NESTING, a new play about caregiving and end-of-life decisions, premieres at Edinburgh Fringe

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The new play by Peter McCormick will run at Summerhall's Old Lab venue during the 2026 Fringe.

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Trolley Problem will present the world premiere of NESTING at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer. Written by Peter McCormick and directed by Ben Standish, the new play will run at Summerhall's Old Lab venue from August 6–31, excluding August 18 and 25.

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The four-person play centers on Francis, a man living with Motor Neurone Disease, whose life is disrupted when a seagull offers to take over his body. As the story unfolds, questions of caregiving, family obligation, sacrifice, and autonomy emerge against a backdrop of physical theatre, original music, and surreal storytelling.

The production was developed through research conducted with individuals living with Motor Neurone Disease and their carers in partnership with the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association. The story also explores the changing dynamics that occur when adult children become caregivers to aging parents.

McCormick, who also performs in the production, is a Glasgow-based Irish writer whose previous work includes BEYOND KRAPP, which premiered at the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. His work has been supported by organizations including the Tron Theatre and Summerhall.

Standish recently became Associate Director of A Play, A Pie and A Pint at Òran Mór and serves as an associate director with Vanishing Point. His directing credits include BEYOND KRAPP, CLASS ACT, A THOUSAND SONS, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, and MISTERO BUFFO.

Trolley Problem is a Glasgow-based theatre company led by Standish and McCormick. NESTING marks the company's first original production following its launch earlier this year with a co-production of MISTERO BUFFO.

The cast includes Michael Guest, Peter McCormick , Francesca Hess, and Billy Mack .

The creative team includes writer Peter McCormick ; director Ben Standish; sound designer Sonia Killmann; lighting designer Benny Goodman ; producer Eleanor Scott ; stage manager Fergus Waldron; and casting director Jake Curran -Pipe.

NESTING will run at Summerhall Arts' Old Lab, 1 Summerhall, Edinburgh, from August 6–31, excluding August 18 and 25. Performances begin at 4:30 p.m. and run approximately 60 minutes.

Preview tickets on August 6 are priced at £10. Regular performances are £17, with concession tickets available for £14.50. The production is recommended for ages 12 and older and contains strobe lighting.

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_Originally reported by [BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/scotland/article/NESTING-to-Make-World-Premiere-at-Edinburgh-Fringe-20260601)._