An all-star team of emerging Scottish theatre-makers come together for Prophets, a dark psychological thriller premiering at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Written by Fringe First-winning playwright Jack MacGregor, directed by John Byrne Award recipient Fraser Scott, and produced by National Theatre of Scotland Producing Fellow Leah Byrne, the production explores the uneasy intersection between faith, power and control.
Set on the remote outpost of Saint John, the story follows Kerris, a researcher who arrives on a small British Overseas Territory to find it gripped by a charismatic and growing religious sect. As memories blur with nightmares and anticipation builds towards the ominous ‘Day of Paradise’, Kerris becomes increasingly entangled in the island’s unsettling reality.
Prophets examines the limits of justice and the search for hope in a world shaped by oppression and belief. As Kerris is drawn deeper into the colony’s inner workings, the play reveals the mechanisms of control that underpin both faith and empire, and the personal consequences of resisting them.
The production has already been recognised with the 2026 ART Award from Assembly Festival, supporting new Scottish writing at the Fringe. With a creative team combining award-winning experience and new voices, Prophets promises a tense and atmospheric addition to this year’s programme.
Prophets runs at Assembly Roxy from 5 – 31 August at 17:45. Tickets are on sale here
