Next in our series of chatting to creatives and casts of Edinburgh Fringe 2026, we catch up once again with Melanie Gall who tells us all about their second show they are taking titled The Ballad Of Isobel Gunn. ”A new Scottish-Canadian musical recounting the extraordinary true tale of Isobel Gunn, a Scottish Orcadian woman who explored Canada in 1806, living as a man and working for the Hudson Bay Company. After journeying from the remote Orkney Islands, Isobel traveled 1800 miles across the Canadian wilderness as John Fubbister, a labourer in the fur trade. But when she unexpectedly gives birth, Isobel’s identity is revealed… A celebration of a long-forgotten hero who had the courage to live freely and the tenacity follow her dreams.”
How would you describe your show to someone discovering it for the first time at the Fringe?
I would describe it as a musical mixing true elements of history with original songs, and recreating a sense of what life in Northern Scotland and early Canada was like back in the early 1800s.
What moment, idea or frustration first sparked this show into existence?
Back in 2022, I was here at the Edinburgh Fringe, sampling veggie haggis with Erika Conway, the director of the fringe hit, Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me But Banjos Saved My Life. She mentioned she had a great idea for my next show. And she was right! As soon as I heard of Isobel Gunn, I fell in love with her story and it has been my obsession since then.
How has the show evolved from its earliest idea to what audiences will see now?
This show started with the music. I received a grant to write an album of music telling Isobel Gunn’s story, and the show evolved from the songs. This is the premiere of the show, and I’m so excited to share these original songs!
What makes Edinburgh Fringe the right place for this show right now?
I’m Canadian with Scottish ancestry. This is a Scottish-Canadian show being performed in Scotland. The Edinburgh Fringe is a perfect place for this show! At the same time, it explores gender identity in history (Isobel Gunn lived as a man in early Canada), and at a time when gender identity is such a vital issue, I feel that it is important to platforming this story from history that highlights people challenging the gender rigidity of the past.
What does bringing this particular show to the Fringe represent for you personally?
As I mentioned before, I’m Canadian with Scottish roots. This show represents the history of both my countries. Also, it is my first time integrating original music into one of my theatre shows, and that is a big step for me as a songwriter.
What has been the most unexpectedly challenging part of getting this show to Edinburgh?
Cutting down the show to 50 minutes has been a challenge! The songs originally had several verses, but with the limited time slot at the festival, I had to cut some of the verses. It resulted in a tighter show, but it was a challenge at first.
If audiences leave the venue holding onto one thing, what do you hope it is?
I hope they remember the name and story of Isobel Gunn. She deserves to be both remembered and celebrated. I also hope they hold on to the fact that it’s worth taking a risk to live the life you’d like to have, even if you don’t succeed, it’s better than living with regret.
How do you think performing this show during a Fringe run will shape it?
This is a new show, and I think it will be polished and shaped further throughout the Fringe run, ready for international touring!
Who do you hope this show finds at the Fringe?
I hope the show finds an audience, like everyone here. I also hope it gets booked at festival and theatres throughout the UK and beyond, and that this Fringe run is the start of a long life for the show.
Finally, if this show came with a warning label, what would it say?
Danger: May gain a new love of history!
The Ballad Of Isobel Gunn runs at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 7th – 29th August 2026 (Except 16th & 23rd).