The North Wall is delighted to be returning to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2026 with the world premiere of Overtone, a new play by Fringe First award-winning theatre-maker and NW Creative Associate Tom Brennan (The Wardrobe Ensemble).
Overtone is an unflinching new play about love, memory and the relationships that shape us. When two teenagers meet after choir practice, they begin the most important relationship of their lives. Twenty years later something long buried begins to surface.
Overtone is a gripping non-linear exploration of a relationship haunted by the past. When a couple spot their former choir director on the street, they are forced to confront the enduring psychological imprint he has left on them and on their life together. As past and present collide, Overtone examines how formative experiences, power dynamics and blurred boundaries continue to echo in who we are today.
Written by Tom Brennan, (Education, Education, Education, Fringe First Award-winning; Last of the Pelican Daughters, Winner of Pleasance Indie’s Best Theatre production) and directed by John Hoggarth (The B*easts, Oliver Award nominated; Brown Boys Swim, Popcorn Award and Fringe First Award-winning).
Tom Brennan comments, “As a Fringe veteran, I want the show to connect to audiences in the ways that my favourite Edinburgh shows have: I hope it is funny, moving, and asks risky questions. I’ve adored the shows The North Wall have produced over the years and am thrilled to work with John and the entire creative team to continue its tradition of bringing impactful and exciting original work to the fringe.”
The North Wall has produced two new plays at the festival by alumni of ArtsLab, our artist development programme: Brown Boys Swim by Karim Khan (Popcorn Award, Fringe First Award 2022) and E8 by Marika Mckennell (Stage Award and Fringe First Award 2019). In 2024, The North Wall produced a new musical for families, Rosie and Hugh’s Great Big Adventure, by Victoria Saxton with music by Nick Cope (Theatre Weekly Best Family Show Award).
Overtone by ArtsLab alumnus Tom Brennan marks their third world premiere of a new play at the fringe. See the show at Pleasance Dome at the Edinburgh Fringe from 5 – 30 August at 2.40pm (no show on 12, 19 or 26 August). Book tickets here.
Presented by The North Wall in association with Humphrey Battcock
