REVIEW: Nuns! ★★★★★ | Edfringe 2026

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026 | Assembly George Square Studios

Medieval Bavaria.

Witches.

Sin.

Sexual temptation.

Roller-skating monks.

Welcome to Nuns!

Dog Complex Theatre's gloriously ridiculous comedy follows Sister Gertrude, a nun determined to be the holiest of the holy despite being slightly distracted by thoughts about what might be hiding underneath Monk Bertram's robes.

When rumours of witches reach the convent, Gertrude teams up with mysterious witch-hunter Yarrow and sets off across Bavaria to rid the world of devilry, witches and — hopefully — her own naughty thoughts.

What follows is 60 minutes of absolute chaos.

Hebe Bartlett, Hannah Rogerson and Lili Herbert somehow create an entire world of nuns, monks, bishops, witches and assorted lunatics between just three performers, switching characters and costumes at ridiculous speed.

There's physical comedy, music, dancing, magic, audience interaction and a soundtrack featuring predominantly female artists.

Except, wonderfully, for that bit in Evanescence's Bring Me to Life where the bloke shouts “WAKE ME UP!”

The chemistry between the trio is what really makes Nuns! work.

It constantly feels as though the whole production is about three seconds away from completely falling apart — costume changes go awry, performers react to each other and unexpected moments are embraced rather than ignored.

But underneath the apparent chaos is clearly a ridiculously well-rehearsed show.

And it's bloody funny.

There's even a little substance underneath all the silliness, touching on female desire, friendship and the rather unfortunate historical tendency to label women as witches whenever they didn't behave exactly as expected.

But thankfully, Nuns! never becomes remotely preachy.

It's too busy spraying sinners with holy water.

Completely ridiculous, relentlessly energetic and exactly the sort of show you hope to accidentally discover at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Forgive me, Father, for I have laughed my arse off.

★★★★★ – 5/5