NEW writing, new festival
21 – 25 JANUARY 2026
this january, collective fringe Returns. Join us for this electric festival of society-shaking theatre. the world is changing; we’re speaking up.
MAIN
PRODUCTIONS
Four groundbreaking productions take the stage each night
thursday 22 to Sunday 25 january
playing in: the theatre
Ego’s killing the mandem – 7.00pm till 8.30 pm
A murder has taken place on the streets of London. Step inside the courtroom – where Ego itself is on trial.
Amongst a backdrop of targeted stop-and-searches, and postcode wars, this play steps inside the heads and hearts of young black men – and asks the question: is it is an internal, rather than external consequence, that leads young black men to take each other’s lives? Or are they simply playing the cards they are dealt?
Originally developed as part of the National Theatre Public Acts programme, Collective Fringe is proud to be partnering with Trybe House Theatre for this exciting new co-production.
ENGLISH AKO – 8.45pm till 10.00pm
Born in Manila, raised in England.
English Ako is a celebration of the experience of growing up in different cultures. Our protagonist, played by writer-performer Jules Chan, takes us on a journey to look for his older brother – who has run away.
Whilst searching, he invites us inside his world: his school detentions, his Hinge dates and his universal credit meetings – all whilst turning the people in his life into the Shakespearean characters he’s always read about.
English Ako shows us that we have many similarities to laugh about – and that the things that make us different can be celebrated.
playing in: the Studio
asylum king – 7.00pm till 8.15pm
Asylum King is a razor-edged, darkly funny, detective thriller that pulls back the curtain on Britain’s asylum industry. A world where billionaires grow richer, resentment festers, and one suspicious death could expose it all.
Ambitious, sharp-tongued journalist Fran Marlowe is desperate to make a name for herself, and sees the death of an asylum seeker in a privately-run government facility as her big break. However, what starts as a straightforward investigation – quickly twists into a murky web of cover-ups when key evidence starts to vanish.
Rukhsati – 8.45pm till 10.00pm
This seriously funny two-hander unfolds in the disused women’s toilet of a wedding hall in Tooting.
Nighat and Tariq reconnect after years apart. But as they reminisce about their youth, Tariq hints at a desire to rekindle their romantic past. And things are never that straightforward.
Rukhsati is a play about love, life and lotas… It explores complex relationships in a South Asian/Muslim context and brings to light an undercurrent of change within our communities.
Collective Fringe is honoured to host this Insaafi Production, supported by Tara Theatre.
SCRATCH NIGHT
wednesday 21 january
Launch your Collective Fringe experience with this night of groundbreaking new works-in-progress in our intimate Studio. For just £10, be the first to see tomorrow’s theatre today.
Our bar opens at 6pm for pre-show drinks, with performances running 7pm-9:30pm (including interval).
Stay late to network with the creatives – and be part of the conversation shaping these exciting new works!
FESTIVAL
PASSES
great theatre, best value
Mix and match shows across any date and venue
Single Show: £15
Two shows: £25 (Save £5!)
Three shows: £30 (Save £15!)
Four shows: £32 (Save £28!)
*Discount applied at checkout
THE FULL
EXPERIENCE
Make every night an event!
Our bar opens at 6pm – perfect for pre-show drinks and between-show bites.
Experience the welcoming festival atmosphere – you can catch one show, or stay all evening. The bar will buzz with post-show networking, bringing together artists and audiences in our vibrant creative community.
From intimate personal narratives to sweeping tales of identity, from raw late-night confessions to razor-sharp comedy – these are voices that demand to be heard.
Join us for one night – or dive into the full Collective Fringe experience!