The Poetical Life of Philomena McGuinness
The Poetical Life of Philomena McGuinness is a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, performing at theSpace @ Surgeons' Hall. It has 21 performances listed, running from Fri 7 Aug, 17:05 to Sat 29 Aug, 16:05. The run has finished — every listed performance has taken place.
About this show
How will history remember you? As the person you are, or the person you want to be? It’s 1939 and Philomena is on her way from Dublin to London to join the British war effort. But can she live true to the poet inside her when she is constantly being defined by her role in the war? Philomena is a poignant and funny solo play, infused with poetry and inspired by the true stories of Irish nurses in WWII. 'Charming, funny, soulful and heartfelt' * (BroadwayBaby.com). * (TheWeeReview.com). * (TheEdinburghReporter.co.uk). * (TheatreAndArtReviews.com).
Details
- Venue: theSpace @ Surgeons' Hall
- Space: Theatre 3
- Genre: THEATRE, Historical, Solo show
- Country: UNITED KINGDOM - SCOTLAND
- Running time: 50 minutes
- Room size: about 42 seats (Theatre 3) — 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: level
- Access features: Step-free access, Accessible toilet
- Venue notes: Accessible entry: Up shallow ramp from the external courtyard, then level access into the theatre Wheelchair access type:Level Access 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 3 published reviews and 25 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.
This play is for those who love to discover the past and perhaps want to discover something within themselves. The Poetical Life of Philomena McGuiness will satiate any desire to connect with everyday people in history.`
— The Student (3 out of 5 stars)
Jasmin Gleeson performs the role with commensurate pacing and effortless wry humour. Josh King’s script wends an intriguing path through the wartime hardships, building the sense of a real believable woman, watching the…
— British Theatre Guide (4 out of 5 stars)
The talented two-person team at Moon Rabbit Theatre present The Poetical Life of Philomena McGuinness at Surgeons’ Hall.
— All Edinburgh Theatre (5 out of 5 stars)
Performance dates and ticket availability
- Fri 7 Aug, 17:05 — Already performed — £13.00
- Sat 8 Aug, 17:05 — Already performed — £13.00
- Sun 9 Aug, 17:05 — Already performed — £13.00
- Mon 10 Aug, 17:05 — Already performed — £13.00
- Tue 11 Aug, 17:05 — Already performed — £13.00
- Wed 12 Aug, 17:05 — Already performed — £13.00
- Thu 13 Aug, 17:05 — Already performed — £13.00
- Fri 14 Aug, 17:05 — Already performed — £13.00
- Sat 15 Aug, 17:05 — Already performed — £13.00
- Mon 17 Aug, 16:05 — Already performed — £13.00
- Tue 18 Aug, 16:05 — Already performed — £13.00
- Wed 19 Aug, 16:05 — Already performed — £13.00
- Thu 20 Aug, 16:05 — Already performed — £13.00
- Fri 21 Aug, 16:05 — Already performed — £13.00
- Sat 22 Aug, 16:05 — Already performed — £13.00
- Mon 24 Aug, 16:05 — Already performed — £13.00
- Tue 25 Aug, 16:05 — Already performed — £13.00
- Wed 26 Aug, 16:05 — Already performed — £13.00
- Thu 27 Aug, 16:05 — Already performed — £13.00
- Fri 28 Aug, 16:05 — Already performed — £13.00
- Sat 29 Aug, 16:05 — Already performed — £13.00