My 2026 whirlwind trip to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival was full of surprises. From fire alarm evacuations to flash floods, I managed to see ten shows and here they are in order of my personal favourites.
1. The Big Bad Wolf ★★★★★
We all know the story of The Big Bad Wolf who ate Little Red Riding Hood’s grandmother in the middle of the woods. And the three little pigs, whose houses he tried to blow down. But have you ever given much thought to where these characters may be today?
The Big Bad Wolf is the most fun I had at the 2026 fringe and I would watch it again in a heartbeat.
2. Woody Sez
Woody Sez: The Life & Music of Woody Guthrie, is an internationally celebrated musical built around the songs and writings of American folk icon Woody Guthrie.
If you’re a fan of Bob Dylan or Johnny Cash, then this is the show for you – a portrait of one of America’s defining folk voices.
One of the best shows I saw at this year’s fringe and the good news for Londoners is that it is coming to Underbelly Boulevard Soho 8th–19th September 2026.
3. Muse! The Shakespeare Mayhem Musical ★★★★★
William Shakespeare, pre-fame, is struggling to get any of his plays published. But when a letter comes from a publisher saying they will publish – but only one of them- this launches Shakespeare into a frenzy of deciding which to choose.
Suddenly we see a group of familiar characters from history who are all the subject of Shakespeare’s work. The extremely annoying Puck from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, King Lear, Cleopatra, the Macbeths and Juliet, who is waiting for her Romeo (is no one going to tell her that he’s dead?)
It’s brilliant. Within the first two minutes, I could see this has London Transfer written all over it. It is polished and perfect with some incredible voices among the cast and if we don’t see it at somewhere like Southwark Playhouse soon, I will be very surprised.
4. Charming! ★★★★
Charming! is a Disney Parody Musical about a Prince who thinks it’s about time he got some recognition for his role in some of the stories.
This is a brilliantly funny hour of family comedy, well written (by its stars) and even featuring a few of your favourite princesses. If you love Disney, this is a must-see show. And even if you don’t, it is utterly charming and delightful to watch.
5. The Detective’s Demise ★★★★
The Detective’s Demise is brilliant fun. With some tightening up, this could be the love child of The Play That Goes Wrong and The Mousetrap. Thoroughly enjoyable! Check it out.
6. Trans People Are Awful ★★★★
Trans People Are Awful – what a brilliantly uncomfortable and intriguing title that should surely never be said aloud? But why not? Aren’t trans people just like everyone else? Well, that’s the whole point.
It is horror, psychological drama and grotesque comedy at once. It isn’t for the weak of stomach, with blood and guts and jars of potential penises, waiting to be sewn on. It’s a difficult watch but an important message of how trans people are just like everyone else.
7. Girlz ★★
GIRLZ returns to the Edinburgh Fringe for 2026 but despite aspirations, the next SIX it is not.
In a world where everyone is striving to create the next big musical, it is a saturated market, with new musicals every few steps at the fringe. GIRLZ has potential but it needs stronger songs, more time with its characters and choreography that matches its modern ambitions.
8. Spin Cycle ★★★
Spin Cycle: The Lesbian Laundrette Play brings a queer absurdist story to the stage.
Spin Cycle needs to be put back on one final wash and iron out the creases but could be something very lovely.
9. Escape Room ★★
Escape Room The Musical at Edinburgh Fringe – an anxiety-inducing hour where no one seems to care about the ticking clock.
Original songs, crazy characters and puzzling puzzles aplenty. But I felt like the focus was not on the Escape Room – which, being in the title of the show, is what people come to see.
10. Bliss ★★
Advertised as ‘the biggest new musical of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026’, Bliss sees a seventeen-strong cast take to the stage at Pleasance Grand, one of the largest venues at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
It may be one of the biggest new musicals at this year’s Fringe in terms of venue size but it is also the biggest disappointment of the summer, for me.
