Wenches! – Historical Hilarity with a Dark Edge
When Wenches first landed in my inbox, it instantly shot to the top of my Fringe must-see list — and it did not disappoint.
Set in 1423 Berlin, the story follows two peasants caught in a swirl of hysteria, hypocrisy, and impending doom. With witchcraft accusations in the air and the flames of persecution rising, they face a choice: take a stand or simply watch the chaos unfold. It’s a darkly comic dive into fear, guilt, and the price of inaction, cleverly blending historical absurdity with sharp modern parallels.
The three-strong cast bring the script to life with brilliant comedic acting, the kind that feels both finely tuned and joyfully spontaneous. The humour is plentiful — not always laugh-out-loud guffaws from the crowd, but the kind of sharp wit that draws quiet sniggers, raised eyebrows, and big grins across the audience. You could feel people were hooked, even in the silences.
The plot is refreshingly straightforward, letting the absurdity and character work take centre stage. Witchcraft elements are woven through with just the right touch, and the chemistry between the performers makes even the darker moments fizz with energy.
When I saw the show it was still in preview, and in true Fringe fashion, disaster nearly struck moments before curtain up when a missing HDMI cable threatened to derail things — luckily, a heroic audience member came to the rescue. (Note to self: Grace should start carrying one in her satchel for emergencies.)
The staging is simple but effective, leaning on strong performances rather than elaborate sets. If I had one quibble, it would be the number of blackouts — a few fewer might keep the momentum even tighter — but that’s a minor note in an otherwise top-tier production.
This is a show that delivers exactly what it sets out to: smart comedy, sharp performances, and a story that sticks. I loved every moment, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see it in the running for awards.
★★★★★ – A Pick of the Fringe. Get it in your diary.
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/wenches
Grace Hatchell’s Postbag Pick
Well, my lovelies, if you fancy a spot of medieval mischief with your history lesson, Wenches is your ticket. It’s got peasants, peril, and more sly humour than you can shake a broomstick at. I’ll admit, I almost had to step in myself when the tech crisis hit — but they pulled it off with such charm you’d think they planned it. This one’s smart, snappy, and has just enough witchy wink to keep you under its spell.
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