RUGBURN Review at the Edinburgh Fringe

Mat Sanders’ RUGBURN is a joy to watch. An unapologetically bold and sexy piece elevated by its razor-sharp technical design.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

They say you see all kinds of performance at the Edinburgh Fringe, and RUGBURN proves the point. Sanders, dressed only in a mask and jockstrap, begins lost in a club, disoriented by drug use. From there, he slams the accelerator to the floor, sharing his life as an LA interior designer. The piece outlines the dizzying highs and the crushing lows with unflinching honesty.

His deeply personal story lands powerfully, even for audiences far removed from his world. Endearing from the outset, Sanders commands the stage for a full hour, a feat of endurance and vulnerability. With director Telly Kousakis and choreographer Nick Lanzisera shaping the movement and pace, the result is an edgy, sometimes uncomfortable watch, which I feel is exactly the point. He also has a wonderful singing voice.

Lighting, sound, and set design are used very well in this show. Each element is working in sync to immerse us in Sanders’ world. Unsurprisingly, given his own background in design, every visual detail is deliberate, creating an atmosphere that feels at once believable yet fantastical.

Overall this is a confident, well-paced work. RUGBURN is stylish, gripping, and impossible to look away from. I highly recommend you catch it at the Fringe this year.

Ticket Information for RUGBURN:

RUGBURN runs at the C Arts Alto Theatre at 9:40PM each day as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival until the 24th of August. You can buy tickets here.

Location:  C Arts Alto Theatre, Edinburgh

Date of Review: 5th of August

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Disclaimer: I was invited to this show on August 5th, 2025 in exchange for an honest review. All views are my own and were not influenced by the invite.