theatregoose presents the world premiere of The Plot at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, a high-octane theatrical thriller written and directed by Emma Howlett.
Set in the immediate aftermath of the Gunpowder Plot, the production reimagines one of Britain’s most mythologised historical events through a fast-paced blend of courtroom drama, backstage theatre and tragicomedy. As two brothers stand accused of treason, a playwright across the Thames races to reshape their story into something that might secure his own survival.
At its heart, The Plot is a gripping exploration of storytelling as power. As narratives are rewritten and manipulated, the play asks who truly controls history and what happens when the truth becomes secondary to survival.
This new production continues theatregoose’s reputation for visually striking, physically dynamic work, combining bold theatricality with sharp intellectual themes. Following previous Fringe successes Aether, Sisters Three and Her Green Hell, the company returns with a piece that interrogates truth, imagination and authority.
Writer-director Emma Howlett said the show “explores the power of storytelling at its most dangerous — when narratives can shape truth, influence power and determine who survives.”
With a cast including Sophie Kean and Abby McCann, and design by Ellie Wintour, the production promises an immersive and thought-provoking theatrical experience.
The Plot runs at Summerhall from 06 – 31 August at 19:30. Tickets are on sale here
