Espionage
The first Hate ’N’ Live at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Submit a topicBORN AT
THE FRINGE.
Hate ’N’ Live began in a room at Espionage. More than a decade later, its successor The Haters’ Ball remains built for Edinburgh: late, live and controlled by whoever turns up.
AN EDINBURGH SHOW
The audience was never just watching.
The show’s Fringe history runs through Espionage, Sin, Maggie’s Chamber, the Counting House Ballroom, Just the Tonic’s Big Cave and Hoots. The rooms grew; the crowd’s ability to derail the night grew with them.
Every edition moved the format closer to its current shape: four comedians, topics submitted by the room, competitive rounds and an audience choosing the champion.
Read the full origin story →Sin, Maggie’s & Counting House
The improvised competition and its late-night following take shape.
The Big Cave
A larger room for the final Fringe era under the Hate ’N’ Live name.
The Haters’ Ball
A new name, the tuxedo era and two award-winning years.
FRINGE ARCHIVE / 2026
The 12th Annual Haters’ Ball
The completed Hoots @ Apex run brought the evolved format and live show technology back to Edinburgh at 10:30pm.
Visit the 2026 archive →Future editions will live here.
When the next Edinburgh run is confirmed, this page will connect the new dates to the show’s permanent history.
See current shows →