If one wanted to understand the rules of Sumo then Sumo For Dummies or a series of YouTube clips would probably suffice to help understand the noble art. Or, you could come along to The Sumo Show and be treated to a 30 minute powerpoint presentation with a small amount of Sumo demonstration to whet your appetite.

That’s what the first half of this interminable production amounts to. The sniff of, “Ooh, let’s get some Sumo wrestlers on the stage and try to make a few bucks from them,’ lies heavily in the air throughout.

Admittedly the second half introduces some Sumo actual wrestling and on a hot day in Edinburgh these big lads are feeling the heat.

A presenter joins the fray. He does not have perfect English and is, in fact, how someone from The Fast Show or, even worse, a 1970s ITV sitcom, would portray a Japanese gentleman. It feels very much hammed up for the audience who, surprisingly, seem to be warming to this strange dish.

Members of the audience participate in a short Q&A before the art is further defiled when three audience members are invited to fight.  Whisked back-stage they don Temo-esque Sumo fat suits and do battle with the actual Sumos.  It’s really quite degrading.

It’s not theatre, It’s not comedy. But it is uniquely Fringe. It’s just a shame that it exists really.

The Sumo Show HIRAKUZA is at Udderbelly at Underbelly, George Square until Mon 31 Aug 2026