Bigfoot, ‘slutfluencers’ and a David Bowie-powered gay fantasia: Edinburgh festival 2026’s must-see theatre

Plays about political extremes, religious sects, swimming the Channel and an 80th birthday party are among the highlights at this summer’s arts spectacular Producer Francesca Moody has shown a sure touch for spotting fringe hits (Fleabag and Baby Reindeer among them). Her new offering, by Australia’s Hannah Reilly, is about a feminist podcaster who becomes an online “slutfluencer” to earn some easy money, but has a price to pay.Summerhall, 6-31 August Andrew O’Hagan’s coming-of-age novel about 1980s youth is given the site-specific treatment by Edinburgh’s Grid Iron in a former metalworks that doubles as a Manchester gig venue. Ben Harrison adapts and directs.Brown’s of Leith, 7-30 August Paines Plough’s Katie Posner directs an epic drama by Morna Young in which family secrets erupt on the night of an actor’s 80th birthday celebrations. Billed as a darkly comic exploration of personal freedoms and life-defining choices, it has a post-festival run at the Belgrade, Coventry.Traverse, 6-30 August Letícia Rodrigues sets herself the task of losing 116 grams per performance as part of a wry commentary on the beauty industry. Part of this year’s São Paulo Showcase,