When Prophecy Fails brings together a stellar collection of the brightest talent currently working in theatre in Scotland: Vicki Manderson, Finn den Hertog and Lewis den Hertog. With such illustrious creators, you’d expect great things and this production does not disappoint.

The story is based on a classic social psychology work of the same name, noteworthy as an early exploration of cognitive dissonance. Marian (Amy Kennedy), a housewife in 1950s Chicago, receives a message, first from her dead father, and latterly, from superior spiritual beings, informing her that the world is going to end on 21 December. A collection of followers assemble around her, some of whom receive their own mysterious communications including susceptible Daisy (Grace Gilbert). Together, they prepare for the day on which they’ll be rescued but – the clue’s in the title – no saviour spaceship lands to fetch them.

Manderson and the den Hertog brothers have created a magnificent exploration of the quiet devastation that follows when a long hoped for thing doesn’t materialise. The action unfolds through a combination of dance, movement, videography and sound. Lewis den Hertog’s jagged retro filmscape and brooding soundtrack conjure suspense from the moment the performers emerge from the shadows at the edge of the stage. The storytelling is largely told through movement. Occasional voiceovers help to paint a picture of the peculiar cult following attracted by Marian’s messages from beyond.

All credit to the five performers alongside Manderson and Finn den Hertog, the movement is the total star of this show. Groupwork dedicate their time to developing action as an ensemble – and this pays dividends. The performers are all awkward angles as they try to work out what is real, perfectly synchronised in their driven certainty that they’re on the right path and painfully fractured when their dreams are crushed. Benny Goodman‘s lights cast glorious shadows, echoing their outsize hopes and dreams. And Milla Clarke‘s set nicely grounds the story, avoiding it becoming only so much hot air.

The show closes with The Seekers’ gorgeous ‘When The Stars Begin To Fall‘, an anthem for disappointed dreams if ever there was one. The production has been developed over some years with first flickerings of the idea discussed as Trump came into office for the first time and the UK voted on whether or not we stay in the EU. Ten years on, the gap between what many of us might hope for – and the grim reality – is wider than ever. When Prophecy Fails is  here to hold our hand in the aftermath.

When Prophecy Fails is at Edinburgh Festival Theatre Studio until Sun 30 Aug 2026