Amanda Knox’s show has been the talk of the town at the Edinburgh Fringe. With protests calling for the show to be removed, Knox is quite the figure of controversy. Being convicted for the alleged murder of her roommate Meredith Kercher during their study abroad programme in Italy in 2009, Knox was sentenced to 26 years in prison. Released after four years, Knox was finally acquitted in 2015. In Amanda Knox: Cartwheel, part one-woman show, part stand-up, Knox tells of the continuous impact the accusation played on her life as a young woman, and now mother.
Using a voiceover of her four year-old daughter, Knox provides an imaginary dialogue showing the difficulties she has had in explaining the events to such a young child. Furthering this image, Knox tells her story while tidying toys away, and folding clothes as if in her own living space. She humanises herself with these menial tasks.
With this being the premier of Cartwheel and Meredith’s first stand-up show, it did read as an amateur’s attempt. While there were amusing moments and laughs from the audience, there were also moments that just didn’t seem to land. Perhaps it was the very American style of comedy not particularly landing with the British audience, or the sensitive material of the show. But overall, it just fell a little flat. And without the very publicly known name attached, it would maybe not have been so successful in selling out. Knox hasn’t quite mastered the art of comedic rhythm and storytelling, and the structure of the piece doesn’t feel completely solid, but her passion was clear. It does have very significant themes that she manages to hit home. Even after her acquittal, the trial still impacts her life and the actual convict (Rudy Guede) goes untouched, now having been released from his sixteen-year sentence, reduced from thirty years. It tells of society’s corruption, systemic misogyny and motherhood. And although much of the audience seemed to be using this as a way to gauge whether they think Knox is innocent or guilty, it isn’t really about that. Knox knows the truth and that’s all that matters. Now she is using her voice to call out those who have done wrong and to hold them accountable.
It wasn’t necessarily distasteful, but was it exploitative, maybe. All I know is that Amanda Knox is one brave woman for good or for worse.
Amanda Knox: Cartwheel runs until the 17th of August 2026 with more information available at: https://tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk/event/14:7075/
Reviewer: Jessie Martin
Reviewed: 14th August 2026
North West End UK / Theatre Muse UK Rating:
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