Edinburgh Fringe 2026
The House of Pitman
Luke Pitman
Genre: character comedy, Comedy, Theatre
Venue: ZOO Playground
Festival: Edinburgh Fringe
Low Down
Luke emerges from a battered suitcase into a surreal strip club run by generations of his own family. Tonight is his debut performance. The only problem? He’s always seen himself as the clown, the people-pleasing entertainer, rather than the star.
Review
Luke Pitman seemingly plays several characters from his family in an explosively funny exploration of family dynamics in this one hour show. Pitman, well, all the Pitmans we meet have an ease on stage and can’t wait to share their ideas and quirks with us. Physically adept at bringing all types of situations (and situations we do not expect!) this Pitman is fearless. He obviously enjoys telling his stories with fascinating physical visuals to illustrate them, and he does non stop!
Pitman has a sensitive side and is not afraid to show it – until he changes his mind and moves on to another topic! His eccentric dance moves, grins, grimaces and bendy body together with his antics can’t help but make us smile or rather, laugh! Captain Pitman, Baby Pitman and other Pitmans in between regale us with mayhem. This show is a deliciously chaotic combination of character comedy, comedy and theatre. With interactions to the audience, voiceovers of someone giving orders and his physical antics onstage – and backstage – Pitman is in his own world, and we are lucky that he is including us! We are along for the ride and this is a wonderful way to spend an hour before or after dinner, or anytime, really. The laugh out loud skits and pieces are interrupted (on purpose) by more laughter of several running joke situations, like Baby Pitman!
The show moves along changing mood and tempo with some very good music choices that complement his physical situations. Pitman’s enthusiastic nature is infectious and all components of the show are well worked out yet freely embrace anything that happens spontaneously. He also says he takes care of the audience and he does, in his own way! There is a little audience participation and people were willing to follow along at the show I attended.
Using very simple props such as a balloon and a few other things with several spicy words here and there Pitman is ready to entertain us. Then there is the suitcase! Well, don’t miss that part, it’s the pinnacle of hilariousness and a unique visual. Oh, there is also a walkie talkie with a life of its own! And there’s also the… wait you should go and see for yourself!
