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 AFRONAUTS.
What can you tell me about your show?
The show is inspired by true events that took place in Zambia in the 1960s, when a visionary teacher and freedom fighter, Edward Mukuka Nkoloso, dreamed of sending Zambians to the Moon. Set against the backdrop of Zambia's journey toward independence, the story explores ambition, imagination, and the determination to challenge global perceptions of Africa.
While the space program is often remembered as an unusual chapter in history, the show reveals the deeper story behind Nkoloso's vision: a belief that newly independent Africans could shape their own future and compete on the world stage. Through circus, theatre, music, and movement, the performance celebrates courage, innovation, and the power of dreaming beyond what others think is possible. The show has many layers. It is about Zambia's independence, African identity, resilience, and the importance of daring to imagine a different future.
How would you describe the style of your show to anyone who has never seen you before?
Our show is a multidisciplinary performance that brings circus, theatre, storytelling, music, and movement. It combines powerful physical acrobatics with compelling narrative, creating an experience that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. It is a visual spectacle that captures the imagination while telling a meaningful story.
Our show is a multidisciplinary performance that brings circus, theatre, storytelling, music, and movement. It combines powerful physical acrobatics with compelling narrative, creating an experience that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. It is a visual spectacle that captures the imagination while telling a meaningful story.
What was the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of this piece?
It's quite a well-known story in Zambia, and over the past two decades many young people have reflected on what could have been achieved if Nkoloso and his team had access to greater resources and support. From a global perspective, the story has often been portrayed as that of underdogs with little chance of success, and sometimes even as a joke. We were interested in challenging that narrative. Instead, we wanted to explore the vision, ambition, and courage behind the dream. We were searching for a powerful story that could inspire audiences, spark conversations about African innovation and imagination, and show the world what is possible when people dare to dream beyond the limitations placed upon them.
It's quite a well-known story in Zambia, and over the past two decades many young people have reflected on what could have been achieved if Nkoloso and his team had access to greater resources and support. From a global perspective, the story has often been portrayed as that of underdogs with little chance of success, and sometimes even as a joke. We were interested in challenging that narrative. Instead, we wanted to explore the vision, ambition, and courage behind the dream. We were searching for a powerful story that could inspire audiences, spark conversations about African innovation and imagination, and show the world what is possible when people dare to dream beyond the limitations placed upon them.
What makes 2026 the perfect year for this specific story or performance?
This journey has been a long time in the making. We originally hoped to bring the show to audiences in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic brought those plans to a halt and made fundraising incredibly difficult. Since then, we have continued to develop the work, build partnerships, and grow interest around the story. We performed it in Zambia almost 20 times, it was well received and thenm we brought it to South Africa for the National Arts Festival there. We did also pretty well. We were asked to go perform at the cradle for creativity but the days is colliding with Edingburgh, so it feels good to out come out there.
This journey has been a long time in the making. We originally hoped to bring the show to audiences in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic brought those plans to a halt and made fundraising incredibly difficult. Since then, we have continued to develop the work, build partnerships, and grow interest around the story. We performed it in Zambia almost 20 times, it was well received and thenm we brought it to South Africa for the National Arts Festival there. We did also pretty well. We were asked to go perform at the cradle for creativity but the days is colliding with Edingburgh, so it feels good to out come out there.
Now, for the first time, it truly feels as though the stars have aligned. There is strong support behind the project, growing excitement from presenters and audiences, and a real appetite for stories that celebrate ambition, resilience, and African imagination.
How will you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
Our approach is to take it one day at a time and make the most of every opportunity. We are excited not only to present our own work, but also to experience other productions, meet artists from around the world, and be inspired by the creativity and innovation taking place around us.
Our approach is to take it one day at a time and make the most of every opportunity. We are excited not only to present our own work, but also to experience other productions, meet artists from around the world, and be inspired by the creativity and innovation taking place around us.
Being based so far away from many of the major international theatre and circus scenes, it feels particularly meaningful to bring our show to new audiences. We hope to return home with fresh ideas, new connections, and renewed energy that can benefit our artistic community in Zambia.
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?
A wheelbarrow made space ship-printed D-kalu one! Or David Kaunda One
A wheelbarrow made space ship-printed D-kalu one! Or David Kaunda One
What is the one item in your Fringe Survival Kit that you can’t live without this month?
I need to find some nice scottish drink, I also survive nicely. I am surrounded by things, it's the kind of place that I like.
I need to find some nice scottish drink, I also survive nicely. I am surrounded by things, it's the kind of place that I like.
What would you deem as success at the end of the Fringe?
We are looking into touring the show, and if we got that, maybe Austrian fringe or some sort of European Tour, that could be amazing.
Other than your own show, are there any other shows you would recommend at the Fringe this year?
I’m really excited about the Circus Hub. We first experienced it at the Nofit State Circus Festival some time ago, and it was a great source of inspiration for us. Now it feels very special to return and be part of that same space, this time alongside friends and fellow artists we admire. It’s a full-circle !
I’m really excited about the Circus Hub. We first experienced it at the Nofit State Circus Festival some time ago, and it was a great source of inspiration for us. Now it feels very special to return and be part of that same space, this time alongside friends and fellow artists we admire. It’s a full-circle !
What is one Edinburgh spot that you would recommend people to visit when they're not watching performances?
I have heard so much about the mountains, the coffee shops, I want to be surprised and see as many things as possible.
Can you describe the show in 5 words?
Visual, physical, story- telling.
Visual, physical, story- telling.
What keeps you inspired?
I am really inspired because we are bring an historical piece that brings a lot of questions, but also celebrate creativity and magic from the Zambian perceptive
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing the show?
I am deeply inspired by the fact that we are bringing a historical piece that raises important questions while also celebrating creativity, imagination, and resilience.
I am deeply inspired by the fact that we are bringing a historical piece that raises important questions while also celebrating creativity, imagination, and resilience.
When and where can people see the show?
They go to the underbelly -holy cow? Is that true, but yes we are in such a cool venue!
They go to the underbelly -holy cow? Is that true, but yes we are in such a cool venue!
Ticket link here: https://underbellyedinburgh.co.uk/event/afronauts
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