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BOOK OF SHADOWS to Make Edinburgh Fringe Premiere at Underbelly Cowgate

Book of Shadows premieres at the Edinburgh Fringe, 18:30 at Underbelly Cowgate's Big Belly, 05 - 30 August 2026 (no show 19-Aug).

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BOOK OF SHADOWS to Make Edinburgh Fringe Premiere at Underbelly Cowgate

Award-winning Japanese company Mochinosha / Book of Shadowz will return to the Underbelly and the Edinburgh Fringe with the premiere of their brand-new shadow puppet show, Book of Shadows - a hilarious occult mystery for grown-ups.

Teenage sceptic Vi is forced to live with her grandmother, who claims to be the 200-year-old mystic and spiritual guru Madam Blavatsky. When Vi's friends begin to disappear, she reluctantly teams up with Granny to uncover a conspiracy of séances, unhinged cultists and suspiciously interested government agents.

A dark comedy based on a possibly true story, Book of Shadows dives into the mysterious world of the occult and mysticism where audiences can draw their own conclusions as to what to believe.

Founded in 2012 by Canadian artist Daniel Wishes and Japanese artist Seri Yanai, Mochinosha / Book of Shadowz is an award-winning theatre company who are known for their use of colourful hand-crafted shadow puppets to create live analogue shadow animation. The company has been recognised with awards from festivals around the world, including Critic's Choice (Orlando Fringe, USA), Outstanding Production (Suginami Theatre Festival, Japan), and The Spookies Jury's Choice Award (Edinburgh Fringe, UK).

Written by Daniel Wishes and performed together with Seri Yanai, Book of Shadows is a prelude to a larger tale exploring the occult and esoteric. The first chapter will premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe 2026, told through Mochinosha / Book of Shadowz' signature shadow animation and puppetry, with a pitch-black sense of humour that will appeal to those of a weird and surrealist disposition.

Book of Shadows premieres at the Edinburgh Fringe, 18:30 at Underbelly Cowgate's Big Belly, 05 - 30 August 2026 (no show 19-Aug).



Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Sound Design - Top 3
1. Adam Fisher - The Lost Boys
35.3% of votes
2. Tony Gayle - Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
10.3% of votes
3. Kai Harada - Ragtime
7.3% of votes

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