EDINBURGH 2026 Review: THE KOBOLD SHOW!, Gilded Balloon Patter House
A five-clown comedy about community, collaboration, and being a weird little freak.
For those of you who've never heard of a Kobold and aren't immediately picturing three mischievious reptiles in a trench coat, a Kobold is a creature that appears in German folklore: a sprite, usually child-shaped, doing chores or causing problems depending on how they were treated. Adapted into Dungeons & Dragons (a tabletop roleplaying game) as draconic chaos-mongers, they are usually low-level baddies and idiots. The latter is the form they take in this show, and yet it isn't. Through some inexplicable shenanigans and a gibberish language somewhere between Spanish and a Star Wars alien, these five friends prove there's much more depth to these tiny creatures.
Ideal for nerds of all ages, this comedic but heartfelt show is well paced and easy to follow. There are a few confusing moments, but I was pleased to find it never left me wanting less. Don't be put off by the odd fart joke or the possibility of being "Kobold chewed-upon" - lean into the intimate venue, atmospheric music, and let them take you along for the ride of their very first big adventure.
All five actors are great, committing so fully that everything which might otherwise have shattered the illusion becomes a delightful bonus. Marvish (Isabella Greathouse) is a particular standout, but as they are constantly affirming, they are best as a group. The show balances with skill the inherent selfishness and paradoxical need for community that we can all relate to, mixed in with the laughs. An impressive job.
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