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 Lawrence Dodd about his show This Can't Be It.
What can you tell me about your show?
Well I can tell you that it’s flipping brilliant and that it’s my first one and it’s kind of a comedy / clown show exploring how to open fully to life and to each other despite the terror of this unknowable life. It’s a show that attempts to be dead serious and sincere at the same time and sometimes one compromises the other but that’s ok, I’ve decided ok?
Well I can tell you that it’s flipping brilliant and that it’s my first one and it’s kind of a comedy / clown show exploring how to open fully to life and to each other despite the terror of this unknowable life. It’s a show that attempts to be dead serious and sincere at the same time and sometimes one compromises the other but that’s ok, I’ve decided ok?
How would you describe the style of your show to anyone who has never seen you before?
I’d say it’s silly and smart and tense and you might see the contours of my scrotum at one point and I’d say it’s a happening and you’ll change but in ways that you won’t expect and I’d say it’s clown but not big shoes and stuff but more open and in contact with the audience and stupid but also super clever and talking about some super relevant issues, like existence etc, and yeah you might see my balls at some point.
What was the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of this piece?
I looked into the eyes of my director who is now the love of my life and I saw something eternal in those deep eyes of green and brown and i realised in that moment that this show and this relationship could allow me to come into contact with something that transcends the limits of the body and the physical world, to a place where wisdom and truth are found, and that if I could surrender to that, my life could be guided by an invisible thread into a process of unfolding towards realms I can’t yet imagine. That and I thought I’d better do something of note as I’m now 38 and have nothing to show for it.
What makes 2026 the perfect year for this specific story or performance?
I think that my show responds to this collective sense of existential confusion we are living through. It feels like a moment where we don’t know what’s true yet we have access to so much information. The old stories that underpinned how we made sense of this life have crumbled yet the new stories of what it means to be human have yet to be fully established. We’re all clutching at meaning via different means- all my mates are doing tarot at the minute, we all feel like we should have a meditation practice - it feels like there’s a hollowness and we’re doing what ever we can to fill it. For me the show is about a journey towards opening to aliveness, and mystery, and towards connection and enchantment, and of trying to shead the barriers I’ve built that have closed me down to life.
How will you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
I talk to my love who is also my director (which I mentioned up top) everyday about my feelings and about how to live in a way that is aligned with truth and I think mainly the prep is to continue doing that with her. It’s kind of a muscle and I want to be able to be in contact with that on stage during Edinburgh so I gotta work that muscle daily. I go to the sauna a lot (guys I don’t wana tell you this but I’m telling ya - there’s a sauna bit in the show) because it grounds me and I like to sweat with others (dunno why just do) and I’ll continue to do that before Edinburgh. Finally I have a meditation practice that helps me connect to a universal loving awareness which I find is helpful during the world famous Edinburgh fringe trade fair comedy festival 2026.
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?
I would hand out my hand in friendship.
What is the one item in your Fringe Survival Kit that you can’t live without at the Fringe?
The one thing that would help me more than anything get through the Edinburgh fringe would be a Free Palestine and a resourced sense of self worth that doesn’t depend on comparison.
What would you deem as success at the end of the Fringe?
Big audience, good reviews, an agent, plaudits across the board, some sponsorship deals, I’d like to do some adverts at the right price, I’d certainly consider acting roles, public speaking gigs, voice over stuff, maybe like collaborations that turn into lucrative long term partnerships, and a free Palestine.
Other than your own show, are there any other shows you would recommend at the Fringe this year?
I think people should come to my show as many times as possible because it’s different every time and so you’ll get surprises each and every time, guaranteed!
But if you mean other people’s show which I don’t think you do, I’d go to Gutter cos they’re gross people, seriously sick, I’d go to Han Whyt’s show Roger Prick, cos he’s flipping sleazy and again, a real nasty guy, and then I’d probably go to see Adi Palmer cos he’s sweet actually just for some light relief after all of the depraved stuff.
What is one Edinburgh spot that you would recommend people to visit when they're not watching performances?
Listen if you’re in Edinburgh at this time of your year, I really wouldn’t do anything but go and see performances otherwise just come up in Feb or something. You’ve got some of the greatest people that have ever lived in the city right now and what, you’re gunna go look at hill or a fort or a castle or a
hillock or a castle? Come on guys come to my show, a lot.
Can you describe the show in 5 words?
Integrating, heart-opening, dumb, bad bunny
What keeps you inspired?
My love - who I’ve mentioned a few times so far. You should meet her, she’s magic and she can sing in a beautiful style.
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing the show?
That they realise that there is a place within that they can be in contact with that can guide them through life and that can help them transcend fear and limitation, and in that they can move toward a life that they deeply deserve to have, and love is found here and creativity and so on. That and some of my merch, which I’ll be selling after the show (I’m joking about this bit of course haha please come to my show guys seriously I need this and do buy merch if you’re able).
Tickets are available from https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/lawrence-dodd-this-can-t-be-it
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