REVIEW: Legendary, Cheeyang Ng, EdFringe 2026 ★★★★★

Fringe debut from Cheeyang Ng, Legendary has been one of the most anticipated shows to head up to Edinburgh this year (at least on my FYP!). Legendary is a life affirming tale of the queer experience and identity carefully weaved together with Chinese mythology and communal song. Cheeyang explores family, tradition and what it’s like being them, in every sense of the word.

As soon as we’re in the queue, we’re transported into the world of Legendary. We write down on paper something you would say to your inner child or to a child of your own. We save this, it will come back later. As you walk in, a select few are selected by Cheeyang Ng to speak in the show and play various small roles (with scripts and prompts provided, of course).

As the show begins, with the retelling of the Pan Gu and Nü Wa, we quickly learn that this will be special, but even that word isn’t enough to describe what we’re about to watch. 

Cheeyang commands the stage with their presence. Their stunning vocals guide us through endless myths, then bringing us straight back to their current relationships as we watch their life unfurl in front of us. They care for each individual audience member with poise, grace and a small quiet “thank you”.

The score is another stand out, the opening ‘Beginning’ has been seen by over 50M people across social media so whether you recognise it or not, you will have Pan Gu and Nü Wa already in your heads. The pronunciation for some of the other songs where you join in can be hard to hear especially if you’re at the back but our hosts continue to guide, gently prompt and bring everyone together in some of the most incredible ways.

In an auditorium of both Eastern and Western audiences you don’t need to have prior knowledge of the myths to understand them. They are weaved into their own stories of their upbringing in Singapore, with their hardworking parents and maternal aunt, to their journey moving to America.

Dealing with loss, grief, and discovery, Legendary is indescribable and you will be leaving the auditorium seeing the world through a different lens. You’ll also leave wanting to hug the first person who means something to you.

This is what all great theatre does, it allows us to feel in moments where we’re unsure if we are going to emerge differently to the way we were before. But as we watch, there isn’t a dry eye in the house.

Legendary needs a future so that these stories can be heard by our children, our children’s children and so on. We need to inspire more gods to create their own myths…

You can catch Legendary at Underbelly Bristo Square from August 18-31 at 15:35 (90mins). Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.