Why am I getting emotional over an egg?
Date: 7th August 2026
Time: 1.25pm
Venue: Playground 3 at ZOO Playground
Rating: ★★★★ (5/5) Reviewed By: Paige Ashwood
Having only seen a handful of Fringe shows in my life, I do not always know what to expect going in each time, especially for my first show of the year. However, A Costume Drama completely exceeded my expectations and is an egg-cellent piece of theatre to kick the Fringe off, making you laugh and, oddly enough, filling you with a sense of hope.
Claudia Fielding’s first Fringe performance of the year was pure comedic genius. Nominated for Best Solo Performance in 2024 at The Stage Place, the show combines spoken word, puppetry, and surprise celebrity cameos such as “footballer-turned-presenter-turned-podcaster Jill Scott” (not really – sorry to disappoint!), leaving you constantly pondering what could be next. By the end of the show, you will be left with a warm feeling in your heart, while also needing to process the wacky ride you have been on with this eggy mascot.
The plot, while simple on the surface, is multilayered; After Ella’s father is put out of commission for the race, the torch has been passed to her temporarily (because her father would never give Eddie up so easily-who would?), to compete in the Mascot Grand National – a gathering of football mascots across the nation competing for first place. Competing with conflicts of interest at her work, Ella must decide whether to follow her boss’s directive and keep her job, or to make her father proud and risk losing her stable income. That is just a brief overview, the show has so much more to offer, appealing to everyone who just wants a lighthearted, comedic show. In addition, the show is perfect for families with the show being recommended for 14+, but is one that will appeal to all ages!
The stage layout is incredibly simple – a plain backdrop and a chair, but through the use of levels in the performance, the whole room is turned into a prop and is utilised to its full potential. The venue itself, the Zoo Playground, appears to be one of the most central hubs of activity at the Fringe, showcasing at least ten shows a day! While the theatres (“playgrounds”) themselves are small, they allow for incredibly intimate performances where laughter bounces off the walls, creating quite a homely atmosphere where you just become fully absorbed in your show of choice (hopefully that is A Costume Drama!).
I did notice that while there were a few technical faults, Claudia never faltered; she did not break character, and her quick thinking is something to be commended, so regardless you are bound to have a “cracking” show. As well as Claudia’s performance, the director and sound designer, Anna Rastelli, also deserves a round of applause for her inclusion of voice overs and brilliantly timed sound effects, which resulted in a cacophony of laughter. This female led show is so full of charisma, love, and joy, packed into such a small room that you will leave wondering, “Why am I getting emotional over an egg?”.
Get Your Tickets HERE!!: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/a-costume-drama
