Turn Your F*cking Phones Off Review: A Takedown of Big Tech 2026

In the world of theatre, Turn Your F*cking Phones Off review is a tremendous takedown of big tech, and it's currently playing at Edinburgh Fringe. Hannah Maxwell's latest show is a hilarious and urgent exploration of our digital lives, blending personal confession with sharp political commentary. It's a must-see for anyone who's ever felt the pull of their smartphone.

The Show's Premise

Maxwell, known for her playful and inventive style, presents a dual narrative that intercuts between two storylines. The first is her first-person account of working a "money job" for a clandestine organization specializing in influencing public discourse. This involves international travel, data collection, and subliminal messaging—a chilling glimpse into the machinery of modern propaganda.

The second storyline is more personal: her growing concern about her own screen addiction and her complicity in feeding an online machine that profits from discord. She doesn't just blame the algorithms; she implicates herself, and by extension, all of us who scroll, like, and share without thinking.

A Dual Narrative

What makes this show so effective is how Maxwell weaves these two threads together. The troubling repercussions from her old job make her more alert to the damaging impact of a life shaped by algorithms. As she goes into digital detox, she retreats from doomscrolling and dopamine hits, but her fear of a fundamental assault on democracy only grows.

She delivers this analysis with equal parts fervour and merriment, using mass karaoke and party games to keep the audience engaged. It's a fun show to be part of, but it's also deeply unsettling. The connections she makes in the audience are a real-world alternative to the online forces trying to tear us apart.

Why It Resonates

In an era where big tech companies are under increasing scrutiny, Maxwell's show offers a timely and accessible critique. She doesn't just talk about the problem; she embodies it, using an old-school payphone to deliver chunks of the show—a symbolic rejection of the smartphone's dominance.

The show's title, "Turn Your F*cking Phones Off," sounds like an instruction, but it's actually a note to self. It's a reminder that the first step in fighting back against the tech giants is to reclaim our own attention.

Key Takeaways

• Maxwell's show is a powerful blend of entertainment and social commentary.
• It highlights the dangers of algorithmic influence on democracy.
• The interactive format makes the message more impactful.
• It's a call to action for audiences to reconsider their own phone use.
• The show runs at Summerhall, Edinburgh, until 31 August.

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