Acclaimed South West artist Malaika Kegode secures Nick Hern Books publication ahead of Edinburgh Festival Fringe
A Theatre Royal Plymouth production
In association with Bristol Old Vic
A new play by Malaika Kegode
Originally commissioned by Theatre Royal Plymouth
To premiere at the Traverse Festival 2026
Nick Hern Books has announced the publication of ten new plays appearing at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival, including Badgers by acclaimed South West-based writer and poet, Malaika Kegode.
As audiences descend on Edinburgh for the world's largest arts festival, Nick Hern Books is once again bringing some of the Fringe's most exciting new writing to bookshelves, ensuring theatre lovers can take a piece of the festival home with them.
Among this year's published Fringe plays, is Theatre Royal Plymouth’s (TRP) new production Badgers, which will premiere at the Traverse Festival.
Badgers, a TRP production in association with Bristol Old Vic, is a hybrid theatre piece exploring the art of letting go and the ethics of true crime, weaving together myth, memory and music. It will preview at Bristol Old Vic from 30 July - 01 August, before playing at the Traverse Theatre from 06 - 30 August as part of the Traverse Festival. The show will then transfer to The Drum at TRP for a limited engagement in the autumn and return to Bristol Old Vic in September.
Visitors attending performances of Badgers at the Traverse Theatre can purchase copies of the script in Edinburgh, while readers unable to make it to the Fringe can pre-order their copy through the Nick Hern Books website.
Alongside Badgers, Nick Hern Books is publishing nine other new plays appearing at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe, including; Buggers by Alistair Hall; CRUSH by Hadsan Mohamud; The Distance by Ben Norris; Little Animals by Paul Ready; Overtone by Tom Brennan; The Plot by Emma Howlett; Shotgunned by Matt Anderson; Water Colour by Milly Sweeney; You and Me (and Whoever Comes Next) by Keron Day and Alex Howarth, with Helen Chong.
The collection reflects the breadth of contemporary theatre being showcased across the Fringe, featuring established playwrights and exciting new voices tackling a wide range of themes and stories.
A longstanding champion of new writing, Nick Hern Books remains committed to making contemporary plays accessible to readers, students, theatre-makers and audiences beyond the festival stage. By publishing scripts alongside live productions, the company helps ensure that the conversations sparked in Edinburgh continue long after the final curtain call.
Tickets for preview performances of Badgers at Bristol Old Vic are available from www.bristololdvic.org.uk. For Traverse Festival performances, visit www.traverse.co.uk. Tickets for Theatre Royal Plymouth are on sale now https://theatreroyal.com/whats-on/badgers/.
