Don’t Know? Have A Go!
★★★★☆ Masterfully crafted
theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall (Venue 53): Fri 7 – Sat 15 Aug 2026
Review by Erin Frances Speirs
Don’t Know? Have A Go! From Fast Snail Productions, beautifully and sensitively explores the power of memory in an emotionally taxing yet highly comedic production.
Set during a game-show, this fifty-minute one-hander, written, performed and directed by Robbie Hail, goes on a curious, hilarious, and haunting journey. It starts with the stage lit in a single blue LED – while Hail creeps down the auditorium aisle with a torch, the sound of water droplets echoing across the space.
Robbie Hail in Don’t Know? Have A Go! Pic: Fast Snail Productions.
This hair-raising tone is immediately broken, as Hail transforms into the suave game-show host, Benedict. He quickly introduces tonight’s contestant, John, who seems confused and unsure as to how he appeared in the studio, even though this is his favourite show.
Over the next fifty minutes, a fun game-show spirals into the physiological and physical interrogation of John.
Hail’s stage presence is masterful. He commands the space as the charming and sophisticated game show host; switching into the bumbling and nervous contestant in an instant. He crafts and controls the entire performance. He might be alone on stage, but it never quite feels like a one-man show.
slick and speedy
Will Evans’ direction is slick and speedy, while still allowing for moments of reflection and pain. The fast-paced and comedic nature of the piece only serves to further the emotional annihilation of the revelation of John’s true life.
Hail’s costume is fascinating and specific. On his top half he presents as the sophisticated game-show host Benedict, with a suit jacket, shirt and tie. However, his lower is John, wearing sweatpants and slippers on his bare feet. Not only does this feed into the two characters Hail portrays, but also highlights the homely, and lonely, life that John leads.
Robbie Hail in Don’t Know? Have A Go! Pic: Fast Snail Productions.
The play is also technically very proficient thanks to tech support from Ewan Little. A traditional (if deeply disturbing) game-show demands sound cues every few minutes. The specificity and tone of these help create depth to John’s world.
The constant confusing present – specifically surrounding John’s nervousness, fear, and eventually physical torture – does lead some moments to drag. However, the reveal at the end of the play remedies this with a vehement conclusion, tying in the fearful opening moments of the play.
commanding stage presence
Don’t Know? Have A Go!’s tragic ending is tempered with a beautiful moment of familial love and hope for connection as all the surreal loose ends come to fruition. The reality of what has actually been going is revealed with devastating impact, thanks to the Hail’s commanding stage presence and the play’s skilful structure.
Don’t Know? Have A Go! artfully explores the importance, pain, and struggle of holding onto memories. Hail has expertly crafted a piece of theatre that first confuses then destroys, emotions.. Hail and producers Fast Snail Productions deserve sold-out performances for this fervent, comedic, yet distressing show.
Running time: 50 minutes (no interval).
theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall (Stephenson Theatre), Surgeons Quarter, Nicolson Street EH8 9DW (Venue 53).
Friday 7 – Saturday 15 August 2026.
Daily: 4.35pm.
Tickets and details: Book here at EdFringe.com.
Tickets direct from venue: Book here.
Instagram: @_fastsnailproductions
Instagram: @robbiehail
Linktree: @fastsnailproductions.
ENDS
