WOW – Women of the World has announced the first wave of special guests for The WOW Show with Jude Kelly, set to debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer.
Running from 31 July to 10 August 2025 at Assembly Rooms, The WOW Show brings bold conversations and powerful stories to the stage, hosted by WOW Founder and acclaimed theatre director Jude Kelly CBE.
Following a successful national tour in 2024, the Edinburgh run will feature a different special guest each day from the worlds of politics, comedy, theatre and television.
The first confirmed guests include comedians Shaparak Khorsandi (31 July), Sindhu Vee (1 August), Sikisa (2 August), MP Jess Phillips (3 August), comedian and novelist Amy Mason (5 August), former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon (6 August), actor Miriam Margolyes (7 August), and actor-comedian Jessica Fostekew (10 August).
Further names are expected to be announced soon.
“The world is on fire, and the news feels relentless. Rights are being rolled back across the globe, and the UN says gender equality is still 286 years away. However, WOW – Women of the World believes there’s still much to celebrate,” said the organisers.
Each performance will see Jude Kelly in conversation with her guest, exploring themes from money to sex, raising boys to ageing, with audience participation shaping the discussion.
Over the past 15 years, WOW Festivals have taken place in 45 locations across six continents, reaching over five million people and supporting thousands of activists.
In its 15th anniversary year, WOW events are being held in cities including Baltimore, Athens, Istanbul, Lahore, Rio de Janeiro, Rotherham, Edinburgh, and Gladstone, Australia.
The WOW Show is presented by WOW – Women of the World in association with ESK, with global founding support from Bloomberg.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
