⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pleasance Courtyard (The Grand)
Wednesday 5 – Monday 31 August 2026
13.00 – 14.20 (80 minutes, no interval)
✨ A fairytale turned on its head — with pop, power, and princesses who refuse to play by the rules.
Four sisters escape their tower and collide head‑first with the outside world — a place where fairy godfathers hold the power, perfection comes at a cost, and happy endings aren’t always what they seem. Set to a pop‑infused soundtrack and bursting with colour, Bliss arrives at the Edinburgh Fringe with all the confidence of a show destined for much bigger stages.
From the very first number, it’s clear this production has ambition. It’s bold, empowering, and packed with powerhouse performances from a cast who understand exactly what this story is trying to say.
👑 Cast Highlights
Akshara Gunda — Piper
Piper, the intelligent and headstrong sister, is played with brilliant conviction by Akshara Gunda. She brings passion, clarity, and a grounded emotional core to the group — the kind of performance that quietly anchors the chaos around her.
Alexandra Emmerson‑Kirby — Carmella
A complete standout. Alexandra’s Carmella is funny, charismatic, and bursting with star quality. Her vocals are pitch‑perfect and powerful, exactly as her character claims. She’s magnetic on stage — truly one to watch and absolutely destined to be a leading lady.
Miriam Nyarko — Faye
Protective, fierce, and vocally strong, Miriam delivers a performance that beautifully complements her co‑stars. Her chemistry with the ensemble shines, especially alongside…
Matilda Shapland — Holly
Warm, bright, and vocally assured, Matilda brings Holly’s optimism to life with ease. Together, she and Miriam create a sisterly dynamic that feels authentic and heartfelt.
Tom Bennett — Glimmermore
As the flamboyant fairy godfather, Tom Bennett is hilarious, theatrical, and impossible to look away from. His colourful musical numbers are performed with such craftsmanship that you find yourself glued to him every time he steps into the spotlight.
Jordan Calloway — Prince Devin
A pop‑prince with attitude. Jordan Calloway brings sass, swagger, and superstar confidence to Prince Devin, leaning fully into the pop‑influenced characterisation. He’s electric on stage.
🎶 A Feel‑Good, Empowering Musical With Heart
Bliss is packed with great songs, sharp humour, and a message that resonates:
embrace your differences, challenge unrealistic ideals, and recognise that perfection often comes at a cost.It’s a feel‑good show with genuine emotional weight — and one that leaves you smiling as you leave the theatre.
⏳ Where It Could Improve
The pacing of the story occasionally falters. The beginning feels slightly dragged, while the ending rushes to tie everything together. This is a common challenge for one‑act musicals, and Bliss would likely benefit from expanding into a two‑act structure with longer to build on the individual characters and their storylines .
🌟 Production Magic
One element that truly shines is the lighting design. It’s spectacular — transforming the stage into a vibrant fairytale world and elevating the storytelling with every shift in colour and mood.
The full live band accompanying is a pleasant surprise for a fringe production too
✨ Final Thoughts
I predict big things for Bliss. It has the heart, the humour, the music, and the message to go far beyond the Fringe. With a little structural refinement, this show could easily become the next breakout hit of the musical theatre world.
Written by Suzzi Hirst
@suzzisspotlight
*media accreditation for Edinburgh fringe festival
Leave a Reply