---
title: "Our biggest ever first Fringe onsale - comedy, circus, magic, music & more! | Assembly Festival"
meta:
  "og:description": "Assembly’s 45th season includes a Beckett play directed by Stockard Channing, part myth, part mayhem ‘Mythos: Ragnarök’, return of sell-out debut ‘By A Thread’, award winning comic Susie McCabe and acclaimed musicals ‘Come From Away’ and ‘Dear Evan Hansen’"
  "og:title": "Our biggest ever first Fringe onsale - comedy, circus, magic, music & more!"
  "twitter:description": "Assembly’s 45th season includes a Beckett play directed by Stockard Channing, part myth, part mayhem ‘Mythos: Ragnarök’, return of sell-out debut ‘By A Thread’, award winning comic Susie McCabe and acclaimed musicals ‘Come From Away’ and ‘Dear Evan Hansen’"
  "twitter:title": "Our biggest ever first Fringe onsale - comedy, circus, magic, music & more!"
  description: "Assembly’s 45th season includes a Beckett play directed by Stockard Channing, part myth, part mayhem ‘Mythos: Ragnarök’, return of sell-out debut ‘By A Thread’, award winning comic Susie McCabe and acclaimed musicals ‘Come From Away’ and ‘Dear Evan Hansen’"
---

# Our biggest ever first Fringe onsale - comedy, circus, magic, music & more!

[← Back to News](https://assemblyfestival.com/news)

**Cabaret****Comedy****News****Theatre**

Assembly Festivalhas unveiled itsbiggest everfirst 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, with38 showsnow on sale.[Hot Dub Time Machine](https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/hot-dub-time-machine-house-party), classic play [Krapp’s LastTale](https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/krapps-last-tape) directed by industry legend Stockard Channing,5 starshow [Shotgunned](https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/shotgunned), Fringe favourite wrestling spectacle [Mythos: Ragnarök](https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/mythos-ragnarok),must-seeacrobatics[Ten Thousand Hours](https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/ten-thousand-hours)andreturn of therock hit [27 Club](https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/27-club)are amongst the firstshowsto be announcedas AssemblyFestivalonce again delivers top-tier entertainment for all ages this August.

Marking our 45th season at the world’s biggest arts festival,Assemblywill return tofivevenue hubs withgenre-spanning showsfeaturing international and homegrown acts from05 – 31 August 2026, operating across: AssemblyGeorge Square, Assembly Rooms, Assembly Hall, Assembly Roxy, and Assembly @ Dance Base.

![Image20](https://assemblyfestival.pazaz.studio/assets/bd4dd23c-1612-4f02-bb9d-7972da7c1f1f.jpg?width=1536&height=864)

### 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 mewe’d only play hispal’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 sometimesit’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, andI’m incredibly proud to be bringing it back to the Fringe as part of the Made in Scotlandshowcase this year.”

### [Susie McCabe](https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/susie-mccabe-coming-of-rage) said

“I am really looking forward to Fringe2026  - bringing mybrand 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.”

![Hot Dub Time Machine](https://assemblyfestival.pazaz.studio/assets/8fdaa2b9-da34-4d10-a673-94c8fcefde06.jpg?width=800&height=533)

# **Top-tier entertainment**

Global sensationHot Dub Time Machinewill set up residency inAssembly Hall for 8 shows only, bringing bangers from 1970-2026 to hisHouse 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 agroundbreaking 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 inGreaseandThe 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 DavidWestheaddivulges about the duo's process and working with the industry legend.

Festival favourites and international hit showTen Thousand Hours showcases unbelievable physical talent from Gravity & Other Myths Australian troupe of acrobats, whilst [By A Thread](https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/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 McCabereturns 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](https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/rob-auton-jupiter)presents his new show‘JUPITER’, and [Chris Grace](https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/chris-grace-88), 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](https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/the-bob-ross-effect),whilstShotgunnedfrom Glaswegian playwright and director Matt Andersonis sure to delight theatre audiences inits return to the Fringe following a stellar debut in 2024 as part of the Made in Scotland showcase. Ahilarious and heartbreaking show from a Scottish star on the rise, this intimate two-hander examines abreak up and all the messy,poignant moments in between.

Assembly will also host [Diary of A Mad Man](https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/diary-of-a-mad-man), a darkly comic one-man descent into obsession and collapse, based on NikolaiGolgol’s masterful story, adapted to be set in contemporaryIreland and performed by award winning Mark McAuley.And in the current chaotic world climate, [5 Mistakes That Changed History](https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/5-mistakes-that-changed-history) takes a lighter hearted look at mistakes that altered our world.

![Jess Robinson](https://assemblyfestival.pazaz.studio/assets/a0c52ef3-d185-412c-8ef3-c6db77ce7fdb.jpg?width=1600&height=700)

# **Must-see Musicals**

Global hit shows [Come From Away](https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/come-from-away) and [Dear Evan Hansen](https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/dear-evan-hansen)will take to the stage at Assembly Ballroom for limited runs.Returning after2025’s critically acclaimed performance, award winning impressionist [Jess Robinson](https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/jess-robinson-elton-reimagined) (Dead Ringers, The Last Leg) brings ‘Elton Reimagined’ tothe Piccolo,in apitch-perfect celebration ofthe legendary star, whilst smash hit show27 Clubwill once againcelebrate 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 [TheListies: 110% Ready](https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/the-listies-110-ready), supported by the House of Oz, or the [Explosive Science Show!](https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/explosive-science-show) whichwill entertain as well as educate. [Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dance Hall](https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/monski-mouses-baby-disco-dance-hall)is a disco party like no other for babies and toddlers, whilst [360 ALLSTARS](https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/360-allstars) is the perfect post-school circus show.

![By a Thread](https://assemblyfestival.pazaz.studio/assets/628c8e60-294a-4aa5-b53f-b712d7cc775b.jpg?width=1594&height=448)

# **Dance, Physical Theatre & Cabaret**

PRIME, Dance Base’s company for dancers over 60 will feature Edinburgh locals in a new performance piece [**We Are**](https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/prime-we-are), whilstLothian Youth Dance Company (LYDC)showcases youth dancers from Edinburgh in a hometown showthey’re not likely to forget, **[Common Ground](https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/common-ground)**.

For out of this world physical performances and non-stop thrills, audiences can wonder at acrobats galoreinshows like [Sexy Circus Sideshow 3.0](https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/sexy-circus-sideshow-30), whilst magic fans can suspend their disbelief at a host of shows including [Adults Only Magic Show](https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/adults-only-magic-show), [1 Astonishment 2 Many: Chris Dugdale](https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/1-astonishment-2-many-chris-dugdale) and more.

# **Sketch Comedy**

[Police Cops: The Original](https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/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](https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/shamilton-the-improvised-hip-hop-musical) and Fringe favourite sell out show [Baby Wants Candy](https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/baby-wants-candy) return.

Assembly Festival will once again bring thevery 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.

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