Next in our series of chatting to creatives and casts of Edinburgh Fringe 2026, we speak with Rhys Williamson who is bringing two shows to Edinburgh this year Fake and Heist. Fake is listed as ”It’s pretty, but is it art? Through magic, comedy and storytelling, Chris Cook shares the story of a faker so skilled he had to forge his way to freedom, an artist so talented he may himself be a fraud, a magician whose promise conceals a lie, and a mysterious figure who may not even exist.”. Heist is billed as ”The mastermind. The conman. The inside guy. We’re assembling a team. We’re doing a heist. Are you in? From magician and storyteller Chris Cook comes a show full of comedy and misdirection about audacious cons and daring thefts. ”
How would you describe your show to someone discovering it for the first time at the Fringe?
Fake is a true story about fakery, told by a liar. Magician Chris Cook explores one of the biggest art frauds in history through magic, storytelling and the question: if something fake makes you feel something real, does it matter?
Heist is a new caper from magician Chris Cook. Think Ocean’s Eleven, The Sting and Hustle, but told through the world of magic and storytelling. It’s fast-paced, frenetic and full of twists, turns and surprises.
What moment, idea or frustration first sparked this show into existence?
We’ve always been interested in storytelling shows and how you can use theatrical techniques to make audiences feel part of a story.
Fake started with a frustration: magic isn’t always considered art. We became fascinated by why that might be. Is it because magic is built on deception? Is dishonesty part of what makes it compelling? From there, we started exploring the world of art forgery and found all these fascinating parallels.
The spark for Heist came from Werewolf, which is returning to the Fringe this year. It’s an incredible piece of immersive theatre, and it made us want to create something where the audience felt genuinely involved. We thought the world of heists would be the perfect playground for that. The final show ended up being very different, but that was the moment that started the journey.
How has the show evolved from its earliest idea to what audiences will see now?
We made a very messy version of Fake in 2015 called White Lies. At its core, it told a similar story, but it was much more sprawling and had lots of different ideas competing for attention. We always thought of it as a show we’d return to when we were ready to do it justice. Last year, we realised we might finally be there.
Heist has gone through even more versions. It started as a fully immersive theatre piece where audiences would play along. We had versions involving celebrity guests and even one where the audience had to interact with a security guard. What we’ve landed on feels like the right balance for us: a theatrical storytelling show with the energy and unpredictability of a heist.
What makes Edinburgh Fringe the right place for this show right now?
For Fake, we have national and international touring ambitions, and the Fringe is one of the best places in the world to put a show in front of audiences, programmers and industry professionals. It gives us the chance to see how the show connects beyond our existing audiences.
For Heist, it’s about taking a new piece of work out into the world. The Fringe is the perfect testing ground: audiences get to discover something fresh, and the reviews and conversations around the show can help shape its future.
What does bringing this particular show to the Fringe represent for you personally?
We founded Snap the Arrow last year. Although we’ve been making shows together since 2014, that marked a real change in how we approached our work.
Our shows have always been well received, but since forming the company we’ve become much more focused on creating professional, polished productions that can have a life beyond the Fringe. Last year felt like we still had the stabilisers on. This year, we’re properly going for it.
What has been the most unexpectedly challenging part of getting this show to Edinburgh?
The biggest challenge has probably been bringing two shows.
Fake is a returning show, but it’s our first time working with Gilded Balloon, who have been fantastic. At the same time, we’re bringing a completely new show with Heist, which looks and feels different but still needs to have the things people enjoy about our work.
Finding the balance between the two has been challenging, but it’s also been one of the most exciting parts.
If audiences leave the venue holding onto one thing, what do you hope it is?
At both shows, we’re selling badges that say “I support independent artists.”
We came from the PBH Free Fringe, where audience donations through the bucket were how we were paid. We’re independent, we haven’t received funding, and we believe strongly in supporting the arts sector.
We try to see as much work as we can and put our money where our mouth is. If audiences come to the show and buy a badge, we’d be incredibly grateful. But even if they don’t, the most important thing is that they go and see something. Support artists. Take a risk on something new. That’s what keeps the sector alive.
How do you think performing this show during a Fringe run will shape it?
Developing Fake for Gilded Balloon has forced us to tighten the show. Every line has had to earn its place. The facilities at the venue have also allowed us to be more ambitious with the lighting and sound design.
With Heist, the audience will shape the show. Any new piece involving interaction is going to have moments where you discover what works and what doesn’t. That unpredictability is part of the excitement.
Who do you hope this show finds at the Fringe?
People who love stories. People who are fascinated by art, true crime, magic or the stranger side of human behaviour.
We’re also really excited that, being at Gilded Balloon, we’re able to welcome under-18s to the shows. We love the idea of families discovering theatre together.
Finally, if this show came with a warning label, what would it say?
Warning: we’re lying through our teeth.
Fake runs at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 5th – 31th August 2026.
Heist runs at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe from 8th – 30th August 2026.