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Trouble, Struggle, Bubble and Squeak

 
Richard Beck Review by Richard Beck 4 Published: 5 Aug 2025 Pleasance Courtyard Show Dates: 31 Jul 2025-24 Aug 2025

Award-winning theatre-maker Victoria Melody returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with her latest show, Trouble, Struggle, Bubble and Squeak, collaborating for the first time with acclaimed political comedian and director Mark Thomas.

An inspiring tale that brings history to life in modern times.

Melody has a way of dealing with the things life throws at her – usually by taking on a completely diversionary hobby or job. Dealing with her divorce led her to the English Civil War Society, where she was assigned to the politically wrong side for her liking in historical re-enactments – but found a revolutionary outlet in the Diggers, who, faced with poverty and starvation, occupied common land to farm it.

It soon dawned on her that the dissatisfaction felt by these 17th-century radicals towards those in power – who had failed their communities – is still rife in today’s society. With that historical background covered, she goes on to tell the tale of how she embraced a deprived area of her own city and ultimately galvanised people to bring about change that would benefit the entire community.

Her show is filled with stories of eccentric but real people who became emboldened to challenge the status quo, confront the powers that be, and take on the local council to improve their lives. Couch potatoes soon became activists, helping hands and campaigning citizens who, with every success, became more committed to furthering their cause. With the aid of a colourful, child-like drawing of the area and cardboard cut-outs of people, she playfully rattles off the interactions, confrontations and remarkable contributions that transformed a region, changed lives and enabled a community to reshape its home – making it a place of which they could be proud.

Entertainingly told with great clarity and precise delivery, Melody’s show is an inspiring tale that brings history to life in modern times – and demonstrates how people can be empowered to change their own lives and communities for the better.

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Award-winning theatre maker and 'Fringe legend' (Time Out), Victoria Melody joined a historical re-enactment society... because we all deal with divorce differently! Spending weekends as a Musketeer, she uncovered the story of 17th-century radicals called The Diggers and everything changed. What started as a personal search became a quest to find The Diggers of today. She didn't expect to find them far from the battlefield, right on her doorstep. Blending storytelling and stand-up, past and present collide in this tale of hijinks and resistance. Directed by Mark Thomas, this celebrates ordinary people still shaping history.