Words: Francis Wylde 

Theatre/ Comedy/ Drag 

4 stars

As we enter the Pleasance’s attic, we are greeted by Councillor Lydia, former English teacher and fiercely committed tombola manager for the village fete. But, to Lydia’s horror, a severed foot has appeared among the prizes, leading some to suggest the fete should be cancelled. Well, not on Lydia’s watch.

Through audience interaction, Lydia introduces four suspects and her puppet policeman ally, inviting audience members to read from scripts and become members of the community. What begins as frivolous fun becomes increasingly surreal as a terrifying multi-eyed alien presence enters proceedings.

But there is something more sinister underneath the silliness. When an audience member is handed a script containing a warning about the escalating climate crisis, Lydia quickly snatches it away. Daniel McVey’s play, developed with support from Curve, Leicester, cleverly shifts from cosy murder mystery into political theatre, using our participation to question the ease with which we follow the scripts handed to us.

McVey is an engaging Lydia, skilfully holding an unpredictable audience. At times, the interactive structure becomes repetitive, and inevitably its success depends somewhat on the audience members selected.

Nevertheless, this is bold, experimental Fringe theatre with genuine political intent. The heatwaves sweeping across England and Europe may feel far away from rainy Edinburgh, but McVey ensures their threat is never far from the edges of this bizarre village fete.

A Foot Is Not An Appropriate Prize for the Tombola
Attic at Pleasance Courtyard
15:20 
5th – 31st of August 2026 (not 17th)