In our ongoing Edinburgh Fringe 2026 interview series, we are speaking to artists and creatives who are bringing their shows to the Scottish capital this summer.
In this interview, we speak with the team behind Well-Balanced Dads.
What can you tell me about your show?
Well-Balanced Dads is a family-friendly character comedy about Dick and Dale, two suburban dads and best friends, who take the audience on a camping adventure. With their trusty man-van, they go on a journey chockfull of dad jokes, dance parties, snacks, partner acrobatics, macho movie references, and unthreatening audience participation. This hilarious duo balances levity with deeper themes like finding your inner child, hypermasculinity, and navigating life after the kids have flown the nest.
Well-Balanced Dads was built through Fringe and built for festival audiences - it is highly interactive, fits in a suitcase, and has timely content. Technology advancement is currently widening the relationship gap between generations, and views on masculinity are incredibly polarizing. This show asks audiences to engage with these difficult topics through connection, play, and laughter. This is a show for anyone who is a dad, has a dad, or wants a dad.
How would you describe the style of your show to anyone who has never seen you before?
We combine physical theatre, character comedy, acrobatics, and audience engagement to create a unique encounter with The Dads. It's the right level of goofy, cringey, heartwarming, high energy, and fun wrapped up in the experience of having a Dad.
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| Photo by Mythos Lens |
What was the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of this piece?
It was midnight, the night before our first out-of-town performance of Broken Planet Show. Only three of the 6 of us were about to make it, so we were short a few acts. We were brainstorming in this gorgeous, art deco home of the mayor's son, when Callum Grant, head of the project and Clown God, said, "Ok.. you two are acrobats. What about.. dad jokes and acrobatics?"
With minimal costumes, hardly any prep time, and maybe a couple of mustaches, the Well-Balanced Dads were born. The audience loved the concept, and we continued to develop the characters and material for monthly performances with Broken Planet until BP debuted at Edinburgh's Fringe in 2024. It grew from a 3-minute bit into multiple 5-8 minute acts, including a 10-minute act of fighting with string cheese sticks, which became a staple for multiple variety shows in 2024 in Chicago and the Edinburgh Fringe that year.
Our audiences loved these characters so much that we made a 50 minute show, which has had a profound impact on adult children and families.
What makes 2026 the perfect year for this specific story or performance?
There is an increasing rift in the world of masculinity of what is healthy vs. toxic behavior, and we wanted to make these characters and this show represent a wholesome example of masculine relationship through dad stereotypes we're familiar with. These Dads certainly aren’t perfect, but they’re trying their best. We want to make art showcasing and celebrating the world we want to see.
How will you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
The secret is in the mustache. Once they go on, the characters take over! We have several shows leading up to our main run at the Fringe, including stops at the Green Bay Fringe, Borderlight Festival in Cleveland, and some shows in Chicago throughout the summer. As with any show, we need reps to keep the rust off and train our endurance.
If you couldn’t use a flyer to attract audiences, what ridiculous object would you hand out to people to get them into your show?
Fake mustaches, no question about it.
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| Photo by Mythos Lens |
What is the one item in your Fringe Survival Kit that you can’t live without this month?
Throat Coat tea for Richie, and toupe tape for Britt's mustache to stay on.
What would you deem as success at the end of the Fringe?
Ultimately, we want to connect with our audience, make them laugh, and touch their hearts. We also want to make some great connections with other artists! However, an award, a 5-star review, a sell-out show, and further bookings beyond the Fringe would be wonderful. We would love to continue touring this show and having the funding to do so.
Other than your own show, are there any other shows you would recommend at the Fringe this year?
Quite a few! Richie is bringing his solo-show The Mothman Cometh, which won Best Comedy from the Edinburgh Spookies, as well as a 5-star review at last year's Fringe. Broken Planet Show will be back with an all-new format, though unfortunately the Dads won't be a part of it, as it runs at the same time we do. You can't miss Lt Love Dr's Boot Camp for Lonely People Like You; Always, Sometimes, Maybe; The Letterman; and The Pieces by Aloft!
We're also really looking forward to seeing Lions, a fellow show about dads.
What is one Edinburgh spot that you would recommend people to visit when they're not watching performances?
The Storytelling Center! Lovely storytelling shows, and a good, quiet cafe to work in.
Can you describe the show in 5 words?
Goofy. Interactive. Heartfelt. Acrobatic. Dad.
What keeps you inspired?
Play - playing with animals, with kids, with each other, with our pains and joys, with the world around us. Curiosity - about people, other perspectives, life, the world, different cultures, how other animals experience things,
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing the show?
We hope that audiences leave the show wanting to call a positive father figure in their lives. We hope they feel joy, connection, and hope. We want them to head to the pub and share stories about being a dad or having a dad.
When and where can people see the show?
We'll be at the Alba Theatre at Braw Venues @ Hill Street from 7-30 August at 16:30 (1hr)! We'll also be running around the streets in character for the hour before our show every day!
Tickets for Well-Balanced Dads are available from https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/well-balanced-dads
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| Photo by Mythos Lens |
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