Painter and Storyteller
Painter and Storyteller by Helen Bradley is a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, performing at Pleasance Courtyard. It has 25 performances listed, running from Wed 5 Aug, 11:20 to Sun 30 Aug, 11:20. The run has finished — every listed performance has taken place.
About this show
This is the sixth painter play that Kara Wilson has written, where she portrays the artist at work and completes an oil painting in her style during the show. Privileged to work with Helen Bradley's family, Kara has amassed a treasure trove of verbatim stories and first-hand knowledge. Bradley (1900-1979) achieved international recognition in her late sixties and brought out bestselling picture books based on her Edwardian childhood. Kara discovered Bradley in 1975 when she bought her book And Miss Carter Wore Pink for her daughter Nina Conti.
Details
- Performer: Helen Bradley
- Venue: Pleasance Courtyard
- Space: Cellar
- Genre: THEATRE, Painting, New writing
- Country: UNITED KINGDOM - ENGLAND
- Running time: 55 minutes
- Room size: about 46 seats (Cellar) — 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
- Wheelchair access: lift
- Access features: Step-free access, Accessible toilet, Hearing loop
- Venue notes: Accessible entry: Queue in cobbled courtyard. Access to space via locked lift, please notify venue ahead of your visit if you require use of the lift and ask at Info Shed upon arrival for access. Lift dimensions are 1200mm x 1000mm, max. weight 630kg. Performance space is in Basement down 15 steep steps on a permanent stone staircase, with handrails. 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 4 published reviews and 14 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.
Wilson’s Bradley paints away quite naturally, while telling her life story in what becomes a feat and a feast of multitasking.
— Theatre in Edinburgh (4 out of 5 stars)
Kara Wilson has created her own unique style of one woman Fringe shows with her series of Painter Plays, previously portraying Beryl Cook and Vanessa Bell.
This is simply a charming story held in the safest of hands.
— The Scotsman (4 out of 5 stars)
Performance dates and ticket availability
- Wed 5 Aug, 11:20 — Already performed — £7.00
- Thu 6 Aug, 11:20 — Already performed — £7.00
- Fri 7 Aug, 11:20 — Already performed — £13.00
- Sat 8 Aug, 11:20 — Already performed — £13.00
- Sun 9 Aug, 11:20 — Already performed — £13.00
- Mon 10 Aug, 11:20 — Already performed — £13.00
- Tue 11 Aug, 11:20 — Already performed — £13.00
- Wed 12 Aug, 11:20 — Already performed — £11.00
- Thu 13 Aug, 11:20 — Already performed — £11.00
- Fri 14 Aug, 11:20 — Already performed — £13.00
- Sat 15 Aug, 11:20 — Already performed — £13.00
- Sun 16 Aug, 11:20 — Already performed — £13.00
- Mon 17 Aug, 11:20 — Already performed — £11.00
- Tue 18 Aug, 11:20 — Already performed — £11.00
- Thu 20 Aug, 11:20 — Already performed — £11.00
- Fri 21 Aug, 11:20 — Already performed — £13.00
- Sat 22 Aug, 11:20 — Already performed — £13.00
- Sun 23 Aug, 11:20 — Already performed — £13.00
- Mon 24 Aug, 11:20 — Already performed — £11.00
- Tue 25 Aug, 11:20 — Already performed — £11.00
- Wed 26 Aug, 11:20 — Already performed — £11.00
- Thu 27 Aug, 11:20 — Already performed — £11.00
- Fri 28 Aug, 11:20 — Already performed — £13.00
- Sat 29 Aug, 11:20 — Already performed — £13.00
- Sun 30 Aug, 11:20 — Already performed — £13.00