Edinburgh Fringe 2022

It's almost Fringe time!   And the Edinburgh weather is looking gooood! 

After the videos and images of iconic Fringe venues like Pleasance Courtyard lying empty and deserted in August 2020, and the limited return last year (on mostly outdoor stages), I’ve really enjoyed the social media coverage of the venues taking shape over the past week or two.

In the last couple of days, every other post on Twitter seems to be performers descending on Edinburgh ready for tech runs etc, with some shows opening for previews from tomorrow. I can't wait to be there for the first official day on Friday.

I’ll be spending the first week and a half of the festival in Edinburgh, then heading home for a brief rest (and some proper food and sleep!), before returning for the final week.

Staying at a hotel away from the centre of Edinburgh that was booked early, it’s cost around £50 a night for a decent standard of accommodation, rather than the exorbitant prices in the centre.

Some of the shows I'll be catching include: 

• 20 Minutes of Action by Lionheart Theatre (Pleasance Courtyard)
• Adventures of the Improvised Sherlock Holmes by Ghostwriters (Just the Tonic at the Caves)
• Almost Adult by Charlotte Anne-Tilley Productions (Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose)
• Americana: A Murder Ballad by Pepperdine Scotland (Assembly Checkpoint)
• Animal by Cirque Alfonse and Underbelly (Underbelly's Circus Hub on the Meadows)
• Bathroom Confession by Tinted Theatre (Zoo Playground)
• Beats on Pointe by Masters of Choreography (Assembly Hall)
• Boom by Underbelly and Cirk La Putyka (Underbelly Bristo Square)
• Boris the Third by Something for the Weekend (Pleasance Courtyard)
• Brave Space by Aloft / Rhymes with Purple (Underbelly's Circus Hub on the Meadows)
• Caligari by ChewBoy Productions (Underbelly Cowgate)
• Cassie and the Lights by Patch of Blue (Underbelly Cowgate)
• Changing the Sheets by The Playground Theatre (Assembly Rooms)
• Charlie Russell Aims to Please by Mischief (Pleasance Courtyard)
• La Clique by Underbelly (Underbelly's Circus Hub on the Meadows)
• Closure by Ink & Curtain (Pleasance Courtyard)
• Coming Out of My Cage (And I've Been Doing Just Fine) by Shepard Tone (Underbelly Cowgate)
  
• Criminal by Ralph Jones and Joel Gatehouse (Underbelly Bristo Square)
• Crossing the Void by Koi Collective (theSpace on the Mile)
• Don't Say Macbeth by GOYA Theatre Company (Zoo Playground)
• DONUTS by Extended Play (Assembly George Square Gardens)
• Fashion Spies by Quick Duck Theatre (Assembly George Square)
• Fladam's Musical Comedy Hootennay by Fladam (Pleasance at EICC)
• Flo & Joan: Sweet Release by Avalon (Assembly Roxy)
• Foundations by Wrong Tree Theatre Company and Ultraviolet Productions (Underbelly Cowgate)
• Frankie Thompson: Catts by Soho Theatre (Pleasance Courtyard)
• Freddie Hayes: Potatohead by Freddie Hayes (Pleasance Courtyard)
• General Secretary by Thick N Fast (Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose)
• Good Grief by Ugly Bucket (Underbelly Cowgate)
  
• Grubby Little Mitts by Nicholls and Brown (Assembly George Square Studios)
• Hannah Fairweather: Just A Normal Girl Who Enjoys Revenge (Just the Tonic at the Caves)
• Happy Place by Forget About the Dog (Underbelly Cowgate)
• HarleQueen by HarleQueen Productions (Underbelly George Square)
• Helter Skelter by VETO Productions (Assembly George Square)
• How to Keep Up With the Kardashians by So La Flair (Underbelly Cowgate)
• Humans 2.0 by Circa Contemporary Circus (Underbelly's Circus Hub on the Meadows)
• The Importance of Being… Earnest? by Say It Again, Sorry (Pleasance Courtyard)
• Ivo Graham: My Future, My Clutter (Pleasance Courtyard)
• I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical by Alexander S Bermange (Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose)
• Joshua (and Me) by Rachel Hammond (Pleasance Dome)
• Julia Masli: Choosh! by Impatient Productions (Assembly Roxy)
• Just These Please: Honestly No Pressure Either Way (Gilded Balloon Teviot)
• Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder by Francesca Moody Productions (Roundabout at Summerhall)
• Kiran Saggu and Sarah Roberts: Cake (Just the Tonic at the Mash House)
• Land: A Scottish Musical by Kick the Door (Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose)
• Maisie Adam: Buzzed by PBJ Management (Gilded Balloon Teviot)
  
• The Man Who Thought He Knew Too Much by Voloz Collective (Pleasance Dome)
• Manic Street Creature by Maimuna Memon (Roundabout at Summerhall)
• Marcus Brigstocke: Absolute Shower by Off The Kerb Productions (Pleasance Dome)
• Mind Mangler: Member of the Tragic Circle by Mischief (Pleasance Courtyard)
• Mischief Movie Night by Mischief (Pleasance at EICC)
• Molly Leigh-Moy and Carla Gordon: As Per My Previous Apology (Just the Tonic at the Grassmarket Centre)
• Murder, She Didn’t Write by Degrees of Error (Pleasance Courtyard)
• Muse by Flip Fabrique (Assembly Hall)
• NewsRevue by Canal Café Theatre (Pleasance at EICC)
• Notflix: Binge by Mick Perrin Worldwide (Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose)
• PASH by Seemingly Wholesome Productions (Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose)
• Press by Black Bat Productions (Pleasance Courtyard)
• Reginald D Hunter: Bombe Shuffleur by Mick Perrin Worldwide (Assembly Rooms)
• Rouge by High Wire Entertainment (Assembly Hall)
• Ruckus by Wildcard (Summerhall)
• Runners by Cirk La Putyka (Zoo Southside)
• Sad Book by 201 Dance Company (Zoo Southside)
• Sandcastles by Brite Theatre (Assembly Rooms)
• Sex With Friends (and Other Tiny Catastrophes) by GOYA Theatre Company (Pleasance Courtyard)
• Shewolves by Shewolves (Pleasance Courtyard)
• Showstopper! The Improvised Musical by Showstopper Productions (Pleasance Courtyard)
  
• Siblings: Siblage by Objectively Funny (Pleasance Courtyard)
• Speed Dial by Spies Like Us (Pleasance Dome)
• Swallowed by Frizz Theatre (Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose)
• There’s No Mystery in Murder by Northern Corner (theSpace on the Mile)
• Tiger Lady by Dead Rabbits Theatre (Pleasance Courtyard)
• Tim Vine: Breeeep! by Bound & Gagged Comedy (Pleasance Courtyard)
• Tonight at the Social Club by Your Dad’s Mum (Underbelly Bristo Square)
• This Is Not A Show About Hong Kong by Max Percy & Friends (Underbelly Cowgate)
• Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch by Fat Rascal Theatre (Underbelly Bristo Square)
• Wanderlust by Masters of Choreography (Assembly George Square Gardens)
• Wild Onion by Orange Skies Theatre (Assembly Rooms)

I can also recommend Blood Harmony by ThickSkin at the Traverse Theatre, having seen it a few weeks ago on its pre-Edinburgh tour at The Lowry.

I also have plenty of student shows booked, often on the basis of the troupe or society’s previous work. Some of the student productions on my list include:

• 1972: The Future of Sex by Durham University Woodplayers (theSpace on North Bridge)
• Abigail’s 3rd Birthday Party by Napier University Drama Society (Greenside Infirmary Street)
• Are We There Yet? by The Cambridge Footlights (Pleasance Dome)
• Asides from the Elbow by LS6 Theatre (theSpace on North Bridge)
• Bye Bye Baby by Aireborne Theatre (theSpace on North Bridge)
• Curtains by Edinburgh University Savoy Opera Group (Paradise in Augustines)
• The Dead Ducks by Dead Ducks Productions (Just the Tonic at the Caves)
• Deja Revue by The Durham Revue (Underbelly Cowgate)
• Double Crossed by Mermaids Performing Arts Fund (Greenside Infirmary Street)
• Fire Signs by Edinburgh University Theatre Company (Pleasance Courtyard)
• Godspell by Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (Assembly Rooms)
  
• The Graveyard by Mermaids Performing Arts Fund (Greenside Infirmary Street)
• The Last Words by Theatre with Teeth (theSpace Triplex)
• Little Women by Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (Assembly Rooms)
  
• The New Rock n’ Roll by Minotaur Theatre Company (theSpace at Niddry Street)
• No Laughing Matter by St Andrews Revue (Just the Tonic at the Caves)
• On Wednesdays We Wear Maroon by The Bristol Suspensions (theSpace at Niddry Street)
• One Week in Magaluf by Napier Musical Theatre Society (theSpace at Symposium Hall)
• The Seed of the Holyman by University of York Drama Society (theSpace on North Bridge)
• Show Me What You’re Maid Of by Shotgun Theatre (theSpace at Symposium Hall)
• Space Mystery: A Mystery in Space by A Time and a Place Productions (theSpace at Surgeons Hall)
• Stretched by Fishtale Theatre (theSpace on North Bridge)
• A Wilde Life by Chevron Theatre ( theSpace on the Mile)

The above shows and others already booked will hopefully provide a great mix of stand-up, sketch comedy, circus, dance, cabaret, improv, musicals and plays. It's always nice to have a bit of free time planned in for whatever grabs the attention once in Edinburgh too. 

I hope everyone who's in Edinburgh between now and 29 August has a great Fringe. Fingers crossed, the festival's comeback year and 75th anniversary proves a resurgent success for all involved.

I have these booked so far:
Mischief Movie Night
Mind Mangler: Member of the Tragic Circle
Assassin's
Runesical
Making a Murderer
Avenue Q
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Going to take a little de-tour to Glasgow to see the Singin' in the Rain tour.

The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart and Bonnie and Clyde have also caught my attention and will be getting booked soon!

You are going to be busy!

Have a great trip. I fremember the only real time i did the fringe literally running between venues as i hadn't realised how far they were!

Some recommendations from me so far

- Unfortunate, Underbelly George Sq (a more slimmed down version of the show from Earl's Court. runs about 1h15m no interval.)
- Bad Teacher, Underbelly Bristo Sq
- Happy Meal, Traverse
- My Son's a Queer, Underbelly George Sq
- The Last Return, Traverse (reminded me of dayseating for Wicked back in the day 😉)


I've got a few more things booked, including
- Bloody Elle, Traverse
- Hot Mess, Greenside Infirmary St

Rather tempted by Choir of Man as well but not sure if it's my thing.

A few recommendations from a friend of mine that I'll try and go to too
- Head Girl
- Single Lady
- Cottage
- Notflix
- Delivery

Times like this make me very grateful to live within easy traveling distance of Edinburgh with nightbuses running at weekends. makes it very easy to catch as much as possible.

stevej678 Joshua (and me) was a fantastic shout, thanks for that. Caught it this morning based on your recommendation as with me being autistic I am always looking for positive representation in theatre. thought the writer/actor did a fantastic job at telling the story respectfully and from looking at the programme you can tell just how much attention to detail there is when it comes to research and the tone of the story.

Glad to hear you enjoyed Joshua (and Me), aingidh. 😀

Highlights from the past couple of days for me have included:

Fladam's Musical Comedy Hootennany, an hour of silliness, songs and sketches from a very likeable comedy duo (Flo and Adam) at Pleasance EICC.



Julia Masli's Choosh, a hilarious one-woman clowning show at Assembly Roxy. Described in one review as "a quintessential Fringe experience", this is exactly the sort of one-of-a-kind production the Fringe is all about. The most responsive and appreciative audience at the festival so far!



Sketch quartet Just These Please's sketch show at Gilded Balloon Teviot had me crying with laughter. I'm also glad to have seen I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical at last at Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose. Sending up the tropes of the industry and genre, this is essential viewing for any musical theatre aficionado! And what a showcase for its cast of four triple threats!

I started Tuesday morning with Royal Conservatoire of Scotland's Little Women. Starring their MA Musical Theatre graduates, this is every bit the equal of the recent Hope Mill / Park Theatre production. A sensational cast.

Edinburgh University Savoy Opera Group also deserve lots of praise for their production of Curtains at Paradise at Augustines. With an enthusiastic and talented cast who are clearly having a ball, the fun of the story is captured well and the big ensemble numbers deliver on spectacle.

Finally for now, another student production generating great word of mouth is Bye Bye Baby by Aireborne Theatre at theSpace on North Bridge. Crackling with sharp dialogue, this is a comedy focused on three friends in a takeaway at the end of a night out. The script and performances are so natural, the characters well drawn, it feels very authentic and is frequently laugh-out-loud funny. One of those unexpected gems at the Fringe that deserves a life beyond the festival.

Agree totally.  My first time seeing this show and was a really delightful surprise. This is amateur only in the sense that it is done for all the right reasons.



, one to avoid. Flesh a musical based on Burke and Hare.  This is amateur for the other definition of the word.  Amateur spelling:   I N E P T

A few more recommendations from me:

Circa: Humans 2.0 is an outstanding display of acrobatics. Definitely the highlight of this year's circus offerings at the Fringe, though Rouge runs it close with a show that includes plenty of its own spectacular moments mixed with cabaret.

Freddie Hayes: Potatohead is a lot of fun at Pleasance Courtyard, telling the surreal tale of a humble spud who dreams of becoming a stand-up comedian. The same goes for Tiger Lady, also at Pleasance Courtyard, where previous Les Enfants Terribles' Award winners' Dead Rabbits Theatre return with the entertaining true story of Mabel Stark, who set foot in the circus ring with seven tigers. The ensemble storytelling with live music was what I expected but what I didn't see coming was just how funny this show would be!

Foundations at Underbelly Cowgate has shades of Short Circuit where a human and robot form a touching friendship and the boundaries are blurred between whether the robot is a machine or has a mind of its own. Combining puppetry and physical theatre, this show (student writing co-produced with a professional company) was surprisingly moving and beautifully performed.

NewsRevue at the EICC has a lot of material to work with in the current political climate and certainly makes the most of it, while Mischief Movie Night served up a very funny Eighties teen movie, Hull's Angels, in the same theatre.

Girlboss, a sketch show written by and starring two recent graduates from the Cambridge Footlights, was a riot at Gilded Balloon Teviot. A sellout, word-of-mouth hit, Dulcie Whadcock and Ellie Burns are two talents to watch out for, for sure. This send-up of the quest to be the ultimate girlboss was laugh-out-loud funny from the first sketch to the last. The Durham Revue are also delivering a great hour of sketch comedy in Deja Revue at Underbelly Cowgate.

A gem of a Fringe show, HarleQueen, can be found in the understated Wee Coo at Underbelly George Square. It's a one-woman show where New Zealand comedian Abby Howells introduces the audience to a selection of female fools and comics from history, while also sharing stories from her roles in musical theatre growing up (from The Wizard of Oz to Chicago) and progression to a successful stand-up career that came to a shuddering halt. There's some knowingly dodgy ventriloquism thrown into the mix and a real sense of triumph over adversity in Abby being back on the stage after a seven-year break. Abby is such a likeable performer and this was a thoroughly entertaining hour.

Finally, I couldn't have chosen a much better show to bring my first eleven days at the festival to a close than Maimuna Memon's Manic Street Creature at Roundabout Summerhall. Recording an album is used as a clever framing device for a show that follows its central character as she moves to London to complete her new album, then falls for someone who is subsequently diagnosed with manic depression. It's a visceral examination of mental health, especially the impact a loved one's mental health struggles can have on those closest to them, while also providing a platform for some incredible songs and vocals from the creative force behind (who also appeared in) Wildcard's previous Fringe hit Electrolyte. The instant full standing ovation at the end was well deserved.

I'm back home for a few days now which gives some time to reflect on the many shows I've enjoyed in the festival so far. I'm returning to Edinburgh for the final week of the Fringe on Sunday.

Today went to "Exodus" by Uma Naja-Radah at the Traverse - political farce/satire. The farce bits are very funny at times, the politics woolly and predictable, let down by implausible ott plotting. Worth the admission for the comedy though.

"Contact" by Sam Eastop, a comedy horror set in a call centre, was a more modest but ultimately more successful piece. A Fawltyesque supervisor struggles to maintain dignity and discipline over his team of kooky operators until they all find themselves embroiled in mystery calls from a prankster... or worse. Quite a hoot at times.

Relaxed but immensely enjoyable Festival day today eve if the sunshine on Leith was patchy.

Ian Mckellen's much-anticipated Hamlet, directed and choreographed by Peter Schaufuss, is a mixture of dance, mime and Mckellen reciting the character's main speeches. Although this leads to some "dumb show", especially in the early part of the production, it is an absorbing and visually very engaging experiment which was hugely appreciated by the audience. Great to see Sir Ian looking in good shape for 83 and on good acting form too. The only caveat is that if you don't know the original, you may struggle to understand the performance. The entry arrangements into Ashton Hall, St Stephen's were pretty vague too. You basically have to queue up downstairs in a big hall before being ushered upstairs.

Next went to an adaptation by The B Collective of "Murder Ballads", Nick Cave's magnificent collection of murder-themed songs, at the labyrinthine Underbelly venue. Linked with some dialogue and extrapolations to make it into a loose narrative this show gives Titus Andronicus a run for its money in terms of deaths on stage. Despite missing one of the four-strong cast, the remaining three gamely managed to rearrange things to put on a rip-roaring performance. Well done!!!

Had a day at Roundabout @ Summerhall today! This venue seems to really bring QUALITY to the FRINGE.

Hungry - Absolutely incredible emotional ride, don't go whilst your Hungry though. You'll regret it!

Caste-ing - different from any shows I've seen before. Beat boxing, rap, singing and spoken word. Very powerful and moving. The 3 girls are incredible performers.

Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder - A musical comedy that seems like it has a really bright future. Genuinely hilarious, the mystery is fun, the characters are extremely entertaining! I think most of their performances are sold out but if you can get a ticket DO IT! Gave me a lot of Operation Mincemeat vibes and I can't get enough of it.

If any of you are bored one day I'll garuntee you you'll enjoy the shows the roundabout has to offer. Great theatre in there and I wish I could see more of their offerings, especially 'FEELING AFRAID AS IF SOMETHING TERRIBLE IS GOING TO HAPPEN'. Absolute pure quality!