Help Put Miles Davis on Stage at The Edinburgh Fringe

“Choosing creativity is what separates us from the animals.”

Presented by the acclaimed theatre company :DELIRIUM: in collaboration with Lauren Reed Productions, MILES. is a powerful new production that traces the life, legacy, and genius of jazz legend Miles Davis.

At its heart is the creation of the groundbreaking 1959 album Kind of Blue, the best-selling jazz record of all time and a pivotal moment in music history. More than just a biographical piece, this production is a deep dive into the soul of an artist whose influence transcended genres and generations.

Through :DELIRIUM:’s signature multi-disciplinary theatrical approach, the show blends narrative, movement, and visual storytelling to create an immersive, dream-like journey into Davis' complex world—a world of innovation, addiction, brilliance, and transformation. The story explores how Davis pushed boundaries, shaped new sounds, and ultimately redefined what jazz could be.

Adding to the atmospheric magic of the piece is live music by the UK’s leading jazz trumpeter, Jay Phelps, and introducing RADA graduate Benjamin Akintuyosi as Miles. The fusion of live music and theatre evokes the smokey jazz clubs and fevered late-night recording sessions of mid-century New York, transporting audiences directly into the era that gave birth to cool.

MILES. is not just a celebration of an album, but a portrait of a man who became a symbol of artistic freedom. It is a must-see for jazz lovers, theatre-goers, and anyone moved by the sound of revolution.

This show will premiere at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2025 at Summerhall where writer and director, Oliver Kaderbhai, has proudly received this year’s prestigious Meadows Award — an initiative launched by Summerhall Arts to support Artists of Colour.

Your donation will directly contribute toward the development and first production of MILES. You will be helping to bring an important cultural story to life, you will be championing new writing and underrepresented narratives whilst supporting bold, intimate work at the world’s best and biggest Fringe Festival.

With a focus on artistic value, cultural relevance, and the long-term life of the play beyond this first run, all funds raised will pay for:

This is an opportunity to actively shape new British theatre — and be part of something artistically ambitious, socially resonant, and enduring.