FRINGE UNFORGETTABLE
HOLDOVERS!
August 25-29, 2026
Can’t get enough Fringe? We’re holding over the following shows shows for an extra week of unforgettable performances: GORDON’S BIG BALD HEAD, ROBOCOP, MURDER PLOT!, BEING NORWEGIAN, BETWEEN THE COVERS, HELLMARK, AND THE SHAPE OF SEAMEN. Catch your favourites—or what you missed—from August 25th–29th at the Varscona.
GORDON’S BIG BALD HEAD
THE FRUIT OF OUR PURLOINS
Improv comedy titans Jacob Banigan, Mark Meer, and Ron Pederson reunite from across the globe for the Edmonton Fringe Festival to pull off their annual feat of theatrical grand larceny... Watch in awe as they improvise their own version of ANY OTHER SHOW AT THE FESTIVAL!
Playwright: Gordon
Director: The Hand of Fate
Cast: Jacob Banigan, Mark Meer, Ron Pederson
BETWEEN THE COVERS
House of Hush Burlesque — Edmonton Fringe favourites — are BACK! See what the critics are raving about as we slip between the pages and into a world of passion, parody, and page-turning seduction in this romance-novel-inspired burlesque extravaganza. From windswept bodice rippers and dangerous fantasy lovers to forbidden desire, scandalous heroines, and happily-ever-afters with a wicked twist, this dazzling production brings your favourite romance tropes to life with glittering tease, laugh-out-loud comedy, and irresistible heat.
Playwright: Belinda Cornish
Director: Violette Coquette and Delia Barnett
Cast: Belinda Cornish, Violete Coquette, LeTabby Lexington, Jezebel Sinclair, Sharpay Diem, Fanny LuPhone, Vivian Vanguard
Designers: Elise Troung of Sweet Carousel and Ensemble, Puppet by Kiki Quinn.
Stage Manager: Vivian Vanguard
ROBOCOP! THE MUSICAL
The most ambitious show ever written by Rodgers and Hammerstein, the geniuses behind such classic musicals as "Oklahoma!" and "The Sound of Music", has never been produced for the stage- until now. Cousins in Law Productions is proud to present Rodgers and Hammerstein's ROBOCOP: The Musical. Part Man. Part Machine. All Musical
Playwright: Andrew Boyd, Lauren Boyd
Directors: Lauren Boyd, Aly Horne
Cast: Sable Boltz, Andrew Boyd, Andrew Domanski, Rhiannon Eldridge, Jason Hardwick, Jesse Harlton, Sarah Kyle, Lucas Paterson, Alex Sahli, David Widder-Varhegyi, Ben Healey
Designers: Karlie Christie
Stage Manager: Quinn Woodruff
BEING NORWEGIAN
Sean invites Lisa back to his apartment for a drink. Sean hasn't unpacked after a year. Lisa says she's Norwegian. In this dark, funny encounter, two outsiders reach out to each other across the deep fjords of the heart. Starring Clarice Eckford and Cody Porter. Directed by Amy DeFelice.
'In Norway we're used to darkness in people's heads. We even prefer it. Because if there is no darkness then what in heaven's name are you thinking about? We Norwegians think people who are happy are perhaps just a little above themselves, don't you?'
A HELLMARK CHRISTMAS MUSICAL
A hilarious, unhinged new musical about a driven city executive returning to her magical hometown for Christmas, reconnecting with a handsome tree farmer, her childhood best friend, her loving mother, and then discovering the season’s spirit is kept alive by ritualistic blood sacrifices. You know, the classics.
THE SHAPE OF SEAMEN
A classic tail of boy meets fish- the torrid, operatic romance between sailor and siren. When Herman, a lonely young fisherman brings home a beautiful mermaid, the two lovers face mundane domestic challenges like infidelity, murder accusations, species-specific sexual barriers, lovecraftian body horror, and leaving the seat up.
From the team behind 'Let's Not Turn On Each Other' (★★★★★ -Edmonton Journal), this new work is an entirely sung-through musical written and composed by Jacquelin Walters, featuring Michael Watt and Nicole Maloney. Performances of The Shape of Seamen at this year's festival will include live accompaniment, and a real, actual mermaid - seriously.
MURDER PLOT
The dead body of the Lord of the Manor has been discovered, and everyone in the house is a suspect. Sort of. It's up to the World-Renowned Detective to gather the possible murderers, discover the motive, deduce the identity of the culprit, and solve the case! But the suspects can't stop "helping"...
Playwright: Trevor Schmidt
Director: Trevor Schmidt
Cast: Mark Facundo, Morgan McClelland, Kristin Peters, Ed Picard, Sarah Rossman, Jeremy Schick, Marissa Tordoff
Designers: Trevor Schmidt
Stage Manager: Victoria Jones
FAQs
Click the arrows below to read the answers to some of our most common Fringe questions. Need more info? Shoot us an email: frontofhouse@varsconatheatre.com
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All Fringe Festival ticketing is handled through the Fringe Theatre Box Office. Head to tickets.fringetheatre.ca to purchase online. You can also call the box office at 780-409-1910, visit the main Fringe Box Office (10330 84 Avenue), or visit one of the satellite box offices located on the festival site.
Please note: the Varscona Theatre does not operate a box office during the Fringe Festival.
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Absolutely. The Varscona Theatre is equipped with three wheelchair seats. We are also happy to reserve spots in the first few rows for patrons with disabilities. If you use a walker, a cane, a wheelchair, or you just need a little extra help, we’ve got you covered.
If you need reserved accessible seating, please contact the Fringe Box Office at boxoffice@fringetheatre.ca or call 780-409-1910. They will get in touch with our team to make all the arrangements.
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We sure do! Our concession opens 15 minutes before each show. We’ll be fully stocked with beer, wine, and variety of non-alcoholic options. Don’t forget to grab a pack of Twizzlers—it’s an Edmonton theatre tradition.
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No, but we love that you’re sticking around for multiple shows! We ask that patrons please exit the venue and get into the lineup for the next show.
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We want to caution parents that not all of our programming may be suitable for children. This year most of our shows carry a 14A content rating. The Edmonton Fringe has helpful notes about each show in their program guide and on their box office website—tickets.fringetheatre.ca.
Please note: Bump and Grindhouse Burlesque, presented by House of Hush, is strictly for 18+ audiences only. No minors will be allowed into the performance.
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We do! Please email our front-of-house manager, Garett Ross, at frontofhouse@varsconatheatre.com for help locating your item.
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Our bathrooms are for Varscona patrons only. If you’re in the building to watch a show, you are most welcome to use our facilities.
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During the Fringe Festival, latecomers are not permitted.