The Last Mad Man
The Last Mad Man is a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, performing at Assembly Roxy. It has 23 performances listed, running from Wed 5 Aug, 12:50 to Sun 30 Aug, 12:50. The run has finished — every listed performance has taken place.
About this show
In a former life, Steven Phillips-Horst was an advertising copywriter for brands like Hiton, Uber and Hims. Now, the New York Magazine features writer and host of the cult podcast Celebrity Book Club returns to Fringe with a new play. The Last Mad Man finds Steven as a grizzled ad man, alone after society's collapse, who must rebrand the apocalypse. But the end of the world is a tough sell. 'Downright delectable' (NewYorker.com). 'Hilariously brutal' (Glamour). 'Some of the best social commentary around' (Spectator.com). 'One of the last intellectuals we have left' (Kate Berlant).
Details
- Venue: Assembly Roxy
- Space: Downstairs
- Genre: THEATRE, Dark Comedy, Solo show
- Country: UNITED STATES
- Running time: 60 minutes
- Room size: about 60 seats (Downstairs) — the Fringe box office sells a share of the room, not all of it
- Performances listed: 23, of which 0 still to come and on sale
Accessibility
- Access features: Accessible toilet
- Venue notes: Accessible entry: There are 15 steps en-route to this space. 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 4 published reviews and 19 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.
As a ‘Mad Man’ myself, for over 40 years, this show was an intriguing draw. But you know how it is, TV series’ that fictionalise your profession, no matter what it is, invariably alienate the people who know it best.
It’s the end of the world as we know it as gifted copywriter Steven is brought in to create a brand refreshment for the Apocalypse. He has an hour to complete the task, but that’s no concern to a brain like his.
— The Real Chrisparkle (4 out of 5 stars)
He’s engaging and funny enough to hold a good sized room by himself for the whole hour, with only a handful of props.
— IRResistible Magazine (5 out of 5 stars)
Performance dates and ticket availability
- Wed 5 Aug, 12:50 — Already performed — £8.00
- Thu 6 Aug, 12:50 — Already performed — £8.00
- Fri 7 Aug, 12:50 — Already performed — £14.00
- Sat 8 Aug, 12:50 — Already performed — £14.00
- Sun 9 Aug, 12:50 — Already performed — £14.00
- Mon 10 Aug, 12:50 — Already performed — £14.00
- Tue 11 Aug, 12:50 — Already performed — £14.00
- Thu 13 Aug, 12:50 — Already performed — £12.00
- Fri 14 Aug, 12:50 — Already performed — £14.00
- Sat 15 Aug, 12:50 — Already performed — £14.00
- Sun 16 Aug, 12:50 — Already performed — £14.00
- Tue 18 Aug, 12:50 — Already performed — £12.00
- Wed 19 Aug, 12:50 — Already performed — £12.00
- Thu 20 Aug, 12:50 — Cancelled — £12.00
- Fri 21 Aug, 12:50 — Already performed — £14.00
- Sat 22 Aug, 12:50 — Already performed — £14.00
- Sun 23 Aug, 12:50 — Already performed — £14.00
- Tue 25 Aug, 12:50 — Already performed — £12.00
- Wed 26 Aug, 12:50 — Already performed — £12.00
- Thu 27 Aug, 12:50 — Already performed — £12.00
- Fri 28 Aug, 12:50 — Already performed — £14.00
- Sat 29 Aug, 12:50 — Already performed — £14.00
- Sun 30 Aug, 12:50 — Already performed — £14.00