Now that we’ve moved into August, the countdown to the 10th edition of Gothenburg Fringe is well and truly underway. Let’s have a look at more shows coming your way on 29 August to 7 September 2025.
Gothenburg English Studio Theatre is the home for sublime theatre since joining the Fringe fold in 2022 and this year’s line up is no different. Check out the four productions at GEST on 3-7 September, then get your tickets here.
From the award-winning SkelpieLimmer (creators of fringe hits Two Fingers Up, Scaredy Fat) comes SHAME SHOW blowing in directly from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Adam and Stevie are stuck in their rural fixer-upper. As Storm Seamus rages outside, their relationship begins to crumble inside. Adam wants to stay to make it a home but Stevie has big city dreams of holding Adam’s hand in public. With no TV to distract them, and an all night fight on the forecast, they parody their favourite programmes (The Weakest Twink, Top of the Poppers, Straight in Their Eyes) as they battle the storm and each other’s beliefs.
Hugely entertaining First Fortnight Award winner and sell-out hit at Dublin Fringe and Outburst Queer Arts Festival.
⭑⭑⭑⭑ The Stage (for SCAREDY FAT) ⭑⭑⭑⭑ BroadwayWorld (for TWO FINGERS UP)
What happens when you uncover a secret piece of history — and realize it’s part of your own story?
In THE REAL BLACK SWANN: Confessions of America’s First Black Drag Queen, acclaimed solo artist Les Kurkendaal-Barrett dives deep into the extraordinary life of William Dorsey Swann — a formerly enslaved man who became the first known drag performer and LGBTQ+ activist in the U.S.
What begins as Les getting a text before he goes into surgery turns into a captivating journey across time. As Les learns more about Swann — who organized drag balls in Washington D.C. in the 1880s and fought for queer freedom decades before Stonewall — he begins to see reflections of his own life and the power of reclaiming lost stories.
A funny, moving, and timely solo performance that weaves history, identity, and personal discovery, THE REAL BLACK SWANN will leave you inspired to reimagine the heroes of our past.
THE REAL BLACK SWANN has been recognized at festivals across the globe:
Patrons’ Pick – Orlando Fringe
Audience Pick – Prague Fringe
Best International Show – Colchester Fringe
Doric Wilson Award Dublin international Theatre Fest
“Powerful, heartfelt, and completely engaging… Les Kurkendaal-Barrett is a master storyteller.”
With Wolves, Witches and Goblins, the story unfolds as the audience is invited to become part of the drama. The Brothers Grimm collected their classic tales over 200 years ago. Today, interactive storyteller Eden Ballantyne has reimagined them for a contemporary audience in this family-friendly show.
Maybe Little Red Riding Hood won’t have to wait for the woodcutter to save her? There may be a house of gingerbread, but what else could be waiting in the woods? With the audience taking on the roles of all the major characters, no two shows will be the same!
The Brothers Grimm published their famous tales in 1912, when stories for kids were scarier, blood thirsty and more disturbing. Storyteller Eden tells a collection of some of the darker tales, and telling you what popular fairy tales have left out.
“Storyteller Eden Ballantyne brings audiences on a journey into the utter depravity of fairytale lore with a combination of wit and charisma.”
“… this show brings a whole new level of weird & wonderful to storytime.” “He’s a delight to watch on stage even when weaving tales of cannibalism… ” – Intermission Magazine Toronto
