By Grace Hatchell, reporting from a churchyard bench where I’ve just been judged by three pigeons and one rather disapproving squirrel…
Nuns! arrives at Assembly Festival this August, bringing medieval comedy, witches and physical chaos to the Edinburgh Fringe. Created by Dog Complex Theatre with collaborators from Police Cops, the all-female comedy promises fantasy, self-expression and plenty of devilish mischief
Now then gather around the abbey.
I’ve delivered theatre news to castles, pubs, draughty rehearsal rooms and once to a man dressed entirely as a traffic cone at the Fringe — but I’ll admit, a tale involving nuns, witches and suspiciously lustful thoughts landing in me satchel before breakfast gave me pause.
Not enough pause to stop reading it, mind.
Heading to Assembly Festival this August is Nuns!, a brand-new medieval comedy from Dog Complex Theatre, created alongside folk from the wonderfully chaotic Police Cops stable and supported by Soho Theatre Labs. And if this sounds like your average quiet evening of hymn books and polite reflection… oh pet, you’ve wandered into wrong abbey.
At the centre of the mischief is Sister Gertrude, determined to become the holiest nun in t’land — avoiding sin, resisting temptation and trying very hard not to wonder what exactly Monk Bertram’s got going on beneath them robes. But when rumours of witches begin circling the convent like gossip outside a village bakery, Gertrude joins forces with mysterious witch-hunter Yarrow and sets off to tackle devilry, danger and — perhaps most threatening of all — naughty thoughts.
And honestly?
That plot alone deserves a prayer and a packet of wine gums.
Performed by just three women, Nuns! promises physical comedy, fantasy mayhem and an all-female soundtrack — aside from that one Evanescence song where the lad pops up shouting “wake me up,” which frankly feels spiritually accurate for Fringe season.
But beneath all the silliness — and I do adore a bit of theatrical silliness — there’s something meatier bubbling away in t’cauldron.
Using medieval fantasy as its playground, Nuns! explores women’s autonomy, belief, desire and self-worth. The show frames self-love not as vanity but as rebellion against repression and fear — wrapped up in absurd comedy and cloistered chaos.
Director Zak S. Hunt says the show grew partly from his own religious upbringing and a desire to explore the humour he found there, following work co-directing with Police Cops. Meanwhile Dog Complex’s Lili Herbert — and I’m fond of this line — says her “childhood obsession with medieval abbesses has come full circle.” There’s a sentence you don’t hear every day unless you’re hanging about near monastery gift shops.
Dog Complex’s Hannah Rogerson describes the production as “funny, bold, ridiculous and above all — a spectacle.” Now that, dear reader, is exactly the sort of language that gets Grace pedalling towards Edinburgh with dangerous enthusiasm and limited packing discipline.
The cast features Hebe Bartlett, Lili Herbert and Hannah Rogerson, with Hunt making his solo directing debut.
Nuns! plays George Square Studio 5 at Assembly Festival from 7–31 August (excluding 17 and 25 August), with performances at 8.45pm and tickets from £13.50.
Grace’s Satchel™ verdict?
Part medieval quest, part convent comedy and part glorious rebellion — this sounds less like Sunday service and more like what happens when somebody spikes the holy water with Fringe energy.
And between us… if Sister Gertrude starts chasing witches while battling lustful thoughts, I reckon she’s got more on her plate than half the dating apps in Yorkshire
Show Title: Nuns! Venue: George Square – Studio 5
Time: 20:45 Dates: 7-31 Aug (not 17 + 25)
Tickets: from £13.50
Bookings: https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/nuns or +44 (0)131 623 3030
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