Aim

A bigger, bolder Acid’s Reign: live band, more wigs, bigger spectacle, bringing unapologetic queer voices to Edinburgh Fringe.

Five years ago, we started with a slightly ridiculous question:

Can you make a cabaret musical about the climate crisis… that people actually want to watch?

Against all odds, the answer turned out to be yes.

What began as an Arts Council England-funded R&D project became a cabaret at VAULT Festival in 2023, built from recycled pop songs, drag chaos, and climate anxiety. Since then, Acid’s Reign has continued to evolve: first into a jukebox musical at Pleasance Theatre, and now into the fully original drag musical we’ve always dreamed it could become.

This year, we’re bringing Acid’s Reign to Edinburgh Fringe bigger and bolder than ever before.

The new production features:

• a wholly original score with 12 brand new songs
• a live band
• expanded production design
• spectacular costumes and wigs
• powerhouse drag performances
• sharper satire, bigger stakes, and even more theatrical chaos

And underneath all the camp, glitter, and comedy is a story asking urgent questions about capitalism, commercialisation, activism, queerness, and who really gets heard.

Developing a new musical takes time. On average, musicals take around seven years to fully realise — and for queer-led work outside traditional commercial theatre routes, the journey can be even harder.

That’s why this campaign matters.

As Relish Theatre, we exist to champion LGBTQ+ new writing, sustainable theatre practices, and bold stories that might not otherwise get the resources or platform they deserve. Acid’s Reign feels like the culmination of everything we stand for as a company.

Your support will help us:

• pay our artists and musicians fairly
• fund rehearsal and development time
• build ambitious costumes, wigs, and production elements
• cover venue and technical costs at Edinburgh Fringe
• support accessibility and audience development
• continue making work sustainably wherever possible

We’ve already poured five years of work, love, panic, glitter, spreadsheets, drag makeup, climate dread, and absolute delusion into this show.

Now we need your help to take it to the next level.

The Acid’s Reign cast album is already available on Spotify, Apple Music, and everywhere you stream music — so you can hear the chaos for yourself before we hit Edinburgh.

Thank you for helping us make something fiercely queer, politically unruly, gloriously camp, and completely original.

Praise for Acid's Reign

★★★★★ 'What a revelation from Relish Theatre, and a celebration indeed of the LGBTQ experience.' - Salterton Arts Review

★★★★★ 'This show-within-a-show extravaganza is playful, witty and a surefire way to enjoy your evening.' - The Reviews Hub

★★★★ 'this is a disarmingly poignant show' - The Stage

★★★★ 'A Dazzling, Thought-Provoking Triumph: With its razor-sharp wit, breathtaking performances, and unshakable heart, Acid’s Reign is a must-see.' - The Live Review

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 6th August 2026 at 2:00pm