As morning breaks, a rooster crows.Inspired by real people.
Live at the Edinburgh Fringe
Premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe — 18–23 August 2025
Three ★★★★ reviews
Chickens is a sharp comedy-drama that explores the chaos of love, life and obsession. Set in a cosy Edinburgh flat, the story follows Jay, an eccentric British enthusiast, and Weronika, his pragmatic partner, as they grapple with clashing priorities and cultural differences. From scientific lectures to impulsive chicken coop projects, their relationship begins to crack under the weight of unbalanced expectations. With humour, tenderness and unflinching honesty, Chickens unravels the delicate fabric of love and asks: can unilateral decisions ever be justified bygood intentions and the pursuit of happiness? Where is the line between care and control?
Cast & Crew
Some people bring flowers,
Some bring…
Press & Reviews
Critically acclaimed at the Edinburgh Fringe 2025 with:
Three ★★★★ reviews
(The Scotsman, All Edinburgh Theatre, British Theatre Guide)
Highly Recommanded by FringeReview,
and the EFFTA Award.
THE STORY BEHIND
the playwright
and the producer
Monika Klisch
In March 2021, I moved to Edinburgh.
That’s when I fell in love with theatre.After going through three bouts of COVID and experiencing massive burnout at work, I quit my IT job to recover. I started taking vocal and acting classes, and after being inspired by a friend, I began writing Chickens – a darkly funny relationship story set in a small Edinburgh flat.
Then life happened – illness, travel between countries, and personal loss, including the sudden death of my father.
I forgot about Chickens for three years.
Recently, a friend offered quiet encouragement and simply said:
“Let people see Chickens.”
I thought to myself:
"I've been unemployed for seven months. I still have some savings. Things can’t really get worse...
What if this turns out to be the adventure of a lifetime?"
So this year, I find myself not only a writer, but a first-time producer.
Chickens is part of the official Edinburgh Fringe programme – and I can’t wait to see it emerge on stage.
From Breakfast Table
to the Fringe Stage
Inspiration
In August 2021, I went on holiday to the Isle of Lewis with my friend. We stayed in an Airbnb run by a woman who had her own chickens and would wake up at 5 a.m. to bake fresh croissants and make us the most incredible breakfasts I’ve ever had. She was also an artist – a photographer, published poet – and a deeply inspiring person.
Every morning she’d serve us fresh poached eggs – with bright, rich yolks from her own hens.
A few months after we got back home, my friend, while eating breakfast, suddenly sighed and said,
“Blimey, those poached eggs at the last bed & breakfast... still the best I've ever had. Maybe we should just go back and steal her chickens.”
We laughed, of course. But something clicked in my mind.
That absurd little idea kept rolling around in my head until one day I sat down – and wrote Chickens.
Can good intentions justify unilateral choices?
The project was supported by the Polish Cultural Institute in London