A high-octane fusion of storytelling and physical theatre, The Distance makes its world premiere at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, bringing an adrenaline-fuelled exploration of ambition, identity and endurance to Summerhall.
Written and performed by Ben Norris, known for his work on The Archers and the Olivier-nominated The Choir of Man, this striking solo show pushes theatrical form to its physical limits. Performed entirely on a treadmill, the production is a feat of endurance as well as storytelling, with Norris taking on multiple characters in a dynamic and immersive performance.
The Distance follows Chris, a young athlete forced into cross-country running when the football pitch freezes over. What begins as reluctant participation soon sparks something deeper, as he discovers an unexpected drive to push himself further and further. Set against the relentless world of elite sport, where every second and every movement is measured, the show becomes a coming-of-age story that interrogates the limits of ambition and the cost of chasing success.
Drawing directly from Norris’s own experiences as a former Team GB athlete, the piece blends personal history with theatrical invention, asking why we push ourselves beyond our limits and what happens when we do. The result is a visceral and emotionally resonant performance that captures both the exhilaration and the pressure of elite competition.
Ben Norris said, “I’m incredibly excited (and nervous) to bring The Distance to the Fringe and be back in front of Edinburgh audiences for the first time in nine years. This show means a lot to me, forged from many of my own experiences, and it’s been a long time coming. It feels like a conversation between those two times, between the dreams we had then and the ones we have now.”
Directed by Julia Locascio and produced by Global Creative, Grace Dickson Productions and Nic Doodson Productions, The Distance combines innovative staging with powerful storytelling to create a theatrical experience that is both physically and emotionally intense.
With its unique staging, personal narrative and compelling themes, The Distance promises to be a standout piece of new writing at this year’s Fringe, offering audiences a thrilling and thought-provoking journey into the heart of human resilience.
The Distance runs at Summerhall (Main Hall) from 6 – 31 August (not 18 or 25 August) at Various Times. Tickets are on sale here
