Copycat
Copycat is a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, performing at Pleasance Dome. It has 24 performances listed, running from Wed 5 Aug, 16:10 to Mon 31 Aug, 16:10. The run has finished — every listed performance has taken place.
About this show
'This technology is being pushed on us at a time when the world is moving towards authoritarianism' (Geoffrey Hinton). Does AI spell the end of humanity, or the dawn of a new utopia? Fringe First Winner Joe Sellman-Leava (Labels, Fanboy) might be a technophobe, but he's going to try and find out! Using innovative design and a whirlwind of uncanny impressions, Joe tells the story of a teacher, a student, and a copycat dictator, to examine the links between art, fascism and rapid technological change. 'Smart, sharp writing' (Stage review of It's The Economy, Stupid!)
Details
- Venue: Pleasance Dome
- Space: Jack Dome
- Genre: THEATRE, New writing
- Country: UNITED KINGDOM - ENGLAND
- Running time: 60 minutes
- Room size: about 75 seats (Jack Dome) — the Fringe box office sells a share of the room, not all of it
- Performances listed: 24, of which 0 still to come and on sale
Accessibility
- Wheelchair access: lift
- Access features: Step-free access, Accessible toilet, Hearing loop
- Venue notes: Accessible entry: Main queue at entrance to venue. Access to space via locked lift, please notify the venue ahead of your visit if you require use of the lift and ask at the box office upon arrival for access. Performance space is on First Floor up 20 steps on a permanent spiral metal staircase. 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 11 published reviews and 21 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.
Copycat is a new show from Worklight Theatre looking at imitation and how worried we should be about AI. 4 Stars
There’s plenty of interesting content here but, in this form, they’re all fighting each other for dominance – and there’s no clear winner. Nonetheless, it does raise some vital points – and asks important questions..
— Bouquets & Brickbats (3 out of 5 stars)
Sellman-Leava’s warm and gentle performance style is aptly human, and aptly disarming for the chaos that he warns is on its way.
— Read About Stuff (5 out of 5 stars)
Performance dates and ticket availability
- Wed 5 Aug, 16:10 — Already performed — £10.00
- Thu 6 Aug, 16:10 — Already performed — £10.00
- Fri 7 Aug, 16:10 — Already performed — £15.00
- Sat 8 Aug, 16:10 — Already performed — £15.00
- Sun 9 Aug, 16:10 — Already performed — £15.00
- Mon 10 Aug, 16:10 — Already performed — £15.00
- Tue 11 Aug, 16:10 — Already performed — £15.00
- Thu 13 Aug, 16:10 — Already performed — £13.00
- Fri 14 Aug, 16:10 — Already performed — £15.00
- Sat 15 Aug, 16:10 — Already performed — £15.00
- Sun 16 Aug, 16:10 — Already performed — £15.00
- Mon 17 Aug, 16:10 — Already performed — £13.00
- Tue 18 Aug, 16:10 — Already performed — £13.00
- Thu 20 Aug, 16:10 — Already performed — £13.00
- Fri 21 Aug, 16:10 — Already performed — £15.00
- Sat 22 Aug, 16:10 — Already performed — £15.00
- Sun 23 Aug, 16:10 — Already performed — £15.00
- Mon 24 Aug, 16:10 — Already performed — £13.00
- Tue 25 Aug, 16:10 — Already performed — £13.00
- Thu 27 Aug, 16:10 — Already performed — £13.00
- Fri 28 Aug, 16:10 — Already performed — £15.00
- Sat 29 Aug, 16:10 — Already performed — £15.00
- Sun 30 Aug, 16:10 — Already performed — £15.00
- Mon 31 Aug, 16:10 — Already performed — £13.00