Moth and Dog Are Dying to Get Out is a captivating two-hander that effectively navigates young queer desire. Centering around the relationship between two young boys, coming to terms with queer identity has never been easy. By using non-naturalistic theatrical forms such as time-jumping physical theatre Moth and Dog becomes an important comment on how the impact of extremist male views can affect young boys and the gay community.
After a successful run at the National Student Drama Festival at The Curve Theatre, we are all very excited to bring this piece to the Edinburgh Fringe for a whole month's run.
How would you describe the style of your show to anyone who has never seen you before?
The style of our show can be described as unnaturalistic; by using frequent time jumps, minimal set pieces, and physical theatre the audience can really focus on the dynamic between the two actors as these stylistic choices enhance the main story centred around the boy’s relationship.
What was the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of this piece?
A conversation at last year’s Fringe between Aidan (director/writer) and Dylan (Dog) who were preparing to stage Nick Payne’s ‘Constellations’, talking about similar experiences, and how insufferable most depictions of Covid were in media immediately after the pandemic — and whether we could do a show which deals with things like touch and intimacy (among others) using the pandemic and what it meant for so many people as a backdrop.
What makes 2026 the perfect year for this specific story or performance?
Unfortunately, 2026 has certainly exposed an increase of divide and hate in the world. More specifically a rise in the so-called “Manosphere” where young boys and men are indoctrinated into extremist views on how men should behave and what role they should lead in society. In Moth and Dog, we have used this angle to theatrically explore and expose the effect these views have on the gay community and young boys as well as additionally using the lens of COVID19 to show the progression of these views and the effect isolation had on our generation.
How will you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
Most of our team have survived at least one Fringe before so we have a rough idea how we should prepare. However, this is personally my first time having a show run at the Fringe and our first show all together as a company. I know in order to prepare, especially for a full month’s run, we will be having many rehearsals in the upcoming weeks alongside plenty of rest, and meaningful friendship time as a company to keep the morale up. Fringe can be an overwhelming time just as a viewer, so as an active participant we will make sure that we are physically and mentally prepared for this journey ahead by checking in with each other.
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 melon slice
What is the one item in your Fringe Survival Kit that you can’t live without at the Fringe?
Lemsip (Fringe flu should never be underestimated)
What would you deem as success at the end of the Fringe?
Honestly, a success at the Fringe is being able to perform your show in front of any number of audience that buy tickets. That, after all, is the hardest part. But as a company showcasing a play that has important themes and messages
Other than your own show, are there any other shows you would recommend at the Fringe this year?
Carrie: We saw Father, Away She Goes by Electra Kolb and it last year and it blew us away. It is a one-woman tragicomedy which explores the dark side of female ambition and it’s coming back to the Fringe again this year. Another we would recommend is also Crash Course by Lila Ahnger - we saw one of her plays earlier this year back up in St Andrews, Almost L***, and loved her absurd exploration into love, modern dating and relationships. It is her debut at the Fringe this year so I'm very excited to see what she explores this time around.
Father, Away She Goes by Electra Kolb - https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/father-away-she-goes
Crash Course by Lila Ahnger - https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/crash-course
What is one Edinburgh spot that you would recommend people to visit when they're not watching performances?
There are many amazing spots to go to in Edinburgh. I personally recommend the cosy (and quite eccentric) pub The Dog House for drinks and a hangout. Additionally along the lines for drinks The Jazz Bar is a classy yet also casual place to listen to Edinburgh’s great jazz musicians (while they also have events on for Fringe too). Lastly, I recommend for any tourist to visit one typical tourist destination, whether it is Edinburgh Castle (my personal favourite) or the National Museum.
Can you describe the show in 5 words?
Desire, Adolescence, Queer, Comedy, Rave
What keeps you inspired?
Seeing fellow creatives make new work always inspires me. Whenever I am feeling creatively blocked or unmotivated (as working in the creative industry can always provoke) just being able to watch my colleagues create an idea from scratch proves to me that anything is possible and if they can do it then everyone can. Fringe is an absolutely fantastic atmosphere for that and I cannot wait to watch shows created by talented and motivated people.
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing the show?
We hope they’re taken on a compelling, intense, and varied emotional journey.
When and where can people see the show?
13:20
5th - 31st of August (except 15th, 17th, 25th)
Venue 23, 10 Dome, Pleasance Dome
Link to tickets: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/moth-and-dog-are-dying-to-get-out
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