Lions | 2026
Fringe First winners return to Edinburgh Fringe with a sweaty mustache of a comedy about the business of letting our dads die. With a dose of Kafka and 'A Christmas Carol,' Lions disassembles the myths our fathers told themselves about becoming great men. Part clown show and part deconstructed eulogy, Lions honors our fathers by not denying them the humanity they could not offer themselves. 'Lions made me laugh, cry and consider my doomed legacy' (8 Best Shows at Philadelphia Fringe, Philadelphia Inquirer). From the creators of UNDERGROUND RAILROAD GAME (Fringe First Award, The Stage Award, Obie Award, ★★★★ Guardian, ★★★★★ Stage).
Venue: Summerhall, Tech Cube
Dates: August 6-30 (exc. Tuesdays)
Time: 19:30-20:30
“I hope this show about dead dads has a long life beyond this year’s festival. ”
CREATIVE TEAM
Written and Performed by Alice Yorke and Scott R. Sheppard
Directed and Developed by Sarah Blush
Scenic and Prop Designer: Colleen Murray
Lighting Designer: Masha Tsimring
Costume Designer: Rebecca Kanach
Sound Designer: Johnny Gasper
Promotional Photos: Emilie Krause
Production Photos: Ashley Smith, Wide Eyed Studios
See the full digital program HERE
Lions premiered as part of Cannonball 2025 and the Philadelphia Fringe Festival.
PRESS AND ACCOLADES
Steinberg/ATCA New Play Finalist in 2026
[Lions] records the administrative minutiae of dying, evoking the equal measures of dignity, pomp, and absurdity that descend in death’s aftermath…. The longtime rapport between Sheppard and Yorke as performers adds humor and richness to even the smallest moments throughout the tight 70-minute runtime…. I hope this show about dead dads has a long life beyond this year’s festival.
“8 Shows We’ve Loved at the Philly Fringe Fest So Far”
[Yorke and Sheppard] remind us, too: How you want to be remembered is not always how it will happen. Lions made me laugh, cry, and consider my doomed legacy