REVIEW: COMA, Darkfield, EdFringe 2026 ★★★★

Fumbling your way through a container and getting put into a coma is one exciting way to spend an afternoon at Edinburgh Fringe. It’s also one that will live long in your memory. With COMA, Darkfield have done it again.

Darkfield is acclaimed for their container-based productions which tour across the country. COMA is Darkfield’s response to an age of heightened self-awareness and fear of disease. Pairing this with their signature policy of absolute darkness, Darkfield places the spotlight on imagination and introspective audience engagement.

Before you are ‘locked’ in the container, phones have to be removed and trigger warnings are left unannounced. All you have to go off is the thrilling binaural audio and a multitude of other sensory features. As always, Darkfield like to push the theatrical experience to the extreme.

Storytelling is not the primary focus of a Darkfield production, rather the experience itself. Wrapped up in the various scents and vibrations, you are assaulted by the audio as it places you under attack from impatient nurses, and guarded by hospital staff. The narrative is a montage of elements, though an effective one at that.

The experience leaves space for contemplation, though very restricted space as you lie cramped in a metal bunkbed. There are moments of repetition within the narrative, loud buzzing sound effects, and breathing exercises all while we try to figure out our part in the story. It is slightly mystifying in the end, and you leave trembling, overly aware of yourself as you stumble out into the bright Edinburgh sunshine.

For newbies, COMA should be step one on your Darkfield journey as it tests out everything the company stands for. Whilst the lauded audio design is stunning, more could be done on this occasion to shake up the audience, particularly in comparison to the rest of the Darkfield oeuvre.

There is no denying something magical takes place when you place yourself in the hands of master experience-makers and performers such as these. COMA takes you beyond the ordinary, with the privilege of being able to emerge unharmed.

Recommended Drink: A warm lemon and honey

You can catch COMA at Assembly George Square at Various Times (30mins) on August 9-31. Tickets are available through the Edinburgh Fringe Box Office