A review of 100% Badgers 2: Badgers vs Hedgehogs with Matt Hobs, Fringe 2026

Matt Hobs brings a fabulous new hour to Fringe this year, being performed alongside his successful original all badger show, 100% Badgers with Matt Hobs. It is often said that sequels will disappoint following a much-beloved original movie, book, etc., but I am happy to report that Matt Hobs has not fallen into that particular predicament.

Cozying up to the badgers

Walking downstairs of the bustling City Café, I found myself entering a modest karaoke room, face to face with the blank stares of the ’90s and early ’00s popstars adorning the walls, but also a kind and enthusiastic Matt Hobs, amongst the other attendees.

He was his own box office – checking tickets, kindly offering use of his fans for anyone who might overheat, and announcing refunds before the start of the show for anyone affected but the potential/very likely claustrophobia that may be experienced in a room of that size and at that capacity. Overall, a very considerate preshow experience, and a pleasant way to get things started.

Hedgehogs up top

Hobs dove headfirst into the performance, plying the audience with many a cute photo and video of hedgehogs and badgers alike, while also educating us on the tendencies of these animals, how they have found adaptation around our existence, and how we might help them along their way.

As the hedgehogs were the newcomers to the show, we spent a good amount of time learning about them in the beginning, to then transition into full badger mode for much of the remainder of the show.

This man loves badgers

Throughout his time onstage, alongside the details of badger rescue, how hedgehogs were often and incorrectly portrayed as stabbing fruit with their bodies, and in inventive peanut butter sandwich on a stick, Matt Hobs’ true appreciation and respect for animals and specifically badgers shone through. As well, some deeper human questions arose to give greater context to the badgers as well as ourselves.

How does one deal with imposter syndrome around the work they’ve spent much time and passion doing? Do we really need to choose one cause to champion at the expense of all others? If we find ourselves unable to help badgers, can we help hedgehogs instead or as well?

Overall

There are few things I enjoy more than sitting and listening while someone shares all about their specific interests with me, and this was an entire Fringe show of that.

With charm, the standard dose of proprietary self-deprecating humour, and a rather excellent slideshow, 100% Badgers 2: Hedgehogs vs Badgers with Matt Hobs was a delight to take in, and should you enjoy badgers, hedgehogs, or having a fun/funny educational time, this is definitely a show to be seen and a person to keep an eye on.