An Enlightenment Experiment
An Enlightenment Experiment by ASURA is a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, performing at ZOO Southside. It has 21 performances listed, running from Fri 7 Aug, 17:55 to Sun 30 Aug, 17:55. The run has finished — every listed performance has taken place.
About this show
Wayne Stewart is a theatre-maker who turns big philosophical questions into lived experiments. In ASURA, he designs an AI spiritual guide in an attempt to reach enlightenment. Built around routines, structure and self-optimisation, the experiment collapses when illness intervenes, forcing him to begin again from a very different place. An offbeat solo performance that moves between humour, reflection and interaction. It prioritises presence over polish, allowing space for unpredictability and genuine exchange. ASURA explores the tension between control and acceptance, asking what remains when the need to optimise falls away.
Details
- Performer: ASURA
- Venue: ZOO Southside
- Space: Studio
- Genre: THEATRE, Devised, Solo show
- Country: JERSEY
- Running time: 60 minutes
- Room size: about 70 seats (Studio) — the Fringe box office sells a share of the room, not all of it
- Performances listed: 21, of which 0 still to come and on sale
Accessibility
- Wheelchair access: level
- Access features: Step-free access, Accessible toilet
- Venue notes: Accessible entry: Level access via rear entrance, 10 steps from street if not taking accessibility entrance. Wheelchair access type:Level Access Stairs: 6 - 10 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 5 published reviews and 4 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.
It’s an experimental approach that addresses the challenge every show and large language software model faces: what kind of pre-planned structures are needed to feel authentic in a way that neither theatre nor AI really…
— The Scotsman (4 out of 5 stars)
There are a lot of shows about AI at Edinburgh Fringe this year. However, you should not miss ASURA: An Enlightenment Experiment from Wayne Stewart Presents, at ZOO Southside Studio, as it both cleaves to the…
— Theatre Weekly (5 out of 5 stars)
His stage presence remains easy and engaging as he tells a bit of a story, plays some backgammon and has a bit of a chat with the audience before packing everything up and wandering off.
— Broadway Baby (4 out of 5 stars)
Performance dates and ticket availability
- Fri 7 Aug, 17:55 — Already performed — £12.50
- Sat 8 Aug, 17:55 — Already performed — £12.50
- Sun 9 Aug, 17:55 — Already performed — £12.50
- Mon 10 Aug, 17:55 — Already performed — £12.50
- Wed 12 Aug, 17:55 — Already performed — £12.50
- Thu 13 Aug, 17:55 — Already performed — £12.50
- Fri 14 Aug, 17:55 — Already performed — £12.50
- Sat 15 Aug, 17:55 — Already performed — £12.50
- Sun 16 Aug, 17:55 — Already performed — £12.50
- Mon 17 Aug, 17:55 — Already performed — £12.50
- Wed 19 Aug, 17:55 — Already performed — £12.50
- Thu 20 Aug, 17:55 — Already performed — £12.50
- Fri 21 Aug, 17:55 — Already performed — £12.50
- Sat 22 Aug, 17:55 — Already performed — £12.50
- Sun 23 Aug, 17:55 — Cancelled — £12.50
- Mon 24 Aug, 17:55 — Already performed — £12.50
- Wed 26 Aug, 17:55 — Already performed — £12.50
- Thu 27 Aug, 17:55 — Already performed — £12.50
- Fri 28 Aug, 17:55 — Already performed — £12.50
- Sat 29 Aug, 17:55 — Already performed — £12.50
- Sun 30 Aug, 17:55 — Already performed — £12.50