11 shows that we’re most excited to see at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe
8th August 2018
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It’s that time of year again: the posters are going up, the streets are filling with food stalls, and the cobbles of Scotland’s capital are teaming with performers who are hoping (fingers crossed) that this August will propel them into the comedic bigtime.
Yes, Edinburgh Festival Fringe is here - and from Brexit to Oscar Wilde, from Marvel to the murder of the Romanovs, to say that this year’s offering is eclectic is probably a bit of an understatement.
For weeks, The National Student’s Arts & Theatre team have been hard at work sorting through fringe-based press releases, hunting down elusive preview tickets, and scheduling interviews with the most promising up-and-comers that are heading to Edinburgh this fringe festival season.
As we speak they’re winging their way to Scotland to track down the very best that the world’s greatest festival of creative freedom has to offer - but before that, they very helpfully put together their top picks for Edinburgh fringe 2018 for your planning purposes.
In no particular order, here are the 11 shows that we’re especially excited for this Edinburgh fringe . See you on the Royal Mile!
A Very Brexit Musical
In the current political climate what could be more refreshing than a musical all about Brexit and the ‘political mayhem’ that comes with it?
A Very Brexit Musical is a show that was first performed in 2017, and is entirely produced by students at the University of Cambridge.
The story follows the events in the life of a young journalist reporting on the referendum for the ‘Maily Dail’. In this topsy-turvy version of events, we see the ex-prime minister Cavid Dameron and Figel Narage battle it out in a race for votes.
The producer of A Very Brexit Musical spoke about its subject matter, saying that they are “making it clear that at no point were [they] trying to be the political figures” and that they “weren’t trying to portray accurate impressions”... but we’re not quite sure we believe them.
Anyway, this brilliant piece of political satire is probably exactly what we need this Edinburgh fringe . After all, you’ve got to laugh (or else you’ll cry).
When? 3rd - 26th Aug (excl. 13th), 5pm
Where? Just the Tonic at La Belle Angele
Get tickets here
Pottervision
Pottervision is essentially four grown men playing 12 year olds in a parody of The Philosopher’s Stone, in their third consecutive year at Edinburgh Festival Fringe. They describe themselves as “a sketch show” and “a Potter Parody Show, celebrating the absurdities of the Philosopher’s Stone’ with ‘some surprises”. This is a show for both fans and non-fans (if there are such people?) and has raving reviews from each.
When? 3rd - 26th Aug, 2.30pm
Where? Laughing Horse @ Espionage
Get tickets here
Lord of the Game of the Ring of Thrones The five-man show from Hivemind,labelled as ‘The Improvised Fantasy Epic’, is set to be a standout fringe offering this year, if its witty humour and creative talent are anything to go by.
The show combines the best of Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones, allowing the audience to influence the direction of the show and giving them the ability to steer events in the ways they’d always wanted. Described by London Theatre as “five extremely talented performers (who) really know their craft”, you cannot miss this.
When? 14th - 26th Aug, 6.30pm Where? Just the Tonic at La Belle Angele Get tickets here
She Taught Me How to Breathe Again This ‘interactive’ show lasts an hour and sees you, an audience member, put on a pair of headphones and enter a different space, examining ‘human relationships, differences in perspective’ and ‘how we might change when we think someone's watching’. She Taught Me How to Breathe Again is one of the three shows the Lincoln Company is performing at the Edinburghfringe this year, and it promises to be completely unique and exciting.
When? 12th - 27th Aug (excl. 15th), 11.30am Where? ZOO Southside Get tickets here Hunch Hunch is a new dark comedy, written and performed by Kate Kennedy (BBC One’s Midsummer Night’s Dream and Channel 4’s Catastrophe.) Kennedy plays superhero Hunch, whose ability to know people’s gut instinct allows her to be more decisive. But this isn’t always what people want. The only problem is, Una (the name of Hunch when she’s not being a superhero) doesn’t seem to be able to make these all important decisions for herself. Speaking to West End Wilma, Kennedy says that her play was inspired by 2016, “the shittiest of years”.
When? 3rd - 26th Aug (excl. 13th), 5.05pm8pm
Where? Underbelly’s Circus Hub on the Meadows
Get tickets here
Thor and Loki
Thor and Loki is a comedy musical, taking the Marvel story of the two characters and turning it on its head. The five-person cast presents Thor, a boy who has been raised by his father to fight giants but can’t even use his hammer and prefers to spend his time reading poetry, and Loki, a girl who is half-giant, half-god. The audience follows the two as they form a friendship against the odds. This show promises tap-dancing trolls, singing and a lot of laughs.
When? 3rd - 26th Aug (excl. 13th), 7.15pm Where? Assembly Roxy (Upstairs) Get tickets here Wilde Creatures An adaptation of Oscar WIlde’s fairy tales from London’s West End. Suitable for all ages, this fabulous show is packed with live music, singing and dancing. The tales are told by a band of musicians, and together they create an entertaining and delightful set. The Standard has given it four stars and has described it as “one of the most charming hours I have spent in a theatre”. When? 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 20th, 24th and 26th Aug, 2.50pm Where? Pleasance Courtyard - Pleasance One Get tickets here
Revenants Set 25 years after the murder of the Russian Romanov family, and 25 years before the murder of Martin Luther KIng, this play explores themes of violence, repercussions and persecutions. The play follows the meeting of an unusual group in an English forest, including English actor Ernest Thesiger, Queen Mary and a young black man who feels bitterly towards the segregation that is taking place in his country. This politically charged and thought-provoking piece is sure to offer an extremely timely look at some divisive issues. When? 4th - 27th Aug (excl. 8th, 15th), 5pm Where? Pleasance Dome - KingDome Get tickets here
A Self-Help Guide to Being in Love with Jeremy Corbyn Originally released as a book of poems, Jess Green has teamed up with the Mischief Thieves to bring her poetry and music show to the stage. Green has been a member of Labour since before Tony Blair’s downfall, and she brings to life her love/hate relationship with the party. However, for all its comedy this show remains a powerful and inspiring political piece, confronting the audience with questions of the failings of the country and the need to support and protect the working classes. When? 4th - 25th Aug (excl. 13th, 20th), 2.45pm Where? Bourbon Bar - Room 1 Get tickets here Lucy Porter: Pass it On From QI, Room 101 and Live at the Apollo, Lucy Porter brings both a light-hearted and inspiring show. She ponders on what we inherit from our parents and the world and consequently, what we might pass onto future generations. This is her latest show, debuting at the Fringe, and has been described by The Telegraph as “impeccably punch-lined anecdotes...genuinely delightful.” When? 4th - 26th Aug (excl. 13th, 20th), 5.30pm Where? Pleasance Courtyard - Forth Get tickets here For more of our Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2018 coverage, including news, round-ups, interviews and reviews, see our Fringe 2018 section here.
A Very Brexit Musical
In the current political climate what could be more refreshing than a musical all about Brexit and the ‘political mayhem’ that comes with it?
A Very Brexit Musical is a show that was first performed in 2017, and is entirely produced by students at the University of Cambridge.
The story follows the events in the life of a young journalist reporting on the referendum for the ‘Maily Dail’. In this topsy-turvy version of events, we see the ex-prime minister Lord of the Game of the Ring of Thrones The five-man show from Hivemind,
When? 14th - 26th Aug, 6.30pm Where? Just the Tonic at La Belle Angele Get tickets here
She Taught Me How to Breathe Again This ‘interactive’ show lasts an hour and sees you, an audience member, put on a pair of headphones and enter a different space, examining ‘human relationships, differences in perspective’ and ‘how we might change when we think someone's watching’. She Taught Me How to Breathe Again is one of the three shows the Lincoln Company is performing at the Edinburgh
When? 12th - 27th Aug (excl. 15th), 11.30am Where? ZOO Southside Get tickets here Hunch Hunch is a new dark comedy, written and performed by Kate Kennedy (BBC One’s Midsummer Night’s Dream and Channel 4’s Catastrophe.) Kennedy plays superhero Hunch, whose ability to know people’s gut instinct allows her to be more decisive. But this isn’t always what people want. The only problem is, Una (the name of Hunch when she’s not being a superhero) doesn’t seem to be able to make these all important decisions for herself. Speaking to West End Wilma, Kennedy says that her play was inspired by 2016, “the shittiest of years”.
When? 3rd - 26th Aug (excl. 13th), 5.05pm
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When? 3rd - 26th Aug (excl. 13th), 7.15pm Where? Assembly Roxy (Upstairs) Get tickets here Wilde Creatures An adaptation of Oscar WIlde’s fairy tales from London’s West End. Suitable for all ages, this fabulous show is packed with live music, singing and dancing. The tales are told by a band of musicians, and together they create an entertaining and delightful set. The Standard has given it four stars and has described it as “one of the most charming hours I have spent in a theatre”. When? 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 20th, 24th and 26th Aug, 2.50pm Where? Pleasance Courtyard - Pleasance One Get tickets here
Revenants Set 25 years after the murder of the Russian Romanov family, and 25 years before the murder of Martin Luther KIng, this play explores themes of violence, repercussions and persecutions. The play follows the meeting of an unusual group in an English forest, including English actor Ernest Thesiger, Queen Mary and a young black man who feels bitterly towards the segregation that is taking place in his country. This politically charged and thought-provoking piece is sure to offer an extremely timely look at some divisive issues. When? 4th - 27th Aug (excl. 8th, 15th), 5pm Where? Pleasance Dome - KingDome Get tickets here
A Self-Help Guide to Being in Love with Jeremy Corbyn Originally released as a book of poems, Jess Green has teamed up with the Mischief Thieves to bring her poetry and music show to the stage. Green has been a member of Labour since before Tony Blair’s downfall, and she brings to life her love/hate relationship with the party. However, for all its comedy this show remains a powerful and inspiring political piece, confronting the audience with questions of the failings of the country and the need to support and protect the working classes. When? 4th - 25th Aug (excl. 13th, 20th), 2.45pm Where? Bourbon Bar - Room 1 Get tickets here Lucy Porter: Pass it On From QI, Room 101 and Live at the Apollo, Lucy Porter brings both a light-hearted and inspiring show. She ponders on what we inherit from our parents and the world and consequently, what we might pass onto future generations. This is her latest show, debuting at the Fringe, and has been described by The Telegraph as “impeccably punch-lined anecdotes...genuinely delightful.” When? 4th - 26th Aug (excl. 13th, 20th), 5.30pm Where? Pleasance Courtyard - Forth Get tickets here For more of our Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2018 coverage, including news, round-ups, interviews and reviews, see our Fringe 2018 section here.
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