“A deliciously terrifying Yorkshire horror story […] not to be missed”
This is part of a series of shorter reviews from Edinburgh Fringe, August 2026.
Steadily building tension, with a thrilling sound design and down-to-earth characters, “The Hunger”, written by Madeleine Farnhill, is a cross between post apocalyptic horror and kitchen sink drama. Farmer Deborah (Susan Jayne Robinson) and her daughter Megan (Hollie Burgess) fend off unseen horrors with a shotgun, before closing the window shutters and settling down to dinner. The action kicks in immediately, before the pace slows and we get to learn more about these characters. The interplay between the pair is what makes this production so engaging, their relationship completely believable and both characters incredibly likeable.
The story doesn’t reveal all its cards at once – we are made to wait for certain pieces of information, as we try to work out exactly what has happened to leave both women isolated and scared for their lives. As the play continues and more details about the deadly disease that has swept the world are made clearer, the production loses some of its intrigue – we can already infer many details of what is happening by the nature of the plot, and lengthy expository monologues rob the play of its murky ambiguity. That said, these moments are delivered beautifully by Robinson, a combination of her understated performance and Farnhill’s authentic writing style that makes these speeches totally absorbing.
The clever set design recreates the pair’s rundown farmhouse with help of walls akin to corrugated iron, but that allow us to glimpse shadows when lit from behind, so that action that takes place just outside the kitchen can still be shown onstage. The plot could be slightly tighter in places, and the various twists in the story are signposted so clearly that they don’t come as shocks but rather as satisfying narrative conclusions. The sounds of rustling trees and distant ringing of bells are sure to send shivers down your spine, but its because we care about the characters – that is the key ingredient here, and one that Farnhill has captured perfectly. A deliciously terrifying Yorkshire horror story, with a “meaty” plot – not to be missed.
Tom Morley, August 2026
“The Hunger” plays at various times at the Lower Theatre, theSpace @ Niddry Street until 22nd August.
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