Glob, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, August 2026

French Canadian clown company Les Foutoukours return to Edinburgh with their new show Glob – a dreamlike exploration of a wintery world for all ages…

Clowning is well represented at the Fringe and, whilst shows like Tweedy’s Massive Solo Show are fast-paced and frenetic, Glob is an altogether more gentle affair. Our clowns here are almost alien, as they explore the sparse stage like they’ve arrived on another planet.

Dressed in fluffy white romper suits with silvery hair and bulbous red noses – they are instantly loveable, with an endearing appeal that transcends age and language. Rémi Jacques and Jean-Félix Bélanger are both masters of their art, and skilled in improvisation. They often react instinctively to things like a sneeze in the audience, a dropped bottle or a crying baby. Everything is a source of wonder, and the pair are the epitome of innocence and naivety.

Silence is used to great effect, and there’s a haunting musical composition by Martin Lizotte – as well as live piano at points. Décors Acmé’s set design seems bare bones, but allows the clowns to really shine amongst the floating orbs and weathered trees.

There is often a problem to be solved. A highlight for us saw a single blue orb hovering high over the clowns, with the pair trying to switch it back to white with a single tap. A simple premise told wordlessly, but one that had this audience captivated.

There are plenty of core skills throughout, from juggling to acrobatics and even tap-dancing. They make the difficult look effortless, and lap up the applause and adoration from the audience. A new variation of the diabolo – the globolo – is a refreshing new spin (pun intended) on a staple circus trick.

With its wintry setting and almost mute clowns, comparisons to Slava’s Snow Show are perhaps inevitable. Both shows tap into that childlike wonder and playfulness but Slava is often edgier and more surreal. Glob doesn’t delve into the darkness but keeps things light – and I defy even those apparently scared of clowns to not find joy here.

Some may find the show too slow; it’s not a laugh-out loud riot by any means. In the hustle and bustle of the Fringe though, this is a welcome moment to pause and let yourself go in an almost ethereal clownscape. There’s real beauty and poignancy here, and Glob might just melt hearts.