Izzy Radford returns to the Edinburgh Fringe with Big Dog, a sharp new comedy interrogating the true crime industry and influencer culture. Following the success of their debut play Seating Plan, Radford brings another bold and timely story to the stage.
Also starring in the production, Radford explores themes of ambition, power, and ethics through a compelling ensemble piece. Directed by Zoë Templeman-Young, the show offers a witty and thought-provoking look at the stories we consume and who gets to tell them.
Big Dog runs at Gilded Balloon from 5–31 August 2026 at 6:20pm. Tickets are available here.
You’ve written and are starring in Big Dog at Gilded Balloon, what can you tell us about the show?
Big Dog is a dark comedy which follows Eve as she starts a new job as a ghostwriter for a true crime influencer. At first, it seems easy, but as she gets pulled deeper into the weird world of online content, the lines begin to blur between telling a compelling story and exploiting someone else’s tragedy.
The play explores the true crime industry and influencer culture, what drew you to these themes and why do they feel relevant now?
Algorithms often reward the most sensational version of a story, which means there’s a constant pressure on influencers to create content that’s bigger and more shocking.
Big Dog asks what happens when success depends on turning other people’s experiences into content and whether, even as a viewer, we’re more complicit in that than we’d like to admit.
After the success of Seating Plan, how has your approach to writing and performing evolved with this new piece?
I absolutely adored Seating Plan, but I also didn’t want to just write the same play again this year.
I don’t have much interest in staying in one lane, and it was really exciting to step into darker, stranger territory with Big Dog. It’s been so brilliant writing for an all-female cast.
You’re working again with Currie Productions and collaborating with director Zoë Templeman-Young, what has that creative process been like?
I loved working with Currie Productions last year, so it felt like a no-brainer to team up again for Big Dog.
Collaborating with Zoë has been incredible. She knows exactly how to get the best out of everyone and, honestly, the entire creative team have been outstanding. I couldn’t ask for more!
Big Dog tackles ethics, ambition and storytelling, what conversations are you hoping audiences will leave the theatre having?
I’d love people to leave the show questioning the media they consume but, ultimately, my primary aim is always for the audience to be entertained.
If you’ve booked to see a comedy, you should be entitled to some laughs!
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see Big Dog?
A real big dog wouldn’t even think. They’d just do. Book the tickets…
