycling, and another physically effortful performance, which returns to Edinburgh after a successful run in 2025. It tells the true story of Cadel Evans, the only Australian to have won the Tour De France, and is performed by Connor Delves while pedalling live on the very bike that Cadel rode when he competed in the famous race, which sounds exhausting, glad to just watch. Find the edfringe listing here.

Olympic Hopefuls | The Royal Scots Club | 10-15 Aug
This one's only on for a short time, so be careful you don't miss it because it sounds completely charming. It's a funny and moving play about "four Filipina women of a certain age who decide, against all logic and gravity, to qualify for the Winter Olympics in curling". The quartet wrestle with identity, ambition and possibly their own delusion, while chasing the impossible dream. Find the edfringe listing here.

THREE SCARY SHOWS

Forget About Me | Pleasance Courtyard | 5-31 Aug
There were actually quite a few scary shows that I wanted to talk about this year, but you know, I had to narrow it down to three… with difficulty, so here they are. Firstly, you won't forget about 'Forget About Me', a part magic show, part ghost story, in which designer-performer Dylan Howells uses psychological illusions and spine tingling effects to tell a magical and chilling tale. Find the edfringe listing here.

A Ghost Among The Living | Pleasance Dome | 5-31 Aug (pictured)
We are always happy to see Box Tale Soup back at the old edfringe, as we've very much enjoyed their offerings here before. This new adaptation of classic works by Edgar Allen Poe combines supernatural storytelling with puppetry, original music and a shape-shifting set. So, great source material in very capable hands, make sure you do not miss it. Find the edfringe listing here.

Kirsty Mann: Corpse | Summerhall | 6-30 Aug
"Kirsty bought a house. Sure, it was derelict. And in a dodgy area. And OK someone just died in it. But she didn't mind because she didn't believe in ghosts. She does now". Yikes, a real life ghost story from acclaimed writer, comedian and doctor Kirsty Mann, told via a show that blends comedy, storytelling and horror. Though I'm sure that won't bother nonchalant sceptics like me. Eek. Find the edfringe listing here.

Edinburgh Festival People: Hamish Ellis
We are busy interviewing people working behind the scenes at the Edinburgh Festival. Today production manager Hamish Ellis, who last year co-founded the company CNC Live with PR expert Chloé Nelkin to provide production management support to Fringe shows.

We spoke to Hamish about what being a production manager at the Fringe involves, what goes into making a successful show, and what one thing he'd change about the Edinburgh Festival if we were able to make that happen.

Edinburgh Festival People: Ines Worth
Let's talk to another person working behind the scenes at the Edinburgh Festival - this time producer Ines Worth, who has been producing shows at the Edinburgh Fringe for more than 20 years.

We spoke to Ines about what being a producer at the Fringe involves, what advice she has for aspiring producers, and what one thing she'd change about the Edinburgh Festival if we were able to make that happen.

Equity members back new agreement with West End producers
Members of performer union Equity last week voted in favour of a new three year agreement with West End theatre producers covering pay and conditions for actors and stage managers.

Underbelly's London venue to close
As the Underbelly group opens up its Edinburgh Fringe operations for another festival, it has also announced that its year-round home in central London will close at the start of next year. The 192 seat Underbelly Boulevard Soho opened in October 2023 and since then has hosted over 1700 performances.

Shows to see in London this week - including performances from people we first discovered at the Edinburgh Festival.

CAMDEN FRINGE

Antigone | Barons Court Theatre | 8-9 Aug
Oh, there is so much good stuff on at the good old Camden Fringe that it was a big struggle for me to narrow it down to just three shows. But I tried and here are the results of that endeavour. First pick is a reimagining of a classic, 'Antigone', which is set at a royal wedding in contemporary times and focuses on the themes of power, leadership and moral courage. Find out more about it here.

Schrödinger's Lesbians | The Cockpit | 8-9 Aug (pictured)
"If a tree falls in a forest and no one hears it, does it make a sound? If two lesbians f*ck and no one records it, did it happen? Sorry let me rephrase that: if two women fall in love but none of the men write about it, did it happen?" A return to Camden Fringe for Themis Theatre's joyful and irreverent play built around Sappho's fragments, about love, lesbians and being written out of history. Click here.

Greyjoy | The Libra Theatre Cafe | 10-14 Aug
Final pick for this section is an intriguing one, not least because it's about two people – an out of work actor and a trainee doctor – who "make a discovery that changes the course of their lives". I want to know what the discovery is. But also: this show guest stars different unprepared actors every night, so no two shows will be the same. Head to the Camden Fringe website here for all the details.

MORE CAMDEN FRINGE

The Silliad: Improvised Myths And Legends | Museum Of Comedy | 7-8 + 29-30 Aug
So, well, it was so hard for me to narrow it down to just three picks from Camden Fringe, I just went ahead and picked another three. It's still not enough, to be honest, so please do check all the listings here as well as taking my advice. This show made it because I love improv and I love myth and legend, and also, these guys have had very good reviews. So head to this page here to book tickets.

Fathering In The Age Of The Apocalypse | The Libra Theatre Cafe | 7-9 Aug
They had me at… "in 2013, Tom and Haydn made a pact: they would have children as long-form character research for a 60-minute comedy show about the collapse of civilisation. Now, thirteen years of sleep deprivation and school runs later, they've arrived at the Camden Fringe to collect their 10% box office split". A comedy show for anyone who fears for their children's future, apparently, so, any parent, book here.

Lighthouse | Etcetera Theatre | 6-9 Aug (pictured)
This is a show that won much critical acclaim when it was staged at edfringe a few years ago, so it's good to see it back again, and good to see it's also going back up to Edinburgh this month too. It's a compelling play about lighthouse keepers, two experienced hands training a newer recruit, who find themselves in situations that make them question their loyalty and their sanity, looking at the human psyche, paranoia and greed in a suspenseful and humorous way. More here.

FESTIVAL STUFF

Erwartung / The Murderous Delusions of Gavrilo K: A Double Bill | Arcola Theatre | 5-8 Aug
Right, Camden Fringe isn't the only festival going on in ye olde London Towne right now, so let's put the focus somewhere else for a moment. Yes, we're heading back to Arcola's Grimeborn opera festival for another high quality double bill: Arnold Schoenberg's 1909 work featuring electronic re-orchestration by Kevin Rodgers, and Rodgers' own two-act electroacoustic 'neo-verismo' chamber work for four singers. Click here.

Puffling Percy | Little Angel Theatre | 11-12 Aug (pictured)
And now another return visit, to Little Angel Theatre's puppet festival, which finishes soon, so don't miss your chance to see this or a different show. This one's a lovely one for ages three to eight about a baby puffin who is a bit scared to leave home and learn to fly – but he has to, if he wants to survive. Expect a message about overcoming self doubt and trusting your own instincts. Find out more on the venue website here.

Mr Boy: The Beauty Contest For Boys | Bread & Roses Theatre | 9 Aug
"What is a boy meant to be? It's a question on everyone's lips, and one I intend to answer once and for all in the fairest way I can think of: a beauty pageant!" This one's not part of a festival, but it's going to be part of a big festival shortly, when it heads to Edinburgh mid-August. A high energy comedy show by Max Prentice that won acclaim at the Brighton Fringe. Find the listing for the show right about here.

MORE GREAT STUFF

Winston And David | Tabard Theatre | 6-29 Aug
And now for some very good un-festival stuff, which is no worse, I assure you, for not being part of a festival. And, obviously, because I'm struggling to escape it this week to be honest, this one is a past edfringe sell out success. As you'll maybe have gathered from the title, this play is about the friendship between Twentieth Century political giants Winston Churchill and David Lloyd George, and is both witty and moving. Book tickets here.

The Fake Man Institute | Golden Goose Theatre | 11-22 Aug
Another edfringe-tested comedy from the award nominated Unseen Theatre about an alternative therapy clinic with an interesting approach: three friends set up the operation, where they roleplay as the absent men in their clients' lives, but then things get a bit too personal, and the future of the business is jeopardised. How will it all turn out? Find out more about it, and sort your tickets, on this page here.

Sh!t-Faced Shakespeare: Romeo And Juliet | Leicester Square Theatre | 11 Aug-19 Sep (pictured)
This is a company we first discovered at edfringe and, indeed, they are staging a show at the Edinburgh Festival this year. But it's Hamlet who gets to head north for August, while Romeo, Juliet et al stay in London for a longer run at Leicester Square Theatre. Pretty sure you will all be aware but just in case: they get one cast member drunk and the chaos continues from there. Head this way for all the info.

Published by and © UnLimited Media | [email protected]

Send London press releases to [email protected]

Send Edinburgh press releases to [email protected]

You can read our Privacy & Data Policy here