Announcing our Edinburgh Fringe transfers 2025
Published September 10, 2025
Our live performance programmers recently returned from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival — the world’s largest arts festival — a trip they each take every August to discover and experience some of the best shows on offer, with a view to bringing them to Exeter Phoenix.
In this article, Exeter Phoenix Director Patrick and Performance Programmer Katy talk us through some of their top Edinburgh Fringe transfers coming up in our Autumn season of events.
THE CHAOS THAT HAS BEEN AND WILL NO DOUBT RETURN
Katy: One of my highlights from last year's Fringe, that well-deservedly enjoyed a sold-out Edinburgh run, is critically-acclaimed The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return; a powerful, high-energy performance piece set in early-noughties Luton.
With clever storytelling and a nostalgia-laced soundtrack, the show really pushes people’s expectations of what theatre can be and places working class stories centre stage with humour, and hope – you won't want to miss this one!
Tue 18 Nov | 7:30pm | 13+ | 75 minutes (no interval)
HELEN BAUER
Patrick: We’re excited to welcome award-winning comedian Helen Bauer to Exeter Phoenix, bringing a brand new show to our venue!
As seen on Live at the Apollo (BBC2), 8 Out of 10 Cats (C4), Am I Being Unreasonable (BBC One) and Extraordinary (Disney+), Helen also co-hosts the hugely popular, award-winning podcast Trusty Hogs.
Tue 23 Sep | 7pm | 16+
IRONING BOARD MAN
Katy: One for adults of any age seeking a fun night out, or families with children aged 12+ looking to bring some cheer during the new school term: Ironing Board Man captures imaginations through comedy performer Jody Kamili’s incredible ability to turn everyday mundane objects into hilarious props from movies such as Batman, Dirty Dancing, Titanic, Gladiator and The Matrix, to name a few!
A perfect embodiment of the creative ingenuity that makes the Fringe.
Tue 30 Sep | 7:30pm | 12+ | 55 minutes (no interval)
ORDINARY DECENT CRIMINAL
Patrick: A brand new play from the writer of the Fringe First winning England & Son and A Political History of Smack & Crack, Ed Edwards reunites with Mark Thomas to tell a tale of freedom, revolution and messy love in Ordinary Decent Criminal.
Expect activism and storytelling combined with humour, wit and ferociousness!
Tue 07 Oct & Wed 08 Oct | 8pm | 16+
EDY HURST'S THE WONDERFULL DISCOVERIE OF WITCHES IN THE COUNTIE OF HIMSELF
Katy: Fresh from the Lowry's prestigious ‘Developed With’ artist development programme, Edy Hurst’s The Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Himself is a lovely little dive into one person's neurodivergent mind; celebrating our differences through a playful mish-mash of popular culture and folklore.
Thanks to his highly original and inventive work, Edy is fast becoming a rising star of the UK alternative and mainstream comedy circuit; this brilliantly fun and genuinely uplifting show will leave audiences feeling enlightened, while unstoppably grinning from ear to ear.
Fri 03 Oct | 7pm | 14+ | 60 minutes (no interval)
GLENN MOORE: PLEASE SIR, GLENN I HAVE SOME MOORE?
Patrick: As seen on Live at the Apollo, Have I Got News For You, Mock The Week and Cats Does Countdown, Glenn Moore brings his critically acclaimed show Please Sir, Glenn I Have Some Moore? to Exeter Phoenix this November.
Known for his lightning-fast delivery and razor-sharp punchlines, Glenn has earned a reputation as one of the finest joke-writers of his generation. A must-see for comedy fans who like their stand-up clever, quick, and relentlessly funny.
Sun 09 Nov | 7.30pm | 14+
DO ALL THE THINGS
Katy: We are very excited to welcome A&E Comedy back to Exeter Phoenix following their hilarious performance of Witch Hunt back in October 2022.
As if Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s endorsement “I think they are amazing!” isn’t enough, the incomparable duo have brought joy to audiences all over the UK, receiving comments for their latest show, DO ALL THE THINGS, such as: “What a surprising, entertaining, most magical experience! I think everyone should go and see it. I’d go again and again and again and again, I’d just keep going!”
This is a wonderful community-building show that presents more as cabaret than theatre, bringing people together through games and sing/dance-alongs (with optional stage invasion) “like the music-hall of olden times brought bang up to date” (FringeReview) and inviting them to drop all their inhibitions and play.
Sunday 5th Oct | 7:30pm | 16+ | 90 minutes (including intervals)
JOSIE LONG: NOW IS THE TIME OF MONSTERS
Patrick: Three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Josie Long is back with a new show full of wonder, extinction, and unexpectedly huge prehistoric armadillos. Blending big ideas with warm, offbeat laughs, Now is the time for Monsters is a funny, heartfelt journey through disaster, discovery, and the tiny things that keep us going — including a surprisingly useful tip about silt.
Wed 19 Nov | 8pm
Much needed laughter, outrageous interactions, otherworldly experience and moments of nostalgia can be expected in our eclectic season of events this Autumn – discover our full comedy and performance programme coming up here and book your favourites in advance while availability lasts!