Turn the Cloth

Turn the Cloth

Cutty Sark TheatreSemi-professional company

Google Cutty Sark Theatre
60 minutesTurret
Gather, gather, and turn the cloth... 1989. The first storm of winter hits a small Scottish town, bringing with it obligation, tradition and a spirit hungry for a wife. Bonds are tested, secrets revealed, and someone must make a deadly choice. Darkly funny, unsettling and atmospheric, Turn the Cloth is a new folk horror play inspired by traditional waulking songs and kelpie folklore, stringing together campy 1980s horror films, sharp-tongued teenagers and folklore from Scotland. Using a fusion of trad music and 80s synth, it dissects defiance, girlhood and the rituals that shape us.

About the show

Turn the Cloth is a new folk horror play by Cutty Sark Theatre, a semi-professional company, performed at Turret as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Set in 1989, the play opens with a winter storm hitting a small Scottish town, bringing with it obligation, tradition and a spirit hungry for a wife. Drawing on traditional waulking songs and kelpie folklore, it strings together campy horror films of the eighties, sharp-tongued teenagers and Scottish folklore. A fusion of trad music and eighties synth drives a darkly funny and unsettling story that dissects defiance, girlhood and the rituals that shape us. The show runs for 60 minutes and is suitable for audiences aged 14 and over.

Why see this show?

Folk horror, live music and Scottish folklore combine in a genuinely atmospheric new play. If you enjoy theatre that unsettles as much as it entertains, Turn the Cloth offers something sharper and stranger than the typical Fringe offering.

Tickets

£10

Book Now
When

Wednesday 5 - Monday 31 August 2026

All performances at 14:30

25 performances

Duration

60 mins

Cast

4 performers

Festival

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026

Additional Information

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the show?

The show runs for 60 minutes.

What age is the show suitable for?

The show is suitable for audiences aged 14 and over.

Are there any content warnings?

The show contains distressing or potentially triggering themes and strong language and swearing.

What kind of show is this?

It is a new folk horror play that uses a fusion of trad music and synth, set in 1989 in a small Scottish town.

Where is the show performed?

The show is performed at Turret as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

How much are tickets?

Tickets start at £10.

About This Theatre Production

Turn the Cloth is a theatre performance at Turret during Edinburgh Festival 2026. Running for 60 minutes, this show is part of the world's largest arts festival, bringing together performers and audiences from across the globe.

Experience compelling storytelling brought to life by talented performers. Theatre at Edinburgh ranges from intimate black box productions to grand stage spectacles.

Venue: Turret

Turret is one of Edinburgh's Festival venues, hosting a variety of performances throughout August. Located in the heart of the city, the venue is accessible by public transport and within walking distance of other Festival locations.

Tips for Attending

  • Check for trigger warnings if sensitive to certain topics
  • Most Fringe theatre runs without interval
  • Latecomers may not be admitted
  • Consider matinee performances for a relaxed experience

Booking Information

Ticket Prices: £10 - £12

Age Guidance: 14+

Content Warnings: Contains distressing or potentially triggering themes, Strong language/swearing

Book early to avoid disappointment. Popular shows sell out quickly during Edinburgh Festival.

Part of Edinburgh Festival 2026

Edinburgh Festival transforms Scotland's capital into the world's leading cultural destination every August. With thousands of performances across hundreds of venues, the festival offers unparalleled choice for culture lovers.Turn the Cloth represents the theatrical innovation that makes Edinburgh Festival unique.

Looking for more theatre shows at Edinburgh Festival 2026?

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Data provided courtesy of the Edinburgh Festivals Listings API