Day of The Locust arrives at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe as a striking new adaptation combining live music with a reimagining of Nathanael West’s classic novel.
Created by Callum Patrick Hughes and David Shopland, the solo performance draws parallels between the disillusionment of Hollywood’s Golden Age and contemporary political unrest. Told in second person, the show places audiences inside the mind of a young scenic designer navigating the darker side of the film industry.
Using live instrumentation, looping and an evolving soundscape, the production blends storytelling with music to create a layered theatrical experience. As pressure builds within a system that promises success while fostering instability, the narrative explores ambition, alienation and the consequences of chasing an illusion.
Part protest piece, part character study, the work examines how the dream of success can give way to frustration and collective unrest. By connecting historical source material with present-day tensions, it offers a contemporary perspective on a story of ambition and collapse.
Day of The Locust runs at Pleasance Courtyard from 05 – 31 August at 12:50. Tickets are on sale hereÂ
