Stressful Emergency Situation
Etcetera Theatre
Floor 87, Office A (disused). Friday. 4:58pm. 5 coworkers. Well, 4 work friends reluctantly following the lead of fire marshal Angie Spratt (authority in title only). It's Angie's world and we're all living in it, and that world is coming to an end (no, really, she says the world is ending). Who can be trusted and what can be lost? And why has Angie packed pyjamas? An absurdist dark comedy, this show is for any office employee who gets a bit of a weird vibe from their coworkers. Maybe you know a sandwich thief, maybe that one person always hogs the good desk, or maybe Rachel from HR is a doomsday predictionist . And if you don't work in an office this show is sure to have you updating your CV immediately to get in on that irresistible workplace drama.
Saint Loony
The Cockpit
Come one, come all, to witness Saint Loony—and hear the confessions of a clown from the Crescent City. New Orleans, 1954. Petey “Loony” deLune—a Creole Catholic circus Pierrot driven by a monastic devotion to clowning and crippled by alienating addictions—breaks his trauma-induced mutism after years of hiding a terrible truth. He confesses the memories, mistakes, and misdeeds that drove him away from the Crescent City and into the Big Top as a pilgrim and penitent. Sharing anecdotes from circus life and reflections both on the saintly role of clowns and on sainthood as a whole, Loony recounts his origins as a suppressed orphan in Jim Crow Louisiana; the friendship with a Black youth that brought him to life; the fateful tragedy that cut his childhood short; and his culpability in that unspeakable crime. "Saint Loony" explores the importance of joy in a hurting world; white passivity in racist violence; the collapse of moral binaries in a racial society... and, above all, whether someone who transmutes his private shame into public joy can become holy despite complicity in atrocity—whether a man who failed to act in the face of evil can ever be redeemed. *** Praise for Richard Canal Tinius's award-winning solo show "Cry, Blueberry" at the Camden Fringe 2017 includes: "Richard Canal Tinius takes no prisoners in his performance, and I have to take off my hat for his bravery, boldness and generosity. There should be more artists like him." – LAURA ALIER, The Play's the Thing ★★★★ "... performed with a deep, rich voice and the sort of baritone dulcet tones that wouldn't be out of place in a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical." – CHRIS OMAWENG, London Theatre 1 ★★★★ "... makes his audience gasp and laugh – and perhaps weep the tears of our souls too." – JUDI HERMAN, Jewish Renaissance ★★★★
Witness
The Courtyard Theatre
Formless, yet containing all forms. In the Dunhuang grottoes, a dust-covered Buddha statue stands in silence. It has witnessed Dunhuang’s prosperity, the devotion of pilgrims, the rise and decline of dynasties, and the long passage of wind and sand. Through centuries of transformation and forgetting, it remains — a vessel of time, memory, and faith. Witness is a contemporary dance work inspired by the cultural legacy of Dunhuang. Drawing from the sculptural forms and mural aesthetics of the grottoes, the work transforms the flowing lines, suspended gestures, and quiet spirituality of Dunhuang art into a contemporary movement language. The dancer embodies Buddha, pilgrim, witness, and dust carried by time. Fragments of history, distant camel bells, and enduring faith gradually re-emerge on stage, revealing the traces left by a thousand years of human experience. The work reimagines the spirit of Dunhuang through the body of the present. Through contemporary dance, an ancient gaze travels across time, inviting us to reflect on what remains after all else has passed. People come and go, each carrying their own joys and sorrows. The Buddha lowers its eyes and watches in silence. Choreographer: Ning QIANG Dancer: Siqi CHEN Rehearsal Director: Zhiyuan HUANG
T*TS
The Libra Theatre Cafe
Welcome to the trading room of T.I.T.S, where women are the market. Where their identity is reduced to a bra size, and control is the ultimate commodity. Stockbrokers Nick and Peter thrive in a world built on ego, manipulation, and the illusion of dominance. But when newcomer Tom enters the trading floor, the rules of the game begin to shift—and it becomes difficult to tell the difference between ally and enemy. Brutal, provocative and darkly funny, T*TS crunches the numbers on modern sexism in the age of “wokeness,” exposing the hypocrisy, insecurity and desperation lurking beneath corporate masculinity. “We aren’t just selling tits... we’re selling dominance. We’re letting them be God in exchange for a tiny fee.” Originally developed and performed at Guildford School of Acting, T*TS returns reimagined for Camden Fringe 2026.
Island Tides
Young Actors Theatre Islington
One ordinary morning, June, a high-profile divorce lawyer, receives a strange call. A television debate programme invites her to take part in a special discussion. Faced with a difficult divorce case, she finds herself opposite an intimacy consultant who argues to hold the relationship together, confronting the same question: “Should Mr. and Mrs. Smith stay in their marriage... or walk away?” As the studio lights come on and the cameras begin rolling, where will Mr. and Mrs. Smith’s marriage end up? Welcome to the live recording studio of Island Tides. The story rides the tide. You decide which side.
Boys Who Look at Lasers
Hen & Chickens Theatre
2 actors, 4 iconic roles absurdly reimagined. The inhabitants of Shakepeare’s ancient mythical forest find themselves navigating a sleepless night in the mid-nineties. In this basement of a bedazzled but morally bankrupt time, Shakespeare’s golden boys and girls explore the very best and the very worst of what friendship within the bars of toxic societal pressures has to offer. After a night of sleep deprivation all is not as it seems, as the lines between besties and bros and (fr)enemies and lovers suddenly look very blurry. Can they find their happy ending in a world so full of distractions?
In Winter We Celebrate Spring
Etcetera Theatre
Fiona has lived in Britain for over a decade. She knows how to navigate racism, bad weather, and overpriced rent. What she doesn't know is how to throw a Chinese New Year that actually feels like one. When 15-year-old Kailin arrives for the half terms—her first Chinese New Year away from China—Fiona is determined to get it right. The dumplings. The red envelopes. The whole performance of home. But somewhere between the hotel that looks nothing like its photos and a London that no longer feels like hers, something starts to slip. First her composure. Then her pride. Then, piece by piece, her face. In Winter We Celebrate Spring is a domestic horror laced with dark comedy—a Shirley Jackson-esque story about the quiet violence of trying to belong. No ghosts. No slashers. Just the weight of all the days you forgot to grieve, pressing down until something breaks. For anyone who has ever tried to recreate a home that no longer exists.
A Two Woman Hamlet
SHAKEFEST @Old Red Lion
It's Hamlet...but not as you know it! "This is the Hamlet I have been waiting for my entire life." - Lakeside Theatre audience "Fun, fast-paced and fearlessly cut-down." - A Young(ish) Perspective "Energetic and inventive...a joy to watch." - Keep Colchester Cool "Refreshing and audacious...mesmerising." - Colchester Gazette A TWO WOMAN HAMLET takes Shakespeare’s well-known tragedy and asks: what happens if you try to do this with a cast of two women in just 60 minutes? This is an unpretentious adaptation, with joys in it for those familiar with Hamlet and those new to the story. With a rotating cast of three actors who mix and match across the two tracks, it's truly a different show every night! Directed by Dr. Nora Williams Starring: Sharmila Peake, Deanna Strasse, Lolly Taylor Mara Sherman, who directed the original production in 2018, describes her motivation as not just giving women an opportunity to play great roles such as Hamlet and Claudius, but giving these characters the opportunity to be played by women. Following the critical success of past productions at the Capitol Fringe (Washington, DC, 2018) and Edinburgh Fringe (2022), we developed a fresh take on this fun, fast-paced, and irreverent adaptation for a sold-out run at Colchester's Lakeside Theatre in March 2025 before taking it to Camden Fringe (2025), Colchester Fringe (2025), and then to the University of Bristol (2025). We recommend that this show appropriate for ages 14+ Please be aware that, like its source text, A Two Woman Hamlet contains some difficult themes, including: Death Domestic violence/intimate partner violence Femicide Mental illness Parental loss Sexual violence Suicide General violence Misogynist language
“I’m Rambling Here!” [an Italian American’s Guide to England]
Camden Comedy Club
Sharp, powerful and packing a comedic punch; a one woman stand up comedy show not to be missed! Join for an hilarious, brilliantly honest cultural storytelling adventure, filled with charm and camp comedy that lights the room up with relief laughs, curiosity and joy about what it means to be an immigrant twice over in an ever shifting world, a woman navigating the obstacles that overwhelm and a willingness to embrace the changing chapters of life lived authentically. Audience reactions: “Provides laugh out loud, relatable and embarrassing anecdotes.” “An ability to find humour in a personal, challenging situation.” “Shares the reality of the giving of humour and relatable self deprecation.” Join for the jokes, stay for the sensational laugh-out-loud humour and shared human experience.
ORWELL: The Road to 1984
Upstairs at the Gatehouse
A timely portrait of a writer whose words remain a warning - and a hope. George Orwell is perhaps the most influential English writer of the twentieth century. His classic tales Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four which warn of the dangers of totalitarianism - erosion of free speech, abuse of power, increasing control of all aspects of our everyday lives - resonate now more than ever. Orwell’s dystopian concepts such as 'Big Brother is watching you', 'Room 101' and 'thoughtcrime' have become everyday phrases. But where did his vision of the future come from? In this powerful and moving play, MARK STRATFORD takes you on a fascinating journey through the extraordinary experiences that shaped the work of this perceptive and compelling writer. In Orwell’s words, we travel through many of the remarkable episodes in his life including his time at a grim boarding school, being a police officer in colonial Burma, his adventures tramping through England to live among the poor and underprivileged, and his extraordinarily close shave with death in the Spanish Civil War. "When I sit down to write a book," Orwell explained, "I do not say to myself, 'I am going to produce a work of art.' I write it because there is some lie I want to expose." In this age of misinformation, political extremism and digital surveillance, ORWELL: The Road to 1984 is a play for our time.
EYES SEE SONG
The Cockpit
Six friends. Three secrets. One yearning hope. We enter a tangled web of love, loyalty, shame, and survival, as six women discover their world isn’t what it seems. Beneath the surface of three “ordinary” lives lie stories of reproductive health struggles, sexual violence, and addiction — stories so familiar they could belong to us, our friends, our mothers. As their masks fall away, we’re invited to recognise our own hidden truths, tucked deep in our bodies and away from those we love most. These women call us into their circle — into song, dance, movement, breathwork, and collective release — as they fight to loosen trauma’s grip on the body. With irresistible energy and magnetic charm, Matty, Lala, Laure, Wrinkles, Z, and Chlo remind us healing is never a solo act. It’s messy, communal, vulnerable, and profoundly human. In an age when isolation is becoming the norm and intimacy outsourced to screens, Eyes See Song insists we return to each other — loudly, joyfully, in full-bodied presence. It’s two parts a warm hug from your favourite aunt, one part your best friend shaking you into your senses, and three parts what your nervous system has been craving. Join us. We’re holding space for you.
Hit Me With The Truth
Rosemary Branch Theatre
Mr Black and Mr White. Hitmen, liars, humans. When the two meet face to face, stories are shared, punches are thrown, and the pair even take a shot at friendship. But the closer they get to the truth, the more dangerous things become. Hit Me With The Truth is a dark comedy thriller about deception and identity. There are two sides to every story — and then there’s the truth.
Oh. Right.
Hen & Chickens Theatre
A successful Irish doctor in London starts quietly unravelling as she begins to question the future everyone else seems certain she should want. Dry, sharp and painfully recognisable, Oh.Right. follows one woman through career panic, relationship strain and increasingly unhelpful conversations with friends as she tries to work out whether she’s genuinely unhappy or simply incapable of being satisfied. This debut Irish drama explores ambition, identity, motherhood and the terrifying freedom of realising you could still change your life.
Low Effort Sketches: We Have a Problem (WIP)
The Libra Theatre Cafe
Join multi award-winning sketch duo/astronauts Low Effort Sketches as they prepare for a dangerous space mission. On the launchpad, Andy starts feeling the pressure, leaving Alice to contend with a string of unlikely characters hell-bent on scuppering the mission. Will they ever make it to space? ‘Hilarious’ (Chortle), fourth-wall breaking sketch comedy with ‘a fantastic sense of surreal mischief’ (Spectator). ‘A masterclass in sketch comedy’ ★★★★.5 (The Tab). ‘Beautifully crafted.’ ★★★★.5 (The Reviews Hub). ‘An hour of endless laughs’ ★★★★.5 (Varsity). ‘A great offbeat hidden gem’ ★★★★ (Lothian Life). ‘Better than it has any right to be’ ★★★★ (ThreeWeeks). ‘Impossible to describe’ ★★★★ (Ed Fest Mag).
In Winter We Celebrate Spring
Etcetera Theatre
Fiona has lived in Britain for over a decade. She knows how to navigate racism, bad weather, and overpriced rent. What she doesn't know is how to throw a Chinese New Year that actually feels like one. When 15-year-old Kailin arrives for the half terms—her first Chinese New Year away from China—Fiona is determined to get it right. The dumplings. The red envelopes. The whole performance of home. But somewhere between the hotel that looks nothing like its photos and a London that no longer feels like hers, something starts to slip. First her composure. Then her pride. Then, piece by piece, her face. In Winter We Celebrate Spring is a domestic horror laced with dark comedy—a Shirley Jackson-esque story about the quiet violence of trying to belong. No ghosts. No slashers. Just the weight of all the days you forgot to grieve, pressing down until something breaks. For anyone who has ever tried to recreate a home that no longer exists.
The Hostel
The Courtyard Theatre
Three friends take an innocent trip to the Big Apple, but tensions rise as they’re forced into separate rooms of a bustling hostel. They’re introduced to an array of colourful characters, putting their friendship to the test as an unwelcome mix of power struggles, violent encounters, and unexpected romances spiral out of control. Amidst the chaos dark secrets are unveiled, resulting in an explosive climax. A gripping exploration of friendship, trust, and the consequences of our actions, this performance is sure to leave you on the edge of your seat.
Musings of a Serial Dieter
Hen & Chickens Theatre
Alison takes you down the rabbit hole of being a Serial Dieter. Enduring the purgatory of never being content, she explores the food confusion, stirring in a mixed medium of music and mayhem. Served with a fat dollop of humour.
Saint Loony
The Cockpit
Come one, come all, to witness Saint Loony—and hear the confessions of a clown from the Crescent City. New Orleans, 1954. Petey “Loony” deLune—a Creole Catholic circus Pierrot driven by a monastic devotion to clowning and crippled by alienating addictions—breaks his trauma-induced mutism after years of hiding a terrible truth. He confesses the memories, mistakes, and misdeeds that drove him away from the Crescent City and into the Big Top as a pilgrim and penitent. Sharing anecdotes from circus life and reflections both on the saintly role of clowns and on sainthood as a whole, Loony recounts his origins as a suppressed orphan in Jim Crow Louisiana; the friendship with a Black youth that brought him to life; the fateful tragedy that cut his childhood short; and his culpability in that unspeakable crime. "Saint Loony" explores the importance of joy in a hurting world; white passivity in racist violence; the collapse of moral binaries in a racial society... and, above all, whether someone who transmutes his private shame into public joy can become holy despite complicity in atrocity—whether a man who failed to act in the face of evil can ever be redeemed. *** Praise for Richard Canal Tinius's award-winning solo show "Cry, Blueberry" at the Camden Fringe 2017 includes: "Richard Canal Tinius takes no prisoners in his performance, and I have to take off my hat for his bravery, boldness and generosity. There should be more artists like him." – LAURA ALIER, The Play's the Thing ★★★★ "... performed with a deep, rich voice and the sort of baritone dulcet tones that wouldn't be out of place in a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical." – CHRIS OMAWENG, London Theatre 1 ★★★★ "... makes his audience gasp and laugh – and perhaps weep the tears of our souls too." – JUDI HERMAN, Jewish Renaissance ★★★★
In Her Defence
The Cockpit
In Her Defence is a bold new British musical comedy set in 1987, following Donna, a fiery single mum whose world is turned upside down when she discovers her husband's affair, only to find herself thrust into a messy custody battle that threatens everything she holds dear. As gossip spreads through her tight-knit neighbourhood faster than the morning post, Donna must navigate solicitors, awkward encounters, unexpected allies and the chaos of rebuilding her life while trying to hold her family together. With a sharp-tongued best friend by her side, a very questionable postman never too far away, and an ex-husband determined to rewrite history, Donna soon discovers that standing up for yourself is never as straightforward as it seems. Packed with outrageous comedy, heartfelt moments, and an original score bursting with wit, warmth and 80s-inspired energy, In Her Defence is a celebration of resilience, friendship and finding your voice when the world expects you to stay silent. Full of unforgettable characters, laugh-out-loud musical numbers and plenty of British charm, this brand-new musical proves that sometimes the strongest defence is refusing to back down.
In Our Broken Hours
Etcetera Theatre
In Our Broken Hours is an intimate one act play about a father living with alcoholism and the adult daughter who finds herself slipping into the role of his carer. Through frantic phone calls, raw monologues and a painful meeting, the play explores a relationship shaped by love, frustration and addiction. Mack, once charismatic, now drifts between warmth and withdrawal, unable to face the depth of his dependency. When his daughter Emma arrives unexpectedly, both are forced to confront the truths they’ve avoided. What emerges is a portrait of two people who care deeply about each other but can no longer meet in the middle. A story of responsibility, exhaustion and the quiet heartbreak of watching someone you love slowly disappear. Starring Simon Ashton, an actor, director and producer whose work spans stage and screen, and Giulia Rose, winner of Best Supporting Actress at the New York International Film Awards and the Oniros Film Awards.
Hit Me With The Truth
Rosemary Branch Theatre
Mr Black and Mr White. Hitmen, liars, humans. When the two meet face to face, stories are shared, punches are thrown, and the pair even take a shot at friendship. But the closer they get to the truth, the more dangerous things become. Hit Me With The Truth is a dark comedy thriller about deception and identity. There are two sides to every story — and then there’s the truth.
TOOMANYVOICES
Camden Comedy Club
Ever had a thought spiral out of control? This is that, live on stage. Wes Defoe takes everyday observations and pushes them to the limit through physical comedy, voice shifts, and full-body act-outs. One idea becomes multiple perspectives, characters, and arguments, all performed in real time. A confident, high-energy show that turns internal chaos into something loud, fast, and very funny.
Forgive me. I’ve sinned.
Hen & Chickens Theatre
A young woman returns to confession—but she isn’t ready to tell the truth. As Alex begins to question her faith and come to terms with her identity, her lifelong friendship with Mary is pushed to its limits. Set between a church, a living room, and late-night conversations in the park, “Forgive me. I’ve Sinned.” explores belief, sexuality, and what happens when growing up means growing apart.
ShotzLondon
The Courtyard Theatre
Born in New York in 2008, unleashed across 5 cities, and now firmly planted in London’s theatre chaos, SHOTZ! is the theatrical equivalent of speed‑dating with plot twists. 6 teams. 2 weeks to write. 2 weeks to rehearse. 2 hours to tech. 2 chances to hope nothing falls over. 1 theme, 1 line, 1 action — unlimited unpredictable fun. @shotzlondontheatre
Mega Church Xmas Play
The Libra Theatre Cafe
From Drag to Deuteronomy, this show has everything! Mega Church Xmas Play is a surreal, absurd, irreverent farce exploring the competitive side of the entertainment industry, organised religion and man buns. Devoted followers of Mega Church "Skylife" are preparing their annual Xmas play, but will ruthless ambition, ego and jealousy consume them? GOD wants this year's Xmas show to be the BIGGEST and BEST in the WORLD, putting senior pastor Cole Crampson under immense pressure. The hard working church members are competing for the lead roles, but will talented newcomers from rival Mega Church "EarthHeaven" take their place? Who will be crucified before curtain call?
The Silliad: Improvised Myths and Legends
Museum of Comedy
Why do geese fly south for the winter? What's really inside an Oreo? You suggest the question, then watch it be answered through myth, mayhem and madness! From the roaring thunder of Mount Olympus to the frozen tundra of Scandinavia, it's Horrible Histories meets Clash of the Titans meets Whose Line Is It Anyway? If you love improv, this is not a show to myth! The Silliad return to the Camden Fringe after a debut in 2024 described as " quippy, light-hearted, and most importantly, fun" by NW Londoner. Mythology just got a whole lot sillier! Watch the audience become the myth-makers as they decide which pantheon is performed on stage by our skilful bards. Whether it be Greek, Norse or Egyptian, The Silliad will answer the audience's deepest questions. "One of the most hilarious and sweet shows a person can watch." ★★★★★ (The Student) "Improv at its finest ... Not to be missed!" ★★★★★ (EdFringe Review) "Bringing something wholly unique to the stage" ★★★★ (Theatre & Tonic) "Mind melting" ★★★★ (Binge Fringe) "It's no myth you will laugh!" ★★★★ (The Derek Awards)
3 Phone Calls
Lion & Unicorn Theatre
3 Phone Calls is a play based on actual calls made between a queer child and their mother. It asks how do you tell someone you’ve been assaulted and what would you do on the receiving end of that call. A raw and intimate look into the effects of abuse, highlighting the impact of abuse and violence towards the queer community. Written and performed by real life mother and son, Alby Stockley and Elric Stockley. With Katie Clucas making her directorial debut. With a Q & A after each performance.
The Perils of Youth Play
Rosemary Branch Theatre
"Mother. There is someone at the door. We have a visitor, mother, at this hour..." An ancient house. An unseen apparition. A wicked old crone and her pompous, disgraced son. And a family argument that lasts at least a thousand years. But who should make the first move? A haunting dream riff on families, envy, love and hate, mothers and sons, and the pain it takes to perform a single gesture of love, the Perils of Youth portrays the eternal struggles that reside within the family and the collective unconscious. And the terror of being alive. Written in sculpted, rhythmic language, this satire of the class system and the masculine artist archetype is a play for those who love the English language and the power of words to captivate, ensnare and attack. Blackly funny, menacing and unforgettable new writing.
Cocaine
Etcetera Theatre
Cast: Geir Thomassen as JOE, Phoebe Alice Ritchie as NORA Written by: Pendleton King | Directed by: Sushant Nair Cocaine by Pendleton King is a one-act play, originally published in 1917, that delves into the psychological and emotional turmoil caused by drug addiction. The story has been adapted for the 80s decade, and centres on the character of a former boxer, Joe, once full of potential, whose life spirals downward as he becomes consumed by his addiction to cocaine. He struggles with the overwhelming cravings and the need to escape from reality. Also, caught in the turmoil of growing cocaine addiction is Nora, who wrestles with feelings of love, helplessness, and frustration. Through these characters, King explores themes of dependency, self-destruction, and the impact of addiction on relationships. King's writing is poignant in its portrayal of the human psyche, and the work is rich in themes of self-deception, moral decay, and the conflict between desire and consequence, making it a powerful commentary on the broader societal issue of drug addiction.
Cowpokes in a Bunkhouse
Hen & Chickens Theatre
Step into an immersive, authentic(ish), all American Wild West bunkhouse, full to the rails with rowdy cows. Meet three unlikely acquaintances: Judd, Buck and Kit, our Cowpokes. They are trying their best to calm the herd for fear of The Big Man. One begins to tell an old folk tale of two brothers, but it seems each of the cowpokes have their own version of the same story...
ShotzLondon
The Courtyard Theatre
Born in New York in 2008, unleashed across 5 cities, and now firmly planted in London’s theatre chaos, SHOTZ! is the theatrical equivalent of speed‑dating with plot twists. 6 teams. 2 weeks to write. 2 weeks to rehearse. 2 hours to tech. 2 chances to hope nothing falls over. 1 theme, 1 line, 1 action — unlimited unpredictable fun. @shotzlondontheatre