Dystopia The Rock Opera
Fresh from a hugely successful 5 star Edinburgh Fringe run, Dystopia: The Rock Opera storms into the Assembly Roxy with blistering musicianship, razor-edged satire, humour and cinematic stagecraft!
About Dystopia The Rock Opera
| 11th April 2026 | |
| 8pm | |
|
Assembly Roxy 2 Roxburgh Place, Edinburgh Old Town EH8 9SU |
|
| See event website for details | |
| Visit the event website here |
Step into Dystopia, where Beldon Haigh, President Blame and the indefatigable Helen Raiser lead a renegade prison-band of traitors, tyrants and delusional demagogues—including Touchy Trump, Polonium Putin and the ineffably sequinned and quiffed Kim Jong Elvis. Together, they drag us on a gloriously unhinged journey from darkness into blinding floodlights, from austerity to imaginary abundance, and from fear-ridden obedience to something dangerously resembling hope.
Yes, astonishingly, happiness is still possible, though possibly for reasons the regime didn’t intend.
Fresh from a clutch of ★★★★★ reviews and widespread critical acclaim at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe, Dystopia: The Rock Opera has emerged as a cult favourite—not only for its wickedly funny script and explosive performances, but for its kaleidoscopic fusion of rock, pop, punk, funk, jazz and Latin. The entire show unfolds inside a breathtaking torrent of graphic projections and animations that cascade across the stage from start to finish—an ever-shifting visual circus, a Pandora’s box of spectacle, satire and surprise.
It may also be the only rock opera on earth in which an actual election takes place—and the audience votes. Democracy has rarely been this catchy, this chaotic, or this choreographed.
At times it feels like a musical big top where political cabaret, protest theatre, mask work, multimedia art and delirious rock opera all tumble over one another in organised anarchy. And the musicians are so masterful you’ll almost forget several of them are performing behind masks modelled on modern tyrants sculpted during a gas leak.
What unfolds is a disturbingly immersive, uncannily plausible tale of power, corruption, politics and people—a theatrical fever dream that flashes a wickedly satirical mirror at today’s world while refusing to give up on the idea of humanity.
Somewhere beneath the chaos, the noise and the propaganda, it even offers startlingly simple lessons about happiness.
Catch it now, before it transfers to London’s West End in July, and Broadway, where, of course, it would already be playing if the band were actually permitted entry to the United States.
Close to the tyrant’s bone and apparently banned by several algorithms, Dystopia is the anti-fascist, anti-billionaire rock opera for right now: loud, fearless and locked firmly onto the zeitgeist.
Book your tickets. Warm up your vocal cords. Get ready to laugh, cry, sing, dance, vote, resist, comply (ironically), get rich (theoretically), and, most importantly, become gloriously Dystopian.
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Edinburgh, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Edinburgh? Follow us on Facebook and join the What's On Scotland Group!Sponsored Links
Other Events at Assembly Roxy
Edinburgh Ceilidh Club at Assembly Roxy
Come and experience Scottish dance the way its meant to be every month at the Edinburgh Ceilidh Club at the Assembly Roxy!
READ MORE
The Psychology of Horror Movies
Discover the fascinating connections between horror films and the human mind, exploring themes of psychoanalysis, gender, and more at Assembly Roxy on Wednesday 21st January. Followed by a Q&A.
READ MORE
The Jazz Room: A Journey to the Heart of New Orleans
With a mix of carefully chosen classics and spontaneous improvisation, this feel-good live music performance takes you on a journey to the roots of revolutionary New Orleans jazz!
READ MORE
Laldie Ceilidh with Da Hooley Band plus a Dose of Burns
Celebrate Burns Night with a full Laldie Ceilidh, featuring Da Hooley Ceilidh Band, with bonus Burns recitals at the Assembly Roxy on Saturday 24th January!
READ MORE
An Evening with Val McDermid
We are absolutely delighted to be hosting Val McDermid's Edinburgh launch of the latest Karen Pirie thriller, Silent Bones. Join us in welcoming the Quine of Crime to the Assembly Roxy!
READ MORE
Martin & Eliza Carthy
Don't miss national treasure Martin Carthy and his twice Mercury nominated daughter Eliza Carthy at the Assembly Roxy on Sunday 15 February!
READ MORE
Daniel Foxx: How Lovely
Join Daniel Foxx at the Assembly Roxy as he navigates dating in your 30s, Le Creuset addiction and 12-step skincare routines, all while trying very hard to emanate love and light.
READ MORE
Ash Sarkar: In Conversation
Join political commentator Ash Sarkar at Assembly Roxy Edinburgh to discuss her explosive debut Minority Rule, which reveals how the collective power of ordinary people is under attack.
READ MORE
Paulina Lenoir: Puella Eterna
Self-renowned poet Paulina Lenoir presents a tale of birth, life and death told through the eyes of this generation’s most renowned poet, Puella Eterna.
READ MORE
Harry Baker: Tender
World Poetry Slam Champion Harry Baker brings his characteristic warmth, wit and wonder to new parenthood. Catch him at the Assembly Roxy on 14th March!
READ MORE
The Hypnotist & Mind Reader Live
Prepare for the ultimate evening of amazement when Daniel Sinclair brings The Hypnotist & Mind Reader Live to Edinburgh's Assembly Roxy on Saturday 28th March!
READ MORE
Candlelight: Tribute to Taylor Swift
Discover the music of Taylor Swift at Edinburgh's Assembly Roxy under the gentle glow of candlelight at this live, multi-sensory musical experience!
READ MORE
Candlelight: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons
Discover the music of Vivaldi under the gentle glow of candlelight at this live, multi-sensory musical experience in Edinburgh's Assembly Roxy!
READ MORE
Vidura Bandara Rajapaksa - Paradise Gothic
Vidura Bandara Rajapaksa returns with The Paradise Gothic Tour, it's Vidura at his most fearless.
READ MORE
Georgie Jones: And The World Spins Anyway
Join Georgie Jones in her latest hour as she blends spoken word, stand-up, and storytelling, sharing poems from her debut collection, And The World Spins Anyway.
READ MORE
Catherine Bohart: Borrowing Trouble
Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Catherine Bohart is touring with her brand new show 'Borrowing Trouble' in 2026 and brings it to the Assembly Roxy on 12th November!
READ MORE
Flo & Joan: With Feeling
Critically acclaimed musical comedy duo Flo & Joan make their highly anticipated return to the stage with a brand-new show and bring it to the Assembly Roxy on 28th November!
READ MORESponsored Links
Similar events you might like...
MC Hammersmith and Friends
Multi-award winning freestyle rap comedian MC Hammersmith presents an evening of improvised comedy raps based entirely on your suggestions. And he will also be joined by his friends!
READ MORE
Thomas Green - Brainstorm
Comedian Thomas Green is taking new show Brainstorm across the UK and brings it to Monkey Barrel Comedy!
READ MORE
Doctor Bonk’s Macarbaret
Dr Bonk, Scotland's silliest surgeon, presents the Macarbaret: a madcap hour of drag, burlesque, music, comedy, and medical mayhem!
READ MORE
Stevie Martin: Clout
Stevie Martin is returning to live comedy with her latest show Clout, which sold out at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, don't miss her at Monkey Barrel Comedy!
READ MORE
Story Platform
Story Platform is a monthly live event at The Gilded Saloon, created to uplift Scottish writers and performers through stand up, music, sketch comedy, and more!
READ MORE
Larry Dean: Work In Progress
Twice nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Show (2018, 2022) and previously for Best Newcomer (2015), Larry Dean comes back to Edinburgh to workshop new material!
READ MORE
TBC Improv UK’s Monthly Open Improv Jam
TBC invites you to a monthly improv drop-in jam. It's a fun inclusive event where absolutely all are welcome, no improv experience required.
READ MORE
The Early Saturday Show!
Join us at the Stand Comedy Club Edinburgh for a mixed-bill act show!
READ MORE
The Thursday Show
The weekend starts here! Catch five acts on a two hour stand-up showcase at The Stand Edinburgh on selected Thursdays through the year!
READ MOREFind other events in Edinburgh
Sponsored Links