Celtic Puppet Show

Sgeulachdan às an Táin – Tales from the Táin

See the world’s first ever puppet adaptation of the pan-Gaelic epic Táin Bó Cúailnge premier at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe! This is for everyone anywhere who loves puppetry, storytelling, and the language(s) and culture(s) of the Gaels!

This 30-minute theatrical gem combines handcrafted marionettes, professional puppeteers, and a hilariously inventive script to bring ancient legends to life like you’ve never seen before.

We are, to our knowledge, the only theatre group in human history – or, for that matter, in the history of any other species – to ever to adapt the Táin to puppet format. Our show has a thirty minute run time; is suitable for any adult who enjoys puppet-shows, storytelling, or Gaelic epics; and will run and will run from August 2nd-12th daily at 5PM at the Little Plaza (Fringe Venue 159).

How it Works

The Pac-Man-esque image above is what the pigeons currently use to navigate an electronic maze by pecking on the screen. We will beam in the video from the robot’s camera into the operant conditioning chamber (the box where the robot and pigeon are together. You can see a video screen in it) and overlay that with something similar to the Pac-Man screen. The pigeon will then peck on parts of the overlay to move the robot around in the real world. Then if it works the pigeon will navigate the robot through the same maze with a bird’s eye view!

Why See This Show

  • A Gaelic Treasure: Experience the epic through a witty, English-language script peppered with Scottish Gaelic – a tribute to the vibrant language and culture of the Gaels.
  • Puppetry Perfection: Marvel at bespoke marionettes and expert puppetry that’ll make you believe in magic.
  • Celtic Comic Relief: Laugh, gasp, and cheer as the Táin’s frame tale unfolds with both reverence and irreverence.

Who’s It For?

If you love:

  • Puppetry – You’ll be enchanted.
  • Storytelling – You’ll be enthralled.
  • Gaelic culture – You’ll be at home.
    Join us, whether you’re a seasoned Fringe-goer or a curious newcomer!

Meet the Dream Team Behind the Puppets!

Andrew McGregor – Director + Puppeteer

A novelist, piper, chess expert, martial arts teacher, strength athlete, and all-around modern-day Renaissance man (he has been featured in the Sports Section of the New York Times as an athlete and the Los Angeles Times as a musician). Andrew is drawing from his experience in the worlds of puppetry, filmmaking, acting, theatre tech, and Scottish Gaelic to create this show.

Dr. Adam Dahmer – Writer

Dr. Adam Dahmer – a script writer and Gaelic language consultant for the production – earned his PhD in Celtic and Scottish Stidies at the University of Edinburgh, where he was honored and delighted to have the opportunity to learn the Scottish Gaelic language, and many aspects of its attendant traditions of literature, poetry, and song.

He is thrilled to have been able to contribute to the first public performance of any part of the Táin Bó Cúailnge at the Free Fringe in puppet format!

Dr. Selena Milanovic – Performer

A curious alchemist of science, art, and imagination, enthusiastically blending her rational and creative sides to weave a tapestry of wonder. During her PhD at Oxford, she playfully mapped the human brain with mathematics, a modern-day cartographer of consciousness. Now at Siemens Healthineers, she shapes the future of medical technology while also channeling her boundless curiosity as a storyteller with the Berlin Stage Whisperers theatre group, crafting tales that shimmer with life’s endless possibilities.

Born in the heart of the Balkans and carried by the winds of curiosity across eight European countries, Selena has collected accents and stories. As a young representative of the World Economic Forum, she inspires young minds—especially girls—to embrace science and envision their future without boundaries.

Whether she’s guiding global healthcare or bringing characters to life on stage, Selena invites the world to imagine, create, and connect with no limits.

Liefia Ingalls — Perfomer + Puppeteer

Strongwoman, Storyteller, and Movement Guide

Liefia Ingalls’ work lives at the intersection of myth, muscle, and the natural world. A former World’s Strongest Woman champion, Liefia’s journey through competitive strength sports has evolved into something more elemental: a creative practice rooted in ritual, resistance, and the reclamation of power.

Her workshops and performances often unfold outdoors, where she invites participants to lift stones, breathe deeply, and remember the stories our bodies hold. Through this embodied work, Liefia explores themes of transformation, feminine archetypes, and the sacred tension between strength and surrender.

With a background in coaching and a gift for guiding others through physical and emotional thresholds, Liefia curates experiences that are both intensely grounded and symbolically rich. She has shared her work across the U.S. and internationally—from the rugged coasts of Iceland to the forests of Eastern Europe—building community through physical culture, storytelling, and shared ritual.

Liefia’s presence is both primal and poetic. She evokes ancestral memory through movement, reveals strength as a deeply creative force, and brings a sense of wildness, ceremony, and grounded emotional truth to collaborative and site-specific work.

Phil Warren – Performer + Puppeteer

Explorer, Adventurer, Accordion Player, a Meeter of People, and an Eater of Things

Phil Warren is a lover of clowns, puppets, eccentricity and esoterica- he’s performed as a busker in Santa Monica, California, and took second in a South African scat-spitting contest called “Bokdrol Spoeg”. As a child he swallowed a handful of coins, which assuredly led to him gaining their powers and memories- which were sadly negligible, on account of them being coins.

Anne P Moncrieff – Performer

Piper, Educator, Philosopher


Why Edinburgh Fringe?

Dùn Èideann (Edinburgh) is more than just the host city – it’s a central character in this story. With its deep Gaelic roots and legendary arts scene, there’s no better stage for this historic world premiere.

 

What to Expect

  • Show Length: 30 minutes of pure magic.
  • Languages: Primarily English with a dash of Scottish Gaelic.
  • Vibes: Playful, intelligent, and utterly unique.
  • Accessibility: Perfect for adults who love puppetry, storytelling, or Celtic lore.

When and Where?

Celtic Puppet Show: Tàin Bó Cúailnge’ at Free Fringe 2025
 
Venue and stage: Little Plaza (Fringe Venue Number 159)
 
Show start time: 17:00
 
Start date: August 2nd
 
End date: August 12th 
 
Venue Address: 24 Haddington Place EH7 4AF

 

Be Part of the Legend!

This isn’t just a show – it’s a moment. A historic meeting of ancient myth, cutting-edge puppetry, and Edinburgh’s iconic arts festival. Don’t miss your chance to witness the magic firsthand.