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 Angele Galea and Malcolm Galea about their show The Trials of Magnus Coffinkey.
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| Photo by ShotbyTrendy |
What can you tell me about your show?
On one level, it’s a dark poetic fairy tale about a broken toy who climbs a cloud-piercing tower in the dead of night to fix a magic bell. On another level it’s about a storywriter dealing with indescribable grief and loss. It’s 50% fantasy, 50% real and 100% memorable.
On one level, it’s a dark poetic fairy tale about a broken toy who climbs a cloud-piercing tower in the dead of night to fix a magic bell. On another level it’s about a storywriter dealing with indescribable grief and loss. It’s 50% fantasy, 50% real and 100% memorable.
How would you describe the style of your show to anyone who has never seen you before?
Les Enfants Terribles and Duncan Macmillan were both strong influences, so imagine a mesh of the two. Gothic, quirky, high concept and piercingly real.
What was the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of this piece?
Some years after we lost a child to miscarriage, we wanted to commemorate that episode in our family life. We also wanted the story to be more universal than our particular experience, so we spoke to other parents who went through a similar loss. The whimsical way we tackled this subject helped us play with the huge emotions we were facing.
What makes 2026 the perfect year for this specific story or performance?
The story’s subject matter is fairly timeless so our year of choice was more dependent on the show’s trajectory. Coming from outside the UK, Edinburgh Fringe runs are especially huge investments of time and resources so the show’s momentum was built up through small runs in Brighton over the last two years. After winning the Brighton Fringe Outstanding Theatre Award in 2024 and getting more positive reviews in 2025, we felt that 2026 was the year to take it to Edinburgh.
The story’s subject matter is fairly timeless so our year of choice was more dependent on the show’s trajectory. Coming from outside the UK, Edinburgh Fringe runs are especially huge investments of time and resources so the show’s momentum was built up through small runs in Brighton over the last two years. After winning the Brighton Fringe Outstanding Theatre Award in 2024 and getting more positive reviews in 2025, we felt that 2026 was the year to take it to Edinburgh.
How will you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
The show is physically and emotionally draining to perform daily. We’ll be on hand to make sure that our cast is comfortable and getting all the rest they require. We were also able to coordinate regular visits from family and friends while we’re at the Fringe. After the craziness of the first week, it would be hugely helpful to see a regular array of familiar faces and loved ones coming to support.
The show is physically and emotionally draining to perform daily. We’ll be on hand to make sure that our cast is comfortable and getting all the rest they require. We were also able to coordinate regular visits from family and friends while we’re at the Fringe. After the craziness of the first week, it would be hugely helpful to see a regular array of familiar faces and loved ones coming to support.
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 dandelion seed. We could give passersby the chance to make a wish just like when we were children. Eventually, when the seed lands, it will create a new life.
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| Photo by ShotbyTrendy |
What is the one item in your Fringe Survival Kit that you can’t live without this month?
Our main actress will be accompanied by her newborn so the team will be stocked up with all the baby paraphernalia you can imagine.
Our main actress will be accompanied by her newborn so the team will be stocked up with all the baby paraphernalia you can imagine.
What would you deem as success at the end of the Fringe?
Being well-received by the Fringe audiences. We would like to offer a space where people are welcomed in their brokenness and show them that there can be light even in the devastating darkness.
Being well-received by the Fringe audiences. We would like to offer a space where people are welcomed in their brokenness and show them that there can be light even in the devastating darkness.
Other than your own show, are there any other shows you would recommend at the Fringe this year?
We’re personally looking forward to Dracula: Lucy’s Dream, and in terms of comedy, Gianmarco Soresi, Reuben Kaye and …Earnest? However we’re also aware that the show that will be a life-changer can easily be that one show we went to see on a whim because we were flyered by an enthusiastic team member.
What is one Edinburgh spot that you would recommend people to visit when they’re not watching performances?
Have a picnic in Princes Street Gardens, maybe take a sketch book and enjoy a slow afternoon after watching our show (you might need the decompression time).
Have a picnic in Princes Street Gardens, maybe take a sketch book and enjoy a slow afternoon after watching our show (you might need the decompression time).
Can you describe the show in 5 words?
Broken, bewitching, brutal, brave, beautiful.
Broken, bewitching, brutal, brave, beautiful.
What keeps you inspired?
Rather than inspired, we’re motivated by social issues. Theatre is a space we can witness and feel as a community. Because of the together-ness of the lived experience it’s a perfect medium to create empathy. Theatre helps us stop and think together and it’s an ideal platform for exploring difficult topics and initiating conversations that need to be had. This is the ethos that drives our theatre company.
Rather than inspired, we’re motivated by social issues. Theatre is a space we can witness and feel as a community. Because of the together-ness of the lived experience it’s a perfect medium to create empathy. Theatre helps us stop and think together and it’s an ideal platform for exploring difficult topics and initiating conversations that need to be had. This is the ethos that drives our theatre company.
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing the show?
An understanding and acceptance of loss and pain; that it’s a normal part of living. We would like our audiences to give themselves permission and time/space to grieve, sit with sadness, and let it wash over them with the knowledge that they are not alone.
When and where can people see the show?
We’re at Summerhall (Red Lecture Theatre) 6–31 August 2026 (not 17 and 24) at 10:30am.
Tickets are available from https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/the-trials-of-magnus-coffinkey
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| Photo by ShotbyTrendy |
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