By a Thread
By a Thread is a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, performing at Assembly Rooms. It has 22 performances listed, running from Thu 6 Aug, 15:55 to Sun 30 Aug, 15:55. The run has finished — every listed performance has taken place.
About this show
Seven acrobats and thirty metres of rope… By a Thread returns after a sold-out 2025 season! Long spools of white rope run through industrial pulleys and wrap around bodies. The show weaves virtuosic acrobatics through moments of confusion, hilarity, romance, playfulness, fear and friendship, uncovering the threads of connection present in all relationships. Australian circus at its best, By a Thread is an exploration of trust and risk six metres above the ground. ‘Easily one of the best pieces of physical theatre on display’ (One4Review.co.uk). ‘One of the most tender moments you’ll see in a circus’ (Scotsman).
Details
- Venue: Assembly Rooms
- Space: Music Hall
- Genre: CIRCUS, Acrobatics, Family-friendly
- Country: AUSTRALIA
- Running time: 60 minutes
- Room size: about 670 seats (Music Hall) — 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, Relaxed performances
- Venue notes: Accessible entry: There is lift access into the performance space. If not taking the lift there are 23 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.
What the reviewers said
We have captured 8 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.
Acrobats were hanging By A Thread, as it were, but this wasn’t as dangerous as it seemed on paper. The ‘thread’ in question was an almost absurdly sturdy rope more than capable of supporting the weight of the…
Despite the venue size increase, this production hasn’t lost any of its impact; it’s still a staggering showcase of trust and connection, with some slower, more intimate moments as well as a few giggly punches too. The…
— One4Review (5 out of 5 stars)
The beauty of a circus act is the unexpected elevation of the ordinary to the extraordinary. In the case of Australian company One Fell Swoop Circus’s show By a Thread, its chosen subject is a humble 30-foot length of…
Performance dates and ticket availability
- Thu 6 Aug, 15:55 — Already performed — £14.00
- Fri 7 Aug, 15:55 — Already performed — £19.00
- Sat 8 Aug, 15:55 — Already performed — £19.00
- Sun 9 Aug, 15:55 — Already performed — £19.00
- Mon 10 Aug, 15:55 — Already performed — £19.00
- Tue 11 Aug, 15:55 — Already performed — £19.00
- Thu 13 Aug, 15:55 — Already performed — £16.50
- Fri 14 Aug, 15:55 — Already performed — £19.00
- Sat 15 Aug, 15:55 — Already performed — £19.00
- Sun 16 Aug, 15:55 — Already performed — £19.00
- Tue 18 Aug, 15:55 — Already performed — £16.50
- Wed 19 Aug, 15:55 — Already performed — £16.50
- Thu 20 Aug, 15:55 — Already performed — £16.50
- Fri 21 Aug, 15:55 — Already performed — £19.00
- Sat 22 Aug, 15:55 — Already performed — £19.00
- Sun 23 Aug, 15:55 — Already performed — £19.00
- Tue 25 Aug, 15:55 — Already performed — £16.50
- Wed 26 Aug, 15:55 — Already performed — £16.50
- Thu 27 Aug, 15:55 — Already performed — £16.50
- Fri 28 Aug, 15:55 — Already performed — £19.00
- Sat 29 Aug, 15:55 — Already performed — £19.00
- Sun 30 Aug, 15:55 — Already performed — £19.00