Afronauts
Afronauts is a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, performing at Underbelly, George Square. It has 23 performances listed, running from Thu 6 Aug, 13:55 to Mon 31 Aug, 13:55. The run has finished — every listed performance has taken place.
About this show
An all-ages, high-flying collision of circus, theatre and space adventure. 1964: the world’s superpowers are caught in the space race. Enter an unlikely contender... Zambia. Visionary Edward Mukuka Nkoloso aimed to send Africa’s first astronauts into the cosmos. His crew? A young girl, two cats and a missionary. His rocket? Aluminium, ambition and audacity. Wake The Beast and Circus Zambia bring this extraordinary story to life with breathtaking acrobatics, theatrical spectacle and irresistible heart. A true tale of courage, hope and willpower that can take you to the moon... or make you believe you could.
Details
- Venue: Underbelly, George Square
- Space: Udderbelly
- Genre: CIRCUS, Theatre, Family-friendly
- Country: ZAMBIA
- Running time: 60 minutes
- Room size: about 410 seats (Udderbelly) — the Fringe box office sells a share of the room, not all of it
- Performances listed: 23, of which 0 still to come and on sale
Accessibility
- Wheelchair access: level
- Access features: Step-free access, Accessible toilet, Audio described performances
- Venue notes: Accessible entry: Access into the venue with a wheelchair can become restricted once the majority of the audience have been sat. Please turn up with ample time and make yourself know to FOH so you can be admitted first to ensure ease of access. There are up to 20 steps if not taking the accessible entrance. Wheelchair access type:Level Access Stairs: 11- 20 Number of stairs is provided as guidance and is not in addition to any wheelchair access type (lift/ramp etc) stated above.
What the reviewers said
We have captured 18 published reviews and 46 audience reviews for this show from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s own listing. The excerpts below are the reviewers’ words, not ours — follow each link for the full review.
Afronauts is a real ode to courage and determination, told with heart and humour and perfect for the whole family.
— Lothian Life (4 out of 5 stars)
Entertaining, uplifting, educational and packed with heart, AFRONAUTS manages to teach a fascinating piece of Zambian history without ever feeling like a history lesson.
— It Girl World UK (5 out of 5 stars)
Finally, there is pure joy to be had at the circus this year and Zambia’s irresistible Afronauts are here to take you on the ultimate space odyssey and rewriting the history books 5 Stars
Performance dates and ticket availability
- Thu 6 Aug, 13:55 — Already performed — £12.00
- Fri 7 Aug, 13:55 — Already performed — £16.50
- Sat 8 Aug, 13:55 — Already performed — £17.50
- Sun 9 Aug, 13:55 — Already performed — £17.50
- Mon 10 Aug, 13:55 — Already performed — £17.50
- Tue 11 Aug, 13:55 — Already performed — £17.50
- Thu 13 Aug, 13:55 — Already performed — £16.50
- Fri 14 Aug, 13:55 — Already performed — £17.50
- Sat 15 Aug, 13:55 — Already performed — £17.50
- Sun 16 Aug, 13:55 — Already performed — £17.50
- Tue 18 Aug, 13:55 — Already performed — £16.50
- Wed 19 Aug, 13:55 — Already performed — £16.50
- Thu 20 Aug, 13:55 — Already performed — £16.50
- Fri 21 Aug, 13:55 — Already performed — £17.50
- Sat 22 Aug, 13:55 — Already performed — £17.50
- Sun 23 Aug, 13:55 — Already performed — £17.50
- Tue 25 Aug, 13:55 — Already performed — £16.50
- Wed 26 Aug, 13:55 — Already performed — £16.50
- Thu 27 Aug, 13:55 — Already performed — £16.50
- Fri 28 Aug, 13:55 — Already performed — £17.50
- Sat 29 Aug, 13:55 — Already performed — £17.50
- Sun 30 Aug, 13:55 — Already performed — £17.50
- Mon 31 Aug, 13:55 — Already performed — £16.50