Crunching the numbers after Assembly Festival
FAGHAG and TERF both won a Fringe Award from Scotland’s LGBTQIA+ Magazine Somewhere For Us.
The Edinburgh Reporter - 2 September 2024
Our fabulous Fringe Award winner: TERF
There are over 300 shows being staged by LGBTQ+ performers or shows with LGBTQ+ themes at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe. We are in awe of the talent and creativity running through the diverse programme of shows this year. Huge congratulations to our fantastic winners.
Somewhere For Us - 24 August 2024
TERF [Edinburgh Fringe]
Sometimes a show on the Edinburgh Fringe is less about getting bums on seats and more about the message. TERF is a clear protest against the rise of transphobia in the UK, a headline-grabbing affair intended to improve the level of debate beyond its current ‘moral panic’ like status. It’s here to educate and inform. While also being a solid 75 minutes of entertaining theatre.
Starburst Magazine -14 August 2024
terf - HIghly recommended show
This is a brave, topical, provocative and important play which captures the spirit of what Fringe plays should try to do; be relevant, catalyse discussion and exhibit artistry. It does all of these things, but I suspect, not totally as they had intended. Well worth seeing.
Fringe Review - 13 August 2024
Rowling's transphobic tweets have become a joke
How transphobia should be cured, or how difficult polarization should be bridged, the play "TERF" does not provide an easy answer either. But to see JK Rowling's digital play embodied and such an extreme polarization around a highly topical issue given human form is still worth a lot.
Aftonbladet - 13 August 2024
A Play About J.K. Rowling Stirred Outrage. Until It Opened.
There are more than 3,600 shows in this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe and most will struggle to get even a single newspaper review. Yet for months before the festival opened on Friday, one play was the subject of intense global media attention: “TERF,” an 80-minute drama about J.K. Rowling, the “Harry Potter” author, and her views on transgender women.
NY Times - 7 August 2024
EdFringe 2024 | Reviews -- TERF
TERF, written and directed by Joshua Kaplan, blazes into the Fringe to a cacophony of Twitter notification pings, bringing unapologetic social commentary to the stage, 280 characters at a time. At its heart, it explores humanity and responsibility, and does not excuse, pedestal, or especially vilify any of its characters.
All Edinburgh Theatre - 6 August 2024
TERF - The Nerd Party at Edinburgh Fringe 2024
"TERF," the bold and brave new play making its debut at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival despite a last-minute cancellation by the original venue, is the brainchild of writer and director Joshua Kaplan. Kaplan dives deep into the turbulent aftermath of J.K. Rowling’s public comments on gender identity, examining the rift between the author and the key actors from the Harry Potter films.
The Nerd Party - 4 August 2024
This JK Rowling drama dares to stage a topic even politicians shy from confronting
It does the public no little service in daring to set on stage a topic that even senior politicians fight shy of addressing... The script is at its most interesting in teasing out the irony of Rowling’s journey from struggling single mother to someone seen as siding against the oppressed.
The Telegraph - 2 August 2024
Predicting Edinburgh Fringe's most controversial 2024 shows
Top of the list for this year’s most headline grabbing shows has to be ‘TERF’. The play will premiere on 2 August in the Assembly Rooms and run for the length of the Fringe with its plot that imagines a confrontation between ‘Harry Potter’ author J.K. Rowling and the now-adult stars of her famous books’ film adaptations.
Euronews - 2 August 2024
‘Terf wars’? Trolls stay away from Edinburgh’s JK Rowling play
It’s a Stoppardian comedy of ideas, in which characters – including the stars of the Harry Potter films, here played as self-absorbed, overgrown children – try to out-argue each other without success; their rhetoric is mostly compelling for what it reveals about their personalities.
The Telegraph - 1 August 2024
Edinburgh festival: The Jewish back story to its most controversial play
The most controversial play at the Edinburgh Fringe this year is by Joshua Kaplan, not the JK of JC fame but a gay American lawyer-turned-writer working in Hollywood writers’ rooms for the TV show Tokyo Vice.
The Jewish Chronicle - 31 July 2024
TERF
Over the last few years, when J. K. Rowling began aligning herself with T.E.R.F. ideology—the acronym for a “trans-exclusionary radical feminist”—many of her fans were flummoxed. Among those disgruntled by her views were Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, who respectively played Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter film series.
Air Mail - 30 July 2024
Edinburgh Festivals: the 50 best shows to see this August
Already the talk of the Fringe after struggling to find a venue, US playwright Joshua Kaplan’s debate-stirring trans-era satire imagines Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint deciding to stage “an intervention” against JK Rowling because of her “gender-critical” views.
The Telegraph - 23 July 2024
Producers of controversial JK Rowling play at Edinburgh Fringe preparing for protests
The producers of a controversial Edinburgh Festival Fringe play about JK Rowling’s trans views are preparing for protests ahead of the show opening next month. The play, titled TERF, imagines the stars of the Harry Potter film franchise staging an “intervention” for the author who has repeatedly argued online that trans women are not women.
The Independent - 20 July 2024
GWYNETH PALTROW, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE AND KYLIE JENNER FEATURE IN THIS THEATRE COLUMN
There's one sure way to get attention for a play no one has yet seen, and that's to write about famous people. It helps if controversy is already attached to said famous names. Playwright Joshua Kaplan both learned and proved that lesson with his play TERF, which has stirred up passions in advance of an Edinburgh Festival Fringe run with its imagined portrayal of author JK Rowling coming face to face with Harry Potter film actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint in a confrontation over her public stance on gender.
The Stage - 19 July 2024
A New Play Called TERF Will Dramatize J.K. Rowling’s Relationship With Harry Potter Stars
In recent years, J.K. Rowling has arguably become as well-known for her rampant transphobia as she is for her boy wizard books — so much so that a new play chronicling the Harry Potter author’s descent into TERF-ism may need enhanced security after already changing venues once.
THEM - 19 July 2024
A Controversial Play About JK Rowling Is Coming To the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
J.K. Rowling’s hateful campaign against trans people is the inspiration for a new play.
It’s called TERF—the title was considerably toned down; it was originally TERF C**t—and it will play at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival from August 2. It’s already lost one venue thanks to the original title. It was planned to premiere at Saint Stephens Theater, and has now moved to the Assembly Rooms. Playwright Joshua Kaplan has admitted in an interview with Deadline that it was a “misstep” to put the word “c**t” in there. But TERF, as you may know, stands for Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist, and is not a slur—in fact, including “feminist” in the moniker is giving them a lot of undue credit.
The Mary Sue - 19 July 2024
A New Play Called TERF Will Dramatize J.K. Rowling’s Relationship With Harry Potter Stars
In recent years, J.K. Rowling has arguably become as well-known for her rampant transphobia as she is for her boy wizard books — so much so that a new play chronicling the Harry Potter author’s descent into TERF-ism may need enhanced security after already changing venues once.
Simply titled TERF, the one-act production is set to premiere at Edinburgh Fringe Festival this August. Penned by Tokyo Vice writer Joshua Kaplan, the play centers on a fictional intervention that Potter film stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint hold for Rowling regarding her highly public opposition to transgender rights. And due to the subject matter, producers are bracing for a public backlash in the wake of extensive online criticism. Them - 19 July 2024
Simply titled TERF, the one-act production is set to premiere at Edinburgh Fringe Festival this August. Penned by Tokyo Vice writer Joshua Kaplan, the play centers on a fictional intervention that Potter film stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint hold for Rowling regarding her highly public opposition to transgender rights. And due to the subject matter, producers are bracing for a public backlash in the wake of extensive online criticism. Them - 19 July 2024
J.K. Rowling Edinburgh Play: Producers Brace For Protests Over Story That Imagines Trans Rights Row Between Author & ‘Harry Potter’ Stars
The producers of a buzzy Edinburgh Festival play about J.K. Rowling’s trans views are preparing for protests ahead of the show opening next month.
Penned by Joshua Kaplan, a Hollywood writer whose credits include HBO’s Tokyo Vice, TERF imagines a confrontation between Rowling and the stars of Harry Potter over her views on transgender rights. Deadline - 19 July 2024
Penned by Joshua Kaplan, a Hollywood writer whose credits include HBO’s Tokyo Vice, TERF imagines a confrontation between Rowling and the stars of Harry Potter over her views on transgender rights. Deadline - 19 July 2024
TERF play about J.K. Rowling to debut at Edinburgh Fringe Fest
A new play debuting at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is raising hairs on both sides of the Atlantic.
TERF, a new play by American writer Joshua Kaplan, explores the debate over trans issues between disgraced Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling — who now spends nearly all her time attacking trans people online — and the actors who starred in the movies based on her books. OUT - 11 July 2024
TERF, a new play by American writer Joshua Kaplan, explores the debate over trans issues between disgraced Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling — who now spends nearly all her time attacking trans people online — and the actors who starred in the movies based on her books. OUT - 11 July 2024
Controversial new play ‘TERF’ about J.K. Rowling to debut at Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Accio controversy! ‘TERF’, a new one-act play which is set to premiere next month at the Edinburgh Fringe takes on Rowling and imagines “intervention” between the controversial author and the Harry Potter film stars. The backlash has already begun...
Euronews - 11 July 2024
TERF, A New Play Interrogating J.K. Rowling's Incendiary Legacy, Will Play Edinburgh Fringe
Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling's digital campaign against the transgender community is coming to a head at this year's Edinburgh Fringe.
The play, called TERF, imagines Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, and Daniel Radcliffe (who starred in the films adapted from Rowling’s novels) holding an intervention against the author for her views on gender. The films' cast has been publicly critical of her views, with 2024 Tony winner Radcliffe routinely rejecting her behavior after going no contact with the author. Playbill - 10 July 2024
The play, called TERF, imagines Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, and Daniel Radcliffe (who starred in the films adapted from Rowling’s novels) holding an intervention against the author for her views on gender. The films' cast has been publicly critical of her views, with 2024 Tony winner Radcliffe routinely rejecting her behavior after going no contact with the author. Playbill - 10 July 2024
New Play TERF Takes On J.K. Rowling at Edinburgh Fringe Festival
TERF, a new play set to premiere on August 2nd at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, has become one of the most talked-about plays heading to the festival this year.
The play takes on J.K. Rowling, the billionaire creator of the Harry Potter universe and the most vocal celebrity supporter of the gender-critical movement, which seeks to ban transgender women from women-only spaces and services.
Broadway World - 10 July 2024
J.K. Rowling Play ‘TERF’: How Controversial is the Buzzed-About Production?
It’s one of the most talked-about plays in years — and it hasn’t even had its first rehearsal.
That’s because TERF, a new one-act production set to premiere Aug. 2 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, dares to take on one of the most powerful — and controversial — women on the planet.
That would be J.K. Rowling, billionaire creator of the Harry Potter universe, and now the de facto leader of the gender critical movement that seeks to ban transgender women from women-only spaces and services. The Hollywood Reporter - 10 July 2024
That’s because TERF, a new one-act production set to premiere Aug. 2 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, dares to take on one of the most powerful — and controversial — women on the planet.
That would be J.K. Rowling, billionaire creator of the Harry Potter universe, and now the de facto leader of the gender critical movement that seeks to ban transgender women from women-only spaces and services. The Hollywood Reporter - 10 July 2024
Play about JK Rowling trans row changes venue amid safety fears
An Edinburgh Fringe show criticising JK Rowling’s views on transgender rights has been forced to move venues amid fears of protests.
The play, called TERF, imagines Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Daniel Radcli e — who played the lead roles in the Harry Potter films adapted from Rowling’s novels — forming an intervention against the author for her views on gender. The film cast have been publicly critical of her views in real life.
It will now show at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh, o ering the play “greater freedom, resources and a safer space”, Joshua Kaplan, its writer, said.
The Times - 8 July 2024
It’s great to play a character with ‘edge’: The Texan who’ll portray JK Rowling on stage
When the casting call went out for the Edinburgh Fringe’s edgiest show of the year, 16 women vied for the chance to play the lead.
Despite directors being “dead set” against casting a non-Brit, Laura Kay Bailey, a Texan, was selected to portray JK Rowling in Terf, which will dramatise the rift between the author and the stars of Harry Potter when it hits the stage next month.
The title is an acronym of “trans-exclusionary radical feminist” and is used to refer to people who do not believe transgender identities are legitimate and oppose including trans women in the feminist movement. The Times - 7 July 2024
Despite directors being “dead set” against casting a non-Brit, Laura Kay Bailey, a Texan, was selected to portray JK Rowling in Terf, which will dramatise the rift between the author and the stars of Harry Potter when it hits the stage next month.
The title is an acronym of “trans-exclusionary radical feminist” and is used to refer to people who do not believe transgender identities are legitimate and oppose including trans women in the feminist movement. The Times - 7 July 2024
Creator of controversial TERF play at Edinburgh Fringe says they would welcome JK Rowling
The creator of the controversial new play TERF has said he would “welcome” a visit from JK Rowling during its run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Despite not yet being performed to any audience, the play, which explores the now fraught relationship between the Harry Potter author and the actors who rose to fame in the cinematic adaptations, has already proven controversial. Following the author’s decision to criticise the transgender community, stars including Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson spoke out in support of trans and gender variant people. The Independent - 25 June 2024
Despite not yet being performed to any audience, the play, which explores the now fraught relationship between the Harry Potter author and the actors who rose to fame in the cinematic adaptations, has already proven controversial. Following the author’s decision to criticise the transgender community, stars including Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson spoke out in support of trans and gender variant people. The Independent - 25 June 2024
Edinburgh Fringe venue threatens to pull play about JK Rowling’s trans rows
An Edinburgh Fringe venue has threatened to pull the plug on a controversial play about JK Rowling’s views on trans issues, its producer has claimed.
Terf, which examines the Harry Potter author’s falling-out with the stars of the film franchise following her public comments on gender, had been scheduled for a 23-date run at St Stephen’s Theatre, a prominent Fringe venue in the Scottish capital.
However, the play, described as the most provocative to be staged at the Fringe for years, is now at the centre of a de-platforming row over claims the venue has axed the shows. The Telegraph - 23 June 2024
Terf, which examines the Harry Potter author’s falling-out with the stars of the film franchise following her public comments on gender, had been scheduled for a 23-date run at St Stephen’s Theatre, a prominent Fringe venue in the Scottish capital.
However, the play, described as the most provocative to be staged at the Fringe for years, is now at the centre of a de-platforming row over claims the venue has axed the shows. The Telegraph - 23 June 2024
J.K. Rowling Is the Subject of a New Controversial Comedy
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is one of the biggest arts festivals in the entire world, and it always features a number of interesting comedic acts. For example, this year we’re getting the premiere of a musical parody all about the shitty Willy Wonka event that we’ve already forgotten about and completely moved on from. But hey, at least non-Scottish non-comedian John Stamos is tangentially involved.
One of the shows at the festival that’s getting a ton of media attention is TERF, which isn’t a misspelled stage show about foam toys, but rather, a satire seemingly about J.K. Rowling and her raging transphobia and unbridled enthusiasm for crapping all over her own legacy.
CRACKED - 20 June 2024
‘I’m not calling JK Rowling a terf’: Inside the play that has Edinburgh running scared
“Friends keep messaging to ask if I’m ok,” says the playwright Joshua Kaplan. “The other day [the far right US website] Breitbart called me a woke fascist child-mutilating supporter. No matter how much I try to keep the narrative clean, people wilfully misinterpret it.”
Kaplan, 45, is the man behind what is being regarded as the most provocative play to hit the Edinburgh Fringe in years. A speculative comedy about JK Rowling, inspired by her fall out with the Harry Potter actors Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint over Rowling’s gender-critical views, Terf was passed over by five leading Fringe venues before finding a home at the Ian McKellen Theatre, where it will premiere in August. The Telegraph - 18 June 2024
Kaplan, 45, is the man behind what is being regarded as the most provocative play to hit the Edinburgh Fringe in years. A speculative comedy about JK Rowling, inspired by her fall out with the Harry Potter actors Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint over Rowling’s gender-critical views, Terf was passed over by five leading Fringe venues before finding a home at the Ian McKellen Theatre, where it will premiere in August. The Telegraph - 18 June 2024
Trans wars on stage: play about JK Rowling heads for the Fringe
Its plot is so explosive that the biggest Edinburgh Fringe promoters turned it down, but a show dramatising the rift between JK Rowling and the stars of Harry Potter is to go ahead this summer.
Terf is written by Joshua Kaplan, a Hollywood scriptwriter, and envisages a “happening” when the grown-up actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint meet the author who helped to make them famous. The Times - 18 May 2024
Terf is written by Joshua Kaplan, a Hollywood scriptwriter, and envisages a “happening” when the grown-up actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint meet the author who helped to make them famous. The Times - 18 May 2024