If you’re on the hunt for theatre that feels fresh, affordable, and genuinely exciting, it’s time to swap the Royal Mile for the charming cobbled streets of Prague.
A programme full of bold, heartfelt performances and real discoveries
Now in its 24th year, the Prague Fringe Festival has quietly built a reputation as the ultimate destination where grassroots artists thrive and international audiences uncover hidden gems. Every May, nestled in the picturesque baroque quarter of Malá Strana, this festival showcases a carefully curated programme of new writing, comedy, physical theatre, theatre, music and spoken word — all performed in intimate, characterful venues that give each show a personal touch.
And if you miss the days when the Edinburgh Fringe had a more scrappy, welcoming vibe, Prague Fringe might be just the fix you’re looking for.
This year’s line-up promises something special for theatre lovers. Before It Overtakes Us by Mark Watson, a familiar face from Edinburgh and the BBC, will test out new material, blending his trademark quick wit with reflections on life’s big questions. Meanwhile, Marc Burrows’ The Magic of Terry Pratchett, is a tribute to one of Britain’s most beloved fantasy authors, celebrating the 40th anniversary of Discworld.
New voices are also taking centre stage. Fckboy, a darkly humorous exploration of toxic masculinity by No Tits Theatre, is an exploration of gender dysphoria, bodily autonomy, and celebrity crushes from a trans perspective. Hide My Porn by Minty Spectre is a light-hearted reflection on a young man’s battle with cancer and the characters he met during his fight for recovery.
Comedy lovers are spoiled for choice, with rising star Kuan-Wen Huang offering a cross-cultural perspective on relationships and identity in Andrews Are the Worst. Meanwhile, Bombay Comedy Nights brings Indian poet and stand-up Simar Singh to Europe, alongside a rotating line-up of fringe and local acts in a 90-minute comedy compilation show.
For something more physical, Gobstopper from Skelf Theatre Co, winners of the Prague Fringe Audience Award and Inspiration Award in 2023, returns to Prague Fringe with brand new a dark comedy. Deeptime Atomic Waste Pleasure Party by Elastic Fantastic follows on from Edinburgh and Dundee Fringe success painting a wild, radioactive future with their trippy, queer exploration of the nuclear waste message. Café de Profundis by Ofelia Grey offers a colourful storm of emotions and memories in this surreal, unreal show.
Storytelling is a major strength this year, with Tales from a Country Pub by Christopher Sainton-Clark offering nostalgic British yarns and a good dose of humour. Not content with just one production, Christopher is also the writer/performer in The Night That Ali Died, a brand new show that recounts the brutal domino effect that takes place on the streets of Norwich. Once Upon a Time in Ukraine by artists from the Kyiv-based ProEnglish Theatre of Ukraine uses movement and storytelling to share powerful, real-life tales from war-torn Europe.
Literary theatre lovers will enjoy Shylock, a bold reimagining of Shakespeare’s most controversial character, which was the first play to open the very first Prague Fringe 25 years ago. Meanwhile, The Red Shoes by Irish artist Dannie Cullen explores the classic fairy tale using a mixture of theatre and circus. Fans of new writing should check out Blasé by Officine Gorilla/Teatro dell Juta, a sharp take on modern apathy, and Anna’s Apartment by Wandering Stories (presented by Sinéad O’Brien and Liam McCarthy), which delves into mistaken identity in this psychological thriller.
One of the true joys of the Prague Fringe is how easy it is to make a full day or week out of the festival. Flights from the UK are frequent and affordable, accommodation is plentiful and reasonably priced, and in between shows, you can wander Prague’s historic streets, sip coffee by the Vltava River, or explore one of Europe’s most stunning cities.
The Prague Fringe has a reputation of supporting performers, offering grassroots artists a platform without the hefty costs or intense marketing race. The result is a programme full of bold, heartfelt performances and real discoveries.
Prague Fringe 2025 runs from 26 - 31 May — for anyone craving theatre that’s personal, surprising, and joyful, this may be the festival you’ve been waiting for.
