I Was Never Here. There Is No Spy Show.
Everybody be normal.A blundering sleeper agent has lost his memory. You — an audience of initiate spies — must help him get it back: crack codes, defuse doomsday devices, and try to follow one simple rule. Don't talk about spy show.
Dates
Rose Hall, Prohibition River
A World Premiere at Edinburgh Fringe 2026
Leo Lion, an NYC game-theatre artist known for interactive/immersive experiences, returns to Edinburgh Fringe with the world premiere of I Was Never Here (There Is No Spy Show). In a fusion of absurd clown and escape room, audiences race against the clock to help a blundering sleeper agent recover his lost memories and save the world. An hour of retro thriller meets looney tunes meets ASMR, jam-packed with bizarre and frenetic crowdwork, as an audience of initiate spies cracks codes, defuses doomsday devices, and tries to follow one simple rule.
Don't talk about spy show.
Lion's second Edinburgh Fringe outing follows the 2025 hit run of HELP ME!!!! (An Interactive Mime Seance), which toured to 10+ US festivals and stages in NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle & more. This show is created with Matthew Schott, creator of Saga of the Shining Emblem and A Thousand Rainy Mornings.
For I Was Never Here (2026)
"An hour of playfulness, problem solving and gentle mental gymnastics in the company of a captivating performer."
The Scotsman"Quirky, interactive, and above all, fun… it is impossible not to get swept up."
"An endlessly charismatic performer… Lion has firmly cemented his position as one of my favourite acts of the Fringe."
Binge Fringe Magazine"He is the worst kind of spy. And the most kind of fun… Lion has mastered this niche."
British Theatre Guide"Certified Fantastic Fringe."
Tony Loves The Fringe"The perfect fever-dream… clever and feel-good to the max."
The Student"An absolute masterpiece… so damn clever I almost feel too stupid to review it."
Fringe ReviewCreative Team & Company
Past Dates
theSpace @ Niddry Street Studio
BAH — EdFest by Duces Wild
Produce Spy Show
Interested in producing or booking I Was Never Here? Too bad. There is no spy show.
Press, photos & interviews: Leo Lion · leo@firebird.nyc
theSpaceUK Press Office · publicity@theSpaceUK.com · 0845 557 7519