Banshee Labyrinth – Banqueting Hall (No. 156)

The euphoria of a trans man's first year on testosterone. Changing your body is bizarre and beautiful in equal measure. Join TJ for a cosy collection of poetry which celebrates all the beauty, the weirdness, the growth (of hair, mostly), and the comfort of his first year on T.

It's New Year's Eve in the High Peak and Gawain, only recently transitioned, has finally been invited to The Round Table for a piss-up. What should be a night of uncomplicated revels is soon interrupted by the arrival of The Green Knight with a challenge to lay before Gawain to make sure that he ...

A million things filling your brain? Too much on your shoulders?? Still expected to be a functioning human adult??? If you've been affected by thoughts like this, join Hev as we explore through comedy and spoken word how they cope! (Spoilers: they don't)

Join poet and disaster bisexual India in an autobiographical spoken word show where they share the best of their lore: anecdotes about love, life, and health - with stories so crazy they feel like sitcom bloopers. With heartfelt sincerity and belly laughs amongst the madness, you too can play "In...

Glasgow's (unofficial) Tour Guide returns with the story of life inside the sandstone. Escape Edinburgh for an hour of performance poetry and stories recounting a year of ups, downs, joys and grief all from inside one high ceilinged room with a bay window view.

A million things filling your brain? Too much on your shoulders?? Still expected to be a functioning human adult??? If you've been affected by thoughts like this, join Hev as we explore through comedy and spoken word how they cope! (Spoilers: they don't)

Remember childhood-favourite Guess Who? It's that, but based on vibes and played with you, the lovely audience. Failure is certain. A good time not absolutely guaranteed but quite likely. NOW IN ITS THIRD YEAR. 6x Chortle Award winner. ★★★★★ One4Review.co.uk ★★★★ Daily Mirror

The next "Fleabag", probably. A woman's alter-ego narrates and performs poems about her break-up and subsequent life as a top shagger attempting polyamory. Neurodiverse, filthy and funny, "The Gemini" should resonate with anyone who's ever felt lonely and horny. A work in progress.

Join award winning spoken word performer and Free Fringe favourite Beth Rose at a poetic feast for all the senses as she attempts to answer the question: what's the sweetest thing you can put in your mouth? Faith, food and fantasy blend together leave you begging for more. Missed it last year? Do...

In this restaurant of the mind, every thought is catered to. But what happens when the worst customer chooses to dine? A voice recording and a live performance fuse together to bring explosive flavours of hilarity, rhythm and heartfelt explorations of the self. Served with 0% AI and 100% raw beef.

A spoken word show about the shit life throws at you from house fires to airport emergencies to cars breaking down and everything in between. Let's learn to breathe and roll with the punches.

No lies. No clothes. No bullsh*t. Flat Earth poetry. Scott Manley Hadley has been 'Highly Commended' in the Forward Prizes for Poetry. (Not for this.)

Have you ever fallen in love with someone who feels like the sun? Summer is for lovers: long sultry evenings, sweat streaked skin, crisp fruit tang on the tongue. Sometimes loving the sun burns you, but we wouldn't have it any other way. Join award-winning poet Beth Rose for her 10th Free Fringe ...

What if your breaking point was actually your beginning? A three-part spoken word journey of love, loss and everything in between—raw, reflective and uplifting. A story about finding beauty in life's messiest moments.

Dave Reubens goes all out to prove why magic is amazing in his thrilling crash course in all things magic. This mind-blowing magic show is packed with classics, mind reading and illusion. Get a sneaky look behind the magician's curtain, hear about magic's crazy past and even learn a trick to perf...

The Spoken Word Show Chaos that is Screech Night returns to the Banshee Labyrinth Banqueting Hall! Tom, Invi and Hev invite you to join them for a feast of poetry, storytelling and other spoken word delights served up by performers - from around the Fringe and beyond. (Open mic slots MAY be avail...

Four passengers are stranded for the night. There's nothing they can do; they'll have to wait... but who, or what, lurks in the waiting room? Who will survive to catch the morning train? Winner of the 2024 Step Up Commission, Waiting At Eldridge is a folk horror story (with poems). Told by Tom Ju...

Dead poets can't very well introduce themselves or their works to you on their own, now can they? Bringing the dead back to life since 2026! Expect ghosts, hauntings, death and a cat, most evil. [This show IS 18+. So, some of the stories/poems are quite grim, but 19th century grim, not french snu...

Something amazing and unique will happen. Will you experience it, or will you miss out?

Join your favourite Spoken Word acts from across the 2026 Free Fringe as we celebrate this amazing art form, and the continued growth in the Fringe, with our very own award show. Look out for details on how to vote during Fringe!

After the runaway success of their 2024 Fringe show, Ross McCleary and Stefan Mohamed are faced with their greatest challenge yet - devising a follow-up. Unfortunately, the only punchline they can think of involves the Vengabus, and they already did that. Can they escape the inexorable gravitatio...

Poets Gabriela Milkova Robins and Mike Yuill bring their St Andrews poetry show 'Forspoken' to the Free Fringe! Come along to The Banshee Labyrinth for sets by both hosts, plus yet-to-be-announced featured guests, finishing off with a mini open mic at the end.

A Graverobber digs up historical and mythological characters and inters them in the wrong coffin. The Maquis de Lafayette attends a performance of Hamilton, Antigone becomes a medic on the Ukrainian war-front, and Sappho finds herself storming the Bastille.

The Lock-In Poetry Slam celebrates the weirdest and most wonderful slam formats - from Bingo to Triathlons, War Games to 10 Hour Slams. Back at the Fringe for 2 Extra Special Shows! Not to be missed!

A Shattered Mosaic is an autobiographical one-woman show from poet-playwright Jess Clark, told in rhymed poetry. It weaves together spoken word and theatre, mapping a decade of early adulthood. Fusing personal history with humour and the political backdrop of 2015-2025, the show stands as a love ...

Award winning actress Rebecca is waiting to finally tie the knot. Join her as she reflects on her colourful dating journey with all its ups and downs and everything in between. This is an energetic and comedic spoken word show with lots of twists and turns and big laughs.

This high-energy dirty storytelling show is packed tight with true-life tales and astonishing secrets, hosted by award-winning performer and "Sidewalk Smut Lady" Cameryn Moore. Share your own confessions for the chance to win prizes, every night! Sponsored by Überlube and Erotiquest, inspired by...

Sally-Anne Hayward: Sally Versus Nature (WIP) Sally's year started well. A new kitchen. What followed was a nightmare. ARIA-nominated for Tell Teresa for BBC Radio Ulster. Winner of Best UK Compere and the Holsten Pils 'Fans of Comedy' Award. UK and international tour support for Sarah Millican. ...

The Lock-In Poetry Slam celebrates the weirdest and most wonderful slam formats - from Bingo to Triathlons, War Games to 10 Hour Slams. Back at the Fringe for 2 Extra Special Shows! Not to be missed!

The Kraken, Cthulhu, Scylla…. In 1933 a Giant Squid was found washed up on Scarborough's Southbay beach.. raising the question was this an adult? And if not just how big do they get? We know more about the surface of the moon than we know of what lives beneath the sea.. join us as we go beneath...

A new multimedia comedy show from Scottish comedy veteran Graham Barrie. 'Help!! My Baby's Not Goth' is a hilarious exploration of Goth & Alternative Subcultures. From Heavy Metal & Horror to Satanism & Guyliner. Join Graham as he embarks on his quest to understand the world of Goth & turn his ne...

A late night swashbuckling work-in-progress comedy show from Leicester Square Theatre Comedian of the Year Finalist Joe Peden. If you like live comedy performed by a man dressed as a pirate, look no further! No seriously, please look no further: I'd really like you to come to this. 'a blessed rel...

COMEDY, SEX AND PUPPETS? Need I say more? A work in progress comedy show for anyone who is up past midnight and making terrible decisions

You didn't listen. You didn't do the homework. Now you're here, at the only show where attendance isn't encouraged - it's mandatory. With Mr Malik, a real teacher, you'll stay late and repay your time in true stories, low standards and questionable morals. You have been bad, this show is your pun...

An alternative comedy compilation featuring stand-up, characters, a postman and (maybe) a phone call to mum. A complete nightmare of a show by one of London's leading alt comedy nights. Nominee: Malcolm Hardee Award 2024 ★★★★★ 'Beautifully unhinged, hilarious…an absolute must-see' EdF...