The Original
The Original by Police Cops is a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, performing at Assembly George Square. It has 26 performances listed, running from Wed 5 Aug, 17:35 to Mon 31 Aug, 17:35. The run has finished — every listed performance has taken place.
About this show
The multi award-winning comedy blockbuster returns! With 20+ five-star reviews, globally acclaimed Police Cops bring back the show that started it all! Reloaded and supercharged for 2026, expect adrenaline-fuelled physical comedy, 80s bangers and uncompromising facial hair. Winner: Stage Award for Acting Excellence. Winner: Best Show, Toronto Fringe. Winner: Best International Show, Cape Town Fringe. Winner: Brighton Fringe Award For Excellence. * (WhatsOnStage.com). * (EdFestMag.com). * (Stage). * (TheatreWeekly.com). 'It's hip, radical, funny as f*ck and a work of towering genius' (Bill Nighy). 'It takes brains to be this dumb!' (Stewart Lee).
Details
- Performer: Police Cops
- Venue: Assembly George Square
- Space: Gordon Aikman Theatre
- Genre: COMEDY, Theatre
- Country: UNITED KINGDOM - ENGLAND
- Running time: 60 minutes
- Ed Fringe Guide rating: Ok
- Room size: about 500 seats (Gordon Aikman Theatre) — 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: Cobbled area around the George Square Theatre. If not taking the lift there are about 35 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 2 published reviews and 59 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.
If you thought a decade of international touring, West End runs, and spin-off shows might have softened the edges of the original Police Cops, think again.
The slickest, sharpest chaos you’re likely to see.
— Broadway Baby (5 out of 5 stars)
Performance dates and ticket availability
- Wed 5 Aug, 17:35 — Already performed — £14.00
- Thu 6 Aug, 17:35 — Already performed — £14.00
- Fri 7 Aug, 17:35 — Already performed — £17.50
- Sat 8 Aug, 17:35 — Already performed — £17.50
- Sun 9 Aug, 17:35 — Already performed — £17.50
- Mon 10 Aug, 17:35 — Already performed — £17.50
- Tue 11 Aug, 17:35 — Already performed — £17.50
- Wed 12 Aug, 17:35 — Already performed — £16.50
- Thu 13 Aug, 17:35 — Already performed — £16.50
- Fri 14 Aug, 17:35 — Already performed — £17.50
- Sat 15 Aug, 17:35 — Already performed — £17.50
- Sun 16 Aug, 17:35 — Already performed — £17.50
- Mon 17 Aug, 17:35 — Already performed — £16.50
- Tue 18 Aug, 17:35 — Already performed — £16.50
- Thu 20 Aug, 17:35 — Already performed — £16.50
- Fri 21 Aug, 17:35 — Already performed — £17.50
- Sat 22 Aug, 17:35 — Already performed — £17.50
- Sun 23 Aug, 17:35 — Already performed — £17.50
- Mon 24 Aug, 17:35 — Already performed — £16.50
- Tue 25 Aug, 17:35 — Already performed — £16.50
- Wed 26 Aug, 17:35 — Already performed — £16.50
- Thu 27 Aug, 17:35 — Already performed — £16.50
- Fri 28 Aug, 17:35 — Already performed — £17.50
- Sat 29 Aug, 17:35 — Already performed — £17.50
- Sun 30 Aug, 17:35 — Already performed — £17.50
- Mon 31 Aug, 17:35 — Cancelled — £16.50