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 Richie Schiraldi about their show The Mothman Cometh.
What can you tell me about your show?
Mothman is recruiting minions to teach them the power of the darkness. He leads the audience through a variety of games, rituals, and happenings to embrace the darkness together. We dance, sing, run around, scream (for fun), and play in the dark to make vulnerable topics a bit less scary. It's performed in the dark, lit mostly by Mothman's glowing red eyes, and it has plenty of unthreatening audience participation.
Mothman had a successful Fringe run in 2025, captivating audiences, earning a 5 star review from Starburst Magazine, and winning Best Comedy from the Edinburgh Spookies. Now, it returns after another phase of development to recruit more minions into the power of the darkness.
How would you describe the style of your show to anyone who has never seen you before?
It's an alternative, immersive and interactive character-comedy borrowing from mask-work and puppetry. The show uses minimal light and set for a powerful impact. Some have said it's like micro-dosing a cult of a strange, dark, endearing creature.
What was the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of this piece?
A funny question for a show about a moth! This requires a brief history.
I was working on a psycho-geography performance project in Chicago in 2019, where I learned about the 2016 reported sightings of the cryptic creature across the city. I used this to make a character that began as a reporter that reported the sightings live as they happened while slowly changing costume pieces. The final reported sighting happened in that room as I pulled goggles over my eyes and became Mothman. A friend saw this and invited me to make a short piece as the creature for a Halloween show called Hallowine.
In late 2021, I performed a new short piece for the very first iteration of Broken Planet Show, an absurd cabaret-style project by Callum Grant, and it immediately became a staple in the monthly show for 2 1/2 years before arriving at Ed Fringe in 2024. I was inspired to write the full show during my time at Ed Fringe due to an overwhelming response to the character, and debuted the show in Chicago in October 2024.
What makes 2026 the perfect year for this specific story or performance?
There are a lot of dark things happening in the world, and somehow it only seems to be getting darker. Nevermind an increasing level of loneliness and fear of rejection that's preventing us from building strong community. Mothman asks, "How do we keep our flames alive when we're surrounded by so much darkness?"
So, Mothman is an attempt to find empowerment and unity in our darknesses that we think we suffer in alone. In the end, Mothman realizes true power lay in the ability to keep each others' flames alive.
How will you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
Though its in the dark, it's quite a physical performance for me! I'm a circus performer, cyclist, and outdoor enthusiast, which helps me stay in shape for the show. I'm also currently touring the show to different fringe festivals (Asheville, Prague, Green Bay prior, then Rochester and Philadelphia after Edinburgh). This will help me iron out the latest version of the show, keep the rust off of the character and the way he plays, and make sure I'm in good physical, mental, and vocal condition to sustain the fringe.
It's also important that I continue to work on my own mental health and emotional intelligence, which only fuels the show and keeps me sharp when engaging with audiences.
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 small, electric tea light. Or perhaps their own set of moth antennae.
What is the one item in your Fringe Survival Kit that you can’t live without this month?
Throat Coat tea. Essentially, echinacea, licorice root, marshmallow leaf and root, and fennel fruit.
This show has challenged me to massively level up my vocal care.
What would you deem as success at the end of the Fringe?
To recruit 1,000 minions into the darkness! I want this character and this material to help people and provide catharsis. If I know that I've touched people with what's effected me so greatly, then it validates making art about it.
Of course, I'd also love some great reviews and further booking opportunities to continue that main goal! It's simply a dream to travel, perform, and connect.
Other than your own show, are there any other shows you would recommend at the Fringe this year?
Several shows!
Selfishly, be sure to catch Well-Balanced Dads, a show about two acrobatic dads navigating life after their kids have left the nest.
Also check out Broken Planet Show; Lt Love Dr's Boot Camp for Lonely People Like You; Always, Sometimes, Maybe; The Letterman; and The Pieces by Aloft!
And if Bitty Bat is back, do not miss it.
What is one Edinburgh spot that you would recommend people to visit when they're not watching performances?
I'm a big fan of napping in Greyfriar's Cemetary. Otherwise, go check out Dean Village for an escape to a fairytale setting!
Can you describe the show in 5 words?
Dark, Heartfelt, Spooky, Playful, Endearing
What keeps you inspired?
People sending me things (objects, memes, pictures of things they saw, quotes) that remind them of the show. It means the material is still moving in them, and that tells me I'm touching on something and should keep going.
Also, witnessing my growth as a creator and performer as the show goes on.
Also, Alt Rock. Check out Starbenders.
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing the show?
I hope that they are able to embrace some of the darker things inside and outside of them. Reclaim the night, and reclaim yourself; be weird, be water in the face of chaos, don't let fear control your decisions and impulses. These are the things this show makes me work on, at least, and I hope to pass them along in a warming, cathartic, and hopeful way.
When and where can people see the show?
Just the Tonic's Fancy Cave 6-30 Aug (not 18) at 22:10!
Catch Mothman running around the streets between 21:00-22:00, as well!
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