Crybabies Return To Edinburgh Fringe 2026 With Ambitious New Horror-Comedy, The Scaring

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, experience the ultimate blend of supernatural chills and chaotic comedy this August as Edinburgh Comedy Award nominees Crybabies return to the Fringe with The Scaring, a breakneck, horror-spoof masterpiece produced by the Olivier Award-winning team behind Fleabag and Baby Reindeer.

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is renowned for launching the careers of innovative comedic minds, but few groups have captured the hearts of audiences quite like the surreal sketch trio Crybabies. Comprising Michael Clarke, James Gault, and Ed Jones, the former Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer nominees are set to make a triumphant return to the festival this August.

Their latest offering, The Scaring, promises to elevate their signature brand of chaotic, narrative-driven comedy to unprecedented heights. Backed by a powerhouse creative team, the production is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated ticket orders of the summer.

A Spooky Premise in an Appropriate Setting

Running from August 5th to August 30th (with no performances on August 15th or 18th) at Pleasance Two, The Scaring boasts a venue selection that feels uniquely deliberate. The theater is situated on the historical grounds of an old graveyard, providing the perfect atmospheric backdrop for a show deeply rooted in the supernatural.

The narrative centers on Arthur Holland, a former priest who checks into a secluded hotel only to find that his peace of mind is under immediate threat. Instead of a relaxing retreat, Arthur is thrust into a forced partnership with Gerry, the phantom of a long-deceased guest. Under the watchful, unsettling gaze of the hotel’s manager, Mr. Lyle—a character reminiscent of Psycho’s Norman Bates—Arthur is compelled to confront both external supernatural forces and his own internal demons.

The production masterfully intertwines themes of fear, faith, fatherhood, priesthood, and the arduous process of moving on from the past.

High-Concept Horror on a Shoestring Budget

While The Scaring explores structural elements of classic horror, it remains firmly anchored in the absurd. Audiences can expect an eclectic array of bizarre tropes, including Shakespearean zombies, serial killers with broken arms, and animated waxworks.

The true magic of the production lies in its breakneck pacing. Crybabies are known for their ability to shapeshift through dozens of distinct characters within a single show. The Scaring demands whiplash-fast costume changes that frequently occur within the very same scene. Despite this structural chaos, the trio maintains a narrative clarity that allows the audience to instantly recognize each character, a feat that showcases their highly refined stagecraft.

This year marks a definitive step forward in terms of visual ambition. While the show features slick theatrical moments, it consciously retains the endearing, homemade charm that defined the group’s early work. The production achieves high-stakes drama through low-budget ingenuity:

• Costumes crafted from salvaged materials.
• Special effects powered entirely by the audience’s imagination.
• Elaborate set pieces held together by gaffer tape.

It represents a unique juxtaposition of big-budget narrative scope executed with DIY resourcefulness.

A Creative Powerhouse Alliance

The scale of The Scaring is amplified by the industry heavyweights working behind the scenes. The production is steered by Francesca Moody Productions (FMP), the Olivier Award-winning and Tony-nominated company celebrated for originating global cultural phenomena such as Fleabag and Baby Reindeer. FMP is collaborating with the award-winning comedy and podcast network Plosive Live to bring this project to fruition.

Directing the show is Jon Brittain, an Olivier Award winner whose impressive portfolio spans both stage and screen. Brittain previously directed the sell-out sensation Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder! (which transferred to the West End in May 2024) as well as Richard Gadd’s debut play Baby Reindeer. His vast experience directing acclaimed stand-up shows for comedians like John Kearns, Tom Allen, and Sara Pascoe makes him the ideal visionary to balance the show’s delicate blend of genuine tension and laugh-out-loud absurdity.

The Evolution of the Crybabies Trio

The Scaring represents the third major Fringe outing for Crybabies, following their breakout 2019 debut Danger Brigade and their 2022 sci-fi narrative Bagbeard. Both previous runs completely sold out, earning the group a fiercely loyal following. Since their last appearance in Edinburgh, all three members have achieved significant individual success across television, radio, and digital media.

Michael Clarke

Beyond his stage work, Clarke has appeared in notable streaming series, including Netflix’s Lockwood & Co and Disney’s Extraordinary. He is also the co-host of Everything Is News, a hit satirical podcast that peaked at number five on the UK charts and is currently being adapted for television.

James Gault

An alumnus of the prestigious L’Ecole Philippe Gaulier clown school, Gault is widely praised for his commanding and unique physical comedy presence. His television credits include roles in Ricky Gervais’ After Life on Netflix, UKTV Gold’s Murder They Hope, and Channel 4’s Trespasses.

Ed Jones

An accomplished actor, writer, and character comedian, Jones has been seen in popular television programs such as Bridgerton, Big Boys, and Not Going Out. He has also built a massive digital footprint, with his comedic internet videos amassing over 100 million views across TikTok and Instagram.

Collectively, the trio has also taken over the airwaves with their BBC Radio series Crybabies Present…. The audio project successfully translated their cinematic style to radio, launching with an audio adaptation of Bagbeard in 2024 and continuing with Yours, Fatally in 2025. Both installments received critical acclaim, earning consecutive nominations at the BBC Audio Drama Awards in 2025 and 2026.

What to Expect at Pleasance Two

With The Scaring, Crybabies are effectively turning the volume up on their established style. It is a show that promises to be spookier, sillier, and more theatrically complex than anything they have attempted before. To prepare for the horror elements, the trio immersed themselves in the genre, watching hundreds of classic scary movies to ensure their parodies and tropes hit with maximum precision.

For Fringe audiences seeking a performance that offers both genuine theatrical ambition and unhinged, joyous nonsense, The Scaring stands out as a must-see event of the August festival circuit.

Performance Details

• Show: Crybabies: The Scaring
• Venue: Pleasance Two, Edinburgh
• Dates: August 5th – August 30th (Note: No performances on August 15th or 18th)
• Time: 8:00 PM

https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/crybabies-scaring