Date: 9 August 2026
Time: 1pm – 2.20pm
Venue: The Grand at the Pleasance
Running time: 80 minutes
Ticket price: £20.50
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Reviewed by: Sarah Turnball
Performers: Akshara Gunda, Alexandra Emmerson-Kirby, Miriam Nyarko, Matilda Shapland, Tom Bennett, Cameron Johnson, Kara Lane, Jordan Calloway and more.
Accessibility: Flat entry into the theatre but tiered seating accessed by steep steps with no banister.
“And suddenly there was a dragon… OK, time to slay.”
It’s no secret that the Edinburgh Fringe brings a lot of talent to the city for the world’s biggest art festival. This talent can be in its early infancy, painful adolescence or a grand old dame gracing us with its presence. Bliss is a rare treat of talent that is soon to be seen on global stages. Get in now for the chance to say ‘you were there at the beginning’.
From the Olivier Award-winning producers of Cabaret and Benjamin Button, this new musical sees four fairy-tale princesses kick a boot in the face of the patriarchy.
Princesses Piper, Carmella, Faye and Holly have been kept in a tower (naturally) by their overprotective father to keep them safe from the dangers of the world. Desiring a taste of freedom, they stage a jailbreak only to discover that while they are incredibly well educated, they have a lot to learn about the real world.
With the help of a fairy godfather – a wonderfully camp twist on an old favourite – we see our princesses prepare for their first ball and attempt to win the attention of Prince Devin.
Initially sceptical of the patriarchy’s playbook – where a princess’s worst sin is thinking and her highest calling is to be chosen by an unknown prince – Piper is soon swept up in the unattainable expectations for women – for princesses – to be perfect (and pink).
Her sisters fight their own battles and rescue her, helping to bring her – and the other brainwashed princesses – back to their true selves.
Performed by an impressive cast who have experience on everything from HBO’s House of the Dragon, Netflix’s Afterlife and musicals: Hairspray, Hadestown and Matilda, it will be no surprise that the performances were astounding. Vocal ranges brought goosebumps and had me running to Spotify to download the official playlist.
Stage and set design were also cleverly planned out and while the strobe lighting was a little much at times, overall, the effects brought a rich and full world to the stage.
There were a few technical niggles – crackly mics and missed spotlights – but at a venue not purpose-built for theatre, they were minor bumps in the road. These hiccups were barely noticed and did not detract from the high-kicking, sequin-studded fun guaranteed to make you laugh.
This funny and energetic musical celebrates the joy of friendship, sisterhood and staying true to yourself and champions the idea that the world needs those who are different.
Tickets:
Bliss – Edinburgh Festival Fringe
