Preview: Live Theatre Gives North East Audiences First Look at Edinburgh Fringe Shows

 

Live Theatre Gives North East Audiences First Look at Edinburgh Fringe Shows

Newcastle Live Theatre

Tuesday 28 July - Saturday 1 August 2026

North East audiences have the opportunity to experience some of the most exciting new work heading to this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe when Live Theatre, Newcastle hosts a packed programme of Edinburgh Fringe Preview performances from Tuesday 28 July to Saturday 1 August.

Bringing together comedians, theatre-makers, musicians, drag performers and emerging companies from across the UK alongside familiar North East names, the series offers theatre-goers the chance to catch brand-new productions before they make the journey north to the world's largest arts festival.

The hand-picked programme has been selected through an open call for artists taking work to Edinburgh and showcases a diverse mix of established talent and rising stars.

The previews begin on Tuesday 28 July with Kate Hammer: Government Approved Comedian. Canadian comedian Kate Hammer shares stories of securing a Global Talent Visa through comedy while navigating modern life, from online marketplaces to frustrating technology, in a witty hour of stand-up.

Later that evening, Edinburgh University Theatre Company presents Last Orders, an all-female production set in an unnamed American town during the 1980s. Combining comedy and theatrical flair, the cast tackle themes of friendship and identity while sporting impressive facial hair and impressive pint-drinking skills.

Wednesday's programme opens with award-winning drag performer Fanny Bleach and The Nearly Naked Show, drawing on more than a decade of experience across cabaret, performance art, drag and comedy to create an evening of larger-than-life characters and inventive performance.

The late show features Freya Parker with An Hour Of Decay. The Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and Smoggie Queens performer explores ageing, artificial intelligence and second-hand shopping with her distinctive Northern humour.

North East audiences will recognise Scott Turnbull when he returns to Live Theatre on Thursday 30 July with Surreally Good. Fresh from joining the cast of Our Friends In The North, the award-winning performer combines live illustration with his trademark surreal comedy to blur the boundaries between the sacred and the absurd.

The evening continues with Grace Mulvey's Gigantica, a heartfelt and humorous show exploring family, identity and self-image, inspired by one deceptively simple question: is it a compliment to be told you look like your dad?

Friday's line-up includes Ayo Adenekan's Homeland Insecurity, blending sharp observations, storytelling and comedy as the BBC New Comedy Award finalist examines ambition, romance and chasing dreams.

The second performance on Friday sees North East performer Tessa Parr, recently seen in Astell & Woolf, present I AM JOHNNY. The politically charged solo show combines dark humour with an exploration of masculinity, power and ownership of the female body.

Music takes centre stage on Saturday 1 August as multi-instrumentalist Tom Oakes performs Forge, an ambitious new work combining traditional music, live composition, improvisation, archive recordings and new writing by Kolbrún Björt Sigfúsdóttir.

Closing the Fringe Preview season is Metroland Live: As Seen On TV, described as a celebration of television's shared cultural history through absurd sketches, character comedy and unmistakable Geordie humour. Recently highlighted by Rolling Stone UK as one of its Fringe recommendations, the show promises an energetic finale to the week.

Speaking about the programme, JD Stewart, Live Theatre's New Work Producer, said:

"We are excited to welcome a host of talented artists from around the UK to Live Theatre to preview their work for this year's Fringe Festival. We hope that audiences enjoy the selection – a mix of theatre, music and stand-up, and that this format of previewing is something which will continue in the future before the world's largest theatre festival."

With two performances taking place each day, audiences can also take advantage of a discounted ticket offer when booking both shows on the same date, making it an ideal opportunity to sample a variety of Fringe-bound work before it heads to Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Fringe Preview Programme

Tuesday 28 July

• 7pm – Kate Hammer: Government Approved Comedian
• 9pm – Edinburgh University Theatre Company – Last Orders

Wednesday 29 July

• 7pm – Fanny Bleach – The Nearly Naked Show
• 9pm – Freya Parker – An Hour Of Decay

Thursday 30 July

• 7pm – Scott Turnbull – Surreally Good
• 9pm – Grace Mulvey – Gigantica

Friday 31 July

• 7pm – Ayo Adenekan – Homeland Insecurity
• 9pm – Tessa Parr – I AM JOHNNY

Saturday 1 August

• 4pm – Tom Oakes – Forge
• 7pm – Metroland Live: As Seen On TV

For North East theatre fans, it's a rare opportunity to discover tomorrow's Fringe favourites before they reach Edinburgh, while supporting artists as they prepare for one of the busiest and most prestigious festivals in the performing arts calendar.

Tickets:

With two shows per day, you can see more and save with a special discount offer for those booking both performances on the same day. Find out more and book at www.live.org.uk or call box office on (0191) 232 1232.