Review: Woody Sez - The Life & Music of Woody Guthrie | Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026
Updated: Aug 19
Woody Sez: The Life & Music of Woody Guthrie returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, nearly two decades after its Fringe debut. Woody Sez plays at Underbelly Bristo Square until 30 August. Read my review below.
Woody Sez: The Life & Music of Woody Guthrie ★★★☆☆
Review: 15 August 2026 | Underbelly Bristo Sq, Cowbarn
Among all the new musicals trying out at the Edinburgh Fringe this year, there is a successful, critically acclaimed musical autobiography about one of America's defining voices, Woody Guthrie, which returns to the festival almost twenty years after its debut at the Fringe.
Performer David M. Lutken, who plays Woody and who also wrote the show, has teamed up with original director Nick Corley to bring Woody Sez back to the Edinburgh stage.
Woody Sez: The Life & Music of Woody Guthrie is less musical theatre and more a music-led, linear retelling of Guthrie's life. It takes a pretty straightforward format of "this happened, and then that happened" with unfortunately not much theatricality about it.
What it is, however, is a lovely concert of Guthrie's songs, all played live by four excellent musicians, interspersed with highlights from his life that come from well-researched historical documents - letters, diary entries, and excerpts from Guthrie's 1930s to 1940s newspaper column Woody Sez.
Although there are moments of brightness and humour, Guthrie's life was hard, and his story is unavoidably bleak. Appropriately, this production doesn't just tell the story of Woody Guthrie but of early twentieth-century America, the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. As a story, it beautifully presents the hardships endured by, and the resilience of, the people who lived through these times.
Although Woody's political views are touched upon - many of his songs are inspired by American socialism and anti-fascism - his ability to write a damn-good tune will be the draw for many. Woody Sez showcases more than 20 Guthrie songs, including the iconic 'This Land is Your Land', which the talented actor-musicians bring to life, playing more than 20 instruments, from guitars to fiddles, mouth organs, and even some I don't recognise.
David M Lutken embodies Woody Guthrie, with a genuine stage presence and charisma. He is brilliant. But as good as the other musicians are, their voices don't project from the stage, and they don't seem as comfortable as Lutken with their speaking roles.
Neither the performers nor their instruments are mic'd, and while this presents an authentic sound, it could be louder to generate more atmosphere and impact in the space. As a piece of theatre in the deep, cavernous Underbelly Cowbarn venue, Woody Sez becomes lost in the quieter moments.
This show would soar given the right venue (or perhaps if you are sitting right down the front of this one). It's crying out to be played in a more intimate space, somewhere that embraces the acoustic gig style of Woody and his band, and one that would perhaps encourage more natural interaction between Woody and his audience.
Fundamentally, while long-time fans will find much to enjoy, Woody Sez: The Life & Music of Woody Guthrie may find it a challenge to attract the next generation of theatregoers.
An extraordinary lead performance but one for the fans only. ★★★☆☆
Woody Sez: The Life & Music of Woody Guthrie is at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, at Underbelly Bristo Square (Cowbarn) until Sunday 30 August 2026
Performers: David M. Lutken, David Finch, Nyssa Grant and Raquel Chavez
Find all my Edinburgh Fringe coverage here: https://www.lisainthetheatre.com/edinburgh-fringe
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