The Uncrackable Case Review at the Edinburgh Fringe

With a strong concept, The Uncrackable Case should be Egg-cellent but struggles to find its target audience with concept and script.

⭐⭐⭐

Photo by David Lindsay

What is The Uncrackable Case?

We all know the nursery rhyme. Poor Humpty Dumpty had a great fall... but was he pushed? In The Uncrackable Case, Jill finds herself on trial for Humpty’s demise. Is she guilty or innocent? You'll have to watch the show to find out.

The writing team Olivia Race, Claire O’ Connor and Bay Bryan have built an ambitious narrative. The title song is especially catchy; I found myself humming it long after the show ended. That said, the script feels uneven. While the play appears to be aimed at children, the language at times is too complex with terms like “indicted,” “motive,” and even a reference to “trauma porn” that feels wildly out of place for a younger audience.

The courtroom scenes, although central to the plot, become somewhat repetitive and overlong. Simplifying the dialogue and refocusing the tone toward younger viewers could help the show connect more effectively. The one child in the audience during my visit seemed to lose interest early on. This a clear indicator that the script needs fine-tuning. Jill’s “I Want” song, Try, also feels repetitive and doesn’t quite deliver the emotional impact it aims for, despite the wealth of material to draw from.

Emily Spowage, Riana Duce, Alice Barber, and Purvi Parmar portray all the characters, often switching roles mid-scene. While the use of creative captioning was a clever touch and helped clarify who was who, the costume design felt underdeveloped, especially in the opening number. An additional cast member could help ease the load and sharpen character distinctions.

Among the cast, Parmar stands out with strong vocals, while Spowage brings great comic energy, leaning into the absurdity of the egg with enthusiasm. All performers demonstrate a commendable level of versatility and strong vocals.

Is The Uncrackable Case Worth Seeing?

Despite its flaws, this is a show with genuine potential. With tighter scripting, clearer tone, and a more focused target audience, The Uncrackable Case could evolve into something special. As it stands, it’s an enjoyable (if uneven) production with promise for future development.

Ticket Information and Show Times for The Uncrackable Case.

The Uncrackable Case runs until the 24th of August at Pleasance Courtyard (Pleasance Two), 60 Pleasance, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh Fringe. Show time is at 1.30PM. Tickets can be accessed through the Edinburgh Fringe website.

Location:  Pleasance Courtyard (Pleasance Two), 60 Pleasance, Edinburgh

Date of Review: 3rd of August

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Disclaimer: I was invited to this show on August 3rd, 2025 in exchange for an honest review. All views are my own and were not influenced by the invite.