“I worked in Ticketing at the Edinburgh Fringe last year, and feel like it’s given me a lay of the land.”
WHO: Melissa Pullinger
WHAT: “Grief. Stars. Mums. Lasagne. ‘Among the more than a thousand works on offer in the Fringe, Meteors is likely a standout – both entertaining and emotional, offering a chance for real connection’ ***** (InDaily.com.au). Grief isn’t part of the conversation. Especially not as a young person. No one knows what to say, so it’s simply left unsaid. An acclaimed breakout at the 2026 Adelaide Fringe, Melissa traverses the messy, non-linear aftermath of losing a mother at age 20, the vastness of the universe, too many lasagnes and the search for light in the dark.”
WHERE: Former Womens Locker Room at Summerhall (Venue 26)
WHEN: 21:00 (60 min)
MORE: Click Here!
Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
This will be our first Edinburgh Fringe as performers, and the first time our company, The CRAM Collective, have toured a show outside of Adelaide, Australia!
As Adelaide locals, we have worked at the Adelaide Fringe for multiple years and premiered this show, Meteors there this year. It was an incredibly successful season, resulting in multiple sold out shows, 5 star reviews and 4 awards, including the prestigious Create SA Edinburgh Fringe Award. This award has given us the opportunity to bring the show over to Edinburgh and we can’t wait to perform for international audiences.
I worked in Ticketing at the Edinburgh Fringe last year, and feel like it’s given me a lay of the land, so we’re really looking forward to coming over with our own show and performing at Summerhall.
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2025 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
The last 12 months have been pretty incredible for myself as a performer, and also for our company, CRAM.
The idea for Meteors began during my time at university, when I did a 3 minute devised piece on grief as a young person. Over the last 7 years, I slowly chipped away at writing a script and then last year we received the Centre Stage Residency at The Mill, a popular arts venue in Adelaide. It was incredible to have multiple development periods, honing the script and finding what it is to present an autobiographical, one-woman show. It was also amazing to see how Meteors resonated with audiences of all demographics, proving the importance of this story and the type of work that we can create as an emerging theatre company.
Throughout the season, I found the importance of being absolutely present with the audience, ensuring a vulnerability and connection that is vital to the show. I also learnt a lot about myself as a performer, including pacing myself and not getting swept up in the craziness of festival season – which I know is something that’ll be key for our month long run in Edinburgh!
Tell us about your show.
Meteors is an autobiographical, one woman show about mums, stars, grief and lasagne.
I started writing the show following the death of my mum when I was 20, when I realised how isolating grief can feel as a young person. Seven years since losing my mum, I have a deeper understanding of my own grief, as well as the ability to reflect back on harder times.
I know what it’s like to lose a parent, at a time when other young adults can’t even fathom it. I understand the waves of grief that hit when you least expect it, and I know how uncomfortable this conversation can be.
Meteors is produced and created by, The CRAM Collective, a South Australian independent theatre company. Co-founded by myself and 3 graduates from Drama School, we cram the most passionate and daring creatives into a room, making work that is both bold and authentic, encouraging audiences to challenge and redefine their points of view. Director of Meteors and co-founder of CRAM, Connor Reidy, also lost his mum when he was 24 and we’re incredibly proud to share this story.
Meteors premiered at the Adelaide Fringe, winning 4 awards and we now can’t wait to share it with Edinburgh audiences.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
How Not to Make it In America by Theatre Republic – A fellow South Australian company with a one-man show performing next door to us! We’ve seen this piece grow since its premiere in 2021, and now we can’t wait to see it performed for Edinburgh audiences. Jim Smith is a powerhouse onstage and delivers a tour de force of a performance.
Millicent Sarre is Too Tired to Smash (Patriarchy) – Mim is an incredible cabaret performer and an icon at Adelaide Fringe. This is her first time in Edinburgh and we cannot recommend enough!
My Grandpa Doesn’t Follow Me On Instagram – Yoz is a very talented artist and we were lucky enough to both develop and perform our shows at The Mill in Adelaide! Get along and support this show full of queer joy!
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