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 director Jack Reardon about ETC's forthcoming production of The Hobbit.
What can you tell me about your show?
The Hobbit! A classic. A book in every school, every library - a book that turned countless bedrooms into Middle Earth as children fell in love with Tolkien's world. Straight from the imagination of big kids comes ETC's new production of The Hobbit. With a full company inhabiting Thorin's gang of thirteen dwarves, Gandalf and of course Bilbo Baggins - this is a huge cast brining this epic adventure to life. With incredible puppetry, live music and some theatrical magic our show is perfect for first time adventurers into Middle Earth or long time Tolkienites looking to see the classic brought to life. Promising an action packed adventure with Dragons, Goblins, Elves and Live Adventure for audiences aged 8 to 108, this is a fast-paced, family-friendly journey.
How would you describe the style of your show to anyone who has never seen you before?
Fast paced, knock your socks off, undiluted epics told in 50 minutes! ETC take classic stories and reimagine them for afternoon Fringe families. We make blockbuster theatre for family friendly audiences, suspending you in epic scale and grounding you in captivating storytelling. Exceptional puppetry, nostalgia inducing original music and transformative design - ETC are the five star company when it comes to classic stories.
What was the lightbulb moment that led to the creation of this piece?
How do you make an actor disappear on stage at the Fringe when they put on the One Ring? The moment we imagined our answer, everything fell into place. Our team immediately began building, sewing, rigging, laughing and jumping with excitement when we found the solution. Our shows look to use theatricality to answer impossible questions. Come see how we do it!
What makes 2026 the perfect year for this specific story or performance?
We are approaching the 90th anniversary of The Hobbit being originally published. As we said, this is a book that has made young people everywhere imagine and reimagine Bilbo's journey through the Misty Mountains for decades. It was the perfect time to bring it to the Fringe, building on the success of previous classic productions we have made, now iwth our biggest production ever.
How will you mentally and physically prepare for a run at the Fringe?
Circuit training in the morning, healthy lunches and a fair few Frodo bars to keep the sugar levels happy. Our company is built on the power of positivity and by supporting our whole company. This is a fun, silly, epic adventure, we want that exact same energy in our rehearsal room and within our company. This is a group of actors who have all worked together in the past. Everyone supports everyone else. Thankfully we all believe in kindness, patience and the power of a good laugh.
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 feel the Scottish authorities might be upset handing out swords, but I’m sure everyone would love a golden ring to rule them all! However if you meet us on the mile, it might not be a case of what we’re handing out, but who! With the master puppetry skills we’ll be brining to Edinburgh come receive a flyer from mini Bilbo, or Smaug or a very special creation of Gollum!
What is the one item in your Fringe Survival Kit that you can’t live without at the Fringe?
A sunglasses/raincoat combo! The joys of Scottish weather keeping you on your toes is always a highlight!
What would you deem as success at the end of the Fringe?
That we and our audiences had fun! We want to be someone coming to the Fringe for the first time’s highlight! A random find, a die hard Hobbit fan or a young person who loves puppetry. Whoever it might be, if we can be someone’s highlight, we’re doing a good job!
Other than your own show, are there any other shows you would recommend at the Fringe this year?
We need to give a shout out to our fellow Middle-Earth friends - Fly you Fools! After you see our epic adventure go watch the sequel; it’s a little lesser-known story called The Lord of The Rings told in a truly incredible way by this team.
What is one Edinburgh spot that you would recommend people to visit when they're not watching performances?
Get to the mile, soak up the energy and enjoy being in the greatest city in the world during August!
Can you describe the show in 5 words?
Imaginative, Theatrical, Nostalgic, Giddy, Dwarves!
What keeps you inspired?
Audience reactions. Watching our audiences, young and old being enraptured by a scene or lost in the music or holding their breath along with our hero as they hide from a dragon. It’s why we do it. It’s why theatre is unlike any other art form.
What would you hope someone takes away from seeing the show?
Just how much magic can fit into a suitcase! Everyone knows the parameters of Fringe shows, but our Hobbit fits so much theatricality into theSpace we have. We re so grateful to our amazing hosts and can’t wait to transform and transport audiences to Middle Earth!
When and where can people see the show?
theSpace @ Niddry Street / 10-15 August / 12:30pm.
For tickets and more information visit https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/the-hobbit
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