The Ballad of Isobel Gunn
The Ballad of Isobel Gunn is a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, performing at theSpace @ Symposium Hall. It has 21 performances listed, running from Fri 7 Aug, 15:05 to Sat 29 Aug, 12:05. The run has finished — every listed performance has taken place.
About this show
A new Scottish-Canadian musical recounting the extraordinary true tale of Isobel Gunn, a Scottish Orcadian woman who explored Canada in 1806, living as a man and working for the Hudson Bay Company. After journeying from the remote Orkney Islands, Isobel traveled 1800 miles across the Canadian wilderness as John Fubbister, a labourer in the fur trade. But when she unexpectedly gives birth, Isobel's identity is revealed... A celebration of a long-forgotten hero who had the courage to live freely and the tenacity follow her dreams. 'Glorious singing and first-rate storytelling' * (Adelaide Advertiser).
Details
- Venue: theSpace @ Symposium Hall
- Space: Annexe
- Genre: OPERA, Historical, Music
- Country: CANADA
- Running time: 50 minutes
- Room size: about 55 seats (Annexe) — the Fringe box office sells a share of the room, not all of it
- Performances listed: 21, of which 0 still to come and on sale
Accessibility
- Wheelchair access: ramp
- Access features: Step-free access, Accessible toilet
- Venue notes: Accessible entry: Shallow ramp from Hill Square. Level access through building into the theatre. Wheelchair access type:Permanent Ramp Stairs: None 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 5 published reviews and 7 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.
Gall has created an evocative piece of theatre, giving its audience much to reflect on.
— Theatre Scotland (4 out of 5 stars)
Melanie is a natural story-teller, and has such a beautiful clear, soaring voice that any performance from her is a joy to listen to.
— Arts Reviews Edinburgh (5 out of 5 stars)
The songs are used to tell Isobel's story, spoken dialogue to relate that of others, and the surrounding known facts. 3 Stars
Performance dates and ticket availability
- Fri 7 Aug, 15:05 — Already performed — £10.00
- Sat 8 Aug, 15:05 — Already performed — £12.00
- Sun 9 Aug, 15:05 — Already performed — £12.00
- Mon 10 Aug, 15:05 — Already performed — £12.00
- Tue 11 Aug, 15:05 — Already performed — £12.00
- Wed 12 Aug, 15:05 — Cancelled — £12.00
- Thu 13 Aug, 15:05 — Cancelled — £12.00
- Fri 14 Aug, 15:05 — Cancelled — £12.00
- Sat 15 Aug, 15:05 — Already performed — £12.00
- Mon 17 Aug, 15:05 — Already performed — £12.00
- Tue 18 Aug, 15:05 — Already performed — £12.00
- Wed 19 Aug, 15:05 — Already performed — £12.00
- Thu 20 Aug, 15:05 — Already performed — £12.00
- Fri 21 Aug, 15:05 — Already performed — £12.00
- Sat 22 Aug, 15:05 — Already performed — £12.00
- Mon 24 Aug, 12:05 — Already performed — £12.00
- Tue 25 Aug, 12:05 — Already performed — £12.00
- Wed 26 Aug, 12:05 — Already performed — £12.00
- Thu 27 Aug, 12:05 — Already performed — £12.00
- Fri 28 Aug, 12:05 — Already performed — £12.00
- Sat 29 Aug, 12:05 — Already performed — £12.00