Edinburgh Fringe 2026

Reel to Real

Bedazzle Inclusive Productions

Genre: Disability Arts, Neurodiverse, Theatre

Venue: theSpace Triplex

Festival: Edinburgh Fringe

Low Down

Review

Bedazzle Arts brings together bespoke education, accessible performing arts training, community theatre, inclusive production opportunities and charitable support to create ambitious, person-centred opportunities for young people and adults with additional needs.

And this year, Bedazzle Inclusive Productions celebrates its 20th anniversary marking two decades of championing and amplifying disabled actors by bringing Reel to Real, first performed in 2025, to the Fringe.

Five friends want to make a short film about the history of cinema but, knowing little about the film industry, don’t know quite where to start.  Happenchance sees them stumble on a cinematic museum and so begins a whimsical journey through a series of iconic movie moments, played out on screen whilst an ever changing on-stage ensemble add their own unique interpretation of the celluloid action unfolding before us providing, in effect, the sound to accompany the silent movies and a fresh interpretation, through dance and physical theatre, to augment “the talkies”.

On their journey they encounter movie giants such as Charlie Chaplin, Ginger Rogers, Alfred Hitchcock and many others besides which allows this engaging and charismatic group of performers to showcase their talents including, in one memorable case, an almost uncanny impersonation of the aforementioned Mr Hitchcock.

This is a lovingly crafted and delivered piece of entertainment with a strong, relatable storyboard, particularly as the five central characters grapple with the challenges of delivering a shared goal under the pressure of time, dealing adroitly with the fissures that can so easily be created within a team.  Story delivery is nicely balanced between the central dialogue carried by the five friends plus the cinema museum’s curator, and action from the very hardworking ensemble cast, each of whom had at least one delightful moment under the proverbial spotlight.

This is quite a complex piece of theatre to pull off, giving that it’s got a lot of moving parts; short scenes generating some rapid segues; multi-role playing (apart from the central quintet) necessitating rapid changes of character and costume; multi-media overlays; and a set with a wide range of fixtures and props to work with.

But it all works perfectly, none more so than in the touching denouement where a short film shows the rehearsal process behind this enchanting piece.

There’s an old theatre adage – if the actors are having fun, then so will the audience.  And this talented troupe were having the time of their lives on stage before a packed and extremely appreciative audience.  If you’re looking for some pure unfettered joy, this is a very good show to seek out.  But hurry, they’re only here until 15th.

Published August 13, 2026 by Tim Wilcock