Mermaids at the Fringe 2026
We are excited to show you our slate of shows for the 2026 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. All of these productions are receiving funding from Mermaids and will be put on and produced by our talented students. See details of tickets below.
10-15 August, 12:40
Carmilla
Coming to the Thistle Theatre at Greenside, Riddles Court
Lesbians, vampires and... communists? When love and desire are made monstrous, what beautiful monsters lovers make. Carmilla retells the lesser-known Gothic classic with a mid-century McCarthy twist. At the height of the Lavender Scare, Laura faces scrutiny over her entanglement one summer six years ago with an allegedly perverse and dangerous woman: Carmilla. What was once a cautionary tale, detailing the dangers of female sexuality, is reimagined as a queer love story. Charismatic, introspective and seductive – this show is a must-see.
17-22 August, 12:40
Crash Course
Coming to the Thistle Theatre at Greenside, Riddles Court
After too many romantic offences cost them their Dating Licence, Charlie is sent to the Last Chance Programme – a rehabilitation course for heartbreakers. Under the Intimacy Coordinator's strict supervision, Charlie is paired with Lou, an unlikely acquaintance. Together, they must pass a series of bizarre relational-exercises to earn one final shot at love. As the Insurance Office tracks every emotional leakage, Charlie and Lou begin to discover each other beyond the framework meant to contain them. Blending institutional logic with painfully human interactions, Crash Course is a fast-paced, absurd comedy about risk-free intimacy and what it costs.
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24-29 August, 12:50
The Next Chapter
Coming to the Thistle Theatre at Greenside, Riddles Court
Charlotte comes from a world of castles and court jesters, full of adventure and excitement. Except none of it is real. It’s a best-selling novel written by Margot, an up-and-coming author just out of grad school, with Charlotte as the main character. But when Margot and Charlotte can’t agree on the plot of the sequel, they find themselves in therapy with Vivian, a couples therapist. The Next Chapter follows Margot and Charlotte in their therapy session as they troubleshoot ideas for a sequel and find themselves learning about growth, taking risks and learning how to move on.