Review: Linus Karp was Hit with an Umbrella, Fringe 2026

The title Linus Karp was Hit with an Umbrella is just a factual statement. And grammatically correct – with being the operative word, as umbrellas aren’t the real problem here. Homophobic, aggressive men committing hate crimes are the problem; the umbrella was just minding its business.

But, let’s circle back to the fact that someone hit Linus Karp with an umbrella. Who would do such a thing? To Linus Karp of all people. Y’know, Linus Karp, the Jellicle, DIconic, Gooptacular Swedonian prince. THAT Linus Karp. Well, actually, we know who: someone going by the name of Benjamin Paterson.

Sadly the case never went to trial.

UNTIL NOW!

Vibe

As we enter the room, the stage is set to resemble the fateful night the hate crime took place, in the streets of Soho. There’s boards to represent places like Soho Theatre, and the Admiral Duncan, all lit up under bluey-purple lighting.

The vibe is very much Linus confronting what happened to him on that night (I’d imagine also getting a bit of closure) and raising vital awareness about the increase in hate crimes on the LGBTQIA+ community. So, a bit different to every other show I’ve seen from Awkward Productions – but also incredibly important.

You’ll be pleased to know the humour’s still there, despite the fact that what happened to Linus isn’t actually funny at all.

The show itself

Quick note; I don’t often get to see Linus Karp as Linus Karp… normally I see Linus Karp as Diana, Gwyneth or a Swedonian royal. I think this is only the second time I’ve seen Linus Karp as Linus Karp, the first time being How to Live a Jellicle Life. There was also that one-off show last year of… y’know, his actual legal wedding to Joseph Martin, but I missed that one.

The show recounts what happened the night of the horrendous attack on Linus, including playback of the actual recording of the call Joseph made to the police as we go. Of course, at the time I’d read about it in the news, but it’s uncomfortable and a bit shocking to hear the call, along with the description of the attack in detail from the person standing right in front of you; what he was thinking and feeling as it happened in real time. Then there’s the frustration of what happened immediately afterwards.

I think Linus says that what he was wearing was how he was dressed on the night; in a t-shirt and shorts, looking completely harmless and… well, vulnerable, at least when you think about it in the context that someone had done something so horrific.

There’s also real social media reactions read out by participating audience members, who were handed cards when they arrived, in the classic Awkward Productions style. I liked that bit of familiarity, so it still felt fundamentally like the Awkward Prods shows we know and love. Another very welcome addition was the statistics section, with added puppetry.

After hearing about the horrible details of what happened to Linus, how it affected him, the public trauma of it all, and the social media messages of support from others who had experienced similar attacks flooding in… it’s time for a bit of a cathartic moment, with our very own trial – because that’s the least Linus deserves. But that doesn’t mean he also can’t also have some fun with it.

One audience member – a ‘straight passing’ man – gets to play Paterson on trial, and this is awkward but also hilarious.

Overall

I found Linus Karp was Hit with an Umbrella a bold, brave and powerfully triumphant show of unity, support and love. Love in the face of growing hate against the LGBTQIA+ community that we’re seeing every day.

It’s a funny, engaging, and very personal show – with an incredibly important message at its heart. And, if you stay right until the end, you’ll get a massive payoff that I promised I wouldn’t spoil. So, there’s that.

Overall, an absolutely unmissable show for Fringe 2026.

NOTE: Audiences are also told to grab a random personal ‘queer joy task’ drawn from an umbrella at the door – although, I’m not sure how easy it’ll be to fulfil mine! Guess I’m just going to have to be a successfully rich painter and that’s that. Thanks, Awkward Prods!