Edinburgh's had its moment in the spotlight — this September/October sees the turn of the Lambeth Fringe.
Formerly the Clapham Fringe (which itself has been going since 2015) the shows are hosted in bijou venues across the borough — theatres, pubs, chapels — for over four weeks, from Thursday 24 September-Sunday 25 October 2026.
Though open to all creatives, the festival has a remit to celebrate the creativity of women, LGBTQ+, global majority and working-class artists.
Here are a handful of shows that've grabbed our attention:
🗿 The London Bridge Show: We're all familiar with the human statues who ply their trade around London; the one in this comedy WIP becomes literally and metaphorically stuck, prompting surreal stories and anecdotes. 24 September, Bread & Roses Theatre
🎸 Floë Brown: Croydon's BRIT School has helped shape a slew of world-beating musical talent, and here's a chance to see a possible star of the future: Floë Brown comes armed with her guitar, an ethereal vocal range and a knack for storytelling via indie-pop perfection. 27 September, Off the Cuff
🪦 How To Direct A Funeral: The increasingly bizarre demands from Mrs Baitman for the funeral of her late husband leads to employees of Thomas Funeral Directors to worry their reputation will soon be six feet under. A comical-sounding debut play — and the second venue is especially apt. 3 October, Bread & Roses Theatre and 23 October, St Stephen's Chapel
💪 Butch Chaser: The experiences of butches and femmes is relayed in their own words, in this semi-verbatim show by Alix Addinall — a self-confessed butch-lover. Expect comedy and cabaret with a core of serious themes including sexual assault, homophobia and transphobia. 7 October, Bread & Roses Theatre
🍭 The Magic Sweet Jar: An encounter with a mysterious jar whisks Louisa away to Sweetland — a world of lemonade seas, toffee valleys and peppermint mountains, which is threatened by the wicked Sugar King. This one's a family show, in case you hadn't clocked that. 10 October, West Norwood Library and 17 October, Vauxhall City Farm
💋 Sister Brandy Bex: Progress In Work: "Pamela Anderson meets Pam Ayres", Sister Brandy Bex sets up shop for two nights in Waterloo, bringing riotous tales from the hospital floor by way of outrageous anecdotes and parody songs. Laughter is the best medicine, after all. 15-16 October, The Glitch
🪐Will BF: Moon Team IIIV: Jet off into space to encounter the worst film you've never seen — Moon Team IIIV — with Will BF as Apollo Moon, a salt of the earth prince on a mission to save the galaxy from, er, a space tax on the space 1%? One for fans of cosmically surreal sketch. 17 October, Bread & Roses Theatre
🎤 MANBand the Story: Kev, Bas, Eric and Frank are too old to form a Boyband... but how about a MANband? This feel-good play is about having one last tilt at fame and fortune, by way of sensible haircuts and cuddly physiques. 22-23 October, Golden Goose Theatre
The Lambeth Fringe, 24 September-25 October 2026, across Lambeth
