Edinburgh Fringe 2026 is finally underway. We speak to Lily Filappatos who is director of Doughboys. ‘”With America entering the Great War, Private Sandes has finally arrived at the Western Front with just one problem. A problem that must be kept secret from the bumbling Sergeant… Sandes is a woman. Disguised as an American Doughboy, Sandes isn’t the only drag king in the trench. Bianconi, a desperate bachelorette, has come to No Man’s Land to land… a man. And Furse, an orphan, is looking for her MIA brother. With battle looming and the Sergeant’s second-in-command threatening to reveal them, the women have just hours to find love, family and themselves before all hell breaks loose.”
How would you describe your show to someone discovering it for the first time at the Fringe?
Doughboys is 5-person historical farce about women, drag and World War 1. Three American women arrive at the frontlines of the Great War disguised as soldiers. They have one night to find love, family, and themselves before all hell breaks loose!
What moment, idea or frustration first sparked this show into existence?
Our producer Meena Knowles was hitting a wall trying to find new plays with stories led by women. Doughboys puts women front and center in a story that explores identity, breaking barriers, and daring to step outside our societal roles.
How has the show evolved from its earliest idea to what audiences will see now?
From our two sold-out runs in New York City, we have had the chance to workshop our show in front of audiences, fine-tuning our fast-paced farcical style with each run.
What makes Edinburgh Fringe the right place for this show right now?
The international melting pot of Edinburgh Fringe is the perfect place for Doughboys, which explores the meeting of cultures—America, Britain and Senegal. In a world where queer rights are under attack, it is important to show that queer people have always been here, we’ve been your soldiers, your dancers, your rebels. And we’re not going anywhere.
What does bringing this particular show to the Fringe represent for you personally?
As a queer woman it warms my heart to tell the story of those who aren’t written into the history books. It is also a joy to bring this piece to life with a team of extremely talented artists and friends.
What has been the most unexpectedly challenging part of getting this show to Edinburgh?
We have an intricate set designed by the lovely Caitlynn Barrett, including 6 crates, 6 sandbags, and over 60 unique props. It was a welcome challenge to create something portable yet authentic to maintain a high production value.
If audiences leave the venue holding onto one thing, what do you hope it is?
You don’t always have to play the role you’re given.
How do you think performing this show during a Fringe run will shape it?
Since our show is a fast-paced comedy, it will be informative to see how audiences in Edinburgh respond to certain jokes differently than our American audiences. In having to keep our show at a certain length for our venue, it will give us the chance to master our farcical pace like a well-oiled machine. Lastly, our team is inspired and invigorated by seeing great work all around the fringe.
Who do you hope this show finds at the Fringe?
Our show is a love letter to anyone who’s ever had the courage to strike out against the status quo, or to anyone who needs that courage now.
Finally, if this show came with a warning label, what would it say?
Warning: loud noises, gay soldiers, and disobedient women. Hang onto your mustaches! 😉
Doughboys runs at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 7th – 22nd August 2026 (Except 16th).