CabaretComedyNewsTheatre
Assembly Festival has unveiled its biggest ever first on sale for Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, with titans of comedy, circus, cabaret, dance, theatre and more set to take to stages across the capital this summer, with 38 shows now on sale. Hot Dub Time Machine, classic play Krapp’s Last Tale directed by industry legend Stockard Channing, 5 star show Shotgunned, Fringe favourite wrestling spectacle Mythos: Ragnarök, must-see acrobatics Ten Thousand Hours and return of the rock hit 27 Club are amongst the first shows to be announced as Assembly Festival once again delivers top-tier entertainment for all ages this August.
Marking our 45th season at the world’s biggest arts festival, Assembly will return to five venue hubs with genre-spanning shows featuring international and homegrown acts from 05 – 31 August 2026, operating across: Assembly George Square, Assembly Rooms, Assembly Hall, Assembly Roxy, and Assembly @ Dance Base.
David Westhead, Krapp’s Last Tape, said
“We rehearsed in Stockard’s kitchen. I was Krapp. Literally and metaphorically. Her first comment was, “Well, who the hell’s going to watch this?” Slowly things improved and we moved gingerly into the lounge. The play involves a couple of bananas. Benny the dog kept trying to eat them. So, we moved back into the kitchen. Since then, we’ve played all over the UK, Europe, and the US. Odd how it all came together.”
Stockard Channing, Krapp’s Last Tape, said
“David assured me we’d only play his pal’s arts centre and a site-specific, derelict function room in North London. It’s now been touring the globe for 2 years and played to thousands of people. Talk about Theatre of the Absurd.”
Matt Anderson, Shotgunned, said
“Shotgunned is a play that celebrates the relationships that fail, acknowledging that sometimes it’s the individuals we grow apart from, that have the biggest impact on us. It is a personal story about loss, love, and finding joy in the bittersweet, and I’m incredibly proud to be bringing it back to the Fringe as part of the Made in Scotland showcase this year.”
Susie McCabe said
“I am really looking forward to Fringe 2026 - bringing my brand new show ‘Coming of Rage’ to my home at the Gordon Aikman where we will be laughing at the madness of being in my mid 40s and the state of the world.”
Top-tier entertainment
Global sensation Hot Dub Time Machine will set up residency in Assembly Hall for 8 shows only, bringing bangers from 1970-2026 to his House Party, accompanied by stunning visuals to create the ultimate party of the Fringe, following a memorable Edinburgh’s Hogmanay set in 2024/25.
An amalgamation of storytelling, theatre and wrestling, Mythos: Ragnarök takes over Assembly Rooms’ Music Hall venue, presenting a groundbreaking theatrical production that integrates professional wrestling with a dynamic retelling of Nordic myths and legends as Thor, Odin, Loki and more battle the prophesied end of the world.
Directed by Academy Award nominee Stockard Channing, making her name in huge roles in Grease and The West Wing, Krapp’s Last Tape dives into Samuel Beckett’s classic tale with David Westhead (Enola Holmes, Andor, Bodyguard) at the helm of a riveting theatrical performance. Q&As will follow a select few dates of the show, as David Westhead divulges about the duo's process and working with the industry legend.
Festival favourites and international hit show Ten Thousand Hours showcases unbelievable physical talent from Gravity & Other Myths Australian troupe of acrobats, whilst By A Thread combines seven acrobats with 30 metres of rope in a feat of intricate choreography and connection, moving to the Assembly Rooms after a sell out run in 2025.
Non-stop laughter
One of Scotland’s most successful stand-ups, Susie McCabe returns with her new show ‘Coming of Rage’ as the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow award winner takes on the state of the world with her trademark dark humour. Plus, Fringe mainstay Rob Auton presents his new show ‘JUPITER’, and Chris Grace, American actor and comedian from the sitcom Superstore, joins Assembly’s comedy line-up.
Acclaimed performer Sarah-Louise Young will debut a new interactive art show The Bob Ross Effect, whilst Shotgunned from Glaswegian playwright and director Matt Anderson is sure to delight theatre audiences in its return to the Fringe following a stellar debut in 2024 as part of the Made in Scotland showcase. A hilarious and heartbreaking show from a Scottish star on the rise, this intimate two-hander examines a break up and all the messy, poignant moments in between.
Assembly will also host Diary of A Mad Man, a darkly comic one-man descent into obsession and collapse, based on Nikolai Golgol’s masterful story, adapted to be set in contemporary Ireland and performed by award winning Mark McAuley. And in the current chaotic world climate, 5 Mistakes That Changed History takes a lighter hearted look at mistakes that altered our world.
Must-see Musicals
Global hit shows Come From Away and Dear Evan Hansen will take to the stage at Assembly Ballroom for limited runs. Returning after 2025’s critically acclaimed performance, award winning impressionist Jess Robinson (Dead Ringers, The Last Leg) brings ‘Elton Reimagined’ to the Piccolo, in a pitch-perfect celebration of the legendary star, whilst smash hit show 27 Club will once again celebrate iconic musical greats in live rock-umentary style.
Fun for all the family
For family friendly shows that will keep the kids (and adults!) entertained in the school holidays check out The Listies: 110% Ready, supported by the House of Oz, or the Explosive Science Show! which will entertain as well as educate. Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dance Hall is a disco party like no other for babies and toddlers, whilst 360 ALLSTARS is the perfect post-school circus show.
Dance, Physical Theatre & Cabaret
PRIME, Dance Base’s company for dancers over 60 will feature Edinburgh locals in a new performance piece We Are, whilst Lothian Youth Dance Company (LYDC) showcases youth dancers from Edinburgh in a hometown show they’re not likely to forget, Common Ground.
For out of this world physical performances and non-stop thrills, audiences can wonder at acrobats galore in shows like Sexy Circus Sideshow 3.0, whilst magic fans can suspend their disbelief at a host of shows including Adults Only Magic Show, 1 Astonishment 2 Many: Chris Dugdale and more.
Sketch Comedy
Police Cops: The Original will perform their biggest ever Fringe shows in the Gordon Aikman Theatre, whilst improv musicals Shamilton! The Improvised Hip-Hop Musical and Fringe favourite sell out show Baby Wants Candy return.
Assembly Festival will once again bring the very best worldwide performers to city centre venues as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, renowned as a home for art from across the spectrum and as one of the festival’s longest running multi-venue operators.