The Shocking Truth About Flat Earth - The team behind The Shocking Truth About Flat Earth on conspiracy theories, comedy and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
- Cultural Dose
- Aug 14
- 6 min read
The Shocking Truth About Flat Earth arrives at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe from Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, telling the story of a grieving woman whose life changes after she accidentally becomes a flat-earth influencer. Blending poignant moments with musical comedy, the production explores how friendship, purpose and unexpected online fame can emerge in surprising places, while also examining why conspiracy theories offer such a powerful sense of connection, belonging and support. We caught up with the Alex Moneypenny and Adam Tuffrey to find out more about the show.
Tell us about The Shocking Truth About Flat Earth?
Alex: The Shocking Truth About Flat Earth is our hilarious (promise) new comedy musical following Sharon Hargreaves, a forty-something flat earth fanatic, as she heads to Vegas with long suffering best friend Debs to see Adele in concert. While there, a Shakespearean moment of mistaken identity propels her on a journey of chaos, conspiracies and unexpected self-discovery.
Adam: It’s a gloriously unhinged musical with big tunes, bigger laughs and zero scientific credibility… we can’t wait to share it with the world.
What's the strangest piece of research you did for the show?
Alex: We spent endless hours on YouTube, Reddit & other online forums looking at the type of communities that Sharon would be speaking in. We particularly enjoyed getting to know David Weiss in his long YouTube debates, and Mark Sargent’s Flat Earth “clues” series. But possibly most bizarre was the moment we realised that, totally by accident, someone had literally done (sort of) the plot of our show. We started writing in 2023, but in 2024, a YouTuber by the name of Will Duffy invited 48 online flat earth content creators to Antarctica to witness the midnight sun, a natural phenomenon that contradicts most flat Earth beliefs – and there’s a documentary on the way. We spoke it into existence!Adam: Similarly, while not a flat earther, a family member (who shall remain nameless!) does love to tell me about the fluoride in toothpaste that’s poisoning my two kids, amongst other “lies the mainstream media will have you believe” on a daily basis. It’s fascinating (and frustrating at times!) to hear how staunch this otherwise normal and intelligent person is, when discussing what they believe. Selfishly though, it’s been great insight for the show!
The relationship between Sharon and Debs seems to sit at the heart of the show. Why is female friendship such an important part of the story?
Alex: While Sharon's online world pulls her deeper into her beliefs, it's her relationship with her best friend Debs that keeps her connected to reality, compassion and leads her back to herself… even as Debs unleashes her inner Karen. Growing up together in the south of England, Sharon & Debs’ relationship is inspired by the very best of both of our mum’s friends, many incredible women who are big parts of our extended families to this day. There is a fierce loyalty to female friendship that is so beautiful – and we wanted to celebrate and explore what we know.
Adam: This dynamic is also something we haven’t seen regularly on stage. Two women in their forties leading a show, and especially as Sharon's journey isn't about finding romantic fulfilment, it's rediscovering the value of the people who genuinely know and support her. Amid the outrageous comedy, chaos and larger than life musical numbers, we hope audiences are invested in seeing if these two brilliant women can find their way back to one another.
Sharon’s story begins with feeling unseen in her ordinary life. Are you hoping audiences might recognise something of themselves in her, even if they’d never join a conspiracy movement?
Alex: I think so. I think when I’m making or engaging in any art, there’s probably a deep subconscious part of me that just wants to know I’m not alone – and so I hope with Sharon, people will see themselves, how they might deal with a similar situation, how they might respond to the events of the show… But look, there’s no judgement here if they want to join a conspiracy movement as well… who says that’s not the secret aim of our show?!
Adam: What’s been most surprising from previous workshops of this piece is how many people, friends, family or otherwise, have asked “Was this character based on me?” when it was actually nothing to do with them! There is a hope that everyone who watches this show feels connected to the story, and they leave understanding how someone COULD end up believing the world was flat. Which we don’t, of course… or do we?
The show is funny, but it also deals with isolation and vulnerability. Did the emotional side of the material surprise you as you developed it? And how do humour and grief sit alongside one another in this show?
Alex: At its core, the show explores how people cope with loss. For Sharon, conspiracy theories offer certainty and control at a time when the world feels overwhelming, scary and unpredictable, and she feels lied to and let down by mainstream institutions. I think grief and humour go hand in hand – especially as English people, humour is probably our number one way of dealing with pain!
Adam: The comedy in the show never exists to undermine grief, it exists because of it. Sharon and Debs use humour to navigate difficult emotions, just as some people do in real life. Some of the funniest conversations Alex and I have had have happened when we’re trying not to fall apart! We wanted the audience to laugh at the absurdity of the situations while recognising something truthful underneath: that grief doesn't stop life from being funny, and laughter doesn't mean grief has disappeared. The two can coexist.
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre is developing new work for the Fringe with this production. How has that support shaped the piece?
Adam: Without sounding too cliche and trying to forget the fact that Wolverhampton will read, proof and edit these answers if we don’t say nice things, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre has, quite simply, taken this show from our dream to a reality. Their knowledge of the Fringe, their resources and most importantly, their patience working with us has all been invaluable. We’re really proud of what we’ve created, and we can’t wait for audiences to see the work.Alex: They’re producing it, they’ve funded us, they’ve supported us re-developing the script for the one-hour version with some great feedback, they’re looking after the marketing, they’re dealing with the venue and so much more. They are in essence creating the show’s stepping stone for its further life which we hope they’ll want to be involved in, and we’re incredibly grateful. We do need less suggestions for Jane McDonald references in the script though please, Tim and Karl. I still don’t know who she is.
In an era of algorithms and endless content, do you think audiences are hungry for stories about genuine connection?
Adam: I think we all know we’re living in a time where it's easier than ever to be connected digitally, but harder to feel genuinely connected to one another. Social media and algorithms can so easily reinforce our existing beliefs and encourage us to retreat into communities that think exactly as we do. I’ve seen it first hand with my 14-year-old son. It can be comforting, but it can also be isolating and at times, dangerous.
Alex: At the heart of The Shocking Truth About Flat Earth is the idea that real human relationships are often messier, more challenging and ultimately more rewarding than the certainty we can find online. Sharon doesn't change because someone wins an argument on the internet, she changes because of the people who continue to love her and refuse to give up on her. We hope audiences recognise something of themselves in that.
At the end of the festival, what would be considered a successful run for you and the company?
Alex: A Broadway transfer and a film. I’m aiming for an EGOT before 40.
Adam: I’ll be up for the whole Fringe, so if my wife & two kids survive the summer without killing each other, I’ll be a happy man.
The Shocking Truth About Flat Earth will be performed at 2:05pm at Pleasance Dome from 5th – 30th August.
