Water Colour
Water Colour is a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026, performing at Traverse Theatre. It has 22 performances listed, running from Thu 6 Aug, 20:30 to Sun 30 Aug, 15:15. The run has finished — every listed performance has taken place.
About this show
'A vital dispatch from the front line of the mental health crisis among young people, delivered with real passion' (Joyce McMillan, Scotsman). Esme is struggling. Standing on a bridge, she meets Harris, a young chef whose life seems to be falling into place. They may never meet again, but their brief connection changes everything. Winner of the St Andrews Playwriting Award 2024, the Stage Debut Award for Best Writer 2025 and CATS Best New Play 2026, now at the Traverse following widespread critical acclaim.
Details
- Venue: Traverse Theatre
- Space: Traverse 2
- Genre: THEATRE, New writing, Physical theatre
- Country: UNITED KINGDOM - SCOTLAND
- Running time: 75 minutes
- Room size: about 115 seats (Traverse 2) — the Fringe box office sells a share of the room, not all of it
- Performances listed: 22, of which 0 still to come and on sale
Accessibility
- Wheelchair access: lift
- Access features: Step-free access, Accessible toilet
- Venue notes: Wheelchair access type:Lift (Building 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 5 published reviews and 12 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.
It's a hard-hitting, intelligent and poignant play about loneliness and mental health, but it's also hilarious. Water Colour reminds us that our lives can pivot in a heartbeat. And that it's always worth reaching out.
— Lisa In The Theatre (4 out of 5 stars)
It’s fresh and sparky, addressing the key issues of Gen Z without trauma-dumping on the audience. The observation, the humour and the optimism all mark it out as something special.
— Across the Arts (4 out of 5 stars)
4.5 Stars It’s easy to see what caught the St Andrews’ judges’ eyes, and the heartfelt ovation from this audience is proof enough that Water Colour exerts a powerful hold.
Performance dates and ticket availability
- Thu 6 Aug, 20:30 — Already performed — £20.50
- Fri 7 Aug, 12:45 — Already performed — £25.50
- Sat 8 Aug, 12:45 — Already performed — £25.50
- Sun 9 Aug, 15:15 — Already performed — £25.50
- Tue 11 Aug, 18:00 — Already performed — £25.50
- Wed 12 Aug, 20:30 — Already performed — £25.50
- Thu 13 Aug, 18:00 — Already performed — £25.50
- Fri 14 Aug, 12:45 — Already performed — £25.50
- Sat 15 Aug, 15:15 — Already performed — £25.50
- Sun 16 Aug, 18:00 — Already performed — £25.50
- Tue 18 Aug, 20:30 — Already performed — £25.50
- Wed 19 Aug, 15:15 — Already performed — £25.50
- Thu 20 Aug, 12:45 — Already performed — £25.50
- Fri 21 Aug, 15:15 — Already performed — £25.50
- Sat 22 Aug, 18:00 — Already performed — £25.50
- Sun 23 Aug, 20:30 — Already performed — £25.50
- Tue 25 Aug, 12:45 — Already performed — £25.50
- Wed 26 Aug, 12:45 — Already performed — £25.50
- Thu 27 Aug, 15:15 — Already performed — £25.50
- Fri 28 Aug, 18:00 — Already performed — £25.50
- Sat 29 Aug, 20:30 — Already performed — £25.50
- Sun 30 Aug, 15:15 — Already performed — £25.50