EDINBURGH 2026: Review: PLANET OF THE GRAPES – AN EPIC, TABLETOP, SCI-FI ADVENTURE!, Below, Pleasance Courtyard
Endlessly charming
Having wowed audiences at a sold-out NYC premiere, this inventive puppet parody lands at the Fringe as the ultimate piece of eco-friendly family fun.
Before the action even begins, the audience are asked to buckle up their imaginary seatbelts for a dangerous flight. The story then takes off with American astronaut George Taylor, who crash-lands on a bizarre world where loud-mouthed, tyrannical grapes reign supreme and treat humans like dirt. Forced to navigate this produce-filled dystopia, Taylor scrambles to uncover the shocking truth behind its warped secrets. It is completely accessible without having seen Planet of the Apes, and delivers a hilarious, crowd-pleasing joyride for all ages.
The real magic lies in its everlasting mountain of trash-turned-puppets. Every character, prop and set piece is meticulously crafted from everyday junk - think wine corks, deodorant bottles, umbrellas, hand fans, and giant balloons. The puppetry trickery is endlessly clever, using everything from finger puppets and ping-pong paddles to tabletop figures manipulated by sticks and magnets. Furthermore the charming performers mirror every dramatic puppet emotion on their own faces, making the production even more engaging.
The stagecraft is extremely polished, particularly during an intense sequence that combines UV light, neon paint, and suspenseful music to simulate a wild grape chase. This is one of many examples where slick, imaginative execution keeps the audience engaged. There is a touch of light audience participation, but nothing to be concerned about.
It all wraps up with a clever ending tying the story back to our own world today. Silly, scrappy and smart, Planet of the Grapes is a highly recommended family show this year.
Planet of the Grapes is at the Pleasance Courtyard until 30 August.
Photo: Planet of the Grapes.
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