1857
1857 by Kanpur is a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, performing at Pleasance Courtyard. It has 12 performances listed, running from Wed 5 Aug, 15:25 to Sun 16 Aug, 15:25. The run has finished — every listed performance has taken place.
About this show
The Fringe First-winning, sell-out smash-hit Kanpur: 1857 returns to the Edinburgh Fringe. Strapped to a cannon, an Indian rebel finds themselves answering to a British officer for the crimes of Kanpur. Based on historical events, this new play comically satirises contemporary conflicts around gender, colonial violence and making art in times of crisis. Written by and starring 'storytelling genius' * (Scotsman) Niall Moorjani, and co-directed by and starring Jonathan Oldfield, director of 2024's Best Newcomer Award-winning show. But who is the hero and who is the villain? Whatever happens, it's going to be explosive.
Details
- Performer: Kanpur
- Venue: Pleasance Courtyard
- Space: Above
- Genre: THEATRE, Storytelling
- Country: UNITED KINGDOM - ENGLAND
- Running time: 60 minutes
- Room size: about 146 seats (Above) — the Fringe box office sells a share of the room, not all of it
- Performances listed: 12, 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 on road outside. Lift access through Pleasance Bar — ask at Box Office or bar for assistance. Performance space is on the First Floor up 20 steps on a permanent stone staircase that has handrails. Lift dimensions are 1200mm x 1200mm, max. weight 500kg. The lift can accept power wheelchairs. 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 7 published 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.
There are few performances I can think of which start with a more powerful image than a frightened prisoner strapped to the mouth of a cannon, waiting for it to fire and this is exactly how Kanpur: 1857 begins.
Kanpur 1857 was not the piece I was expecting and that is part of its power. Set around the events of the 1857 uprising against British rule in India, the production takes us into Kanpur and explores resistance,…
— Pure Life Plus (4 out of 5 stars)
Kanpur 1857 shines a necessary light on a period of history largely forgotten in Britain. Its intentions are noble, the acting is excellent, and the live tabla accompaniment is inspired.
— Theatre Weekly (3 out of 5 stars)
Performance dates and ticket availability
- Wed 5 Aug, 15:25 — Already performed — £12.00
- Thu 6 Aug, 15:25 — Already performed — £12.00
- Fri 7 Aug, 15:25 — Already performed — £17.00
- Sat 8 Aug, 15:25 — Already performed — £17.00
- Sun 9 Aug, 15:25 — Already performed — £17.00
- Mon 10 Aug, 15:25 — Already performed — £17.00
- Tue 11 Aug, 15:25 — Already performed — £17.00
- Wed 12 Aug, 15:25 — Already performed — £15.00
- Thu 13 Aug, 15:25 — Already performed — £15.00
- Fri 14 Aug, 15:25 — Already performed — £17.00
- Sat 15 Aug, 15:25 — Already performed — £17.00
- Sun 16 Aug, 15:25 — Already performed — £17.00