Berlin-based theatre company Hysterie Theater makes its Edinburgh Fringe debut with Wenches!, a satirical farce exploring the absurdities of social media activism and performative virtue. Running from 1–23 August 2025 at Olive Studio, Greenside @ George Street, this original comedy is written by Maya Le Roux and Bianca Waechter, and directed by Antonia Reinisch.

Set in 1423 Berlin, Wenches! follows two peasants, Bertegilde and Nortburga, who are haunted by guilt after failing to save their friends from a fiery fate. Led astray by the enigmatic witch Bogdana, they embark on a time-travelling podcast-fuelled quest to redeem themselves and their village. The play blends historical absurdity with modern satire, drawing inspiration from Monty Python, Tom Stoppard, and Sh!t Theatre.

The production features performances by Derya Celikkol, Maya Le Roux, and Bianca Waechter, with sound design by Kyra Le Roux, voiceovers by Christian Intorp, and animations by Aaliyah Lynch. Farcical, fast-paced, and unapologetically sharp, Wenches! invites audiences to laugh, squirm, and reflect on the fine line between action and performance.

Director Antonia Reinisch describes the play as “a heartbreak of complicity” wrapped in humour, while co-writers Le Roux and Waechter reflect on the personal and political journey that brought their vision to life. With its unique blend of satire, history, and multimedia, Wenches! promises to be a standout at this year’s Fringe.