Richard MacLean Smith brings his hit podcast Unexplained to the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time, adapting it’s regular format for the stage. For this show, Smith explores the mystery surrounding three lighthouse keepers who disappeared from the remote Flannan Isles in the year 1900. For fans of the podcast, the show is immediately recognisable, with Smith’s familiar voice, pacing, storytelling style, and atmospheric sound design present.
Performed in the small Theatre 3 at theSpace at Surgeons’ Hall, Unexplained Live makes surprisingly effective use of the limitations of the space. Smith performs as a presenter, without script on hand, carrying the 50 minute performance with only the story, small props, and unsettling music. Transforming a torch into a lighthouse beam and a periscope throughout adds a little extra imaginative touch to the performance.
The disappearance of the Flannan Isles keepers is a compelling mystery, combining historical fact and a lack of answers, with the spooky, paranormal, and inevitably reality. Smith’s approach is effective and true to the podcast, as he doesn’t sensationalise the mystery, choosing instead to present theories, balanced carefully with historical evidence, and his personal research. The story is imbued with a sense of authenticity and truly allows the audience to engage with both the mystery and history.
Smith’s strength in this performance is undoubtedly his storytelling and his engaging ability to make historical events feel present and personal. His evident research, including stories of interviewing those connected to the subjects gives the narrative weight beyond simply recounting another “supernatural” tale.
At times, the show falters a little, feeling like a lecture or extended presentation than a fully realised production. Given the “spooky” subject matter, there is also room for Unexplained Live to push the atmosphere further. With more scene setting early on, and stronger, more anticipatory musical cues, a greater sense of dread and unease could have been established before the story unfolded.
The most unexpected moment comes toward the end, when Smith picks up a guitar and performs a song he has written about the mystery. It initially feels slightly jarring against the established format, but quickly becomes one of the show’s highlights being haunting, beautiful, and surprisingly moving. It adds an emotional connection to the story that the narration does not quite achieve on its own, and is a welcome addition.
Ultimately, Unexplained Live delivers what it promises: an engaging live version of the podcast. It may lack some theatrical atmosphere needed to elevate it beyond a live storytelling event, but Smith is an accomplished narrator and the Flannan Isles mystery provides fascinating material. For existing podcast listeners, it is a worthwhile opportunity to experience Unexplained in a different format; for newcomers, it is an accessible introduction to Smith’s distinctive blend of storytelling, mystery, history, and the unexplained.
Unexplained Live is at theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall from 7-29 August 2026 (excluding 16 and 23 August) at 22:05, with a runtime of 50 minutes.
If the live show leaves you wanting more, Unexplained is available wherever you listen to podcasts, with new episodes exploring strange, mysterious, and often surprising stories.
Theatre Scotland 
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