A Joke

presented by Universal Arts Productions and Scene Change Productions

Sylvester & Robert images © Andy Hollingworth Archive, John image © Ben Broomfield 

There's an Englishman, an Irishman and a Scotsman...

Starring Sylvester McCoy (Dr Who, The Hobbit), Robert Picardo (Star Trek Voyager, Stargate Atlantis) and John Bett (Shallow Grave, The Golden Compass) 

The new hit play by Dan Freeman (The Now Show, Ectoplasm) explores our attitudes to humour and life. It is directed by Tony Cownie (The Belle’s Strategem, The Venetian Twins), produced by Tomek Borkowy (Universal Arts Productions) and Ed Littlewood (Scene Change Productions) and designed by Neil Murray (Brief Encounter, Steptoe and Son). The music is composed by John Kielty and the lighting design is by David Gray.

An Englishman, an Irishman and a Scotsman find themselves in a void and must work out who and where they are; are they constituents of a story, or is the joke on them? They approach their desolate world respectively with fear, optimism and acceptance. Then, as they adopt one another’s tendencies and learn by experiment and discussion, they begin to solve the mystery of their own existence and ours.

The play boasts razor-sharp wit, slapstick, song and magic. It's:

“a comic masterclass... laugh out loud funny” ***** Edinburgh Evening News

“Who knew that three men, a massage table and a pair of spoons could cause such hilarity?” 
***** Edinburgh Reporter

“sharp, satirical and effortlessly amusing” The Stage


"Hilarious... this break-neck hour of exhilarating theatre" International Times

Following a short, work-in-progress version at Edfringe 2017, this new production premieres at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in the Ballroom at Assembly Rooms prior to a UK tour in 2019. tickets: assemblyfestival.com Twitter: @ajokeplay  Facebook: ajokeplay

Ballroom, George Street, EH2 2LR 

16.25  Running Time: 70mins

2 – 26 August. Previews 2-3 August. No show Wed 8, Tue 14 & Tue 21 August. 

Tickets: Previews £8;

4-5, 9,13, 15-16,20, 22-23 August £14 (£12)

10-12,17-19,24-26 August  £16 (£14)

Bookings: assemblyfestival.com, 0131 623 3030 or Assembly box offices at Assembly Hall and Assembly Roxy, Assembly George Square, Assembly Checkpoint and Assembly Rooms