The Last Bantam
The Last Bantam is a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, performing at Paradise in Augustines. It has 10 performances listed, running from Fri 7 Aug, 18:50 to Tue 18 Aug, 11:30. The run has finished — every listed performance has taken place.
About this show
1914. The Great War rages. Britain recruits 30,000 Bantams, men between five-foot and five-foot-three to fight in some of the bloodiest battles of the war. 1918. A group of reporters visit the Front to write about the Bantams. One Bantam remains, Patrick Michael Wolfe, a Dubliner who signed up to secure Home Rule for Ireland. This is his story. A story about patriotism, prejudice, courage and betrayal. Inspired by real events. 'A perfect example of the great Irish storyteller' * (BritishTheatreGuide.info). 'Excellent' * (UKTW.co.uk). 'Giant of a show' * (Derek Awards).
Details
- Venue: Paradise in Augustines
- Space: Studio
- Genre: THEATRE, Historical, Drama
- Country: IRELAND
- Running time: 60 minutes
- Performances listed: 10, of which 0 still to come and on sale
Accessibility
- Wheelchair access: ramp
- Access features: Accessible toilet
- Venue notes: Accessible entry: The audience enter from George IV Bridge, with a couple of steps to enter the building. A temporary ramp is also available. The Studio is located downstairs, via a single width staircase. A lift is also available. The audience enter in the middle of the auditorium. There is a single row with level access, with further seating accessed via a raked centre aisle. Platform lift has a weight limit of 400kg. Wheelchair access type:Temporary Ramp, Lift (Platform 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 16 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.
History tends to remember the great battles and military leaders, but The Last Bantam shines a light on the thousands of ordinary men whose stories have largely disappeared.
— One4Review (4 out of 5 stars)
Michael Hughes, the writer and performer of this powerful play, unearths the hidden history of the forgotten soldiers of the First World War, men who were from five feet tall to those who were five feet, three inches in…
— Counter Culture (5 out of 5 stars)
Performance dates and ticket availability
- Fri 7 Aug, 18:50 — Already performed — £10.00
- Sat 8 Aug, 12:50 — Already performed — £15.00
- Mon 10 Aug, 12:50 — Already performed — £15.00
- Tue 11 Aug, 12:50 — Already performed — £15.00
- Wed 12 Aug, 12:50 — Already performed — £15.00
- Thu 13 Aug, 12:50 — Already performed — £15.00
- Fri 14 Aug, 12:50 — Already performed — £15.00
- Sat 15 Aug, 12:50 — Already performed — £15.00
- Mon 17 Aug, 11:30 — Already performed — £15.00
- Tue 18 Aug, 11:30 — Already performed — £15.00