Mandy Rubeli brings DINOSAURS to the Edinburgh Fringe, a genre-bending new play that combines dark comedy with an exploration of trauma and healing. Written by and starring Rubeli, the production arrives with acclaim from its US run.
Presented by The Nightmare Lizards, DINOSAURS blends absurd humour with emotional depth, following a chaotic journey involving time travel, friendship, and unexpected confrontation. The show offers a bold, imaginative take on how we process the past.
DINOSAURS runs at Greenside @ Riddle’s Court – Thistle Theatre from 7–29 August 2026. Tickets are available here.
You’ve written and are starring in DINOSAURS at Greenside @ Riddle’s Court. What can you tell us about the show?
Dinosaurs is a dark comedy about time travel, healing your inner child and sweet, sweet revenge.
The show begins when Claire comes home to an unexpected guest: a real-life dinosaur rummaging through her apartment.
After retracing her steps, she concludes the dinosaur is a strange manifestation of unresolved trauma she carries after being sexually assaulted as a teenager.
Claire then determines the only way to send the dinosaur back in time is to find closure. For fear that the very fabric of time and space could collapse at any moment, her quick solution is to confront her abuser.
Somehow, what she discovers in the process is even more unexpected than a spontaneously appearing dinosaur.
The play mixes dark comedy, time travel and a very unexpected dinosaur. What inspired this unique concept?
Dinosaurs is a personal piece very loosely reflecting true events from my life, but most of the story grew from my imagination.
I was interested in exploring the emotional truth behind those experiences, rather than recreating them exactly as they happened (except for the real-life dinosaur, that happened, obviously).
DINOSAURS explores trauma and healing in a surreal way. How did you approach balancing humour with such serious themes?
Finding moments to insert levity into the script was important to me because humour is genuinely how people often process difficult experiences.
When writing the show, I never wanted the trauma to feel overwhelming or inaccessible.
The comedy creates an entry point for the audience, allowing them to connect with the characters and engage with challenging themes in a way that feels approachable.
By filtering difficult experiences through absurdity, we can explore the emotional truth of trauma without being trapped in realism.
My goal was never to make light of serious subjects, but rather to use laughter as a tool for deep reflection on how trauma impacts ourselves and those around us.
You’re collaborating closely with director Faith Saporito, who also performs in the show. How has that dynamic shaped the production?
Faith and I have been friends for a long time, and I think that foundation has had a huge impact on the production.
We share a similar artistic vision and approach to storytelling, which makes collaboration feel natural.
At the same time, we’re different enough that we’re always bringing new ideas to the table.
Because we have so much mutual trust and respect, both as friends and as artists, we’re able to be honest, take creative risks and push the work further.
I think that combination of shared values and genuine respect has been a big part of what has made this such a strong production.
The piece has already found success in the US. How have audiences responded and what are you excited to bring to Edinburgh audiences?
Audiences have praised the balance of comedy and trauma as the show’s biggest strength.
Reviewers repeatedly mention that the show tackles difficult subject matter while remaining genuinely funny, and that the humour makes the emotional moments even more impactful.
The performances and the writing have also been consistently praised.
Seeing audiences embrace both the humour and emotional depth has given me confidence that its themes will resonate beyond Los Angeles, as these core themes are universal.
I believe anyone can relate to the idea of something from the past lingering and the difficulty it takes to live in the present. Therefore, I am excited to bring Dinosaurs to Edinburgh audiences.
What would you say to anyone thinking of booking to see DINOSAURS?
Don’t let the subject matter scare you.
Come for the dinosaurs, stay for the emotional damage… and the healing.
It’s weird, heartfelt, hilarious and unlike anything else you’ll see at the Fringe.
