Three dystopian plays at the Edinburgh Festival 2025…

1984 | Pleasance Courtyard | 30 Jul-25 Aug (pictured)
There are several ‘1984’ adjacent shows actually and I picked out Box Tale Soup’s version because our reviewers have a habit of loving their productions. So definitely see it. But I’d also suggest you take the time to see Talking Shadows’ version at theSpace @ Niddry Street and the 1984 inspired ‘Julia.1984’ from withintheatre at Summerhall. Go on, do it to her, etc.

Ants And Other Strong Things | theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall | 18-23 Aug
A political, dystopian, queer, sci-fi, romance thriller (wow) set thirty years in the future in a high surveillance state where the authorities are waging war on the LGBTQIA+ community. It focuses on Charlie and Maya, who must choose whether they should stay hidden, or rise up and fight, and explores themes of love, identity and defiance in the face of tyranny. Info here.

The Last Madman | C alto | 30 Jul-24 Aug
“In the not-too-distant future, ecological catastrophe has ripped society’s flesh clean off and civilisation is nothing but a rancid husk. From the ashes, one survivor rises. An advertising copywriter”. Finally in the dystopia department: I’m very intrigued by this dark comedy from US talent Steven Phillips-Horst about an ad-man trying to rebrand the end of the world. Tickets here.