one4review | On 29, Aug 2026

So, all Fringe long people have been asking me what my favourite show has been. And I didn’t have an answer because there’s so much to like about so many different shows. And then I saw Mothman: A Romance Musical and I was able to breathe a big sigh of relief. Because this is it. This is my favourite show of Edinburgh Fringe 2026. There’s not a trophy or anything, but it’s as much of a prize as I can give.

Telling the story of three hapless teenagers who trek into the forests of West Virginia to look for the fabled Mothman and all the crazy characters they meet including a lovestruck French mole (?), this very silly and very very funny madcap musical features a who’s who of upcoming British comic talent. Co-writers Alex Franklin and Nikola McMurtrie join forces with Alex Prescot and Hudson Hughes (who has my runner-up for favourite show this year). Playing with and parodying all manner of tropes of both romance musicals and horror movies, the show features situations as funny as the American accents are outrageous. I’m not really au fait enough with musicals to judge how expert the music is but I still preferred it to any of the songs I’ve heard at other shows this year. But what shines for me is how delightfully unhinged it is, for example the police detective who arrives out of nowhere with his “loose cannon” partner who is literally a clown with a false nose and obsession with stabbing people. And both characters then just leave the plot having not impacted it at all, to the surprise of the other characters as much as the audience.

While much of what’s on stage from costumes to accents is knowingly a bit wonky, the work behind it is undeniably solid. The pacing of the show is perfect and no song nor scene outstays its welcome.

I’d like to say more about my favourite parts, but I don’t really want to spoil it. If you are a fan of stupid cleverness and clever stupidity, mixed with good songs, queer undertones and a big ol’ man moth then you’ll love it. If you’re not, then you should still go just on the off-chance you’re wrong.

*****
Reviewed by Tom
Underbelly Cowgate
Until 30 August