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 Maya Shoham about her show In Other Words.
What can you tell me about your show?
In “In Other Words” we meet Maya Shoham (played by me, Maya Shoham), who’s going through a feeling she can’t find words for. So she does what any normal person would do - invite an audience to invent new words with her on stage.
In “In Other Words” we meet Maya Shoham (played by me, Maya Shoham), who’s going through a feeling she can’t find words for. So she does what any normal person would do - invite an audience to invent new words with her on stage.
How would you describe the style of your show to anyone who has never seen you before?
The show is absurd, surreal, nerdy, vulnerable and meta - completely aware of being a theater show. What does that mean in terms of style? It means you’re getting an invitation into someone’s brain. Someone entirely self-aware, who takes everything either too seriously or not seriously at all.
The show is absurd, surreal, nerdy, vulnerable and meta - completely aware of being a theater show. What does that mean in terms of style? It means you’re getting an invitation into someone’s brain. Someone entirely self-aware, who takes everything either too seriously or not seriously at all.
What was the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of this piece?
My friend Max sent me a birthday letter. It is, objectively, the most profound birthday letter ever written. Through the words he used to describe me, I felt like I was being invented. Created, even. That was the lightbulb moment - realizing that words don’t just describe things, sometimes they bring them to life. His view of me, through his words, somehow created that version of me. So I started writing about the power of words, and their effect. Then I started talking to my now director, Eden Zamir, and we both reached an important conclusion: where else do words have so much power to invent realities? The theater. And so, here we are.
My friend Max sent me a birthday letter. It is, objectively, the most profound birthday letter ever written. Through the words he used to describe me, I felt like I was being invented. Created, even. That was the lightbulb moment - realizing that words don’t just describe things, sometimes they bring them to life. His view of me, through his words, somehow created that version of me. So I started writing about the power of words, and their effect. Then I started talking to my now director, Eden Zamir, and we both reached an important conclusion: where else do words have so much power to invent realities? The theater. And so, here we are.
What makes 2026 the perfect year for this specific story or performance?
Our dependency on words feels worse than ever (speaking from experience). We’re obsessed with definitions, interpretations, getting things “right”. It feels like communicating has never been more charged, whether we’re talking about sensitive subjects or completely mundane ones. Words nowadays have consequences, whether we like it or not. My play starts from the positive side of that power, but eventually lands on the idea that being too dependent on words - and on being perfectly understood - can only get you so far. I think this is the right time to tell this story. Hopefully, it invites people to reexamine their relationship to words, and the power we do or don’t give them.
How will you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
Oooooh, that is the question. A one-woman show is a different skill than just theater. You don’t get time to regroup while someone else is monologuing. It’s you who’s monologuing! For a whole hour! So the most obvious way for me to prepare is to build stamina. My movement teacher in acting school once said she would run on the treadmill while practicing her monologues. So while my fellow gym goers might hate me for it, I do plan on “performing” the whole show while running on the treadmill. As for mental preparation, I’m lucky to have my family, my friends, my director, and my producer, who listen to every single worry I have. I feel very supported by them.
Oooooh, that is the question. A one-woman show is a different skill than just theater. You don’t get time to regroup while someone else is monologuing. It’s you who’s monologuing! For a whole hour! So the most obvious way for me to prepare is to build stamina. My movement teacher in acting school once said she would run on the treadmill while practicing her monologues. So while my fellow gym goers might hate me for it, I do plan on “performing” the whole show while running on the treadmill. As for mental preparation, I’m lucky to have my family, my friends, my director, and my producer, who listen to every single worry I have. I feel very supported by them.
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?
In the play, I talk about how when I read Max’s letter, I felt like an inflatable tube man was expanding inside of me, helping me reach my full self. So instead of only putting inflatable tube men in front of car dealerships, maybe I can use one as promotion for the show. Actually, I’m convincing myself this is not ridiculous at all. This shall happen. Catch me and my inflatable tube man on the streets of Edinburgh. I dare you!!!
In the play, I talk about how when I read Max’s letter, I felt like an inflatable tube man was expanding inside of me, helping me reach my full self. So instead of only putting inflatable tube men in front of car dealerships, maybe I can use one as promotion for the show. Actually, I’m convincing myself this is not ridiculous at all. This shall happen. Catch me and my inflatable tube man on the streets of Edinburgh. I dare you!!!
What is the one item in your Fringe Survival Kit that you can’t live without at the Fringe?
My ergonomic pillow and eye mask. Sleep will be the most sacred thing for me at the Fringe, and I will be protecting my sleep schedule at all costs.
My ergonomic pillow and eye mask. Sleep will be the most sacred thing for me at the Fringe, and I will be protecting my sleep schedule at all costs.
What would you deem as success at the end of the Fringe?
Great question. The broad answer is: the people I will meet - will be the measure of my success. More specifically, I’m looking to meet audiences who resonate with the show and think about it after they’ve seen it. I’m looking to meet other artists who were brave enough to bring their work to the biggest arts festival in the world. And I’m looking to meet industry people who can help give this show a future beyond the Fringe. That’s what I would deem a success.
Great question. The broad answer is: the people I will meet - will be the measure of my success. More specifically, I’m looking to meet audiences who resonate with the show and think about it after they’ve seen it. I’m looking to meet other artists who were brave enough to bring their work to the biggest arts festival in the world. And I’m looking to meet industry people who can help give this show a future beyond the Fringe. That’s what I would deem a success.
Other than your own show, are there any other shows you would recommend at the Fringe this year?
Last year, when I attended the festival for the first time, I learned that the best tactic is to just listen to word of mouth and see what people are talking about. But I do have on my radar Cadel with Connor Delves, and the newest Xhloe and Natasha show, Bigfoot Ripped My Dog In Half, I Saw It.
Last year, when I attended the festival for the first time, I learned that the best tactic is to just listen to word of mouth and see what people are talking about. But I do have on my radar Cadel with Connor Delves, and the newest Xhloe and Natasha show, Bigfoot Ripped My Dog In Half, I Saw It.
What is one Edinburgh spot that you would recommend people to visit when they're not watching performances?
Since I didn’t have time to do anything besides watch shows the last time I visited (no complaints here), I’ll share the spot I would actually love to check out this time around: Cramond Falls. Google it. Thank me later.
Since I didn’t have time to do anything besides watch shows the last time I visited (no complaints here), I’ll share the spot I would actually love to check out this time around: Cramond Falls. Google it. Thank me later.
Can you describe the show in 5 words?
There are never enough words.
There are never enough words.
What keeps you inspired?
Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Lena Dunham, Jalen Brunson, Talking Heads, Emma Grede. Also, going to the theater always makes me feel inspired. My favorite place to be.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Lena Dunham, Jalen Brunson, Talking Heads, Emma Grede. Also, going to the theater always makes me feel inspired. My favorite place to be.
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing the show?
A reexamination of our relationship to words. Are they too powerful? Are they not powerful enough? Are we using them wrong? Do we have to be understood? And do we have to be understood through words?
A reexamination of our relationship to words. Are they too powerful? Are they not powerful enough? Are we using them wrong? Do we have to be understood? And do we have to be understood through words?
When and where can people see the show?
Come watch In Other Words at Just the Tonic - The Attic at the Mash House - from August 6th to August 30th (August 18th off), at 16:00. Hoping to see you there!
Come watch In Other Words at Just the Tonic - The Attic at the Mash House - from August 6th to August 30th (August 18th off), at 16:00. Hoping to see you there!
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