Lions

Summerhall, Edinburgh Fringe / The Drake, Philadelphia Fringe

2026

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Written and Performed by Scott R. Sheppard and Alice Yorke
Directed and Developed by Sarah Blush
Produced by Lightning Rod Special
Set and Props by Colleen Murray
Costumes by Rebecca Kanach
Lights by Masha Tsimring
Sound by Johnny Gasper
Stage Manager Emmie Parker
Additional Costume Fabrication Normandy Sherwood

Barrymore Nomination — Outstanding Original Production 2026

Steinberg/ ATCA New Play Finalist 2026

★★★★★ UK Theatre Web
★★★★ The Scotsman
★★★★ The Stage
★★★★ Fest
★★★★ Across the Arts
★★★★ West End Best Friend
★★★★ A Youngish Perspective
★★★★ The Quinntessential Review

An unsentimental duet about the business of letting our dads die. With a dose of Kafka and A Christmas Carol, Lions disassembles the myths our fathers told themselves about what it means to be a great man.

"The rawness of Yorke and Sheppard's autobiographical tributes floored me"

-The Guardian

"[One] of the best things I saw...What began as an anarchic vaudeville act performed in dandyish masculinity drag...evolved in smart, layered stages, into a bittersweet eulogy"

-Emily Nussbaum, The New Yorker

"High-voltage, compassionate farce...under Sarah Blush’s lively direction...a riotous, tender, and lovingly crafted exploration of mortality...that makes you cherish life"

-Will Quinn, The Quinntessential Review

"Bizarrely amusing...ludicrous...incredibly poignant"

-David Pollock, Fest

"Wild and wonderful performances...Sarah Blush...has managed to help grasp every bit of emotion from these actors"

-A Youngish Perspective

"From careening chaos to the silence of the fear of [what's] next...a tour de force of every emotion...rollicking, joyous...Sheppard and Yorke are staggering...the linen-suit clad pair tear around the stage in masterful storytelling...a whole-hearted show that makes you appreciate everything a little bit more and believe in perfect people a little bit less...genius comic timing and captivating, genuine writing...an absolute must see."

-Hannah Goldswain, FringeReview

"Director Sarah Blush, also credited as the show’s developer, imbues the cheery, denying donk of the wrong laptop password with as much drama as a clap of thunder"

-Alaina Johna, Broad Street Review

"Brings the audience straight from the brink of tears to howling with laughter in a matter of moments"

-Emily Geeson, FringeReview - Highly Recommended Show

"Funny and crackingly paced while never losing the humanity of the subject matter"

-Anna Burnside, Across the Arts

"This crazy mix of genres and styles works incredibly well...I loved it."

-UK Theatre Web

"Lions made me laugh, cry, and consider my doomed legacy"

-The Philadelphia Inquirer

TV:

Abby Glusker, UTA