Burning Down the Horse

Burning Down the Horse is a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, performing at Underbelly, Bristo Square. It has 26 performances listed, running from Wed 5 Aug, 12:35 to Mon 31 Aug, 12:35. The run has finished — every listed performance has taken place.

About this show

After two sell-out Fringe runs, Burning Down the Horse is back! This immersive comedy epic drops you into the heart of the most iconic wooden animal in history – the Trojan Horse. Become part of this 'infectiously funny' (FringeReview.co.uk) tale as you contend with heroic egos, class clashes and sword supply issues. There's only one rule: Odysseus' word is law. And for the love of gods – no naked flames! Join us for an 'entertaining slice of lunchtime laughs' (Scotsman) and experience what really went on inside the belly of the beast.

Details

  • Venue: Underbelly, Bristo Square
  • Space: Friesian
  • Genre: THEATRE, Immersive, Comedy
  • Country: UNITED KINGDOM - ENGLAND
  • Running time: 60 minutes
  • Room size: about 115 seats (Friesian) — the Fringe box office sells a share of the room, not all of it
  • Performances listed: 26, of which 0 still to come and on sale

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair access: lift
  • Access features: Step-free access, Accessible toilet
  • Venue notes: Accessible entry: there are 18 steps into the venue if not taking the lift. Wheelchair access type:Lift (Building Lift) 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 2 published reviews and 49 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.

  • For over three millennia, the story of the Trojan Horse has stood as history’s ultimate stealth operation: Greek soldiers hiding inside a giant wooden structure to breach the walls of Troy.

    Broadway World

  • Burning Down the Horse is an hour-long immersive comedy performance, directed by Maya Shimmin. It is being staged at the Underbelly Bristo Square venue on the Fresian Stage. It poses the question: what happened inside…

    Theatre Weekly (5 out of 5 stars)

Performance dates and ticket availability

  • Wed 5 Aug, 12:35 — Already performed — £9.00
  • Thu 6 Aug, 12:35 — Already performed — £9.00
  • Fri 7 Aug, 12:35 — Already performed — £9.00
  • Sat 8 Aug, 12:35 — Already performed — £14.00
  • Sun 9 Aug, 12:35 — Already performed — £14.00
  • Mon 10 Aug, 12:35 — Already performed — £14.00
  • Tue 11 Aug, 12:35 — Already performed — £14.00
  • Wed 12 Aug, 12:35 — Already performed — £13.00
  • Thu 13 Aug, 12:35 — Already performed — £13.00
  • Fri 14 Aug, 12:35 — Already performed — £14.00
  • Sat 15 Aug, 12:35 — Already performed — £14.00
  • Sun 16 Aug, 12:35 — Already performed — £14.00
  • Tue 18 Aug, 12:35 — Already performed — £13.00
  • Wed 19 Aug, 12:35 — Already performed — £13.00
  • Thu 20 Aug, 12:35 — Already performed — £13.00
  • Fri 21 Aug, 12:35 — Already performed — £14.00
  • Sat 22 Aug, 12:35 — Already performed — £14.00
  • Sun 23 Aug, 12:35 — Already performed — £14.00
  • Mon 24 Aug, 12:35 — Already performed — £13.00
  • Tue 25 Aug, 12:35 — Already performed — £13.00
  • Wed 26 Aug, 12:35 — Already performed — £13.00
  • Thu 27 Aug, 12:35 — Already performed — £13.00
  • Fri 28 Aug, 12:35 — Already performed — £14.00
  • Sat 29 Aug, 12:35 — Already performed — £14.00
  • Sun 30 Aug, 12:35 — Already performed — £14.00
  • Mon 31 Aug, 12:35 — Cancelled

View on the official Fringe site

More shows at Underbelly, Bristo Square

Plan the rest of your Fringe

Still building a day around Underbelly, Bristo Square? These are the rest of the Edinburgh Fringe 2026 programme's shows at the same venue, in the same genre, and on the same dates.

Ed Fringe Guide is an unofficial, fan-made guide. Not affiliated with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society or edfringe.com.