The eight shortlisted Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026 shows contending for Musical Theatre Review’s Best Musical Award have been announced.
Following what has been an excellent year for the genre, the MTR panel has drawn up a list of the outstanding productions to be contenders for the award of Best Musical 2026.
“While musical theatre is not excluded from the many other awards made each year in Edinburgh, the artform does not always achieve the plaudits it deserves,” said Edinburgh editor Fiona Orr, who has led the team throughout the festival. “Musical Theatre could be termed as ‘the form that dare not speak its name’, with many shows appearing in other categories of the ever-expanding Festival Fringe programme.
“There is still a gap in giving the form recognition for exceptional work presented at the largest arts event in the world. We’ve covered as many productions as possible for the readership of Musical Theatre Review. The nominees represent the very best of the wide array of talent here in Edinburgh.”
MTR publisher Lisa Martland added: “Congratulations to all the MTR Best Musical nominees and everyone involved in presenting such high-quality musical theatre productions at this year’s Fringe. Fiona Orr and her team (Steven Wren, James Bryce, Charlotte Purkis, Patrick Honoré and Heather Owen Hill) have done a great job of covering a wide range of original shows with different styles and subjects. They are all deserving nominees.”
The Musical Theatre Review Best Musical Award was created to recognise excellence in the challenging form of musical theatre in all its variety of styles. The winner will be revealed during the final few days of the Fringe.
The nominees are:
ACID’S REIGN
Relish Theatre at Forth at Pleasance Courtyard
Book and lyrics by Evie Fehilly with additional material by Luke Howarth
Music by Gabriel Chernick with additional music by Stephanie Singer
This is a fabulous and musically sophisticated show that is compellingly ‘now’. It fits a niche that no one seemed to notice until this show came along. There is something for everyone – visually, verbally, vocally – in this show’s unique combination of attractions.
ENDOMETRIOSIS THE MUSICAL
Ripped Nylons Productions at Doonstairs at Gilded Balloon Patter House
Book and lyrics by Maria Bartholdi/Music and lyrics by Kristin Stowell
Not what you’d expect a regular musical to tackle, but this show is at turns hilarious, frustrating, touching and packed with great songwriting to address this hidden yet debilitating disease from almost every angle… It is so good to see a production of this calibre at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. A serious message in the most fun packaging.
GAME THEORY
London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art at Forest Theatre at Greenside @ George Street
Book, music and lyrics by Rachel Bellman and Josh Bird
“This is the place we’re meant to be,” declaim the lyrics of the opening number, and yes; this is the place to see and hear a fresh, talented young cast breathe life into a marvellous tale of friendship, loyalty and serious crime… I’ve decided that this is a super new musical and the spirited cast will do very well when they graduate and venture out into the industry.
HEATED RIVALRY: THE UNAUTHORISED MUSICAL PARODY
Alan Kliffer and Christian Palomares at Udderbelly at Underbelly, George Square
Book, music, lyrics and orchestrations by Dylan MarcAurele
What elevates the show above pastiche is the cast’s evident vocal capability. Zheng Xi Yong plays Shane with an exaggerated, near-feral innocence that never curdles into meanness. Joseph Dann’s Ilya – a professional stage debut for the performer – pairs a genuinely rich baritone with comic instincts sturdy enough to swing between meathead bravado and something closer to tenderness… It’s a broad, knowingly silly hour sung well enough that the silliness earns its keep.
HOLE!
American Sing-Song (A.S.S) at Cowbarn at Underbelly, Bristo Square
Book, music and lyrics by Jake Brasch and Nadja Leonhard-Hooper
Questions of faith are explored hilariously; there’s a Book of Mormon style irreverent poke at blind faith and believing everything you’re told. “Faith is something you believe that can’t be proved,” they say. Well, I have faith in Hole! as a brilliantly entertaining piece of theatre, but my faith is not blind. Their brilliance can be proved.
LEGENDARY
Cheeyang Ng/Everything is Maya, Communal Practice, Jennifer Leigh at Friesian at Underbelly, Bristo Square
Book, music, lyrics and orchestrations by Cheeyang Ng
And if the gods can be legendary, why can’t we?
Well, Cheeyang Ng, sharing their life story with wit and grace and truth and heart, most certainly is… legendary.
REMEMBER, REMEMBER!
WIT? Theatre Company and Pleasance at Queen Dome at Pleasance DomeBook, music
Book, music and lyrics by Lucy Buncombe and Kluane Saunders
The songs are catchy and funny, the vocals razor sharp (some astonishing four-part harmonies), with the audience singing along on occasion. The lyrics clever and witty. The whole directed within an inch of its life by Alex Pritchett. It’s a great show. Great fun. And it’ll stay with you a long time. This ridiculously talented company is one to watch out for.
THE REAL KYLE McCARREN
Avalon at Forth at Pleasance Courtyard
Book, music and lyrics by Andy Roninson and Sean McVerry
This is a must-see, must-hear, must-feel show. One of the best original scores of recent times. Above all though, Andy Roninson wins the heart of everyone – the book and score are written by Roninson and Sean McVerry and is as close to being flawless as any new show could be. Go – see it here first – Edinburgh has a new smash hit musical.
Picture credits: Game Theory (Sam Taylor), Heated Rivalry The Unauthorised Musical Parody (Alex Brenner, Hole! (Chewboy), Legendary (Kevin O’Sullivan), The Real Kyle McCarren (Natalie Powers). MTR Best Musical Award graphic: Howard Sherwood.
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