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 Michael Hughes about their show The Last Bantam.
What can you tell me about your show?
The Last Bantam tells the true story of Britain's Great War 'bantam' soldiers, 30,000 men between 5'-5'3''. These men came from all over Britain, Ireland and Canada and they fought in some of the hardest battles of the war.
This story is told through the eyes of Patrick Michael Wolfe, a Dublin teacher who signs up in 1915 to help secure Home Rule for Ireland. The action ranges from the city of Dublin to the killing fields of France. It is a story about patriotism, prejudice, courage and betrayal. Inspired by real events.
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| Photo by Garry Adams |
How would you describe the style of your show to anyone who has never seen you before?
Pared down. The Last Bantam is a one-man show in a small-ish room with limited props and scenery. My costume is fantastic though and the centrally-heated room we're in becomes a dug-out on the front-line in France.
I play all the characters and there's humour as well as pathos. Light and sound effects add to the atmosphere of the show and of course, being short myself, I very much look the part!
What was the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of this piece?
I spent about a year researching Britain's Great War Bantams. I was fascinated and inspired by their story. I printed off my notes and spread them out in front of me. Looking at the headings The Last Bantam jumped out at me. It was all there - how they started, where they fought, how they ended... I felt sad that no one remembered them. That's when it hit me. This story - THEIR story - needed to be told. And I was the one to tell it. That's when the witing started. Three days later my first draft was finished!
What makes 2026 the perfect year for this specific story or performance?
2026 is the 110th year since The Battle of the Somme. The 35th Bantam division fought in that battle and suffered heay losses. My character, Patrick Michael Wolfe served in the 35th division and he wears an original, authentic 35th division badge on his shoulder.
How will you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
Mentally - It'll be my tenth Fringe, my seventh to bring up a show, and I think I've got it sussed! I rehearse my lines twice a week - after performing BANTAM for three years, twice a week is enough. The trick is to rehearse enough to give myself confidence I won't forget my lines but not so much that I merely recite the lines, parrot-fashion or become jaded. Last year I put in too much rehearsal and, on top of all the admin involved in bringing a show to Edinburgh, I burned out. Two weeks before the Fringe I lost interest and didn't want to do it at all. I couldn't face another rehearsal. Solution? I took ten days off from rehearsing and rehearsed again with just a couple of days to go. It worked. I already knew my script really well, I just needed to step away from it to reclaim my enthusiasm.
Phyically - I don't really do anything more than I usually do. I sleep, I eat, I walk, I run. The Last Bantam doesn't require dancing, athletics or strenuous movements so I'm always 'performance ready'!
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?
Hmmm! I could hand out a range of things WW1-related - a white feather, a .303 bullet (fake of course), a bit of barbed wire, a scrap of a map with the venue circled and time scribbled in red ink, a bit of bandage with the details stitched on, a pigeon with a scrap of paper tied to its claw
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| Photo by Garry Adams. |
What is the one item in your Fringe Survival Kit that you can't live without at the Fringe?
Anti-chafing cream!!!! I wear a heavy woolen uniform all day and the combination of heat, sweat and friction can become a real problem. I believe lots of costumed performers have this issue in warm weather. Regular showers, quality underwear and anti-chafing cream keeps me smiling though!
What would you deem as success at the end of the Fringe?
There's many different kinds of successes I think, but here's the kinds of successes I'm hoping for, in no particular order:
1 - Remembering my lines
2 - Enjoying my run of shows
3 - My audience enjoying my shows
4 - Fellow actors enjoying my show
5 - Selling enough tickets to cover my costs (never done that yet)
6 - Selling enough tickets to make a (whispers) profit (I can dream, can't I?)
7 - Getting nice reviews
8 - Not chafing, falling ill or injuring my knee like I did in '23 and '25.
9 - Connecting with theatre professionals who can give me opportunities to tour
10 - Connecting with someone from the world of TV or film who can help make The Last Bantam into the movie or TV series the world needs to see.
11 - I win an award. Or two. Ok, maybe three, but that's all, ok?
12 - My student accommodation neighbours are nice
13 - I see some good shows
Other than your own show, are there any other shows you would recommend at the Fringe this year?
Ohhhh yes! Here's what's on my Edinburgh Wish List right now...
1 - Warriors (Roman Eagle Lodge, Aug. 5-30) - A musical about Scottish soldiers serving in Afghanistan. I saw it in '23 and was very moved by it.
2 - 1 King, 2 Princes and Shakespeare's Lie (Space Symposium Hall Annexe Aug. 7 - 29) - An informative and poignant re-telling of the Richard III story.
3 - After Shakespeare (Space Symposium Hall Annexe Aug. 8 - 28) - What became of Henry V, Macbeth, Hamlet and the Merchant of Venice when Shakespeare put down his quill? Find out here!
4 - A Forgotten Woman: Mrs Oscar Wilde (Space Sympsium Hall Annexe Aug. 7 - 29) - Haven't seen this yet but Lexi Wolfe's in it so it's going to be good!
5 - Bloody Marys (Greenside, Riddles Court Aug. 7 - 30) featuring the incredible Lottie Walker!
6 - One-Man Poe: The Business Man and The Case of Mr Voldemar (Greenside Riddles Court Aug.7-28) - I worked with Stephen last year and I've never met anyone more committed to his art. I'm very much looking forward to seeing him perform these works.
7 - Absolute Bus Stops (Paradise at Augustine's Aug. 8 - 15) - From Jim Judges, the man who brought us the hilarious 'Cutlery Safety (Intemediate Level)!
8 - Ana Little: Dating through the ages (Coco Boho Aug. 6 - 30) - Ana's a hugely talented comedy actor and this show's going to be a treat!
9 - Stephen Catling: Clownfish out of water (Wee Container @ Hoots Potternow Aug.7 - 31) - Stephen's one of the most creative and funny people I know, never fails to make me laugh!
10 - Racists, Recession and Revolutions (Zoo Playground Aug. 7 - 30) - A political piece brought by the people who created to powerful, 'Ciúnas' and the comedy 'How to kill your Landlord'
What is one Edinburgh spot that you would recommend people to visit when they're not watching performances?
To be honest, I'm not the best person to ask. I tend to spend all my time either performing, flyering or seeing shows. I rarely take it easy. Having said that, I heartily recommend the cafe in The Scottish Storytelling Centre (nice haggis). There's also Arthur's Seat and it's nice to relax in Princes Street Gardens. I HAVE ventured out to the Firth of Forth Bridge though. Very nice to get away from it all!
Can you describe the show in 5 words?
Patriotism, prejudice, courage and betrayal.
What keeps you inspired?
I'm telling a story that inspires me. A story about short men who did their bit, and did it well, when they didn't have to.
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing the show?
Three things:
1 - An awareness that Britain had thousands of short soldiers called Bantams and they did their duty
2 - An appreciation of the complexity of the Anglo-Irish relationship. My character is a Dubliner fighting in the British army whilst back home, fellow Irishmen are fighting that same British army.
3 - An awareness that Ireland was all set to have its own government under Home Rule till the 1916 rebellion and subsequent events put paid to it.
When and where can people see the show?
The Snug, Paradise at St. Augustine's Church, 41 George IV Bridge EH1 1EL,
PREVIEW - 7 Aug. - 18:50 hrs
OTHER SHOWS - Aug. 8, 9-15 - 12:50 hrs
Duration - 55 mins approx.
Tickets for The Last Bantam are available from https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/the-last-bantam
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| Photo by F. Miguel Sanchez |
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