The Red Lantern
The Red Lantern is a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, performing at theSpace @ Niddry St. It has 2 performances listed, running from Fri 7 Aug, 19:30 to Sat 8 Aug, 19:30. The run has finished — every listed performance has taken place.
About this show
In wartime Chongqing, the bombing lasts for years. When air raids come close, red lanterns rise above the mountain city. Guang's family keeps watch from high places, day after day, reading the sky. Sirens, shelters and running become daily life. Inside this darkness, people still try to keep life human: a song, a game of mahjong, a small joke in the shelter. It is a fragile balance. But every bombing pushes it closer to collapse. One night, more planes than ever arrive. The lantern rises again. Crowds flood into the shelter. Darkness swallows everything.
Details
- Venue: theSpace @ Niddry St
- Space: Lower Theatre
- Genre: THEATRE, Solo show, Contemporary
- Country: CHINA
- Running time: 50 minutes
- Room size: about 102 seats (Lower Theatre) — the Fringe box office sells a share of the room, not all of it
- Performances listed: 2, of which 0 still to come and on sale
Accessibility
- Wheelchair access: level
- Access features: Step-free access, Accessible toilet
- Venue notes: Accessible entry: Level access through foyer area to ground floor 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 2 published reviews and 1 audience review 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.
The spoken word is subtly underscored by an electronic soundscape and original compositions by Shawn Lo which complement Fan’s performance.
There is also a twist of some level of magical realism at work, as Guang converses with an unexploded bomb and tries to talk to straining walls and ceiling beams.
— British Theatre Guide (4 out of 5 stars)
Performance dates and ticket availability
- Fri 7 Aug, 19:30 — Already performed — £10.50
- Sat 8 Aug, 19:30 — Already performed — £10.50