The Event
The Event is a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, performing at Pleasance Courtyard. It has 25 performances listed, running from Wed 5 Aug, 12:30 to Mon 31 Aug, 12:30. The run has finished — every listed performance has taken place.
About this show
Starring Fringe favourite, Mike McShane, this sharply witty, insightful exploration of the unspoken contract between actor and audience skilfully dissects the art of performance whilst exploring the absurdities of life. Hailed as both a comic deconstruction of theatre and a profound look at human connection in the 21st century, The Event goes beyond the stage, inviting you to think, laugh and reconnect with what matters most. A thought-provoking, entertaining theatrical experience that will leave you talking long after the final bow. 'Incongruously entertaining' (Times). 'Intelligent and exhilarating' (Guardian). 'An extraordinary tour-de-force' (Scotsman). 'Delicious, perniciously mind-bending stuff' (Financial Times).
Details
- Venue: Pleasance Courtyard
- Space: Above
- Genre: THEATRE, Solo show, Comedy
- 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: 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: 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 2 published reviews and 8 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.
Metatheatrical musings - Mike McShane contemplates the power of live performance and the value of the arts in a quietly reflective but under-developed hour.
— The List (3 out of 5 stars)
Starring Mike McShane as the man, the script is an intelligent deconstruction of theatre which should appeal to anyone who has ever set foot on or near a stage.
Performance dates and ticket availability
- Wed 5 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £12.00
- Thu 6 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £12.00
- Fri 7 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £17.00
- Sat 8 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £17.00
- Sun 9 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £17.00
- Mon 10 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £17.00
- Tue 11 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £17.00
- Wed 12 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £15.00
- Thu 13 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £15.00
- Fri 14 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £17.00
- Sat 15 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £17.00
- Sun 16 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £17.00
- Tue 18 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £15.00
- Wed 19 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £15.00
- Thu 20 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £15.00
- Fri 21 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £17.00
- Sat 22 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £17.00
- Sun 23 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £17.00
- Tue 25 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £15.00
- Wed 26 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £15.00
- Thu 27 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £15.00
- Fri 28 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £17.00
- Sat 29 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £17.00
- Sun 30 Aug, 12:30 — Already performed — £17.00
- Mon 31 Aug, 12:30 — Cancelled — £15.00