REVIEW: Bloody Mary(s), Blue Fire Theatre Company, EdFringe 2026 ★★★

The Blue Fire Theatre Company behind Fringe hit Chopped Liver & Unions invites you to take an interactive plunge into history with their new production Bloody Mary(s), to rediscover these uncommon women with a common name and answer the big question: which Mary are you inviting to dinner?

This feminist Horrible Histories meets Every Brilliant Thing is a stream of consciousness, game show style production which will leave you knowing way more than you walked in with. Lottie Walker shines as our narrator and the world’s first Maryologist with knowledge and confidence for days leading us through 60 Marys in 60 minutes in this fast paced production. From criminals, researchers, actors and many more, there will be a Mary for you! 

It’s democratic audience involvement including cheers, “get out of my pub”s, kazoos and scribes creates a unique party guest list every performance made of almost every historical Mary you know and don’t both real and fictional. Walker allows the audience to feel so safe in her presence to participate, the show’s small auditorium and audiences allow everyone to feel allowed to participate especially with the decision parts. 

The combination of song, music and mini games between every few rounds bring in some unpredictability in a format that after a while does get monotonous. But it keeps you on your toes as every round you’ll learn something more about each Mary she pulls out.

It’s production design is simple but really effective with an incredible costume for Walker and simple props of a light up suitcase and faces on sticks left me wanting both one of those corsets and a kazoo for myself.

You can catch Bloody Mary(s) at Greenside @ Riddles Court – Thistle Theatre until 30 Aug (not 23-26) at 10:20 (55 Minutes). Tickets are available to book through the Edinburgh Fringe Online Box Office.