5 Mistakes That Changed History
5 Mistakes That Changed History is a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, performing at Assembly George Square. It has 22 performances listed, running from Thu 6 Aug, 12:40 to Sun 30 Aug, 12:40. The run has finished — every listed performance has taken place.
About this show
We all make mistakes, but rarely do they change the course of history. After sell-out seasons in 2023, 2024 and 2025, the smash-hit historical storytelling show by comedian and historian Paul Coulter returns with a new show about five people and how their mistakes (big and small!) changed the world. Penguin Random House published the best-selling book 10 Mistakes That Changed History based on the show in 2025. If you love history, don't let your mistake be missing out on this show! One of British Comedy Guide's best-reviewed shows. * (TheatreWeekly.com). * (BroadwayWorld.com). * (TheEdinburghReporter.co.uk).
Details
- Venue: Assembly George Square
- Space: Gordon Aikman Theatre
- Genre: COMEDY, Historical, Storytelling
- Country: AUSTRALIA
- Running time: 60 minutes
- Room size: about 500 seats (Gordon Aikman Theatre) — the Fringe box office sells a share of the room, not all of it
- Performances listed: 22, of which 0 still to come and on sale
Accessibility
- Wheelchair access: lift
- Access features: Step-free access, Accessible toilet
- Venue notes: Accessible entry: Cobbled area around the George Square Theatre. If not taking the lift there are about 35 steps into the venue. Wheelchair access type:Lift (Building Lift) Stairs: 20+ Number of stairs is provided as guidance and is not in addition to any wheelchair access type (lift/ramp etc) stated above.
Performance dates and ticket availability
- Thu 6 Aug, 12:40 — Already performed — £12.00
- Fri 7 Aug, 12:40 — Already performed — £16.00
- Sat 8 Aug, 12:40 — Already performed — £16.00
- Sun 9 Aug, 12:40 — Already performed — £16.00
- Mon 10 Aug, 12:40 — Already performed — £16.00
- Tue 11 Aug, 12:40 — Already performed — £16.00
- Thu 13 Aug, 12:40 — Already performed — £15.00
- Fri 14 Aug, 12:40 — Already performed — £16.00
- Sat 15 Aug, 12:40 — Already performed — £16.00
- Sun 16 Aug, 12:40 — Already performed — £16.00
- Tue 18 Aug, 12:40 — Already performed — £15.00
- Wed 19 Aug, 12:40 — Already performed — £15.00
- Thu 20 Aug, 12:40 — Already performed — £15.00
- Fri 21 Aug, 12:40 — Already performed — £16.00
- Sat 22 Aug, 12:40 — Already performed — £16.00
- Sun 23 Aug, 12:40 — Already performed — £16.00
- Tue 25 Aug, 12:40 — Already performed — £15.00
- Wed 26 Aug, 12:40 — Already performed — £15.00
- Thu 27 Aug, 12:40 — Already performed — £15.00
- Fri 28 Aug, 12:40 — Already performed — £16.00
- Sat 29 Aug, 12:40 — Already performed — £16.00
- Sun 30 Aug, 12:40 — Already performed — £16.00