Back at Edinburgh Fringe 2026
With a brand new original play
7-29 August 2.55pm - 3.45pm
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Incredible watch. Lucas English has written a piece of theatre I’m not sure even he is aware is quite so incredible. It was an honour to watch this performance today and I am so blown away by the talent displayed by what feels like so many different actors but was really just one man creatively embodying so many roles in just under an hour (and so believably). The singular prop was put to work through an array of uses you really never knew what was coming next. The storyline gives perspective on underprivileged communities and the people that live within them; spotlighting classism and forcing the audience to think about uncomfortable truths that exist in our society. MUST SEE before it finished its fringe run
Amazing performance. Never seen anything like it before. The way Lucas switches between characters with their different accents and mannerisms is seriously impressive. A talented writer and performer. Highly recommend.
Really great show. Amazing performance and very transporting. Incredible job – thank you
⭐⭐⭐⭐ A show which had reality and your imagination merge – with a captivating series of performances.
What amazing energy from this show. Lucas plays multiple parts telling the story of a class struggle. Should be playing much bigger venues, such a talented guy. 5 stars
A great high energy performance from Lucas, who manages to create a whole world and cast of characters with just a metal bench.
Absolutely phenomenal. Lucas is such an exciting actor to watch — I felt like I was watching 10 different people on stage at once! Highly, highly recommend: I could have happily spent 2-3 more hours in this world!
Absolutely stunning. Not only does Lucas English switch seamlessly between characters, but each one feels real, each like a person you’ve probably met if you’ve lived in the UK for any amount of time. He performs realistic and moving dialogue between 4+ characters at a time, all himself, without a hitch, a testament to both his writing and acting prowess. Bombs Over Byker is a compelling piece that tackles an impressive amount in such a short time, from family conflicts to the class divide, all with a perfect balance of grace and humour. I was saddened to see such a small audience when I went, as it deserves so much appreciation, and I highly recommend it to anyone with some time in their afternoon. It’s well worth it.
Superb! A striking, energised performance with an excellent fast-paced approach that kept us engaged throughout. The transitions between characters, environments and the use of almost no props showcases a masterful way of storytelling through characterisation! Highly recommend for anyone interested in solo-performance on a minimal scale!
Wow. This show is like nothing iv ever seen. The physicality here is amazing and the actors ability to creat an entire world by movement and character swapping was remarkable. You can see the hard work. If you’re going to see a one man drama , this is the one to see!
I was so impressed by the character-switching: Lucas had every character down so tight, to the point that you could really envision every detail and person. His captivating performance kept me engaged the whole time, and the full circle of the writing left me thinking about what it’s like being a young person trying to make a statement in society where it is so challenging to do so. I’d definitely recommend you see this if you can get the chance.
An absolutely brilliant show that you definitely don’t want to miss. Fantastically written and performed by Lucas who has created such distinct characters that you forget he is the only one on stage. Deserves a sold out run.
Could call it Lawrence of Newcastle (instead of Arabia) as River does have that slightly misguided white saviour vibe. But Lucas tackles it well and with commentary that is more meaningful than politics is complicated and doing the right thing isnt always clear. He reminds us that people are just as important as the politics.
Unreal piece of writing and a fantastic performance. Lucas switched between characters so effortlessly, it was easy to forget he was one person portraying every character. A truly beautiful play, I hope to see more from it in the future!
Lucas is able to switch seamlessly between characters and accents in this engaging one man show. With expert tech and only one prop, Lucas builds a world before your eyes.
Wow! An absolutely incredible talent from this one man show. Written beautifully and the actors ability to switch from one character to another so effortlessly, portraying different personalities and accents, was impressive.
Absolutely incredible. Lucas English manages to sow together wonderfully crafted physical storytelling, a range of distinct character work, and amazing writing to form one of the best pieces of theatre I’ve seen in a long time. This genuinely deserves a sold out run. You are seriously missing out if you think of passing this one by!
Absolutely brilliant. An amazing solo performance by Lucas featuring many diverse characters. Full of humour and pathos. The writing was thought provoking. Would definitely look to see Lucas again.
A poignant and energetic piece that blends complicated family dynamics, chaotic youthful rebellion and exciting political anarchy. With beautifully curated characters Lucas English creates a world that feels devastatingly close and relentlessly dystopian through his masterful storytelling and relatable, accessible writing style. The creative and resourceful use of set is a tribute to English’s critical and explorative eye, and combined with his exemplary use of physical and vocal variation, this piece is a firecracker of emotional depth and wit. A fringe must-see and a credit to this outstanding theatre maker.
Amazing writing, the wonderful descriptions of places and physical performances of each character aid you in imagining the world of the piece. So beautifully acted, get yourself along to see this energetic, hilarious yet emotional one man show!
Thoroughly enjoyed this! Well acted, well written, well worth seeing. If you like dynamic new writing then this is right up your street. See this now before he’s a big deal!
Bombs over Byker
Original solo performance by Lucas English
When River’s comfortable life is shattered, he enlists two disorderly youngsters to plot increasingly riotous acts in search of a higher truth. As the threat of global war looms over Newcastle’s Byker Estate, will this unlikely cohort expose the false prophets who seek to determine their fate?
Written and performed by Lucas English, this dynamic solo play questions class prejudice, social conditioning and faith as it debuts at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.
Aug 7-29, 2026
2.55pm – 3.45pm (50m)
£15.00 (£12.50)
Review of preview show - The student
Bombs over Byker’s debut at Edinburgh Fringe Festival leaves you thinking about Britain’s ingrained class system, society’s expectations, and our future in a rapidly changing world.
Set on the Byker Estate in Newcastle, the play follows protagonist River, a postgraduate student, as he moves up North, away from his affluent life in the South of England, to live with his Grandma. As a global war looms over the estate, River enlists the help of two Geordie lads, as they build an unexpected friendship.
The exploration of working-class neighbourhood rivalries between Newcastle’s Byker and Walker is compelling; the lack of understanding from the characters themselves as to why they fight between postcodes resonates heavily with my own home town.
For me, the most touching part of Lucas English’s writing was the divide between the working class “disorderly youngsters” and the more affluent protagonist River when considering whether their seemingly mundane lives in Byker were enough for them —as the Newcastle lads recognised that they didn’t need to change themselves to “make a difference,” the class-enabled drift in their new formed friendships stood out. The narrative of being “left behind” is somewhat lost on them, highlighting a contentment that River simply cannot understand.
This disconnection between characters is highlighted fantastically by English’s acting, managing to play more characters than I can count on my fingers seamlessly in a one man show. The narration from protagonist River aids this greatly, and the stand-out comes in a scene where the three friends are sat on the Tyne Bridge, contemplating what the future may hold for each of them.
Whilst distinctions between all characters in the play were clear, some remained somewhat underdeveloped, and the storylines could benefit from more clarification, particularly regarding River’s family, namely his sister, Poppy and his father. The themes of AI data centres, alongside the “looming war” and its possible religious ties were slightly brushed over, and got lost in the fast-paced plot towards the end — pacing and clarity issues that may be ironed out as the show leaves previews.
Despite this, English’s writing is definitely one to look out for!
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