REVIEW: The Passion of Mr Cardboard, Miles Calderon, EdFringe 2026 ★★★★

Miles Calderon’s The Passion of Mr Cardboard is a beautiful creation. Mr Cardboard is like a weird Peter Pan; a trickster with glowing eyes. Standing like an obtuse tree, he smiles with a beautiful warmth, through his bits he makes you legs and mouths and another leg. Calderon uses Mr Cardboard to make a full-length show that could easily be too ambitious, but in his hands is tender, smart and always wonderfully entertaining. 

Mr Cardboard comes at the beck of a bell. He introduces himself and pushes us to question him, but could anyone but Mr Cardboard do: this! Cue doing something ridiculous. He’s convinced one of us will betray him – the show does indeed have a theological bent – which spoofs the passion, then turns into an examination of metaphysics, childhood and letting go of people you love.

The title is such as Calderon proudly declares “My name is Mr Cardboard and this, is my passion!”. It’s one of many clever inversions at the heart of the show. He makes his personal the audience’s problem, and makes the audience personal themselves. A spectator is asked to name a friend that they no longer speak to, who becomes the emotional heart of the play.

When Mr Cardboard returns to his land, he finds it barren, and let’s just say the show ends with the posters oversized cardboard cross on display. Calderon drops the act following this moment, and it’s utterly engrossing. He’s not the best guitar player and that’s the point — the show is full of pathos; all the best clowns are a little sad. He understands this profoundly. 

But when it’s funny it’s very funny — he has a wonderful rapport with this techie and builds a nice one with the audience too. We are welcomed in but never intrusively. We are encouraged to enjoy ourselves, and stupid heckles or spoofs of Calderon’s material are dealt with creatively and with charm. 

The Passion of Mr Cardboard is warm, genuine and funny; it has very human themes at its core. Calderon is engaging, and empathetic: a clown at the top of his game. Worth a catch – especially if it’s your first time being introduced to this strange, beautiful medium. Could anyone but Mr Cardboard do this?!

Recommended Drink: A drink that reminds you of home. 

You can catch The Passion of Mr Cardboard at Underbelly George Square (Wee Coo) from August 15-30 at 19.20 (60mins). Tickets available through the EdFringe box office.