SPEAKERPHONE PRODUCTIONS has announced a varied and boundary-pushing lineup of theatrical productions scheduled to perform across the capital throughout August for the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The upcoming slate includes high-profile collaborations with Soho Theatre, Shedinburgh, and some of the UK's most prominent digital creators.
Leading the programming is Under the Influence, a brand new musical comedy playing at Underbelly Bristo Square from 5 to 30 August. Written by Carine and Frances Gilbert alongside Shona Maule, and directed by Georgie Rankcom, the piece stars the real-life twins behind the viral internet handle @thegilberttwins. Drawing on their own personal experiences, the narrative tracks identical internet sensations who land in couples therapy as the world's most co-dependent non-couple. The staging explores the chaos of modern sisterhood and digital fame.
Teaming up with Soho Theatre, Speakerphone also presents HAM by Hotter Project, running from 6 to 30 August at Summerhall Arts. Created and performed by Mary Higgins and Ell Potter, and directed by Ursula Martinez, the piece is a kinky, eco-hijacking adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The dark comedy follows a grief-stricken vegan seeking ultimate theatrical vengeance for the death of a pig. Additionally, the duo will perform a one-off greatest-hits retrospective, An Evening with Hotter Project, at Shedinburgh on 10 August.
Rounding out the August slate is the satirical production January 6th The Musical, written by Jessie Ballard and Kiely Sugayan, which will run at theSpace Triplex Studio from 7 to 29 August. Directed by Olivia Verrill with music by Jack Ballard and Kitty Richardson, the comedy follows two best friends whose shared birthday is completely ruined by the 2021 US Capitol insurrection, forcing them to literally sing and dance their way to legal innocence when allegations emerge of their involvement in the coup. Previews for the slate will begin in London in late July before transferring north.
Photo credit: Holly Revell
