Shay Mace
The Black Blues Brothers have become something of a Fringe staple, with their unique blend of African acrobatics put through the lens of the eponymous film. With their return to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and their new upcoming show Let’s Twist Again!, we caught up with the acrobats for a pixelated pint to find out more about their origins at circus school in Nairobi, and how a journey across continents and time has taken them back to Scotland this summer, taking on one of the festival’s largest venues.
You can catch Black Blues Brothers: Let’s Twist Again! at McEwan Hall at Underbelly, Bristo Square on August 5th – 31st from 17:00 (60mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
Shay: Hi all, tell us about your background and why you have decided to bring this to the stage now?
BBB: Hi there! We are a group of African acrobats from Kenya. We’ve been passionate about this art form since we were kids—we used to practice on the beach instead of playing soccer! Nairobi is home to the continent’s leading social circus school, called Sarakasi; it nurtured us and gave us our big break, eventually leading an Italian producer to start working with us. He had a wild idea that turned out to be a winner: blending African acrobatic traditions with Western pop culture imagery—specifically, the iconic film The Blues Brothers.
Let’s Twist Again! is our second show, and given the massive success we enjoyed at the Fringe last year, we were thrilled to bring it back!
Shay: How has the creative process been of putting the show together? Give us an idea of the journey you’ve been on with it so far.
BBB: Our shows are all built around acrobatics—somersaults, human pyramids, rope routines, and chair-balancing acts—yet we bring a unique style to this repertoire every time. Let’s Twist Again! features an incredible soundtrack showcasing the best of American rock ‘n’ roll and twist music. Working with our artistic director, we sought to ensure the music truly highlights the physical virtuosity on display. The storyline serves as a constant springboard for increasingly challenging acrobatic feats: the show is set in a station waiting room where, to pass the time, we fire up a jukebox—and the party kicks off!
Shay: What will be the first thing the audience sees, feels, and hears as they enter the space?
BBB: Fog—that classic night time fog found at train stations. Lights in the distance, the sound of locomotives engaging their gears. And then… on we come! Dressed in Bogart-style trench coats. We hang them up to reveal the iconic Blues Brothers outfits underneath. From that moment on, all sorts of things happen… but you have to come and see it for yourselves!
Shay: What are you hoping the audience might take away from the experience, if anything?
BBB: A huge smile. Ours is a show packed with 60 minutes of energy and good vibes. We have a blast on stage and want to share that feeling with the audience. I have to say, it works—we often see people in the crowd dancing!
Shay: What journey has the show been on to find itself at EdFringe 2026?
BBB: Following the success of The Black Blues Brothers (which has surpassed 1,000 performances and 650,000 spectators worldwide), we wanted to maintain the style we had established while presenting completely different—and more challenging—acrobatic routines. The show’s structure mirrors that of the first (alternating between iconic songs and humorous gags), but this time we have crafted a more cohesive storyline (without overdoing it!) and, above all, truly spectacular acrobatic feats.
In recent years, Let’s Twist Again! has toured numerous theaters and festivals—first in Italy and subsequently across Europe. The response has been highly positive, and the show has grown as it has toured. Last year’s Fringe run marked a breakthrough; this year, we want to cement that success.
Shay: With EdFringe now just around the corner, what are you most excited for?
BBB: I’d say… everything! The Fringe is an incredible experience, whether you’re an audience member or a performer. You’re at the center of the world. We can’t wait to discover new shows and catch up with old friends who know us well by now—after all, this is our sixth year in Edinburgh.
Plus, our show is taking place in one of the most beautiful venues: McEwan Hall! Just talking about it gets me excited—I can only imagine how I’ll feel when I actually step inside.
Shay: Given the themes of Binge Fringe, if your show was a beverage of any kind (alcoholic, non-alcoholic – be as creative as you like!), what would it be and why?
BBB: It would be a lemon soda. Fizzy and for everyone!
A reminder, you can catch Black Blues Brothers: Let’s Twist Again! at McEwan Hall at Underbelly, Bristo Square on August 5th – 31st from 17:00 (60mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
Image Credit: Ryan Warburton
