A shadow puppetry scene where a hippo walks through a mysterious crystal cave.

Theatre

Space Hippo

Earth is dying. Nothing can be done. Our only hope is to launch a hippo into space. Along the way she will encounter new worlds, strange alien creatures and end up at the centre of an intergalactic war. Hilarious, weird and epic science fiction from Japan, experienced through award-winning cinematic shadow puppetry. The performers project over two hundred handmade puppets onto a large screen to create a live analogue motion picture before your very eyes.  

31 July - 24 August 2025, 12:30 pm

Underbelly Cowgate

A close up of a woman. She is wearing orange and is staring right into the camera.

Theatre

WANTED

Two girls from opposite worlds are fated to meet on the late 00’s queer scene. After quickly forming an inseparable bond over their mutual idols, Tony Soprano and Lindsay Lohan, Erica and Jessie are on a mission to avenge a world that's only ever left them wanting. And why the hell shouldn’t they? Life’s screwed them, it’s time to screw life right back. Their code? Steal from the rich and give to the poor (that’s them by the way).  But just because Tony Soprano gets to do what he likes... can Erica and Jessie really rationalise their actions? From the creator behind the Fringe sensation, In PurSUEt, comes the hotly anticipated second show.... WANTED.

31 July - 24 August 2025, 12:40 pm

Underbelly Cowgate

Two friends lie on a green carpet surrounded by cut-outs of Princess Diana and sewing materials. One wears her iconic black revenge dress and holds white rosary beads; the other wears a white YALE jumper and holds a measuring tape. They face each other,

Theatre

Don't Tell Dad About Diana

Dublin, 1997. Two friends prepare to compete for the crown of Alternative Miss Ireland with their Princess Diana drag act, under the nose of their hardline nationalist families. As they race through the city towards competition night, Diana's death sparks the unravelling of their secret, their friendship and their plans to leave Ireland. A high-energy, fast-paced two-hander packed with comedy, courage and coming-of-age chaos. After a sell-out London run, Don't Tell Dad About Diana promises to be one of the must-see debuts of the festival.

31 July - 24 August 2025, 12:50 pm

Underbelly Cowgate

Connor Delves as Cadel Evans in the new play CADEL: Lungs On Legs. Delves, as Evans, rides a BMC road bike, following the 2011 win of the Tour de France.

Theatre

CADEL: Lungs on Legs

The epic true story of the first Australian to win the Tour de France, live on stage. Performed entirely on a bike in an epic theatrical feat of endurance by acclaimed Australian actor Connor Delves. Pedalling non-stop for an hour, he recreates the thrilling journey of Cadel's 2011 Tour de France win, and all the triumphs, heartaches and sacrifices made along the way. “Connor's vision for this show is bold and exciting, and I'm thrilled to be involved from the start. He’ll be riding a BMC, just like I did (and do!), wearing the same yellow jersey I wore, and actually riding on stage every night... how cool is that? I love cycling, and I'm deeply honored that an Australian artist has been inspired to bring my story to life for audiences worldwide. I hope you enjoy CADEL, and I encourage you to support Connor and his creative journey in giving the show a long life. See you there!”– Cadel Evans

31 July - 24 August 2025, 1:00 pm

Underbelly Cowgate

he skyline of New York City glistens in the light of the setting sun next to the East River. Two hot, 26 year old white women that were photoshopped to be about 800 feet tall sit perfectly atop the buildings with their feet dangling over the water. One g

Theatre

The Horniest Girls in New York City

Riley Stark and Tess Lancaster are The Horniest Girls in New York City. A gift and a curse, journalists and scholars keep calling them hilarious, despite being really pretty as well. The girls have travelled to Edinburgh to tell you the tale of two bottoms, Tess and Riley, who have been letting life, boys, drugs and a cult past bend them over a table for all their lives. This is an underdog story about two girls who learn how to fuck up, and their quest for world domination.

31 July - 11 August 2025, 2:10 pm

Underbelly Cowgate

White door in the middle of a plain dark wall with white skirting running along bottom of the wall. The door has four panels with performer Neil Frost in four different costumes. Top left door panel - white shirt and black bowtie costume, Top right door

Theatre

Neil Frost: The Door

It's 1985. I'm dressed as Peter Pan. All I have to worry about is remembering my Nan's landline number. Award-winning performer Neil Frost brings old photos taken in front of his Nan's kitchen door to life, unravelling the stories behind them with masterful silliness. A nostalgic, poignant comedy about living with your grandparents in 80's Britain, childhood dreams and the power of fancy dress. Direction – Lucy Hopkins and Dan Lees. Producing consultants – The Project People.

31 July - 24 August 2025, 2:25 pm

Underbelly Cowgate

Two men in prison officer uniform, in a multi-coloured ball pit

Theatre

Going Soft

Bar-L is Glasgow's hottest attraction – an immersive prison themed bar. With business thriving, co-owners Martin and James are expanding into an adult-only soft play. They've got the vision and, hopefully, the backing of a potential investor. But as the meeting unfolds, tensions rise and the cracks in their partnership begin to show. Can their friendship survive the business world, or will their dream collapse like a poorly built ball pit? Fast-paced and razor sharp, Jack Byrne's solo-writing debut sheds light on toxic masculinity in working class Glasgow with both humour and heart.

31 July - 24 August 2025, 2:35 pm

Underbelly Cowgate

A young man sits cross-legged against a red background, cradling an old-fashioned iMac. The iMac screen displays an image of his younger self, smiling brightly.

Theatre

Playback

11-year old Euan dreams of becoming a YouTube star... But as his fledgling channel begins to skyrocket in popularity, he quickly finds that fame isn’t as fun as it looks.  Shortlisted for the 2024 David MacLennan Award, Playback combines live performance with Euan Munro's real childhood YouTube videos to tell a deeply personal, darkly comic story about growing up online.

31 July - 24 August 2025, 3:55 pm

Underbelly Cowgate

A drag artist in white clown make up stands in front of a mirror that has been adorned with many little photographs and images.

Theatre

KINDER

An unexpected call from a library derails a performance planned by newly arrived drag artist Goody Prostate, booked to headline a local reading hour. Forced to scramble together a new act in real time for a crowd of unruly children and their parents, Goody spirals into a chaotic exploration of childhood, memory, stories and what it means to truly grow up. The library is open – sit down, be quiet and listen. Because sometimes, reading is what? Fundamentalist.  

31 July - 24 August 2025, 6:40 pm

Underbelly Cowgate

Karen, dressed up in white feathers, yawns. Crash of the expectations of a

Theatre

Karen Houge: DREAMGIRL

Do you trust strangers? Together with Karen Houge – our DREAMGIRL – we’re going to find out. Through personal stories from following Syrian refugees across Europe, a few vegetables and a pile of LEGO, Karen invites us to explore what it means to trust – especially now, when it matters most. This isn’t just a show – it’s a conversation about humanity and the world we live in. Thanks to award-winning comedian Elf Lyons for helping develop the show.

31 July - 24 August 2025, 8:10 pm

Underbelly Cowgate

An man in a naked body suit is being soaped-up by giant pair of hands. The soap bubbles are illustrated in a Japanese Ukiyoe style painting and projected onto a screen behind the man to create the illusion that he is interacting with the painting.

Theatre

SHUNGA ALERT

Warning: adults only! An X-rated documentary-comedy about the sexual culture of Japan.  The story of an artist, a sex doll and a virtual idol trying to create the sexiest shunga of all time, told with clowning, puppetry and live projection. Learn everything you wanted to know about sex in Japan but were too afraid to Google. Filthy, offensive and visually stunning! Don't say we didn't warn you! Winner of Best of the Fest at the San Diego Fringe Festival.

31 July - 24 August 2025, 9:40 pm

Underbelly Cowgate