Book of Shadows
Book of Shadows is a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, performing at Underbelly, Cowgate. It has 25 performances listed, running from Wed 5 Aug, 18:30 to Sun 30 Aug, 18:30. The run has finished — every listed performance has taken place.
About this show
Two puppeteers cast giant shadows to conjure a hilarious occult mystery. Teenage sceptic Vi is forced to live with her grandmother, who claims to be the 200-year-old mystic and spiritual guru Madam Blavatsky. When Vi's friends begin to disappear, she reluctantly teams up with Granny to uncover a conspiracy of séances, unhinged cultists and suspiciously interested government agents. A visually striking dark comedy. Based on a possibly true story. Learn real magic. Summon demons. Impress your friends. Sceptics welcome. Spirits optional. From the award-winning Japanese company behind Shunga Alert and Space Hippo. * (ThreeWeeks).
Details
- Venue: Underbelly, Cowgate
- Space: Big Belly
- Genre: THEATRE, Puppetry, Comedy
- Country: JAPAN
- Running time: 60 minutes
- Room size: about 60 seats (Big Belly) — the Fringe box office sells a share of the room, not all of it
- Performances listed: 25, of which 0 still to come and on sale
Accessibility
- Venue notes: Accessible entry: There are 32 steps into this venue from the cowgate entrance. Stairs: 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 6 published reviews and 32 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.
Book of Shadows is technically brilliant and epically silly. The team behind the show, Seri Yanai and Daniel Wishes wrote, designed, cut and painted all the puppets and the show itself is an intense endeavour as they…
— EdFestMag (4 out of 5 stars)
It’s always exciting to see a show by Mochinosha, probably the most incredible shadow puppetry company in the universe! It’s even more thrilling when you know it’s a world premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe.
— Everything Theatre (5 out of 5 stars)
Book of Shadows is the latest performance piece by Book of Shadowz (aka Moshinosha Puppet Company), who have previously brought their own unique form of shadow puppetry and quirky storytelling to the Edinburgh Fringe…
— British Theatre Guide (3 out of 5 stars)
Performance dates and ticket availability
- Wed 5 Aug, 18:30 — Already performed — £8.50
- Thu 6 Aug, 18:30 — Already performed — £8.50
- Fri 7 Aug, 18:30 — Already performed — £8.50
- Sat 8 Aug, 18:30 — Already performed — £13.50
- Sun 9 Aug, 18:30 — Already performed — £13.50
- Mon 10 Aug, 18:30 — Already performed — £13.50
- Tue 11 Aug, 18:30 — Already performed — £13.50
- Wed 12 Aug, 18:30 — Already performed — £12.50
- Thu 13 Aug, 18:30 — Already performed — £12.50
- Fri 14 Aug, 18:30 — Already performed — £13.50
- Sat 15 Aug, 18:30 — Already performed — £13.50
- Sun 16 Aug, 18:30 — Already performed — £13.50
- Mon 17 Aug, 18:30 — Already performed — £12.50
- Tue 18 Aug, 18:30 — Already performed — £12.50
- Thu 20 Aug, 18:30 — Already performed — £12.50
- Fri 21 Aug, 18:30 — Already performed — £13.50
- Sat 22 Aug, 18:30 — Already performed — £13.50
- Sun 23 Aug, 18:30 — Already performed — £13.50
- Mon 24 Aug, 18:30 — Already performed — £12.50
- Tue 25 Aug, 18:30 — Already performed — £12.50
- Wed 26 Aug, 18:30 — Already performed — £12.50
- Thu 27 Aug, 18:30 — Already performed — £12.50
- Fri 28 Aug, 18:30 — Already performed — £13.50
- Sat 29 Aug, 18:30 — Already performed — £13.50
- Sun 30 Aug, 18:30 — Already performed — £13.50