Fest 2023 Issue 2

Edinburgh Festival Guide

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Inside: Jodie Mitchell Stuntman Gemma Soldati Mark Thomas Bill O'Neill Nabil Abdulrashid Mary O'Connell Common Dissonance MC Hammersmith

FINGERPRINTS Lula Mebrahtu makes her mark

Reviews

Features

Listings

16 - 22 Aug

  Y ‘MAGNIFICENTL ’ C ANARCHI TIME OUT

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Writing Team Eilidh Akilade, Alvie, Anahit Behrooz, Deborah Chu, Ashley Davies, Emerald, Fringe Dog, Jamie Dunn, Veronica Finlay, Si Hawkins, Katie Hawthorne, Laura Kressly, David Pollock, Jay Richardson, Claire Sawers, Kirstyn Smith, Xuanlin Tham Cover Image Shazad Khalid

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Published by Radge Media Limited., M9 Codebase, Argyle House, 3 Lady Lawson Street, Edinburgh, Scotland EH3 9DR. Every effort has been made to check the accuracy of the information in this magazine, but we cannot accept liability for information which is inaccurate. Show times and prices are subject to changes – always check with the venue. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without the explicit permission of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within this publication do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the printer or the publisher. Printed by Think Solutions, Glasgow

Fest 2023 Issue 2

5 Contents

8 Cool Hand Lula Introducing Lulu Mebrahtu: One of many, many of One

12 We Three Kings A drag exploration of masculinity

16 Action Men The tender duet behind Stuntman

Comedy 28 Bill O’Neill Unzip a banana

Theatre 40 England & Son Mark Thomas dazzles in searing one-hander

Dance, Physical Theatre & Circus 53 IMA (Pray) Recirquel soar at Murrayfield Ice Rink

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Image credits (top to bottom, left to right): Dann Jose; Corrine Cumming; Brian Hartley; Van Corona; Tony Pletts; Bálint Hirling; Lesley Martin

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Benjamin Alborough's Perfect Day

How to spend your time wisely in Edinburgh – Monopoly style!

T

he Edinburgh Fringe is a bit like a game of Monopoly; the only goal is to crush your enemies. Anyone who says otherwise is either lying or bad at Monopoly. Monopoly is a boring game; it takes far too long and ends in tears. In my show Benjamin Alborough: Absolute Monopoly we try to fix the problems of Monopoly by leaning into them even harder; the goal is to argue, the fun is in the disagreement, anything goes so long as the collective audience response is one of unrestrained glee. My perfect day at the Fringe would reflect these qualities wholesale.

9am: I wake up – my first victory of the day. As the inventor of the grindset mentality I know that I must spend all my spare time working. But as the originator of the self-care movement I understand the importance of getting a good night’s sleep. These two balance out extremely normally and I sleep for eight hours.

disagreeing with people. Later I will challenge an audience member to beat me in an argument for £100.

11am: Breakfast: mayonnaise, white rice and beans. It helps with my memory.

1pm: I leave my flat. I take a deep breath and hold it. I make a mental note to let go 10am: I advance to the kitchen. once I’ve achieved someBreakfast: mayonnaise, white thing new. Two minutes later rice and beans. I call this “the I achieve a blackout. I dream Alborough method” and it pre- that I win second prize in a vents me from having intrusive beauty contest – it’s OK for thoughts. With fewer things some parts of life not to be to distract me, I can work on like Monopoly.

EST

CH COMMUNITY

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NITY C HEST Charitab ly agree to end a game wit three ho hout fully ur crushing wearyin g oppon your ents. A p thrown in arade is your hon our.

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e. k the Sho e else pic n o e . m d re so rily spa You let is tempora Your soul 6

Perfect Day

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You’re ca ught che Your pun ating. ishment is you do finish th n’t get to e game earlier.

CHANCE fight with You get into a t Free Parking ou ab r be a family mem ritance. he in and lose your Benjamin Alborough

1.05pm: I pass GO. I almost get run over by a car. I briefly worry that Edinburgh isn’t exactly like Monopoly but these intrusive thoughts are immediately crushed thanks to “the Alborough method”.

1.30pm: I land on Edinburgh Waverley Station. This was a mistake, having fallen off North Bridge.

2pm: I rolled the dice on marketing this year; I recruited my flyering team through YouTube Shorts. They’re nice but obsessed with Bitcoin. I’m learning a lot about the blockchain and very little about my ticket sales.

3pm: By chance, I bump into my actual landlord. She reminds me that I’m behind on the rent. I tell her that this is an amazing coincidence as my show is about Monopoly.

She reminds me that I’m behind on the rent, but louder.

7pm: I’m in good company, some might say electric company. It’s my many fans, who flocked to my show in what I can legally describe as “numbers”. Due to “the Alborough method” I can’t quite remember how the show went (or experience emotional highs) 3.30pm: I take my landlord to and I don’t think I managed to see a show to teach her about crush any enemies today, but kindness, the value of forI’ll try to get some on the way giveness and that money isn’t home if my legs hold out. everything. She CANNOT learn about Absolute Monopoly.

5.50pm: I advance to Benjamin Alborough: Absolute Monopoly.

Collect £200 - from someone else, an employer maybe, then buy 15 tickets for my show.

SHOW VENUE: TIME:

Benjamin Alborough: Absolute Monopoly Assembly George Square 5:50pm – 6:50pm, 2–28 Aug, not 15

7 Perfect Day

Photo: Matt Stronge

CHANCE

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Cool Hand Lula In OommoO, Lula Mebrahtu delves into her Habesha heritage and British identity through an Afro-futuristic lens. She tells Katie Hawthorne how the show interweaves language, music and storytelling, as well as wearable tech MiMu gloves

W

ith just a flick of her wrist Lula Mebrahtu can conjure a drum kit out of thin air. A twist of a finger and her voice loops into lush, multi-layered harmonies. An early adopter of MiMu gloves, cutting-edge digital musical instruments which respond to even the smallest of movements, Mebrahtu holds a world of sound in the palms of her hands.

Yet her solo Fringe debut is far more than a technological showcase: OommoO turns the story of her family’s immigration to the UK into multi-sensory Afro-futurist theatre, drawing on movement, sound, song, and freshly brewed coffee. “It’s a 4D experience,” Mebrahtu grins, stretching her arms out wide.

The play’s palindromic title – standing for “one of many, many of one” – is a foundational mantra. Although OommoO is partially autobiographical, it takes Mebrahtu’s story as a catalyst for complex conversations about citizenship, displacement, and memory loss.

The Lula in the play is sometimes her, sometimes not: “I’ve given myself license to say and

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Cover Feature

do things that I wouldn’t in real life, so that I can tell a much bigger story.”

First and foremost, Mebrahtu set out to write a play about Habesha immigrants in the UK. “It was done by us, for us, because of us,” she smiles. Yet she’s found OommoO’s dissection of memory loss to be strikingly universal: almost everyone can understand how it feels to see family secrets and stories become lost to the passing of time. “Our parents are time-capsules for our heritage, our culture, our ancestors, right?” She pauses in thought.

“When they start to pass, you want to try and save those stories. You’re losing memories while your parent is losing theirs.”

“Of course, this is exaggerated by displacement,” she says. But in speaking about her own experiences, she’s found a common language: “When you’re specific about what you want to tell, you can reach the whole world.”

OommoO has been seven years in the making, and Mebrahtu has waited patiently to find the perfect way to perform it. She

Features

Photo: Celine Celeesi

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“I’ve given myself license to say and do things that I wouldn’t in real life, so that I can tell a much bigger story” Photo: Shazad Khalid

describes those magical MiMu gloves as like a “bridge”, one that connected the timelessness of OommoO’s story to a brand-new theatrical form. “They’ve turned me into the queen of improvisation!” she enthuses, explaining how the technology allows her to play with music and movement in real time, along with all the mistakes and happy accidents that live performance can bring. When we speak, some weeks ahead of the Fringe, she’s busy refining a choreography that infuses dance traditions like waacking, finger tutting and eskista into the play’s sound-world.

“For instance, immigrants get called illegal aliens when they come to the UK, so I took that as a stimulus. Like, what does an alien look like?” She lifts her palms in front of her face and flexes each finger robotically. “I have a whole song I can play just like this!”

To make OommoO even more of a sensory experience, Mebrahtu will hold interactive ‘coffee ceremonies’ throughout August. “Have you ever had Ethiopian, Eritrean coffee before?” she asks, lighting up at the thought. “It’s like hanging out at a coffee shop, but every Habesha household does it. My mum will roast the beans in the living room, the snack of choice is popcorn, and everyone sits around communing and conversing.” The ceremonies combine the ritual of coffee with a scene from the play about how Lula got her name and, after a trial run at Soho Theatre, Mebrahtu is convinced of their power to unlock distant memories and new conversations. “We’re all more similar than we realise,” she grins. “These are universal stories, and our differences are our spices.”

SHOW VENUE: TIME:

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Cover Feature

OommoO Summerhall 4:15pm – 5:15pm, 2–27 Aug, not 14, 21

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We Three Kings Jodie Mitchell, Daisy Doris May and Oasissy on making a masculinity that listens Words: Kirstyn Smith

I

nspiration can sometimes spring from the most unlikely places. Newton’s apple, Archimedes’ bath, John Travulva’s drag persona.

Sure, one of these things is not like the others; it’s much more important. Jodie Mitchell, the person behind “quietly macho” Travulva, found their voice after their improv instructor told them they weren’t confident enough.

“But I am quite confident, so that didn’t really make sense,” they say. “One day I started doing characters that were seen to be masculine. I’d go on with a deeper voice, shout at people and tell them what to do. This is actually quite bad improv practice, but people stopped talking over me immediately.”

They’d discovered that “confident” is a synonym for “masculine”. And masculine, it seemed,

was funny. They found audiences trusted them more and the laughs came easier – they were actually recruited into renowned drag troupe Pecs pretty soon after making this realisation.

Exploring masculinity in all its forms – toxic, fragile, positive – is a king’s bread and butter.

Mitchell’s specific area of expertise is utopian masculinity: masculinity that is feminist, intersectional and that listens.

“When you take the toxicity of men and put it on stage in its purest form, you’re just retraumatising your audience a lot of the time. I want to hold a mirror up to it in a way audiences can enjoy.”

So, Travulva is a feminist in his own way.

He’s annoying and he hasn’t quite dropped his deep-rooted mansplaining, but he’s not Image: courtesy of the artist Steve Porters

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Comedy

Oasissy

Features

Photo: Tiu Makkonen

aggressive. He’s funny and he’s doing his best for a Glaswegian ex-Catholic who is – Mitchell admits – 100% inspired by daddy issues.

Similarly turning ingrained notions of masculinity on their head are Oasissy – an Oasis-inspired semi-tribute, semi-piss-take comprising Agent Cooper and King Biff. They perform ostensibly as the Gallagher brothers, but their portrayal of the pair has changed since they began.

“It was too much of a straight copy,” says Biff. “Over the years, we’re bringing much more of ourselves and our politics into it. It’s really fun to be playful and ask what it would be like if we showed their softer or more feminine or queer sides. We’re not actually being Oasis.”

Their show, Don’t Look Back in Anger, Babes, is a party for the end of the world. As they were putting it together, a lot of the conversations the duo had were about their fears and the world and the future and how overwhelming it all was.

“But we also spoke about how Oasissy help us to be a little braver,” says Biff.

Cooper adds, “We want to impart some of the ways in which embodying these characters help us face the world.”

When you’re dealing with the Gallagher brothers, their swagger, often-toxic opinions and general laddiness can be overwhelming.

“There’s a lot of pleasure in embodying the characters and dispensing with that,” says Cooper. “Just being fully queer beings.”

And while fear – of the world and the future and, particularly, of scary white men – can be debilitating, it can also spur new artistic prac-

13

Comedy

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“But the power of drag has always been a middle finger to that fear” Agent Cooper

Photo: Corinne Cumming

14

tices, create confidence and help acts build safer spaces for themselves and others.

“It’s powerful to celebrate and take the piss at the same time. It’s not a safe place to be a gender diverse person and I feel really paralysed by that sometimes,” Biff adds. “But the power of drag has always been a middle finger to that fear. Drag’s helped me change the way I carry myself in public, the way I communicate.

To stop apologising for myself so much.”

For Daisy Doris May, aka Steve Porters, developing a king persona helped them explore and open up their gender identity too. On top of this, they found allies in a fairly unlikely place: the garage run by their neighbours.

“I’m experimenting with drag and I take out the bins, and they’re on the road and they see me,” they explain. “I was like a rabbit in the headlights. [They work in] this quite traditional masculine environment – they’re going to judge me.”

Instead, they couldn’t have been more impressed. Far from being labelled a freak or laughed at, as May feared, the men invited Steve to do some work experience at the garage. When Steve asked for some man-to-man advice, one of the guys responded with “love everybody”.

“It was a penny drop moment,” says May. “Through Steve I became closer to this circle of men I thought were laddy. But they weren’t laddy, they’re the most sensitive, gorgeous humans. And Steve was a vehicle for me to get closer to them, closer to men.”

This is what the character of Steve is all about – he harks back to Mitchell’s idea of utopian masculinity. He’s trying to share his buds of wisdom with other men in a way that does nothing more dangerous than encouraging more spooning in the world. In How to Flirt: The Ted XXX Talk, Steve and May – grapple with balancing toxic and positive masculinity, asking questions like: How is society giving space to men to be vulnerable? How are men supposed to cry? Who are the role models and what are the lessons?”

May adds: “Steve has been on a journey of listening, learning and loving. He’s naive, but he’s got a heart of gold,” says May. “There are elements of Steve I love that are pure and that are beautiful and I want to see more of that in men.”

John Travulva

SHOW VENUE: TIME: SHOW VENUE: TIME: SHOW VENUE: TIME:

Jodie Mitchell: Becoming John Travulva Pleasance Courtyard 9:50pm – 10:50pm, 2–27 Aug, not 16 How to Flirt: The TED XXX Talk Assembly Roxy 9:55pm – 10:55pm, 2–26 Aug, not 11, 15 Oasissy: Don’t Look Back in Anger, Babes BlundaGardens: BlundaBus & Magical SpiegelYurt 10:40pm – 11:30pm, 21–25 Aug

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Action Men David Banks and Sadiq Ali discuss their intensely physical and tender duet, Stuntman, which examines the impact of action-hero role models on men and boys Words: Anahit Behrooz

P

icture the traditional macho guy film. It’s full of men – of course – jacked and a bit cross, looking for an outlet to channel their aggression. Arnold Schwarzenegger is there, or maybe Sylvester Stallone, drenched in sweat.

They’re at a boxing gym, or a gun range, or gripping a AK-47 in a darkened forest. The air feels explosive, taut with impending violence.

It’s no secret that masculinity and violence are entangled bedfellows, both on-screen and off, and it is in this historic overlap that new physical theatre and circus show Stuntman sits. Described cheerfully by one of its co-devisers and stars David Banks as a show for anyone who has “ever enjoyed an action movie, and felt a bit weird about it,” Stuntman is a

gorgeous and dynamic two-hander that melds larger-than-life stunt set pieces with personal narratives from Banks and his co-star Sadiq Ali. “We were really big fans of The Godfather films when we were little,” Banks says, looking back on his childhood with his brother. “I wanted to be in them, but he wanted to be Michael Corleone. So it’s about how we receive these mediums, and how we try and perpetuate them.

Is it a cathartic outlet, or is it an inspiration?”

Banks grew up on such films, and in what he describes as an environment surrounded by violence; learning to box from a young age and losing various family members to the prison system. Through Stuntman, he is keen to trouble this direct correlation between Photo: Brian Hartley

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Dance, Physical Theatre & Circus

good analogy for masculinity.” It is difficult to approach such a heavy topic with warmth and vitality, but for Banks and Ali, the only way to approach the rigid confines of masculinity is to subvert it with softness and humour. It’s a stunning showcase, not just for its two stars, but for the ways in which we allow ourselves to approach difficult, often taboo subjects.

Sometimes, as Ali says, the ridiculousness is both medium and message. “I get a dance solo in the middle of the show,” he explains eagerly.

“And without saying it’s my Billy Elliot moment, it is definitely my Billy Elliot moment.”

SHOW VENUE: TIME:

Stuntman Summerhall 5:50pm – 6:50pm, 2–25 Aug , 14, 21

Features

masculinity, class, and violence, exploring the ways in which there is space for vulnerability, tenderness and even queerness in these narratives. “If you look at the history of action films, you’ve got John Wick, Rambo, Arnie and Sylvester Stallone…they’re an orientation away from being gay icons,” Banks says.

For Ali (returning to Summerhall after a jaw-dropping performance in The Chosen Haram last year), Stuntman is also a space to trouble ideas of masculinity as a cisgender, heterosexual mode of being, examining his own implication in these spaces, and how his queer identity subverts them. “When I came on board, David gave all these references of action films and heroes and I was just like, ‘who are these people? What film, what name?’” he laughs. Ali’s own personal memories flood the show – much like Banks, he grew up on a council estate where homophobia and racism were rife – giving the violence he grew up with serious consideration before dissipating its power with humour.

“I share some stories about putting on this mask of masculinity, quite serious stories that make the audience go, ‘huh’,” Ali explains.

“And then I start this absurdist self-inflicted gay-bashing: I get set on fire and get to have the funeral of my dreams, where drag queens lower me into the floor and Barack Obama and Meryl Streep are there.” He laughs again. “So we start with something from a real place and then we get to get carried away and go, ‘What could that look like?’ It’s a good way to talk about real things that we think don’t happen anymore.”

“It’s like when someone tells a really sad story in the pub and someone makes a joke to break the ice,” Banks adds. “Which is a really

Photo: Brian Hartley

“It’s about how we receive these mediums, and how we try and perpetuate them.

Is it a cathartic outlet, or is it an inspiration?”

17

The UK premiere of Pina Bausch’s The Rite of Spring was performed in 1978 at the International Festival.

As it returns to Edinburgh this year, we find out more from artistic director Clémentine Deluy Words: Claire Sawers

“I

t was a dream of mine to dance her piece since I was 15,” says Clémentine Deluy, a French dancer turned artistic director for the Pina Bausch Foundation. In 2001 Deluy was finishing her studies at the Folkwang Hochschule in Essen, where Pina Bausch also studied, when the legendary German dancer and choreographer came looking for dancers.

After rigorous auditioning, Deluy was selected to join Bausch’s company.

Deluy has danced Sacre (short for Le Sacre du Printemps, the French title for The Rite of Spring) more than any other of Bausch’s pieces and describes it as both, “a nightmare” and something that summons a dancer’s “instinct for surviving”.

“Pina’s directions for the dancers were very detailed, very precise, sometimes very tedious!” shares Deluy, reminiscing about working

with the pioneering choreographer who died in 2009. “But she always took the time when rehearsing and Sacre really demands that. It’s a very complex group piece.”

Bausch’s groundbreaking version of The Rite of Spring premiered in 1975 with an intense, exhilarating score by Stravinsky.

Dancers are barefoot on a peat floor, acting out a gruelling, primal ritual between men and women. It’s a study of misogyny and an urgent battle of the sexes where one young woman must become ‘The Chosen One’, dancing herself to death.

“How would you dance if you knew you were going to die?”, Bausch asked her dancers. Her work was famously informed by relationships and trauma, the back and forth of human interactions, the suffering and repetition and joy.

Features

Photo: Maarten Vanden Abeele

Danse Macabre

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“We don’t want copies, I tell the dancers that. We want dancers to bring their own individuality and emotion into Pina’s work” Photo: Maarten Vanden Abeele

“Even if they do exactly the same movements, each dancer brings a different approach,” says Deluy. “We don’t want copies, I tell the dancers that. We want dancers to bring their own individuality and emotion into Pina’s work.”

In 2021, Bausch’s son Salomon, chair of the Pina Bausch Foundation teamed up with the Senegalese dance school, École de Sables and London’s Sadler’s Wells theatre to premiere a new version of her celebrated work, featuring 32 dancers from 14 African countries, including Nigeria, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Benin and Togo. It’s hoped the ‘transmission project’, which is the subject of a new documentary, Dancing Pina, will grow an understanding of Bausch’s important work amongst modern audiences.

“The dancers come from very different backgrounds,” explains Deluy. “Some have 20

EIF

studied African dance, jazz or hip-hop. The Ivory Coast, for example, has over 60 ethnic groups, all with different traditional dances.

I come from the ballet world. But we stick to Pina’s choreography. We have her original book with notes, everything was recorded from 1973 onwards. It was a great support for me.”

Although Deluy is very familiar with the work, she continues to learn from it each time they rehearse. “I open my gaze. I focus on the men more now, not just the female roles. We are extremely lucky to have this strong team full of experience. The production, like the work itself, is an enormous group effort.”

Within the team are Deluy’s two co-artistic directors, Jo Ann Endicott and Jorge Puerta Armenta, who both danced in Bausch’s Tanztheatre Wuppertal. “Jo Ann is one of the original dancers who created The Rite of Spring, so I got to work beside her and share important information direct from the world of Pina.”

The three-night run of The Rite of Spring is performed alongside common ground[s], a 30-minute duet by Germaine Acogny and Malou Airaudo, two female dancers greatly inspired by Bausch. Acogny co-founded the École de Sables in 1995 and feels there is a huge synergy between Bausch’s work and African dance.

“After a couple of minutes of Sacre, the floor is already like a warfield with mud everywhere,” says Deluy. “The women’s costumes are these barely there slips, like a second skin. Sometimes the dancers must move in a very narrow space – and often they end up completely covered in sweat and mud. The dancers – even the costumes – everyone goes on this voyage together, a journey. We are so lucky to experience that.”

SHOW VENUE: TIME:

The Rite of Spring / common ground[s] Edinburgh Playhouse 7:30pm – 9:05pm, 17–19 Aug

Latin Lives

21 Features

Guido García Lueches, Dre Spisto and The Ephemeral Ensemble discuss the multiplicity of Latin American identity Words: Xuanlin Tham

“L

Photo: Charly Monreal

atin America is huge, right? It’s hundreds of millions of people, and bigger than Europe a few times over,” Guido García Lueches says, speaking to us about his show Playing Latinx at the Fringe. “And yet there’s this imagination that the cultures all blend together.”

Like most labels we use in an attempt to pin something as multifaceted as identity onto paper, the identifier ‘Latin American’ searches for two things at once: commonality, but also the vast multiplicity of individual experience. At the Fringe, three artists are exploring different facets of Latin American identity through comedy, physical theatre, and clowning: resisting the flattening of cultures and experiences, and performing counter-narratives into being.

Lueches’ Playing Latinx mines comedy from Playing Latinx the idea of performing one’s identity as an immigrant. It combines an autobiographical story about a Latin American actor trying to alternate persona of mine teaches the audi“make it in the UK”, and what Lueches calls a ence how to be a good immigrant.” “very politically incorrect seminar, where this Comedy and politics are excellent bedfellows in this show where “silly” always wins, the Uruguayan actor says. “If I’m making you laugh, you’re already on my side. And then maybe I’ll charge you for the laughs by making you reflect on what you’ve been laughing at.”

Also approaching identity from a place of silliness is Dre Spisto, a professional “art buffoon” whose El Dizzy Beast – a tender, explosive blend of performance art and comedy – centres a queer, autistic, Latinx caterpillar. Spisto, who cannot currently return home to Venezuela, conceived of the show as a way to deal with post-pandemic loss, and as an ongoing reckoning with their identity as an immigrant “living two realities”; an autistic person searching for connection; a demisexual person in an open relationship.

Being a caterpillar is “to explore unbecomRewind ing,” Spisto says. “Especially when you come Photo: Héctor Manchego

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“If I’m making you laugh, you’re already on my side” Guido García Lueches

Photo: Rebecca Need-Menear An(dre)a Spisto

from an immigrant background where your parents have sacrificed so much for you to be here, we’re always so focused on how successful you’re going to be. But what if I don’t want to become a butterfly? What if I’m in transition my whole life?” The show is a space of joy and visibility for queer and trans people: “Sometimes our defences are so high that it’s hard to feel joy and connection. But I’m going to show up and risk being open with an audience, because that’s how I can be brave.”

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Theatre

The Ephemeral Ensemble’s Rewind takes political violence and resistance in Latin America as its focus, weaving physical theatre from the testimonies of refugees exiled from Latin America to the UK in the 70s, and those who migrated here between 2019-2022. Revolving around a criminal investigation into the disappearance of a woman named Alicia, it’s a dramatisation of the Nobel Peace Prize-nominated work of forensic anthropology: the scientific but also symbolic process of recovering the remains of those “disappeared” by political violence – seeking closure for their loved ones, but also as an act of defiance against authoritarian regimes.

“Something the show does quite beautifully is that there is this reconciliation to pain,” director Ramon Ayres shares. “And though the performance is based in Latin America, the piece looks to the trauma and injuries of many nations, and brings the past, present, and future into dialogue.”

It’s a performance of immense scope, which began with one word: “resistance.” With its fascinating multidisciplinary approach and analogue aesthetic – to mimic a criminal investigation happening in real time – Rewind poeticises forensic work in deeply lyrical ways.

“People say the forensic anthropologists give voice to the bones,” Ayres says. “The bones reveal the truth.”

SHOW VENUE: TIME: SHOW VENUE: TIME: SHOW VENUE: TIME:

Playing Latinx Summerhall 6:55pm – 7:55pm, 2–27 Aug, not 14, 21 An(dre)a Spisto: El Dizzy Beast Assembly George Square Studios 10:30pm – 11:30pm, 15–27 Aug, not 21 Rewind Summerhall 11:40am – 12:40pm, 2–27 Aug, not 14, 21

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The Empire Strikes Back The acclaimed playwright Ed Edwards’ England & Son was written for Mark Thomas. Their story began at the Fringe, five years ago.

Words: Si Hawkins

Photo: Alex Brenner

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Theatre

Ed: Where did we first meet?

Mark: I came to see your show, at Summerhall, because it looked great: The Political History of Smack and Crack? I’m in. Then we met outside as I was enthusing about it in my normal calm way. We started having these great old natters about colonialism, empire, all of that.

Ed: Then I had an idea, and thought ‘ooh, Mark’d like this.’ For me [England & Son], it’s a horror story, a ghost story, about how Britain is haunted by this sense that we’re still an oppressive nation. All this stuff about Saudi Arabia, but we’re bombing Yemen, Syria, Libya. That attitude of liberal intervention comes straight out of the empire playbook; ‘we’re civilizing them!’ So it’s sort of about that, for me.

Mark: I like to think it’s a psychological Greek tragedy set within the context of the British Empire.

Ed: Exactly. That’s far better.

Mark: It’s a good excuse for me to run around, play different characters. One of the things I love about your writing: that rawness, it doesn’t feel filtered, it’s an exciting way of performing. I’ve acted some characters in my other shows, and I did a breakfast play at the Traverse – they promised me a bacon roll, and I’m fairly cheap – but this is the first time that I’ve been in someone else’s play.

Ed: But you also manage to be yourself.

Because that was my worry, that people would be thinking ‘great, a Mark Thomas show,’ then turn up and go ‘what the fuck is this?’ So I was really relieved that it’s still a Mark Thomas show. Because I was thinking ‘oh my god, we’ll have to put a warning on it.’

trust you to write something that’s going to be exciting.

Ed: And then we need Cressida [Brown, director] to come and say ‘what the fuck does this mean?’ She’s the force there.

Mark: Cress is amazing. You and I both have the capacity to go off on tangents at the drop of a hat. I always knew there’d be awkward days, slightly out of my comfort zone. And what Cress is brilliant at, she provides incredible structure, really insightful. It’s brilliant to work with people you really like and respect.

Ed: What is nice, is having someone to write for who inspires you.

Fest: Could you become the Scorsese and De Niro of experimental theatre?

Ed: I’m up for it.

Mark: We regard this show as our Taxi Driver moment. And now we’re going to be working towards our Goodfellas.

SHOW VENUE: TIME:

England & Son Roundabout @ Summerhall times vary, 2–27 Aug, not 8, 15, 19, 22

Features

Photo: Alex Brenner

Mark: ‘No knob gags.’

Ed: I think there are a couple. The thing is, I want it to be entertaining too. I couldn’t write something that hasn’t got lots of twists and turns, and jokes.

Mark: What I’d like people to get out of this, I’d like people to think ‘I want to come back to the theatre.’ I went to drama school when I was 18, which I loved; within the first term I was in someone’s assessment play, painting myself for a body art thing. So I’ve that kind of background, and I haven’t gone back to that at all. But then this is not traditional theatre.

Ed: I do write plays, but it’s not naturalism, people don’t walk on and have conversations. As soon as I see a sofa on stage, I’ve got to leave.

Mark: I’m like that with French windows. I think, ‘some cunt’s coming through that with a tennis racket.’

Ed: Right. So I always try to do something different. Did you try the new ending last night?

Mark: I did, and I love the fact that we’re about to go to Edinburgh, and we go ‘fuck, whats the ending?’ That’s thrilling. I always

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Fest Party 2023 @ The Voodoo Rooms Photography: Charlotte Cullen

Party Ghost Wasteman

Michelle Brasier

26

Launch Party

Blub Blub

27 Features

Gillian Cosgriff Blub Blub

Party Ghost

F

est is back in action for another year and to celebrate, we teamed up with Glayva to throw the party to end all parties.

We invited our pals and all our favourite Festival folk to the magnificent Voodoo Rooms, where everyone was treated to a Glayva glocktail to celebrate our 21st birthday.

Alongside great company, fantastic drinks and of course, stunning magazines, we were lucky enough to have canapés courtesy of the venue, a photobooth via Blushbooth and entertainment from fabulous hostess Michelle Brasier, bin man drag queen Wasteman, comedy duo Shelf, Australian circus supremos Party Ghost and Melbourne International Comedy Festival award-winner Gillian Cosgriff. The team from Trunk Theatre Project also provided roaming performances from their charming theatre show Blub Blub.

We danced the night away to tunes supplied by The Skinny and Fest DJs, and then

Shelf

everyone was lucky enough to go away with a free tote bag which included delicious Glayva miniatures, various goodies from the Adelaide Fringe, organic, plastic-free tampons from Daye (courtesy of Gilded Balloon), pencils from Carte Blanche, magazines from The Skinny and brochures and flyers from acts and venues including The Stand.

A big thank you to everyone that made it along on the night, to our incredible acts and to The Skinny’s Tom McCarthy for all his efforts with the planning and organisation.

Same again next year?

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Photo: Van Corona

Comedy Reviews

Bill O’Neill: The Amazing Banana Brothers HHHHH VENUE: TIME:

Pleasance Courtyard 10:00pm – 11:00pm, 2–27 Aug, not 14

There’s a large bucket on stage, overflowing with bananas and a blackboard on the wall with the word ‘tally’ written in all caps. Tonight, two daredevil brothers will take on the impossible in their attempts to slip on 1,000 banana peels – a stunt requiring extreme grit and gusto.

Headliner Kevin Calamity is the embodiment of toxic masculinity, an eyepatch, moustache and foul attitude distinguishing him from his younger, meeker brother, Joey 28

Comedy

Insanity. But when Calamity is unable to complete the show, Insanity is forced to step up, his endearing nervous energy carrying him through a number of death-defying stunts.

With Natalie Palamides – winner of the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Newcomer in 2017 – on board as the director, The Amazing Banana Brothers was bound to be packed with a very particular brand of surreal, unpredictable and at times unsettling humour. But the absurdity is not arbitrary or frivolous; the slapstick stunts, maniacal spirit and uneasy tension all contribute to a cocktail of anxieties around grief and failure.

Bill O’Neill is phenomenal in his clowning and audience interplay, succeeding in his use of the banana as the primary motif all the way through. It becomes a grenade, a gun, a piece of spaghetti à la Lady and the Tramp and so much more, the smell of mushed-up and mangled banana increasingly overwhelming everything else in the room.

Ultimately, you may ask yourself: how funny can slipping on a banana peel over and over again actually be? Turns out, it might equally be the funniest and most profound thing you see all Fringe. ✏︎ Arusa Qureshi

The Poor Rich

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HHHHH TIME:

Assembly Roxy 10:00pm – 11:00pm, 2–27 Aug, not 15

Exploring greed through the lens of absurdity, The Poor Rich is a physical comedy about money and power. Gemma Soldati’s masterful clown performance is fearless, silly and laugh-out-loud funny.

Half-bank manager-half dominatrix, Soldati wants all of your money and valuables and she’s going to seduce, threaten and trick you to hand them

over. Using effective props, hilarious facial expression and with impeccable comic timing, she sets out to run a business, while diving into the heart of contemporary issues.

The show is heavily reliant on audience participation, and tonight’s audience is definitely game, literally barking on command. It’s noisy and chaotic as Soldati becomes increasingly desperate, pulling back credit lines with questionable methods to meet her financial targets. She eventually gets caught out, but lands on her

feet in the end – not dissimilar to many people running unscrupulous businesses – and she’s built up enough credit to keep the audience on side when she gets away with it.

It’s a real feat to make social commentary about the capitalist world with your bosom hanging out, but Soldati manages to pull it off.

The Poor Rich asks important questions and is simultaneously ridiculous, landing somewhere between excellence and absolute nonsense, and it works. ✏︎ Veronica Finlay

Review

VENUE:

Photo: HanJie Chow

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Nabil Abdulrashid: The Purple Pill HHHHH

TIME:

Pleasance Courtyard 6:05pm – 7:05pm, 2–27 Aug, not 15

When we’re next congratulating ourselves with an ecstatic, mutual backslap about how ‘anyone can put on a show’ at the Fringe, we’d do well to think of Nabil Abdulrashid.

Despite establishing himself as a comedian over several years, despite the Fringe’s grip on the UK comedy scene, getting on Britain’s Got Talent seemed a more realistic goal for Abdulrashid than doing an Edinburgh show.

On the back of his TV success, with no real need to do Edinburgh at all, Abdulrashid is now here. And perhaps because he doesn’t need to grease up the comedy industry The Purple Pill is an hour with no time wasted.

He manages to side-step easy categorising: he isn’t keen on the division of right and the left in politics; he wants to be a good dad to his two daughters (while knowing he doesn’t have all the answers); he’s perceptive about the impact a developmental disorder can have over a life – but how, in the wrong hands, such labels can be abused.

But his activism, his ethics, his thoughtfulness about the wider social context is all very practical and conversational.

He successfully interrupts our echo chambers – simply by offering a point of view that’s wrapped in modesty and understanding.

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Comedy

Photo: Matt Stronge

VENUE:

The Purple Pill is also wrapped in jokes, Abdulrashid is never far away from a punchline, and the laughter,

sometimes his own, spreads around the room with contagious joy. ✏︎ Ben Venables

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Photo: Matt Crockett

Mary O’Connell: Money Princess HHHHH In drawing on her own money anxieties, O’Connell takes TIME: the ever uncomfortable topic of finances and pushes it to a point of comical comfortability. It’s a welcoming perforIt begins with fanfare – cash, mance that is equal parts luminous pink, blasting music thoughtful and feel-good.

– and deservedly so. Mary From OnlyFans and girlbossing, O’Connell’s debut show Money to Nectar Points and healing Princess interrogates the crystals, topics we may think possibility of joy in late-stage are tired and overdone becapitalism with shameless come far from it with O’Connell. honesty, self-awareness, and Such is truly a testament to an impressive attentiveness. her fresh ingenuity.

Framed by the cost of living Amid the money chat, she crisis, the set questions who also questions the role of we are, who we want to be, the comedian and makes a and why we’re so comfy letnumber of astute and necting capitalism come between essary points on identity and the two. audience expectations within VENUE:

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Pleasance Courtyard 6:00pm – 7:00pm, 2–27 Aug, not 15

Comedy

comedy. It’s incisive, generous, and still very funny.

But it’s also clear that O’Connell is a truly talented storyteller; there’s a real warmth to each returning narrative. And, each unexpected turn is fun – for both the audience and O’Connell, who brings an easy excitement to her discussion of financial fears. Undeniably, there’s also a certain trustworthiness in her humourous yet conscious approach to these harsh realities. The irony is clear: within just a few minutes of this show about late-stage capitalism, the audience is left with an insatiable desire for more. ✏︎ Eilidh Akilade

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HHHHH VENUE: TIME:

The Stand Comedy Club 2 4:00pm – 5:00pm, 2–27 Aug, not 14

He may look, as he puts it, like a Republican senator’s son or the villain in a basketball movie, but Philipp Kostelecky is an exciting new stand-up who’s not afraid to get mucky or dark – occasionally simultaneously.

His clean-cut demeanour contrasts with some material that you wouldn’t want to watch with your parents (some of it a little too near the knuckle, as it were), but

he’s got the kind of presence and confidence in his skills to give the impression that he’s as surprised as we are about what he comes out with.

Kostelecky, who’s six foot four, is Austrian, Slovenian and American, his accent mainly settling in the latter territory.

The youngest, and favourite, of four kids, he grew up without his dad, and many of the father figures he cultivated in his mind (male comedians) have been cancelled.

As per the title, he also plays with the use of the term “daddy”, but at its heart this is a show about relationships and

the denial of mental health problems, all lubricated with some astute and unusual observations, committed mimes and quality jokes. Stark truths about the cost of living are handled cleverly and one particular memory of his father would make for a fascinating short story.

Kostelecky’s only 25 but he’s already got the slickness of someone who’s been doing this for decades. One might say there’s something of a young Alex Edelman about his style.

Ladies and gentlemen, it looks like we’ve got ourselves a contender. ✏︎ Ashley Davies

Review

Philipp Kostelecky: Daddy’s Home

Photo: Rebecca Need-Menear

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LEE MARTIN FOR GAG REFLEX AND ROYAL CARIBBEAN ENTERTAINMENT PRESENT

A TA L E O F I N D I A N M A G I C

“BEN HART IS A MASTER”

AS SEEN ON

BRITAIN’S

GOT TALENT

& PURE MAGIC Sell Out Show 2017 - 2019

12+

18:00

02 - 27 AUG

34

PALAIS DU VARIÉTÉ

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Review

Louise Young: Feral HHHHH VENUE: TIME:

Pleasance Courtyard 7:25pm – 8:25pm, 2–27 Aug, not 14 Photo: Jiksaw

“I promise I’m not exaggerating things for comic effect,” laughs Louise Young, towards the end of this increasingly eventful hour. “If anything I’m playing them down.”

Young’s debut is a bit of a Trojan Horse, rolling in with a bunch of relatable but not particularly clever club stuff, then throwing open the doors and letting great hordes of gobsmacking material flood out. It is quite the life she led, having left her native north east for north east London, and things hardly calmed down further south, from doing a runner while being sectioned to an epiphany in a police station.

The show’s big turning point is a ‘stop being crazy’ class she was sent on, for an afternoon, which was hopelessly optimistic. But then she squeezes a lot into this hour too, particularly the second half; her Turkish heritage, the fear of coming out onstage, and that rich history of fraternising with wrong-uns, doing speed at work and being generally – her word – feral.

Everything in excess. Nothing in moderation.

In fact, you can’t help wondering if this gleefully dynamic comic has emptied out the envelope a bit early here, but there’s clearly a wealth of backstory still to come, and

a unique perspective on the surrounding issues, from mental health funding to multicultural family matters.

She even leaves a cliffhanger

to whet appetites for the next show; something about being chased through a field by a helicopter. That should definitely do it. ✏︎ Si Hawkins

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Photo: Felicity Crawshaw

Amy Matthews: I Feel Like I’m Made of Spiders HHHHH Following two break-ups in a year, Amy Matthews’ system shut down and she found TIME: herself floating in between different states of mind, as well as jobs, flats and relationships. In I Feel Like I’m Made Amy Matthews turns the lens of Spiders, she tells the story on disassociation in her soph- about how she reconnectomore Fringe show, taking ed with herself and others, the audience on a personal making good use of audio and journey as she rebuilds her props along the way. life following a breakdown.

Sharing her thoughts on She successfully weaves a Henry VIII, the aubergine emoji, mental health narrative with and the different types of chilhumorous observations in a dren at weddings, Matthews well-structured and enterkeeps the show upbeat and taining hour. light-hearted, while also VENUE:

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Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Tron) 3:00pm – 4:00pm, 2–27 Aug, not 9, 16, 23

Comedy

touching on real issues – such as the difficulty of finding a mental health professional or trying to get the attention of her best friend when her kids are around.

It all amounts to an enjoyable and relaxed hour, delivered by a confident performer who is clearly in a better place now than a year ago. I Feel Like I’m Made of Spiders is witty rather than laugh-out-loud funny, but Matthews’ sharp observations and comic timing more than makes up for the lack of belly laughs. ✏︎ Veronica Finlay

37

SHOWS FROM DENMARK THAT OPEN YOUR MIND AND IGNITE YOUR CURIOSITY

August 2 – 27 danishedfringe DANISHedfringe danishedfringe.com

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Nathan D’Arcy Roberts: Present/Tense HHHHH

VENUE: TIME:

Gilded Balloon Teviot 4:20pm – 5:20pm, 2–27 Aug, not 14

What a pleasure it is watching a show about identity from a confident storyteller with real star potential. Nathan D’Arcy Roberts announces right at the top that he doesn’t really know what this hour is about because he’s too deep into it.

Even if that’s true, it doesn’t

matter a jot because there’s so much great material here. He talks about the “Where are you from from?” question, sharing some illuminating responses to his racial ambiguity, as well as dipping into DNA, family (handling several uncomfortable truths with ease), his girlfriend and observations on city life, never once losing momentum.

His simile to explain the difference between anger and rage issues will stay with

you for some time, as will his theories about certain retail specialists, and one particular flight of fancy in a prison environment. There are a few stand-out bits that really show off what D’Arcy Roberts is capable of, and it’s worth buying a ticket just to hear his truly excellent story about an encounter with a couple of guys in San Francisco. There’s some lovely acting in this winning sequence too. Definitely one to watch. ✏︎ Ashley Davies Image: courtesy of Flick Morris PR

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Comedy

39

Review

Ruby McCollister: Tragedy HHHHH

TIME:

Underbelly, Cowgate 5:45pm – 6:45pm, 3–27 Aug, not 15

Sunset Boulevard for jaded millennials, Ruby McCollister’s Fringe debut is an entertainingly delirious, stream-of-consciousness, overtly theatrical stumble through the seamy underside of Hollywood’s live fast, die young allure. A tragedian to her always performative bones, she grew up hanging around the low-rent Los Angeles theatre where her father was manager.

Here, she was surrounded by, and thirstily absorbed the glamorous ghosts of stage and screen, most of whom had been destined to expire in obscurity. But some, like Marilyn Monroe and Karen Carpenter, became exemplars of the tragic idol. And all were McCollister’s role models.

Experimenting with being-seen socialising, recreational drugs and eating disorders from a prodigiously early age, she nevertheless met her romantically nihilistic match in a French exchange student when she swapped everything but her intense personality to go study in Vermont. Flirting with genuine disaster and the base desires of her similarly affected Gallic squeeze, these people are absolutely exhausting to hear of.

But you can’t quite tear your ears away from the approaching calamity.

Image: courtesy of Avalon

VENUE:

In song and wry, if melodramatically over-the-top soliloquy, McCollister is a wild-eyed, luminescent figure, quite aware of how ridiculous and self-obsessed she appears.

Still, she’s furiously dedicated herself to wringing maximum empathy and a fair few laughs out of the still twitching, beautified corpse of her youth. ✏︎ Jay Richardson

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a dark rectangular room. May (Gabriella Munro), a young HHHHH photographer, is charged with taking photos of dissenters, rebelling against the organVENUE: Holden Street Theatres isation, as they are directed TIME: times vary, various towards a door, and their dates between 11 Feb impending doom. and 15 Mar What ensues is a tour-deTICKETS: $20 – $28 force about the adaptability of human beings within an Inspired by the horrific atrociauthoritarian dictatorship and ties committed in Cambodia’s the consequences of those S-21 prison, Feet First Collecadaptations. It’s a play that tive’s S-27 by Sarah Grochala has asks: just how far would you you in the brutal depths of a go to save yourself? Would you tyrannical regime before you’ve abandon a baby, kill your sister, found a seat in the theatre. sell your body?

Guards aggressively ‘proThe answers to these quescess’ each audience member tions, and the complexities of before herding everyone into the sacrifices being made, are

Theatre Reviews

shown through gut-wrenching vignettes throughout.

These snippets are broken up by musical interludes with choreographed, repetitive body movements, allowing you further into these atrocities.

At times, the dialogue leans towards cliché, but this doesn’t detract from an incredible performance from the entire cast. Lauren Beeton and Sally Clune give are particularly transfixing performances that delve into sheer fear, hopelessness and the intoxication of power.

S-27 is a full submersion into a disturbing reality that leans a little too closely into our own. ✏︎ Edwina Sleigh

England & Son HHHHH VENUE: TIME:

Roundabout @ Summerhall times vary, 2–27 Aug, not 8, 15, 19, 22

Desperate, angry and loving, Ed Edwards’ play England & Son is a searing one-hander that burns on long after the audience has vacated their seats. Written especially for Mark Thomas, who gives a masterstroke performance, the play follows a young man whose life is brutalised by abuse and addiction. But the frame of this portrait also extends beyond the parameters of his own experience, to insist how the violence that 40

Theatre

the British Empire sanctioned in faraway places will inevitably be brought home.

In less capable hands, such ambition and scope would result in an impassioned, but ultimately stilted political mouthpiece. Instead, the detail with which Edwards renders this young man’s world – both its cruelty, and its moments of compassion – makes these truths feel livedin. The rubber of the father’s scrapyard is a potent sign of how the evils of colonialism and free-market capitalism go hand-in-hand; but it’s also an indelible part of the narrator’s short childhood. And Thomas’ dynamicism ensures that our narrator is no mere symbol

of anything: he’s a living, breathing, funny and flawed boy whose horizons are rapidly collapsing around him.

His treatment in the youth detention centres that were opened under the “short, sharp shock” policies of Margaret Thatcher’s government in particular strangles the air out of the room.

But again, what prevents England & Son from backsliding into mere pain pornography is its insistence on joy, even beauty, as meaningful and essential lessons in creating a better world. Whether everyone is given access to such an education is another matter. ✏︎ Deborah Chu

Photo: Steve Ullathorne

Tartuffe

Blood of the Lamb

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HHHHH TIME:

Assembly Rooms 2:10pm – 3:10pm, 3–27 Aug, not 14, 21

The fall of Roe v. Wade means abortion is now illegal or heavily restricted in 18 out of 50 US states. Though people living in blue states or outside of the US altogether may think their own reproductive rights are safe, Arlene Hutton’s new play is a stark warning that this is not the case.

The intense two-hander takes place in Dallas, after the flight to New York that Nessa (Dana Brooke) was on

was diverted when she took ill. After waking up in hospital and finding out the baby she is carrying has died, Nessa just wants to get back to California and see her doctor.

Then there’s Val (Elisabeth Nunziato), a lawyer appointed by the state to represent Nessa’s dead foetus. Val is part of a larger group of politicians and advisors who are trying to determine how to proceed and whether or not Nessa has committed a crime.

Hutton drip-feeds plot points with an exquisite sense of timing. These dramatically

escalate the stakes because the longer Nessa has to wait to receive care, the more her life is at risk. Val’s religious convictions mean that she refuses to release Nessa and wave her through to departures.

This is a powerful piece of activism, an excellently-crafted play, and perhaps more importantly, a public service announcement to anyone who can get pregnant: you are at risk even if you’re just visiting or passing through a place that has criminalised abortion.

None of us can be complacent. ✏︎ Laura Kressly

Review

VENUE:

Photo: Jason Kuykendall

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Clown Sex HHHHH VENUE: TIME:

Pleasance Courtyard 1:45pm – 2:45pm, 2–27 Aug, not 16, 21

Echoing through plugholes, trickling down leaking pipes, and straight from the deviant’s mouth, Clown Sex is a triptych of lust, taboo and sexual euphoria.

The show comes from the warped mind of Natasha Sut-

ton Williams, taking on the persona of Gary Strange who has moved into London’s sewer system. Here, he has a worm’seye view of his neighbours’ carnal lives, which he shares with lascivious relish.

A primary teacher stuck in a rut, who simply cannot stop thinking about cock as she shepherds kids through the school day. A wannabe CEO using the guise of eccentricity to confess her worst carnal sin. Gary’s own story of fulfilling his biggest kink, sliding head(s) first into a clown.

It is raw, it is twisted, it is

utterly addictive.

Sutton Williams finds the edge of decency and hurls us all over, warping from character to deranged character as she does. Clown Sex is Roald Dahl on viagra, a dark carnival of debauchery that’s heart-clenchingly visceral whether you want it or not.

By delving into the darker recesses of human desire, Clown Sex celebrates sexuality, fetish, pushing the line, indulging in what truly turns us on, regardless of whether the results are orgasmic or horrific. ✏︎ Kirstyn Smith Photo: Rowan Spray

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Theatre

HHHHH VENUE: TIME:

Underbelly, Cowgate 2:15pm – 3:15pm, 3–27 Aug, not 14, 21

Following a group of four friends in South London, One Way Out is a complex look at the treatment of young men of colour and working class backgrounds. On receiving their A-Level results, their lives spin out from one another’s: university, work, the Home Office, and abuse. Its critique of our government and its violence – particularly in relation

joyful, and very necessary, One Way Out centres male platonic love with the depth and honesty it so deserves.

The undeniably talented cast carries the story with such brilliance, their energy filling the room without force or falsity. There’s a unity and commitment to their movements, bursting across the stage with laughs and shouts. And yet, attentiveness isn’t sacrificed for grandeur; the slower, more sombre moments are approached with care. One Way Out is worth it, purely for this.

sive, and always utterly right.

There’s a sense that the audience are meant to enjoy each laugh, to join in, and it’s warming to be welcomed in this way.

There’s moments when the plot gets a little knotted: it’s unclear how one character came to know something or how much time has passed since the last scene. It demands we give into its logic – or, sometimes, lack of – but One Way Out makes this easy for us, with a cast and story so thoughtfully captivating. ✏︎ Eilidh Akilade

Review

Image: courtesy of Underbelly

crisis – is cruAmid this, its humour cuts One Way Out tocialtheandWindrush poignant. Angering, just right: silly, a bit subver-

43

PRESENTS

P M A W S E H T G N I DRAIN

By D.R. HILL

Is fascism once again on the march?

Does the legacy of Sir Oswald Mosley continue to feed populist, right wing movements? This provocative new play explores Mosley’s controversial life and activities, with a chilling contemporary punch.

From the perspective of the 1960’s, and the emergence of the European Union, Sir Oswald Mosley looks back on his experiences in the 1930’s. The play brings to life the meteoric political rise of Mosley as a potential Labour Prime Minister, and the subsequent founding and development of the British Union of Fascists.

We see Mosley and Diana Mitford on their wedding day at Joseph Goebbels’s house in Berlin, and witness the events leading up to the infamous Battle of Cable Street, before the Mosley’s are incarcerated in Holloway Prison, during the war.

Mosley ponders on his legacy and the opportunities for future political leaders to communicate with and stir the masses. It ends with his legacy in 2019. #drainingtheswampplay CAST INCLUDES: ROWLAND D. HILL AS SIR OSWALD MOSLEY, TINA THOMAS AS LADY DIANA MOSLEY, PLUS GEORGIA WINTERS, SIMON POLO-CLARKE AND DAWSON JAMES. DIRECTED BY SU GILROY

HHHHH not capture the play’s fascinating destabilisation of the TIME: borders between perception and imagination, contrivance and realism, contorting theaLars von Trier’s Dogville – tre and cinema alike. either revered or reviled for This is a formally exhilaits alienating experimental rating meta-play. When Dusk form – is filmed entirely on begins, you don’t really know it a soundstage, and behaves has: house lights stay on, and like a piece of theatre. But as the actors casually introduce award-winning theatre-maker themselves to the audience.

Christiane Jatahy writes in They tell us they’re working on her programme notes for an adaptation of Dogville, exDusk, while von Trier turned to perimenting with the concept theatre to make Dogville, she of “acceptance of the Other”. turned to Dogville to create Slowly, we slip into a version her play. of the film’s events. A digital While it would be simple to camera on stage manned describe Dusk as a stage adby the actors broadcasts aptation of Dogville, this would live footage onto the screen VENUE:

The Lyceum run ended

behind them. What happens on stage and on screen are physically layered: a spectacular palimpsest of realities, an inquiry into the shape of truth executed with brilliant technical ambition and prowess.

Jatahy uses the framework of Dogville – a parable about the interpersonal roots of systemic evil – to exhume the conditions that permitted the election of Jair Bolsonaro’s fascist government in 2018. To do this, Dusk breaks open Dogville’s conclusion, releasing it from its Old Testament fatalism to seek a way forward: rejecting history’s repetition, its immovable endings. ✏︎ Xuanlin Tham

Review

Photo: Magali Dougados

Dusk

45

festmag.com

Photo: Ste Murray

Heaven

by Eugene O’Brien HHHHH VENUE: TIME:

Traverse Theatre times vary, 3–27 Aug, not 7, 14, 21

The white-hot desires of two people who’ve not lived life to the fullest bubble over in this electric new play from Eugene O’Brien.

Mairead (Janet Moran) and Mal (Andrew Bennett) are an Irish couple in their early 50s who have settled. There wasn’t much passion between the pair to begin with, but any that was there has long been extinguished. They married for the wrong reasons: Mairead wanted a quiet man after a string of wild affairs with charismatic drunks, while Mal saw married life as a way to put paid to the homosexual fantasies he’s had since his days as an altar-boy staring up at a shredded Jesus on the cross. They are happy, though: they’re best pals, proper partners. But one night, at a family wedding back in their dilapidated hometown, each carve out a night of heaven for themselves.

The play is delivered as a pair of criss-crossing monologues, which makes perfect sense for a couple exploring carnal hungers they could never share. Mairead’s is the most vivid, ripe and lyrical and extremely horny, with Moran relishing her character’s vivacious wit. Bennett’s role is more tragi-comic. He has a lot of fun with Mal’s gay panic, 46

Theatre

particularly after he snorts up some Dutch courage at the wedding reception, although there’s a disappointing sense that O’Brien doesn’t quite take Mal’s yearnings as seriously as Mairead’s. She certainly

has more dimensions; her character feels more lived in.

Taken together, though, this is an overwhelmingly compassionate portrait of marriage, brimming over with wit and pathos. ✏︎ Jamie Dunn

A Trilogy: bag-- / blood(line) / box.

Chopped Liver and Unions

4-26 Aug Various Times

4-12 Aug 15:10 14-26 Aug 13:10

theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall

theSpace on the Mile

This Time Next Year 4-19 Aug 22:40 21-26 Aug 21:10

Towering Issues

Towering Issues 14-19 Aug 11:10

August 14-19, 2023 @ 11:10a Edinburgh Festival Fringe theSpace on the Mile

Until Death

4-26 Aug 21:55

4-26 Aug 22:10

theSpace Triplex

theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall

CLARE STEPHENSON

theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall

Gerard Noir

Norma

15-19 Aug 19:15 theSpace on the Mile

BOX OFFICE 0131 226 0000

How to Find a Husband in 37 Years or Longer 4-19 Aug 17:30 20-26 Aug 12:05

theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall

@theSpaceUK

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Andronicus Synecdoche HHHHH VENUE: TIME:

Zoo Southside 8:20pm – 9:35pm, 4–27 Aug, not 7, 14, 21

Titus Andronicus is arguably Shakespeare’s most violent play. In Song of the Goat’s version, condensing it to just over an hour concentrates its violence and brings the women characters to the fore.

These features, and the large cast, use of music, and striking design, make this a powerful adaptation about the consequences of war.

Though the title of Shakespeare’s original suggests the

play belongs to Roman general Titus, this version is Tamora’s, the goth queen taken hostage during the war that precedes the play’s start. The revenge she engineers, and that which Titus enacts in return, is fully staged whereas much of the other action is speedily narrated rather than played out. Though this means some knowledge of the story would be beneficial so as to understand the context around the staged scenes, this clever approach highlights key moments that drive the message home. In this case, the takeaway is that ultimately,

no one really wins a war. Both sides endure awful suffering as a result of their desperate need to make each other feel as much pain as possible.

As well as the narration, choral singing and movement sequences emphasise the religion and militarism that drives the story. Angular choreography and all-black costumes create a sense of unrelenting brutality. The only major issue is that Aaron is a white actor, though often referred to as black. Apart from this, the clear concept and message make this production one to see. ✏︎ Laura Kressly Photo: Domas Rimeika

48

Theatre

HHHHH a wish to find her childhood farm. And so they trek through a South Africa blighted by civil war.

Presenting a theatrical adapK’s simplicity gives him a tation of JM Coetzee’s 1983 limited understanding of Booker Prize-winning novel, the conflict. Filtered through Baxter Theatre fluidly fold his mind, the war takes on a puppetry and film into this Kafkaesque quality – the initial performance. The protagoof his surname a direct literary nist, Michael K, is a gardener allusion. His modest desires and also a simple man. His and tenacity throughout the innocence is due to an innate perilous journey compel us to slow-wittedness or a lack empathise with his otherof play with other children worldly perspective. when a boy (his mother held The puppet representing K him back because of her own artfully reveals his emaciatdiscomfort with his cleft lip – ed figure, showing both his fearing the snide remarks it constant hunger and the wiry might attract). strength of his personality.

Now, as K’s mother’s health The use of film to depict fails in her old age, he honours his traversal of the landVENUE: TIME:

Assembly Hall 12:00pm – 2:20pm, 4–27 Aug, not 14, 21

scape establishes the vital link between him and the natural environment.

The play’s pacing does falter – certain narrative points are redundantly explained by the actors, despite us grasping the visual clues. Yet the production creatively captures episodic moments of Coetzee’s novel, such as K’s efforts to hunt and grow food – the performers guiding the puppets with grace and understanding. In another key scene there’s a confident pause; a long silence that seemingly plays a discordant note, portraying the first shock of grief, deepening our connection to the character. ✏︎ Ben Venables

Review

Photo: Fiona McPherson

JM Coetzee’s Life & Times of Michael K

49

HHHHH VENUE: TIME:

theSpace @ Niddry St 6:05pm – 6:55pm, 4–26 Aug, not 13

Great literary figures collide in this monologue biography of Truman Capote, as written

by Scottish author Andrew O’Hagan, the writer of Mayflies.

It’s his debut play, which is a big deal, and the performance we saw had the capacity audience to prove it. Yet these are also modest circumstances in which O’Hagan can test the theatrical waters; not at the Traverse or the International Festival, but in a converted function room in a Royal Mile hotel. A proper Fringe debut.

Writer and director, O’Hagan and the play’s sole performer Patrick Moy imbue the whole enterprise with a touch of class. The setting is New York’s Plaza Hotel in November 1966, just before Capote’s Black and White Ball at the same location, the famed ‘Party of the Century’ which united the literati, film stars and international grandees of the era in a definitive event of the American 20th century. Capote waits in his hotel room, fielding calls about the infamous guestlist, reflecting on his life and dropping names like Hemingway, Parker and Arthur Miller into anecdotes told for his own benefit.

Moy’s performance is note-perfect, nailing the impudent falsetto of Capote’s voice, and a certain tone of

bold confidence mixed with creeping self-doubt which ties with his public persona; and, of course, his failure to write a follow-up to 1965’s In Cold Blood in his subsequent two decades of life. The beauty of the picture being painted,

however, masks a certain dramatic inertia to proceedings.

We feel we know Capote more by the end, but we wonder if this interior journey might not have worked at least as well were it printed as prose on the page. ✏︎ David Pollock

51

Review

Image: courtesy of Michelle Mangan PR

The Ballad Of Truman Capote

festmag.com

‘COLOSSALLY TASTELESS...

INING’ HIGHLY ENTERTA THE NEW EUROPEAN

(60 Mins)

18:00

52

2  27 AUG 2023

2 August – 27 August 2023

Pleasance at EICC • pleasance.co.uk

Artificial Intelligence Improvisation

HHHHH HHHH THEATRE HHHHH DAILY MAIL THE OBSERVER WEEKLY HHHH HHHH HHHH THE TIMES MAIL ON SUNDAY THE SUNDAY TIMES

Dance, Physical Theatre & Circus Reviews

Review

new extreme, showcasing only one performer for the HHHHH 40 minute show. Instead the focus shifts back to the thrilling experience of being in a VENUE: Assembly Murrayfield circus big top; using darkness, Ice Rink shadow, pinpricks of light and TIME: times vary, 4–27 Aug, a dramatic soundtrack to not 15, 22 draw parallels with majestic desert night skies, or the hushed reverence inside a The Budapest dance and mystical place of worship. modern circus company, A custom built space has Recirquel have brought been created in Murrayfield staggering, pared back shows Ice Rink, and suspense builds to the Fringe before, where as the audience waits to be unnecessary frills are edited led through a dark tunnel for out, leaving all eyes on the the spectacle to begin. An extraordinary talents of its illuminati style cape conceals performers. This year, artistic a spectral shape, moving director Bence Vági takes his in a graceful and slightly minimal approach to a brave spooky way towards the

Photo: Bálint Hirling

IMA (Pray)

53

crowd. Pacing and precision dominate the choreography where controlled bursts of athleticism on aerial straps are mixed with graceful dance sequences. A religious score of low chanting gives way to a soaring classical melody, and the astonishing gymnast (there are four taking turns during the Fringe run) seems to reach a kind of spiritual ecstasy as she carves and swings through the cavernous space. A dazzling, impressive and memorable moment of calm within the busy Fringe, although it will be interesting to see if the company gives other performers a chance to shine again in future shows. ✏︎ Claire Sawers

festmag.com

Common Dissonance HHHHH

flirting, tussling, comforting, but not necessarily always in TIME: harmony – we also see moody huffing, physical pain, winding each other up.

After passing underneath the Circus founder Harvey Mann giant inflatable gibbon guard- is from the Wakka Wakka ing the entrance to House of nation in central Queensland Oz, we are ‘welcomed to coun- and does a mean routine with try’ by Melbourne’s Na Djinang diabolo and indigenous sign Circus. Without reading any of language. He set up Na Djinang the blurb, what immediately to bring a First Australian becomes obvious is a trio of perspective to the comperformers in silent symbioplex modern world; the title sis. There is a non-hierarchical, Common Dissonance reflects non-patriarchal grace to their universal disagreements and acrobatics and dance, teshow we disentangle ourselves sellating around each other, from problems.

VENUE:

House of Oz 4:30pm – 5:20pm, 4–27 Aug, not 9, 14, 21

Jessica Connell performs some of the best hula hoop you will ever see, staged in a minimal way with a soft electro soundtrack, just six hoops whirring around her taut muscles, a smooth blur of criss-crossing angles and absolutely precise grace.

Johnny Brown brings elegance to his muscular dance and acrobatics with body paint, traditional art, origami and water also dropping in for some short cameos. Simple staging from a strong trio, with powerful results. ✏︎ Claire Sawers Photo: Bridget Brigg

54

Dance, Physical Theatre & Circus

55

Review

Photo: Matt Crockett

Cabaret Reviews Ben Hart: Jadoo HHHHH VENUE: TIME:

Assembly George Square Gardens 6:00pm – 7:00pm, 2–27 Aug, not 14

Magic thrives on storytelling. Consider the difference between a sleight of hand card trick performed skilfully but without fanfare, and one which has an hour-long backstory and threads that weave in and out of a narrative that pulls you out of reality and into Ben Hart’s enticing world.

In Jadoo, Hart’s literary arc revolves around a recent trip to India undertaken to discover 56

Cabaret

nature, the universe and what real magic actually is.

The lines between reality and magic are more blurred than we think, Hart explains, demonstrating with an unassuming, gentle kind of trickery, unnoticeable at times until he points it out. There’s a sense of calm throughout, as though Hart has discovered exactly what he was looking for on his pilgrimage and is waiting for the correct moment to unleash the answers to all the universe’s questions. Taking inspiration from Indian street magicians, jadoowallahs, Hart whirls through sleight of hand,

conjuring and illusion, before exploring fakirs’ beliefs that the concept of life and death is all in the mind and that, subsequently, pain is too.

With Jadoo, Hart is doing something quite beautiful: inviting audiences to step beyond the veil, to question whether we are the reflection or the reflectee, whether our experiences aren’t just a mass hallucination. Taking the dark of life with the light, Hart has created a show that is both enchanting and eerie, exploring the concept of what is trick and what is truth. ✏ Kirstyn Smith

Dizney in Drag: Once Upon a Parody

57

HHHHH

TIME:

Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose 6:30pm – 7:30pm, 3–27 Aug, not 7, 14, 21

It’s common knowledge that some of the most popular Disney films and characters have their origins in the dark fairy tales of storytellers like the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen. But as twisted as those stories can be, they’ve never included sex toys, menstrual fluid and pegging – until now.

Dizney in Drag: Once Upon a Parody is a riotous hour of raunchy, horny pantomime magic, featuring all your favourite Disney classics. The narrative is purposely cliché, centring on a stereotypical Disney hero as he heads off on his journey to find his one true love, assisted by a magnificent pink-bearded Hairy Godmother. It’s here he encounters the likes of a coked-up Snow White, sex-curious Ariel and Gaston in a strap on, all played expertly by drag kings and queens with striking and

colourful costumes.

From the goofy opening rendition of ‘Be Our Guest’ to Ariel’s kink-tastic ‘Part Of Your World’, each song and performance is delivered by The Hairy Godmothers with cheek-filled undertones in a very sex-positive manner that encourages the audiences to get on board. Dizney in Drag is a silly, raunchy show but in its takedown of toxic masculinity and discussions around consent, it also touches on some valuable life lessons. ✏ Arusa Qureshi

Review

VENUE:

Photo: Emma Basc

Review

Photo: Alex Brenner

59

Music Reviews After The Act (A Section 28 Musical) HHHHH Breach Theatre’s musical After the Act excavates stoTIME: ries from that dark period in not 4, 7, 14, 21 British history, with every word coming from activists, teachOne night in 1988, as the BBC ers, politicians, and students went on air to present the six who lived through Section 28. o’clock news, two activists Twenty years after its repeal, stormed on set and handit’s clear that the law’s impact cuffed themselves to the has had an indelible effect on newsdesk. They were there to an entire generation of young protest Section 28: a new piece queer people, who are today of legislation which forbade lo- in their middle age. cal authorities from ‘intentionThe ensemble cast of Ellice ally promoting homosexuality’.

Stevens, Tika Mu’tamir, EM Under this law, it became illegal Williams and Zachary Willis is for councils to advance proastonishingly good, capturing gressive agendas, fund LGBTQ+ the deeply rooted anger and initiatives – and speak about pain in these testimonials, homosexuality in schools. but also their joy, humour and VENUE:

Traverse Theatre, times vary, 3–27 Aug,

hope as people across society rise up to fight the law. Its thrumming synth soundtrack and beautifully emotive choreography further elevate what’s happening on stage, which feels vital in both senses of the word – as something absolutely important, and deeply alive. For not only does After the Act preserve the past, but it also draws chilling parallels to the culture wars embroiling our current moment, particularly around the far-right’s backlash against trans rights. Where we go now is up to us; just as long as we never go back. ✏ Deborah Chu

festmag.com

Kids Critics Grow Alvie, two years and two months, cultivates joy and play in a show for tiny gardeners Photo: Alice Tucker

What happens in the show?

Babies and little kids are drawn into a simple story about a beginner gardener minding her friend’s allotment for a few days and trying to grow flowers. We meet a tiny robin and bumblebee, someone gets on the wrong end of a garden hosepipe (because taps and water are always hilarious and fascinating, obvs) and the weather keeps us guessing (a strong Edinburgh theme). All the wee ones get handed things to smell and shake, there are songs to learn and singalong to, packets of seeds to take home, plus a relaxed mini arts and crafts session for decorating plant pots at the end.

What did you like most about the show?

It’s a gentle, playful, interactive show co-written by Scots-Indian writer Niall Moorjani with Diana Redgrave and Vickie Holden. Nothing too frantic or zany happens, the 60

Kids

children were kept enthralled and the entry level intro to plant appreciation for the very young was cute.

Was there anything you didn’t like?

It’s quite a small room, with kids on laps and some adults cross legged on the floor so leave any bags behind and go early for a comfy spot.

What did your grown-up think?

Loved it. Wholesome content that Alvie immediately got into, not a crazy ticket price either.

Plus the Storytelling Centre is an excellent space for letting toddlers play for a bit while grown-ups get a coffee too. Bonus.

Would you tell your friends to go?

Deffo. It’s part sensory play session, part sweet storytime with songs.

SHOW VENUE: TIME:

Grow Scottish Storytelling Centre 10:30am – 11:10am, 4–27 Aug, not 9, 16, 23

61 Reviews

Kids Critics Sea Dragon For Under 5s Emerald, two-and-a-half-years old, dives in for an underwater adventure

What did you like most about the show?

There are lots of puppets and songs in Sea Dragon For Under 5s, and lots of fun things to play with. When you go in, you’re given a shiny bag full of colourful and noisy things that you’re asked to take out at different points in the show.

It was really fun, and I got a sticker at the end.

Was there anything you didn’t like?

No. I thought I might be a bit scared of the dragon before the show, but he was really nice and friendly.

What did your grown-up think?

My mummy liked playing with the toys in the sack as much as I did, and she liked that there was a pianist playing live on stage.

Would you tell your friends to go?

Yes, especially the ones that like songs and puppets. We’re also going to tell our baby friends about Sea Dragon for Babies, which happens right after this show at 11am.

SHOW VENUE: TIME:

Sea Dragon for Under 5s Pleasance Courtyard

10:00am – 10:40am, 2–20 Aug, not 16 Image: courtesy of Pleasance

What happens in the show?

At the beginning, we meet three kelpies, who look a bit like the Muppets. They call their friend, Kipper the Sea Dragon, to help them bring colour back to the coral reefs in the ocean. Kipper swims through the ocean and asks lots of friends – like some seahorses, a starfish and a jellyfish – for help.

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Comedy 09:30

A Political Breakfast PBH’s Free Fringe @ Burrito ‘n’ Shake, 16–27 Aug

09:45

Editburgh Meeting Point @ Ibis Hotel, 16–29 Aug, not 19, 20 About Comedy: Stand-Up Comedy Courses Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16 Aug, 19 Aug, 20 Aug

10:00

What’re You Looking At! Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–27 Aug, not 22 Corona Daze theSpace on the Mile, 16–19 Aug

10:15

The Early Word Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Wiki Knows Best – Mythical Islands Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–27 Aug

10:30

Neil Harris: Codebreaker Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Mountebank Comedy Walk of Edinburgh Monkey Barrel Comedy, 16–27 Aug First Thing (Work in Progress by Daniel Kitson) Roundabout @ Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 22

10:40

The Breakfast Club Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–27 Aug

10:45

Made in Bangladesh Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 23–27 Aug

festmag.com

11:00

Daman Bamrah: Salmon Camera Laughing Horse @ 32 Below, 16–27 Aug The Weegies Have Stolen the One O’Clock Gun! St Columba’s by the Castle, 18 Aug Around the World in 80 Puns Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 17–27 Aug, not 19, 20

Michael Kunze: Infinity Mirror Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–22 Aug

11:15

Richard Duffy is Asleep: A Retrospective PBH’s Free Fringe @ CC Blooms, 19–27 Aug 3’s Comedy: Mornings Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–27 Aug

11:20

Rose Matafeo: Work in Progress Monkey Barrel Comedy, 16–27 Aug

11:25

50 Midlife Crises to Try Before You Die Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–26 Aug, not 20

11:30

Sounds Proper Comedy’s Hot Picks Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–27 Aug Bucket Laughing Horse @ 32 Below, 16–27 Aug, not 21 The Dark Knightley Rises Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 21–27 Aug Those Who Can’t Do Laughing Horse @ The Brass Monkey, 16–27 Aug Rozarina Larsen Presents: Whitefishing Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 23–27 Aug

11:35

1998: A Walking Disaster – Anxiety, Absurdity, Airfryer Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–27 Aug, not 21

11:40

Luke Manning: One Manning Show Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug The Path to True Love (via Swindon) Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–19 Aug

11:45

AL! The Weird Tribute (And How Daniel Radcliffe Got Mixed Up in This Nonsense) Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16–27 Aug, not 21

11:50

5 Mistakes That Changed History Assembly George Square, 16–27 Aug, not 21

11:55

22 Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–27 Aug

12:00

Keroseno and Finito: Cock O’Clock Leith Depot, 16–27 Aug Cecilia Delatori: Rock Spinster Gilded Balloon Teviot, 17–28 Aug, not 23 Larry Dean: Work in Progress Monkey Barrel Comedy, 16 Aug Chris Thorburn: Cineman Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–27 Aug Aaaaargh! It’s the One-Liner Show Laughing Horse @ Dropkick Murphys, 16–27 Aug Sarah Keyworth: Work in Progress Monkey Barrel Comedy, 17–27 Aug Tiff Stevenson: WIP Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Hive), 16–20 Aug Mark Row: A* in the Making Laughing Horse @ The Hanover Tap, 16–27 Aug Scream Inside Your Heart Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–20 Aug Arzoo Malhotra: First Degeneration Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug Lunch with a Cyclopath Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–27 Aug Sharon Wanjohi and Abbie Edwards: Screaming, Crying, Throwing Up Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 21–27 Aug The Generation Gap (WIP) Laughing Horse @ Cabaret Voltaire, 16–27 Aug Joe Wells: King of the Autistics PBH’s Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth, 16–27 Aug Sex, Art and the Art of Survival Frankenstein Pub, 21–28 Aug

12:05

Pirates: You Wouldn’t Steal a Boat theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug Sam Lake: Aspiring DILF Monkey Barrel Comedy, 16–27 Aug Corona Daze theSpace on the Mile, 20–26 Aug

12:10

The Shit Kid Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug An American Christmas with the BXG DXG Hootenannies @ The Apex, 16–28 Aug Dinesh Nathan: Nathan Knows Nothing (WIP) The Voodoo Rooms, 16–27 Aug Milo Edwards: Sentimental Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Tron), 16–27 Aug

12:15

Big Smoke Comedy Laughing Horse @ The Brass Monkey, 16–27 Aug Better Paul Paul Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 16–28 Aug #BigDerryEnergy with Peter E Davidson Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–27 Aug Kathleen Hughes: One of the Girls (WIP) Scottish Comedy Festival @ Waverley Bar, 16–18 Aug Steph Aritone: Excelf-esteem Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 21–27 Aug Robin Boot’s Rockomedy: Seventh Pun of a Seventh Pun PBH’s Free Fringe @ Whistlebinkies, 16–20 Aug Harry Potter or My Girlfriend... Who Do I Love More?

PBH’s Free Fringe @ Bannermans, 16–27 Aug

12:20

David McIver: Small Boy Trapped in a Wellness Retreat PBH’s Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth, 16–27 Aug Table for Two? Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug Can You Tell Me Where This Is? Laughing Horse @ Eastside, 16–27 Aug The Oxford Imps Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 17–27 Aug Hannah Platt – Work in Progress Hootenannies @ The Apex, 21–28 Aug

12:30

MC Hammersmith: Straight Outta Brompton Monkey Barrel Comedy, 16–27 Aug, not 22

PG Hits! Stand-Up Comedy That’s Everyone’s Cup of Tea Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16–27 Aug Ageing Folks Telling Jokes Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 21–27 Aug A Spaniard’s Guide to Learning Shakespeare Laughing Horse @ 32 Below, 16–27 Aug Sarah Roberts: Worm in Progress Laughing Horse @ Cabaret Voltaire, 20–27 Aug Live Podcast Hour Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 17–27 Aug Phil Ellis’s Excellent Comedy Show Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Hive), 16–27 Aug Sketch Up! Laughing Horse @ Cabaret Voltaire, 16–19 Aug

12:35

Ashley Barnhill: Texas Titanium (Show ‘Bout Gettin’ a New Skull) Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–27 Aug

12:40

Mervyn Stutter’s Pick of the Fringe Pleasance Courtyard, 16–26 Aug, not 17, 21, 23 Jackman and Bones: Framed Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–20 Aug

12:45

Is It Just Us?!

Laughing Horse @ The Brass Monkey, 16–27 Aug, not 22 Richard Pulsford: Short Joke Teller Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 17–27 Aug Lee Kyle: England’s Best Comedian Laughing Horse @ The Pear Tree, 16–27 Aug RGB Monster’s Format Factory Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 21–27 Aug Kiri Pritchard-McLean: Work in Progress Monkey Barrel Comedy, 16–27 Aug

12:50

Matt Green: That Guy (Work in Progress) Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–20 Aug Pam Ford Don’t You Dare!

(Put Me in a Care Home) Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 21–27 Aug

And Now...

Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug Coffee Kid Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug

13:00

Sameer Katz: Love Is a Lie Laughing Horse @ 32 Below, 16–27 Aug The Weegies Have Stolen the One O’Clock Gun! St Columba’s by the Castle, 19 Aug, 26 Aug Achtung!! The Germans Are Coming!

PBH’s Free Fringe @ Globe Bar, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Alphabet Soup – Serving Hot LGBTQIA+ Comedy Brunch Le Monde, 16–28 Aug Robin Ince – Weapons of Empathy Gilded Balloon at the Museum, 16–27 Aug Max Norman: A Pirate’s Life For Me Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug Alastair Clark: Happy Ending PBH’s Free Fringe @ Slow Progress, 17–27 Aug Shoot From The Hip Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug Get Blessed!

Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug Last Stand on Honey Hill Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–27 Aug Silent Disco Walking Tours Edinburgh: Boogie Shoes theSpace @ Niddry St, 19 Aug, 26 Aug Board Game Smackdown Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 17–27 Aug The Opera Comedy Show Laughing Horse @ Home Bar, 16–27 Aug

13:05

Joy’s Bed and Breakfast Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–27 Aug Australia: A Whinging Pom’s Guide PBH’s Free Fringe @ Legends, 17–27 Aug, not 23 Hooked: Mr Sister Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug Gerry Carroll – Young Zoo Southside, 16–27 Aug

13:10

Fiona Ridgewell: No-Nonsense PBH’s Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth, 17–27 Aug

festmag.com

BY KALABANTE PRODUCTIONS

17:05 03 - 28 AUG

MAIN HALL

19:00 03 - 28 AUG

66

MAIN HALL

BOOK NOW

BOOK NOW

Deepu Dileepan: American Alien PBH’s Free Fringe @ Pilgrim, 16–27 Aug Henry Ginsberg’s Hyper Masculine Cookery Show Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Best of Edinburgh Showcase Show Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug

13:15

I’m Doing the Edinburgh Fringe With My Grandad Laughing Horse @ West Port Oracle, 17–22 Aug Jamie Allerton Goes to the Movies Laughing Horse @ Eastside, 16–27 Aug, not 21 The Dead Ducks theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug Gremlin Head Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–27 Aug A Multitude of Sins: A Dog Gone Mystery Leith Depot, 16–19 Aug Irish Comedy Invasion Laughing Horse @ Cabaret Voltaire, 16–27 Aug Ross McGrane: Get Rich or Cry Trying PBH’s Free Fringe @ Subway, 16–27 Aug, not 17 101 Naughty Jokes in 30 Minutes Laughing Horse @ Dropkick Murphys, 16–27 Aug David Ellis – The Worst Jew Laughing Horse @ West Port Oracle, 16 Aug 4 Funny Feckers Laughing Horse @ The Hanover Tap, 16–27 Aug Marcus Ryan – Eat, Pray, Walk Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–27 Aug

13:20

13:25

Ahir Shah: Ends Monkey Barrel Comedy, 16–27 Aug

13:30

Arguments! The Comedy Debate Show Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 21–27 Aug The Political Party with Matt Forde: Angela Rayner Underbelly, Bristo Square, 18 Aug Michael Porter: Love and Brain Damage Just the Tonic at The Grassmarket Centre, 16–27 Aug Gavin Webster: Proper Jokes Scottish Comedy Festival @ Waverley Bar, 16–28 Aug Eleanor Morton: Work in Progress Monkey Barrel Comedy, 16 Aug The 5th Alternative Black Comedy Showcase PBH’s Free Fringe @ Bannermans, 16–27 Aug, not 19, 26 Aidan Jones: Adult Adoption Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–27 Aug Stephen Buchanan: Charicature Monkey Barrel Comedy, 17–27 Aug Alex and Roger Work It Out Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 21–27 Aug Rachel Creeger: Ultimate Jewish Mother PBH’s Free Fringe @ Whistlebinkies, 16–27 Aug, not 19, 26 Bad in Bed: Arthritis to Insomnia Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 16–27 Aug Silent Disco Dance Tours

by Silent Adventures Meeting Point at Uplands Roast Coffee Shop, 19 Aug, 26 Aug Bryony Byrne: A Clown Tries to Write a Play (WIP) PBH’s Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth, 16–27 Aug eBae: Ruby Carr (WIP) Laughing Horse @ The Brass Monkey, 16–27 Aug Silent Disco Walking Tours Edinburgh: Boogie Shoes theSpace @ Niddry St, 20 Aug Born in a Wheelchair Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug

UK Pun Off Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 17–18 Aug The 5th Alternative Black Comedy Showcase PBH’s Free Fringe @ Whistlebinkies, 19 Aug, 26 Aug

13:35

Ted Milligan: The Finished Product (A Work in Progress) PBH’s Free Fringe @ Legends, 16–27 Aug Dog Dies Under Porch – A Comedy!

Laughing Horse @ Eastside, 16–27 Aug Ian Smith: Crushing Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Tron), 16–27 Aug

13:40

The Temp Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug Chris Grace: As Scarlett Johansson Assembly George Square Studios, 16–28 Aug Long Long Long Live Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Mark Silcox: Women Only PBH’s Free Fringe @ Voodoo Rooms, 16–27 Aug Ginny Hogan: Regression Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–27 Aug The Cambridge Impronauts Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug

13:45

129.5 Steps to Autistic Success Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–27 Aug Josh Elton: Mountain Jew (Plus Support) PBH’s Free Fringe @ Brewdog Doghouse, 17–27 Aug, not 23 3rd Rock from the Pun: Darren Walsh Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16–27 Aug Mark Simmons: New Jokes PBH’s Free Fringe @ Liquid Room Annexe/Warehouse, 16–27 Aug 101 Psychos: We turn Insanity into Hilarity Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–27 Aug Colleen Lavin: Do the Robots Think I’m Funny?

Greenside @ Riddles Court, 21–26 Aug Pottervision Laughing Horse @ Cabaret Voltaire, 16–27 Aug, not 21

13:50

How to Cheat on Your Husband Just the Tonic Nucleus, 16–27 Aug Stewart Lee: Basic Lee The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 16–20 Aug

13:55

Harriet Dyer: Mother Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Hive), 24–27 Aug Wild Things Greenside @ Riddles Court, 16–19 Aug Oddity Comedy Laughing Horse @ Eastside, 16–27 Aug An Asian Queer Story: Coming Out to Dead People Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–27 Aug Dead Inside theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 21–26 Aug Yuriko Kotani: This Is My Work Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Hive), 16–23 Aug

14:00

Stanley Brooks: I Can Make Me Rich Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug Arthur’s Seat Comedy Extravaganza On Top of Arthur’s Seat, 19 Aug Daniel Downie: Jacobite Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 16–27 Aug Aaaargh! It’s the Monster Stand-Up Show!

Laughing Horse @ Dropkick Murphys, 16–27 Aug Comedy Caper Laughing Horse @ The Brass Monkey, 16–27 Aug Mark Watson’s Churchfest St Peter’s Church, 22 Aug James Barr: Chains and WIPs Excite Me Laughing Horse @ 32 Below, 16–27 Aug Rhiannon Shaw: Wedding Night Bedlam Theatre, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Sandy Not Just on Sunday!

The Saltire Society Headquarters, 22–28 Aug, weekdays only The Grand Return of the Edinburgh Revue Paradise in Augustines, 16–27 Aug, not 20 Sam Coade and James Trickey: Floorfillers Laughing Horse @ Dragonfly, 16–27 Aug, not 21

14:05

Abi Clarke: Try Hard (Work in Progress) Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–27 Aug

14:10

❤ Katy Berry: Diamond Goddess Crystal Pussy

HHHH

Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–27 Aug, not 22 ❤ Adam Riches is The Guys Who... HHHH Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug Tatty Macleod: Fugue Monkey Barrel Comedy, 16–27 Aug Grotto Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug

14:15

Comedians and (Similar to but Legally Distinct from) Dragons Laughing Horse @ Home Bar, 16–27 Aug Raymond Mearns – Old Town Comedy Walking Tour Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 16–28 Aug, not 18, 19, 25, 26 Holly Spillar: Hole Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug AC/DC: Australian Comedians / Dope Comedy Laughing Horse @ The Pear Tree, 16–27 Aug Dickie Richards: Sexual Tyrannosaur 2023 PBH’s Free Fringe @ Globe Bar, 16–27 Aug Millwall Jew Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16–27 Aug, not 22

14:20

Iraqnophobia (Work in Progress) Just the Tonic at The Caves, 22–26 Aug Big Cuck, Little Cuck Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–20 Aug Rob Duncan: Baby Trains PBH’s Free Fringe @ Legends, 16–23 Aug Alex Something Is Missing Again!

PBH’s Free Fringe @ Pilgrim, 16–27 Aug, not 21

14:25

One Man 12 Angry Men Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–27 Aug The Oxford Revue Will See You Now Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug

Thenjiwe – The Mandela Effect Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–27 Aug Sex Job Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug Rosalie Minnitt: Clementine Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug Rob Auton: The Rob Auton Show Assembly Roxy, 16–26 Aug

14:30

Matt Hutchinson: Hostile Assembly George Square Studios, 16–27 Aug Tom Crosbie: Actions Speak Louder Than Nerds Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug Overthinking It Laughing Horse @ Eastside, 16–27 Aug 1 Billion Songs Please!

Hill Street Theatre, 16–27 Aug You Don’t Know You’re Beautiful C ARTS | C venues | C cubed, 16–27 Aug Men With Coconuts PBH’s Free Fringe @ Liquid Room Annexe/Warehouse, 16–27 Aug, not 22 Stand-Up Philosophy Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–27 Aug Old Movies Saved My Life: 2 Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 21–27 Aug Mervyn’s 30th Year Charity Gala Pleasance Courtyard, 21 Aug Adam Greene and Peter Bazely: Bi and Large – Bier and Larger Laughing Horse @ Cabaret Voltaire, 16–27 Aug Silent Disco Walking Tours Edinburgh: Boogie Shoes theSpace @ Niddry St, 19 Aug, 26 Aug 101 Comedy – Club Free Laughing Horse @ The Hanover Tap, 16–27 Aug Five Mugs, No Tea Leith Depot, 16–27 Aug The Durham Revue: Death on the Mile Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug The Edinburgh Fridge Show Laughing Horse @ West Port Oracle, 16–27 Aug, not 21

Listings

Seymour Mace Does Drawring The Stand Comedy Club 2, 16–27 Aug Twenty Hamsters Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 20–27 Aug A Star is Re-born!

Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug Eva Bindeman: Semi Killer Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–19 Aug

Vix Leyton: Antihero The Stand Comedy Club 3 & 4, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Alison Spittle: Soup Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Hive), 16–27 Aug

67

68

Comedy Ryan Wingfield: American Comedy for Brits Boteco do Brasil, 17–27 Aug, not 21, 22, 23

14:40

Mary Bourke: 200% Irish The Stand Comedy Club 2, 16–27 Aug Phil Green: Four Weddings and a Breakdown PBH’s Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth, 17–27 Aug Murder, She Didn’t Write Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug Amy Webber: No Previous Experience Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–27 Aug

festmag.com

14:45

Finlay and Joe: Past Our Bedtime Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug Thinky Winky PBH’s Free Fringe @ The Street, 16–26 Aug, not 19, 21 The Asian Comedy Showcase!

Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–27 Aug, not 22 Will BF: The Last Gun Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug Angus Coutts – Short King The Stand Comedy Club 3 & 4, 16–27 Aug 999 Problems Laughing Horse @ Bar Soba, 21–27 Aug Share PBH’s Free Fringe @ Bannermans, 16–27 Aug John Otway PBH’s Free Fringe @ Voodoo Rooms, 16 Aug Darius Davies: Charmingly Offensive Scottish Comedy Festival @ Waverley Bar, 17–28 Aug Harry Stachini – Grenade Scottish Comedy Festival @ Waverley Bar, 16 Aug Billy Kirkwood: Buzzin (WIP) Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 16–27 Aug, not 21 The Early Late Show Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–27 Aug Raul Kohli: Makes It Up as He Goes Along Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 17–27 Aug The Young-ish Offenders Laughing Horse @ The Brass Monkey, 16–27 Aug

14:50

A Collection of Nothing Laughing Horse @ Eastside, 20–27 Aug Ted Hill: Tries and Fails to Fix Climate Change Assembly George Square, 16–27 Aug Eric’s Tales of the Sea – A Submariner’s Yarn Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug Sofie Hagen: Banglord Monkey Barrel Comedy, 17–27 Aug, not 22, 23 Glass Crumpet’s Sketch Show Laughing Horse @ Eastside, 16–19 Aug Biswa Kalyan Rath: Live Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Hive), 16–27 Aug Harun Musho’d: Why I Don’t Talk To People About Terrorism PBH’s Free Fringe @ Legends, 17–27 Aug, not 23

14:55

Pirates: You Wouldn’t Steal a Boat theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 21–26 Aug Will Adamsdale: Show of Just Songs Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–25 Aug Laura Davis: Well Don’t Just Stand There Dancing Monkey Barrel Comedy, 16–27 Aug

15:00

Harriet Dyer: Mother Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Tron), 23 Aug Gabby Killick: Conversations With My Agent Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–27 Aug Keroseno and Finito: Cock O’Clock Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16 Aug Harriet Kemsley: Work in Progress Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Tron), 16 Aug The Meaning of Wife PBH’s Free Fringe @ Liquid Room Annexe/Warehouse, 17–27 Aug, not 23 The Weegies Have Stolen the One O’Clock Gun! St Columba’s by the Castle, 16 Aug, 17 Aug, 19 Aug, 25 Aug, 26 Aug Lynn Ferguson: Storyland Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug

McClaine Beirne: Wheelie Funny Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16–27 Aug Sam’s Scriptz!

Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Jenn Brown: If Truth Be Told Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 17–19 Aug Angel Comedy Showcase Laughing Horse @ Cabaret Voltaire, 16–27 Aug Jaz Mattu Emerges Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug, not 17 Amy Matthews: I Feel Like I’m Made of Spiders Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Tron), 17–27 Aug, not 23 Susan Morrison Is Walking Funny The Stand Comedy Club 3 & 4, 16–27 Aug Silent Disco Dance Tours

by Silent Adventures Meeting Point at Uplands Roast Coffee Shop, Various dates from 18 Aug to 27 Aug Njambi McGrath: OutKast Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug Indonesia Presents (Far) East Meets West The Stand Comedy Club 3 & 4, 16–27 Aug AAA Batteries (Not Included) Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug James Nokise: God Damn Fancy Man Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–27 Aug Dominique Salerno: The Box Show Pleasance Courtyard, 17–27 Aug

John Robins: Work in Progress Just the Tonic Nucleus, 16–27 Aug, not 18, 21, 25 The Gargle: Live The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 22 Aug CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–27 Aug

15:05

Alex Kealy: Fear Itself (Work in Progress) Monkey Barrel Comedy, 16 Aug Bronwyn Sweeney: Off-Brand Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug Candace Bryan: Communist Dad Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–27 Aug Adam Flood: Remoulded Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Hive), 16–27 Aug Louise Atkinson: Mates Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–27 Aug Salma Hindy and Danielle Deluty: Parallel Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug, not 21

200 IQ Audience Only (No Munters) PBH’s Free Fringe @ Voodoo Rooms, 16–27 Aug

15:10

Emotionally Unreasonable Laughing Horse @ Eastside, 21–27 Aug Serena Terry – Socially Needier The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 23–25 Aug Oy Gay! The Queer Jewish Comedy Show Laughing Horse @ Eastside, 16–20 Aug Ed Patrick: Catch Your Breath The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 16–27 Aug, not 22, 23, 24, 25

15:15

Alexis Gay & Friends Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–27 Aug Simon Munnery’s Jerusalem The Stand Comedy Club, 16–28 Aug St Doctor’s Hospital Assembly George Square Studios, 16–28 Aug Shaggers Laughing Horse @ Dragonfly, 16–27 Aug, not 21 2 Truths, 1 Lie Hootenannies @ The Apex, 16–27 Aug 101 Clean Jokes in 30 Minutes Laughing Horse @ Dropkick Murphys, 16–27 Aug Thor Stenhaug: Grateful for the Opportunity Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–27 Aug Laughing Horse Clean Pick of the Fringe Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–27 Aug A Complete Idiot’s Guide to New Zealand Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 16–27 Aug Alex Leam: Now 40!

PBH’s Free Fringe @ Canons’ Gait, 16–27 Aug, not 21

15:20

❤ Stuart Goldsmith: Spoilers HHHH Monkey Barrel Comedy, 17–27 Aug

15:25

Shelf: Teenage Men PBH’s Free Fringe @ Voodoo Rooms, 17–27 Aug

15:30

Adam Kay: Undoctored – This is Going to Hurt...

More Pleasance Courtyard, 27 Aug Not My Audience! The Interactive Panel Show You Control with an App! Laughing Horse @ 32 Below, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Cerys Bradley: Not Overthinking Things 2019 Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16–27 Aug, not 26 The Silliad: Improvised Myths and Legends Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug Peter Fleming Meets Doctor Who! Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 26 Aug Ivo Graham: Organised Fun Pleasance Courtyard, 26 Aug Eddy Hare: Leave It With Me PBH’s Free Fringe @ Globe Bar, 16–26 Aug, not 21 The Jew Rogaine Experience with Josh Edelman PBH’s Free Fringe @ Pilgrim, 16–27 Aug Aussies Abroad Laughing Horse @ Home Bar, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Comrie Sf: Ultramarine Bedlam Theatre, 16–27 Aug 1 Ball Show: 1 Lung Less Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–27 Aug Paul Merton’s Impro Chums Pleasance Courtyard, 16–20 Aug

15:35

Josh Glanc: Collections 2023 Monkey Barrel Comedy, 16–20 Aug Ari Eldjárn: Saga Class Monkey Barrel Comedy, 21–27 Aug

15:40

Married at First Sleight Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug

Biscuit Barrel: The 69-Sketch Show Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug The Stand-Up Horror Show Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug Our Place in the World Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–27 Aug Bishops Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug

15:45

Sian Davies: This Charming Man Assembly George Square, 16–27 Aug Painspotting! Choose Life, Choose Laughter!

Leith Depot, 16–17 Aug Lizzy Lenco: Full Frontal Lobe Laughing Horse @ Eastside, 20–27 Aug 33 Years Single Laughing Horse @ West Port Oracle, 16–27 Aug, not 22 ❤ Eric Rushton: Not That Deep HHHH Laughing Horse @ Cabaret Voltaire, 16–27 Aug Olaf Falafel: Look What Fell Out Of My Head Laughing Horse @ The Pear Tree, 17–27 Aug Patrick Susmilch: Texts from My Dead Friends Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–27 Aug Adam Riley: Late-Night Comedy in the Afternoon Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug Sooz Kempner: Y2K Woman Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–27 Aug AMJ: Adder Laughing Horse @ The Hanover Tap, 16 Aug Shagadelic: The Origins of Slang Words for Doing It Laughing Horse @ The Hanover Tap, 17–27 Aug Sex and Drugs and Getting Old Laughing Horse @ Eastside, 16–19 Aug Alex and Sharlin: White Chicks 2 Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–27 Aug

15:50

The Duncan and Judy Murray Show The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 20 Aug

Grubby Little Mitts: Hello, Hi Assembly George Square Studios, 16–28 Aug Bilal Zafar: Imposter Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug

15:55

I’m Having Distressing Thoughts theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–26 Aug Danny Ward: A Ward Winning!

PBH’s Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth, 16–27 Aug Alex Franklin: I Must Reach the Summit, Please God I Must Reach the Summit Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug Anesti Danelis: This Show Will Change Your Life Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–27 Aug

16:00

The Stand Comedy Club 2, 16–27 Aug Jon Culshaw: Imposter Syndrome Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–27 Aug 1001 Normal Dysfunctional Families Laughing Horse @ The Raging Bull, 16–27 Aug American Cheese Laughing Horse @ The Cocktail Mafia, 16–27 Aug Knock, Knock Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Silent Disco Walking Tours Edinburgh: Boogie Shoes theSpace @ Niddry St, 19 Aug, 26 Aug Scotland’s Pick of the Fringe: Early Edition Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 16–27 Aug Mitch Benn: The Point Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug A Show for Gareth Richards PBH’s Free Fringe @ Whistlebinkies, 16–27 Aug Gyles Brandreth Can’t Stop Talking!

Assembly George Square, 16–27 Aug Nicola Macri: Single Entendre Greenside @ Riddles Court, 16–26 Aug, not 20 1990 Child from Wuhan: Trauma, Love, Diarrhoea Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–27 Aug, not 21

16:05

Cal Halbert – Calcoholic The Stand Comedy Club 3 & 4, 16–27 Aug Mike Rice: An Irish Work in Progress Laughing Horse @ Eastside, 16–27 Aug

16:10

Failed by Design Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug Adrian Bliss: Inside Everyone Pleasance Dome, 16–27 Aug CCTV theSpace on the Mile, 21–26 Aug Ali Woods: Working On It Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug

16:15

Bennett Arron: Loser PBH’s Free Fringe @ Liquid Room Annexe/Warehouse, 16–27 Aug

Eme Essien: Fine Print Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–27 Aug Liz Guterbock: Geriatric Millennial Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Dane Baptiste: Bapsquire Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Hive), 16–27 Aug Patrick Spicer: Yes Haha What PBH’s Free Fringe @ Brewdog Doghouse, 16–27 Aug, not 21 3’s Comedy: Afternoons Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–27 Aug Zach Zucker: Spectacular Industry Showcase Pleasance Courtyard, 22–26 Aug Fiona Allen: On The Run Pleasance Courtyard, 16–20 Aug AAA Stand-Up at Underbelly Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug Spencer Jones: Making Friends Monkey Barrel Comedy, 16–27 Aug Laughing Horse Pick of the Fringe Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–27 Aug Stefania Licari: Medico Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–27 Aug Sasha Ellen: When Life Gives You Ellens Make Ellenade Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–24 Aug The Bite (A Mouthful of Fringe Madness) Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16–27 Aug Sid Singh: Table for One Laughing Horse @ Cabaret Voltaire, 16–27 Aug Andy Onions: PowerPointless Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 25–27 Aug Think ‘n’ Grin: A Solo Improv Comedy Show PBH’s Free Fringe @ Strathmore Bar, 16–27 Aug

16:20

Priya Hall: Grandmother’s Daughter Monkey Barrel Comedy, 16–27 Aug Jody Kamali: Things We Do for Love Assembly George Square, 17–28 Aug, not 23 Nathan D’Arcy Roberts: Present/Tense Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–27 Aug

JJ Whitehead – White Noise The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 16–27 Aug Laufey Haralds: Pip Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 17–27 Aug Alex Martini: Life’s a Pitch BlundaGardens: BlundaBus & Magical SpiegelYurt, 16–17 Aug Ange Lavoipierre: Your Mother Chucks Rocks And Shells Underbelly, George Square, 16–27 Aug

16:25

Earthly Blessings Laughing Horse @ Eastside, 16–27 Aug Aaron Simmonds: Baby Steps Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug Garrett Millerick: Never Had It So Good Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Tron), 16–27 Aug

16:30

60 Minutes About Scotland Laughing Horse @ Dragonfly, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Adventures of the Improvised Sherlock Holmes Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug Angles of the North PBH’s Free Fringe @ Southsider, 17–27 Aug, not 20 Aaron Wood: Living The Dream Hootenannies @ The Apex, 16–20 Aug MATES: The Improvised 90s Sitcom theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug A Bookish Comedy Show Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 17–27 Aug Benji Waterstones: You Don’t Have to Be Mad to Work Here Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug, not 21 One’s a Musical Comedian and One Isn’t Just the Tonic at The Grassmarket Centre, 16–27 Aug Silent Disco Dance Tours

by Silent Adventures Meeting Point at Uplands Roast Coffee Shop, 19 Aug, 20 Aug, 26 Aug, 27 Aug The Impro All Stars Frankenstein Pub, 16–20 Aug Tied for Second Just the Tonic Nucleus, 16–27 Aug

Gus Lymburn and Jay Lafferty: Club Sets Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 16–27 Aug, not 22

16:35

Eve Ellenbogen: Dead Mom Stuff Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–27 Aug Lulu Popplewell: Actually, Actually Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Lorna Rose Treen: Skin Pigeon Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Ania Magliano: I Can’t Believe You’ve Done This Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Nightwatchman Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–27 Aug

16:40

Kathy Maniura: Objectified Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug Francis Breen: White Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug An Evening with Michael Fry and Killian Sundermann Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug The Comedy Arcade The Stand Comedy Club 3 & 4, 16–27 Aug, not 21 The Oxford Revue Did It! Just the Tonic at The Grassmarket Centre, 16–27 Aug

16:45

Kevin Precious: The Reluctant Teacher Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–27 Aug Married at First Fight Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16–27 Aug Helen Bauer: Grand Supreme Darling Princess Monkey Barrel Comedy, 16–27 Aug Hannah Campbell and Becky Umbers: The North/South Divide Hootenannies @ The Apex, 16–28 Aug Stuart Laws? Is That Guy Still Going?

Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Hive), 17–27 Aug Darran Griffiths: Inconceivable Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug

Jokers in the Pack Laughing Horse @ Home Bar, 16–27 Aug Helen Duff: Lullabies Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Hive), 16 Aug

16:50

Rory o Hanlon – Happy Hour PBH’s Free Fringe @ Legends, 16–26 Aug Cults, Startups and Pornstars: How I (Almost) Won My Dad’s Approval ZOO Playground, 16–27 Aug Isabelle Farah: Nobu and Amytis (WIP) Hootenannies @ The Apex, 23–27 Aug The Leeds Tealights: A Very Special Birthday Party Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug Heidi Regan: Finding an Inner Peace That All Your Friends Will Envy PBH’s Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth, 16–27 Aug Alex Hylton: I Won’t Let Failure Go To My Head Just the Tonic at The Grassmarket Centre, 16–27 Aug Egg: Absolutely Fine Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug 500 Comedy Fans Can’t Be Wrong Hootenannies @ The Apex, 16–19 Aug Will Hall: Mild Peril Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–27 Aug Very British Problems: Live The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 16–27 Aug

16:55

Raul Kohli: Raul Britannia (The Full Inglish) Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 17–27 Aug Palindrome Fight!

PBH’s Free Fringe @ BrewDog Lothian Rd, 16–27 Aug, not 22

17:00

Marjolein Robertson: Marj The Stand Comedy Club, 16–28 Aug Ronnie Golden: Allo Keith! Remembering Barry Cryer Le Monde, 16–20 Aug Alcohol Is Good For You Laughing Horse @ 32 Below, 16–27 Aug, not 22 Schalk Bezuidenhout: Keeping Up Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–27 Aug

Listings

Ron Placone – Balding is Punk Rock Laughing Horse @ 32 Below, 16–27 Aug Tegan Marlow: Jeans and a Nice Top x Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 20–27 Aug Funny Cluckers – Best of the Fest Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–19 Aug Ian Stone Will Make It Better Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–27 Aug Noam Shuster Eliassi: Coexistence My A** Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16–27 Aug, not 21 All About Philosophy in 100 Jokes Laughing Horse @ The Brass Monkey, 16–27 Aug Suse Steed Presents Magic Numbers BlundaGardens: BlundaBus & Magical SpiegelYurt, 18–22 Aug Great Sketchpectations theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 21–26 Aug Irish Comedy Headliners Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug Friend (The One with Gunther) Gilded Balloon at the Museum, 17–27 Aug, not 23 Aaaaargh! It’s the One-Liner Show Laughing Horse @ Dropkick Murphys, 16–27 Aug

❤ Philipp Kostelecky: Daddy’s Home HHHH

69

Aalex Mandel-Dallal: Break It Down (with Friends) Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug Tom Little: The Reliably Funny Comedian You Want To See PBH’s Free Fringe @ Subway, 16–27 Aug Troy Kinne – Made Wrong 4042., 24–27 Aug Alex Farrow: Wisdom of the Crowd Laughing Horse @ Cabaret Voltaire, 16–27 Aug Childlike theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 21–26 Aug Hypnotist Matt Hale: Top Fun! 80s Spectacular Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug AI Jesus – Peter Bazely with Special Guest(s) Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–27 Aug Luka Muller: Five Top Smells I Smelled Last Year (WIP) Laughing Horse @ Eastside, 16–27 Aug Silent Disco Walking Tours Edinburgh: Boogie Shoes theSpace @ Niddry St, 18 Aug, 25 Aug Frank Lavender: Be Funny Just the Tonic at La Belle Angele, 16–27 Aug Steve Bugeja: Self Doubt (I think) Monkey Barrel Comedy, 16–27 Aug An Irish Roast Laughing Horse @ The Hanover Tap, 16–27 Aug This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things PBH’s Free Fringe @ Burrito ‘n’ Shake, 19–27 Aug

17:05

Ross Leslie: Unfit for a King Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–27 Aug Adele Cliff Can Break Your Arm Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug

17:10

Method Vs Madness Laughing Horse @ The Cocktail Mafia, 16–27 Aug The Northern Irish Comedy Protocol Laughing Horse @ The Pear Tree, 16–27 Aug Cheekykita: An Octopus, The Universe ‘n’ Stuff Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Furious Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Celebrity Girlfriend Draft Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 21–26 Aug Danny O’ Brien: Sweet Child O’ Brien Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 16–27 Aug 101 Naughty Jokes in 30 Minutes Laughing Horse @ Dropkick Murphys, 16–27 Aug Jew-O-Rama PBH’s Free Fringe @ Whistlebinkies, 16–27 Aug Becoming Virgin Laughing Horse @ The Raging Bull, 16–27 Aug Colleen Lavin: Do the Robots Think I’m Funny?

Greenside @ Riddles Court, 16–19 Aug Emma and Harry Paradise in Augustines, 21–27 Aug 4 Big Cs Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16–27 Aug Ashley Blaker: Normal Schmormal Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–27 Aug

17:20

jD Shapiro: If It Ain’t Woke Don’t Fix It – Stories from the Hood to Hollywood Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–27 Aug Geoff Norcott: Basic Bloke Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–27 Aug Shamilton! The Improvised Hip Hop Musical Assembly George Square Studios, 16–27 Aug Gavin Webster – You Cannot Say Nowt These Days The Stand Comedy Club 2, 16–27 Aug ❤ Max & Ivan: Life, Choices HHHHH Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug, not 19, 26 Erik Scott – Talkin’ Trash PBH’s Free Fringe @ Legends, 16–27 Aug

Can You Put This in the Bin For Me? Laughing Horse @ Eastside, 16–27 Aug Leo Reich: Literally Who Cares?!

Pleasance Courtyard, 24 Aug Lucas O’Neil: Emotional Man Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug

17:25

Charlotte Fox: Ouroboros the Return Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug Bee Babylon: Cancer Culture The Stand Comedy Club 3 & 4, 16–27 Aug

17:30

Edinbra Fringe Comedy Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–27 Aug Daniel Muggleton: How the Whitey Have Fallen Laughing Horse @ Cabaret Voltaire, 16–27 Aug Grace Campbell: A Show About More Me(n) Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–17 Aug The Gossip Gays Underbelly, Bristo Square, 24 Aug William Thompson: The Hand You’re Dealt Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug Gary Tank Commander: Gary Talks (Yous Listen) Gilded Balloon Teviot, 18–28 Aug, not 22 Luke Kempner in Gritty Police Drama: A One-Man Musical Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug Disabled Cants Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16–27 Aug NewsRevue Pleasance Courtyard, 17–27 Aug Men in Quilts Boteco do Brasil, Various dates from 18 Aug to 27 Aug Stella Graham – Dragon PBH’s Free Fringe @ Brewdog Doghouse, 16–27 Aug Jake Baker: Alone Together Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug Jon Courtenay: Mental Flavour Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–23 Aug

Improv Comedy with Box of Frogs theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 21–26 Aug This Is Your Trial Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–27 Aug Nick Doody – The Difficult Twelfth Album PBH’s Free Fringe @ Liquid Room Annexe/Warehouse, 16–27 Aug, not 22 The Magic of Terry Pratchett Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug 10,000 Ideas Laughing Horse @ 32 Below, 17–27 Aug Any Suggestions, Doctor?

The Improvised Doctor Who Parody Pleasance Dome, 16–27 Aug

17:40

Shane Daniel Byrne: But He’s Gay...

Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug Paul Sinha: Pauly Bengali The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 16–27 Aug Amrita Dhaliwal: A Lady that Fikas BlundaGardens: BlundaBus & Magical SpiegelYurt, 18–27 Aug Scott Murphy: About a Buoy Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug Tartan Tabletop in a Dungeons & Dragons Comedy: The Never-Ending Quest (Ends Aug 27th) Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 17–27 Aug Mustafa Algiyadi: A Little Killing Hurts No One Laughing Horse @ Eastside, 20–27 Aug Drew Michael: Drew’s Adventures Pleasance Dome, 17–27 Aug Hal Cruttenden: It’s Best You Hear It From Me Pleasance Courtyard, 17–27 Aug Kuan-wen Huang: Ilha Formosa Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–27 Aug Luisa Omielan: Bitter Monkey Barrel Comedy, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Amusements by Ikechukwu Ufomadu Pleasance Courtyard, 17–27 Aug Glass Crumpet’s Stand-Up Show Laughing Horse @ Eastside, 16–19 Aug

17:45

Locomotive for Murder: The Improvised Whodunnit Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug Billy Kirkwood: Show Me Your Tattoo The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 16–27 Aug, not 19, 21 James Cook: Anonymously Viral Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 17–27 Aug Ashley Manning – Candyfloss (Work In Progress) The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 19 Aug, 21 Aug The Glitch PBH’s Free Fringe @ Canons’ Gait, 20–26 Aug Tom GK: Chemodian Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug, not 21 Stuart McPherson: Love That For Me Monkey Barrel Comedy, 17–27 Aug Laughing Horse Pick of the Fringe Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–27 Aug Maggie Crane: Side

by Side Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug Mr Chonkers Monkey Barrel Comedy, 16 Aug Gary Little Still Here Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 16–28 Aug Martha McBrier: Story-tastic Laughing Horse @ Dragonfly, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Ruby McCollister: Tragedy Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug

17:50

Troll Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug The Crisp Review: Live Paradise in The Vault, 16–27 Aug, not 20 Crizards: This Means War Pleasance Dome, 16–26 Aug Connor Burns: Vertigo Just the Tonic Nucleus, 24–27 Aug Benjamin Alborough: Absolute Monopoly Assembly George Square, 16–28 Aug Grace Jarvis: This Is the Last Goldfish That I Am Going to Eat for You Underbelly, George Square, 16–28 Aug

Emily Walsh: Dad Girl Just the Tonic at The Grassmarket Centre, 16–27 Aug Freya Parker: It Ain’t Easy Being Cheeky Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Name of the Dame Just the Tonic Nucleus, 16–20 Aug Kirsty Mann: Skeletons Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Kosher Russian Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–27 Aug Marc Jennings: Away From Here Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Tron), 17–27 Aug

17:55

The Coil’s Lament Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–27 Aug George-prov: An Improvised Theatrical Experience Assembly Roxy, 25–28 Aug

18:00

24 Shows in 24 days: Live at the Big Cave Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug Sachin Kumarendran: Deceit Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug Old Jewish Jokes Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16–27 Aug, not 22 ❤ Mary O’Connell: Money Princess

HHHH

Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Troy Hawke: Work in Progress Just the Tonic Nucleus, 20–27 Aug Artificial Intelligence Improvisation Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–27 Aug Pick of the Fringe The Sheraton Grand Hotel, 24 Aug Andrew Silverwood: I Really, Really, Really Want a Zig-A-Zig Ah.. and a Nap Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–27 Aug Mark Watson and Mat Ryer: The Company St Peter’s Church, 21 Aug Aaaargh! It’s the Monster Stand-Up Show!

Laughing Horse @ Dropkick Murphys, 16–27 Aug Gentrif*cked (Work in Progress) Just the Tonic at The Grassmarket Centre, 16–27 Aug

Listings

Ruth Hunter: The Ruth is on Fire PBH’s Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Stephen Mullan: Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!

Assembly George Square Studios, 16–27 Aug Jeromaia Detto: MUSH Underbelly, Cowgate, 21–27 Aug

17:15

71

72

Comedy Wholesome Prison Blues: Wicked Comedy for (Mostly) Good People Just the Tonic at The Grassmarket Centre, 17–27 Aug, not 23 Silent Disco Dance Tours

by Silent Adventures Meeting Point at Uplands Roast Coffee Shop, 16–28 Aug Shaparak Khorsandi: ShapChat!

Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Braingystics: Sieze the Mind Laughing Horse @ Home Bar, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Lindsey Santoro: Pink Tinge Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug A Shark Ate My Penis: A History of Boys Like Me Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug

18:05

❤ Nabil Abdulrashid: The Purple Pill HHHH Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Anuvab Pal: The Department of Britishness Assembly George Square Studios, 16–28 Aug

festmag.com

18:10

Micky Overman: The Precipice Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Hive), 16–27 Aug Mamoun Elagab: Why I Love White People Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Emmanuel Sonubi: Curriculum Vitae Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug Tom Ballard: It is I Monkey Barrel Comedy, 16–27 Aug Ticked-Off Einstein Telling Jokes Just the Tonic at The Grassmarket Centre, 16–27 Aug Nick Pupo: Addicted Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–27 Aug Ray Fordyce and His Wonderfully Spiffing Variety Show Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–27 Aug, not 21 The Umbilical Brothers: The Distraction Assembly Roxy, 16–28 Aug, not 21

18:15

Smart and Dumber Laughing Horse @ West Port Oracle, 16–27 Aug Ben Hodge: It’s a Boy? (WIP) Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–27 Aug Gigl Comedy Laughing Horse @ Eastside, 16–19 Aug Dave Chawner: Freelosophy Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–27 Aug Aidan Jones: The Morning After Laughing Horse @ Cabaret Voltaire, 16–27 Aug Marmalade Laughing Horse @ The Hanover Tap, 16–27 Aug Alex Leam: Awkward Question Time PBH’s Free Fringe @ Burrito ‘n’ Shake, 16–27 Aug, not 21

18:20

Janine Harouni: Man’oushe Pleasance Courtyard, 16–25 Aug, not 21 Matt Price: As Seen on CCTV Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug Jay Lafferty: Bahookie Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug, not 22 Crap Ballet theSpace @ Niddry St, 16–22 Aug

18:25

Sam Williams: Himbo (WIP) Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug Adrián Minkowicz: Brown Privilege III PBH’s Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth, 17–27 Aug Robin Tran: Don’t Look at Me Assembly George Square, 16–27 Aug The Best of Irish Comedy The Stand Comedy Club 3 & 4, 16–27 Aug Vittorio Angelone: Who Do You Think You Are? I Am! Monkey Barrel Comedy, 16–27 Aug Ollie Horn: Not Much Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–27 Aug

18:30

Tom Mayhew: This Time Next Year, We’ll Be Millionaires!

Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–27 Aug

Adam Bromley: Time Traveller Laughing Horse @ Bar Soba, 16–27 Aug Not My First Rodeo...

Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 21–26 Aug The Cambridge Footlights International Tour Show Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug, not 21 Kate Hammer: Wide Set Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 22 Aug Ivo Graham: Organised Fun Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug A Night of the Mind Just the Tonic at La Belle Angele, 16–27 Aug Twonkey’s Greatest Twitch The Voodoo Rooms, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Man of the Century Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16–20 Aug Fake Jews Laughing Horse @ The Raging Bull, 16–27 Aug The Many Colours of Comedy: A Prism Comedy Variety Show Laughing Horse @ The Cocktail Mafia, 16–27 Aug, not 21 44 and Flippin’ Furious Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 21–27 Aug Laughing Horse Pick of the Fringe Laughing Horse @ 32 Below, 16–27 Aug Rick Molland: Natural Born Dickhead Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 16–27 Aug, not 22 Silent Disco Walking Tours Edinburgh: Boogie Shoes theSpace @ Niddry St, 18 Aug, 25 Aug Spontaneous Potter: The Unofficial Improvised Parody The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 16–27 Aug Matt Storer: Hot Nonsense Assembly George Square Studios, 16–28 Aug

18:35

Marcus Ryan – The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Comedy Laughing Horse @ Eastside, 16–27 Aug Abigail Paul: Involuntary Momslaughter Greenside @ Riddles Court, 16–26 Aug, not 20

Mark Pleases You C ARTS | C venues | C aquila, 16–27 Aug

18:40

Sapan Verma: Shame on Me Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Neil Frost: The Door BlundaGardens: BlundaBus & Magical SpiegelYurt, 18–27 Aug Dolly Diamond’s Rather Large Variety Night Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–26 Aug Reuben Solo: Palindrome Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–27 Aug Gareth Mutch: Belter The Stand Comedy Club 2, 16–27 Aug Chloe Petts: If You Can’t Say Anything Nice Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Still Surviving In Hong Kong – Cantonese Comedy Show theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 21–26 Aug

18:45

James Nokise – Right About Now The Stand Comedy Club 3 & 4, 16–27 Aug Stand-Up Science Laughing Horse @ The Pear Tree, 16–27 Aug Gareth Waugh – Wouldni Be Me The Stand Comedy Club, 16–28 Aug Joe McTernan: Life Advice That Won’t Change Your Life Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug Amazing Prize Comedy Bingo 9 Queen Street, 16 Aug, 17 Aug, 18 Aug, 20 Aug Irish Jokers Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 21–27 Aug Bald Man Sings Rihanna PBH’s Free Fringe @ Brewdog Doghouse, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Spontadeity: Whomst Let the Gods Out?! (Improv) Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16–27 Aug Adam Greene and the Diet of Destiny Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–27 Aug Laughing Horse Pick of the Fringe Laughing Horse @ Cabaret Voltaire, 16–27 Aug

Markus Birdman: Platinum – Free The Liquid Room, 16–20 Aug The Totally Improvised Musical Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16 Aug

18:50

Jonny Pelham: Optimism Over Despair Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Madeleine Hamilton: Piping Hot Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug Sara Schaefer: Going Up Underbelly, Bristo Square, 23–25 Aug Improvabunga! theSpace @ Niddry St, 16–26 Aug, not 20

18:55

The Disney Delusion Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug Alexandra Haddow: Not My Finest Hour Pleasance Courtyard, 16–25 Aug Mark Bittlestone: Poofs “R” Us Laughing Horse @ Eastside, 16–19 Aug Charlie Vero-Martin: Picnic Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug

19:00

Eleanor Conway: Talk Dirty to Me Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Broad Strokes Improv Laughing Horse @ Dragonfly, 22–27 Aug Pete Heat: Huge Pleasance Dome, 16–27 Aug Gail Porter: Hung, Drawn and Portered Assembly George Square Studios, 16–28 Aug, not 21 Sex, Art and the Art of Survival Laughing Horse @ Dragonfly, 16–20 Aug Abigail Rolling: Shit Lawyer Alchemist | George Street, 22 Aug, 23 Aug, 24 Aug, 26 Aug, 28 Aug Michelle Brasier: Reform Gilded Balloon Teviot, 17–27 Aug Susan Riddell: Wonder Woman Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Police Cops: The Musical Assembly George Square Studios, 17–28 Aug, not 23

Phil Kay – Funny Walks Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–26 Aug Sophie Santos… is Codependent Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug Annabel Bashford: Clink Clank Clonkerty Clonk BlundaGardens: BlundaBus & Magical SpiegelYurt, 16–17 Aug Deage Paxton: Impersonable – Free Laughing Horse @ 32 Below, 16–27 Aug Fast Fringe Pleasance Dome, 16–26 Aug Paul Black: Nostalgia Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–19 Aug Simon Evans: Have We Met? Assembly Rooms, 16–27 Aug Andy Parsons: Bafflingly Optimistic Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Raymond Mearns is Alive in the Hive Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 16–28 Aug Janey Godley: The Not Dead Yet Tour The Stables at Prestonfield, 18–21 Aug, weekdays only Tom Houghton – Work in Progress Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–27 Aug Kieran Hodgson: Big In Scotland Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Lorraine Hoodless: Fuzzy Duck PBH’s Free Fringe @ Southsider, 16–27 Aug, not 21

19:05

❤ Daniel Foxx: Villain HHHH

Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Mark Nelson: Bits & Pieces Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Hive), 16–27 Aug, not 21 Pierre Novellie: Why Are You Laughing?

Monkey Barrel Comedy, 16–27 Aug Bad Play theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–26 Aug Samantha Day: The Booby Trap Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–27 Aug

19:10

❤ Liam Withnail: Chronic Boom HHHH Monkey Barrel Comedy, 16–27 Aug

2023: The End Of The Beginning Of The End – Vladimir McTavish The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 16–27 Aug Laurie Stevens: Sticky Floors (Work in Progress) Just the Tonic at The Grassmarket Centre, 16–27 Aug Siân Docksey – Pole Yourself Together!

Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug, not 21, 22 Josh Weller: Age Against The Machine Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug

19:15

19:20

Paul Foot: Dissolve Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug The Kinsey Sicks: Drag Queen Storytime Gone Wild!

Gilded Balloon at the Museum, 16–27 Aug, not 22 Paddy McDonnell – Live Underbelly, George Square, 16 Aug The Friendship Recession Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Kate Dale: Up to Scratch Just the Tonic at The Grassmarket Centre, 16–27 Aug Dave Bibby: Baby Dinosaur PBH’s Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth, 16–20 Aug David O’Doherty: Tiny Piano Man Assembly George Square, 16–28 Aug Matt Goldich: What If This Is The Best I Can Do? Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–27 Aug The Power of Yep Assembly Roxy, 16–27 Aug

19:25

Richard Cobb: Couple’s Massage Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–27 Aug, not 22 Accident Avoidance Training Workshop – Intermediate Paradise in The Vault, 16–19 Aug ❤ Louise Young: Feral

HHHH

Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Josh Baulf: Bulldog Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug

19:30

Craig Hill: This Gets Harder Every Year!

Just the Tonic Nucleus, 16–27 Aug, not 21, 22 Adam Kay: Undoctored – This is Going to Hurt...

More Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug Colin Etches: Attention Deficit Just the Tonic at The Grassmarket Centre, 16–27 Aug Andrew Frank: Ecstatic Blasphemy Hill Street Theatre, 16–27 Aug

Nurse Georgie Carroll: Sista Flo 2.0 Assembly George Square Studios, 16–27 Aug 2 Funny Feckers Laughing Horse @ The Hanover Tap, 16–27 Aug Ew Girl, You Nasty Laughing Horse @ Cabaret Voltaire, 16–27 Aug So You Think You’re Funny – Grand Final Gilded Balloon Teviot, 24 Aug Sofa SoFunny So Fringe PBH’s Free Fringe @ Kilderkin, 17–27 Aug Anthony Schuman: Failures in Fatherhood Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–26 Aug, not 20, 21 Sara Pascoe: Success Story Underbelly, Bristo Square, 18 Aug Celya AB: Second Rodeo Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Improv Cage Match PBH’s Free Fringe @ Subway, 16–26 Aug 2023 Asian Daddy, Dead: Pitch-Black Humour Guaranteed!

Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Rhys James: Spilt Milk Pleasance Courtyard, 16–20 Aug Tania Lacy: Everything’s Coming Up Roses Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–26 Aug Aaaaand Up Front Are Webster, Bourke and Bragg Frankenstein Pub, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Silent Disco Dance Tours

by Silent Adventures Meeting Point at Uplands Roast Coffee Shop, 18 Aug, 19 Aug, 25 Aug, 26 Aug Comedy in the Dark Just the Tonic at The Grassmarket Centre, 16–27 Aug Alex Kitson: Fired Up! Ready to Go! (WIP) Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–27 Aug A Slice of Elvis Laughing Horse @ Eastside, 16–27 Aug Deaf Action Presents: The Gavin Lilley Show Deaf Action, 19–20 Aug Jack Whitehall: Settle Down Edinburgh Playhouse , 20–21 Aug Danny Bhoy – Now Is Not a Good Time The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 20–27 Aug

Ray Bradshaw – Work in Progress Scottish Comedy Festival @ Waverley Bar, 17–26 Aug Coor Cohen: Ignorant American Greenside @ Riddles Court, 16–26 Aug, not 20, 21

19:35

❤ Olga Koch: Prawn Cocktail HHHH

Monkey Barrel Comedy, 16–27 Aug Krystal Evans: The Hottest Girl at Burn Camp Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Hive), 16–27 Aug

19:40

Las Vegas in Edinburgh theSpace on the Mile, 21–26 Aug Janitor/Manager and How to Have an Affair Without Really Trying ZOO Playground, 16–27 Aug Darren Harriott – Roadman Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Jack Traynor and Daniel Petrie: Introducing Two of Scotland’s Most Exciting New Stand-up Comedians Just the Tonic at The Caves, 17–27 Aug, not 23 Sheila’s Sister and Her Musical Cousins theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug Mark Ritchie: As Seen Near a TV Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–19 Aug Chelsea Hart – Damet Garm: How I Joined a Revolution Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–27 Aug Fearghas Kelly: Tip of the Ice-Fearg Hootenannies @ The Apex, 16–28 Aug, not 17 Kate Smurthwaite: Fire Snake PBH’s Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth, 16–27 Aug, not 22 Ignacio Lopez – Nine Ig Fails Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 18–27 Aug

19:45

Jocks, Geordies and Aussies PBH’s Free Fringe @ Whistlebinkies, 16–27 Aug, not 19, 26 Myq Kaplan: ImPerfect Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug

Best of Adelaide’s Fringe Comedy Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–27 Aug Push, Mrs Johnson!

Laughing Horse @ The Cocktail Mafia, 16–27 Aug Murder Inc Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–20 Aug Angela Bra: MicroRAVE Laughing Horse @ The Raging Bull, 16–27 Aug, not 22 Culture Savage Laughing Horse @ Bar Soba, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Absolute Improv! theSpace on the Mile, 16–26 Aug Michael Shafar – Well Worth the Chemo Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–27 Aug Myles and Dan Just Might Break a World Record Tonight Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug Becky Fury: Identity Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16–27 Aug Suggestions of the Unexpected Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 21–27 Aug Geraldine Hickey: Of Course We’ve Got Horses Assembly George Square, 16–27 Aug Alistair Barrie: Woke in Progress Hootenannies @ The Apex, 16–19 Aug An Englishman, an Irishman and a Scotsman...

Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 16–27 Aug BriTANicK: Work in Progress Assembly George Square Studios, 21–26 Aug

19:50

Blind Mirth Presents: Your Mum (And Other Playground Insults) theSpace @ Niddry St, 21–26 Aug Karen Greenside @ Riddles Court, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Sikisa: Hear Me Out Monkey Barrel Comedy, 17–27 Aug, not 21 The Spark Project Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 16–19 Aug Lou Wall vs The Internet Assembly George Square Studios, 16–27 Aug Palatable Gay Robot Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–26 Aug, not 20

Reuben Kaye: The Butch is Back Assembly George Square Gardens, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Laser Kiwi: Rise of the Olive Assembly Roxy, 16–27 Aug Lara Ricote: A Work in Progress!!!

Monkey Barrel Comedy, 16 Aug

19:55

Jordan Gray: Is it a Bird?

Assembly Rooms, 23–24 Aug Reginald D. Hunter: The Man Who Could See Through Shit – A Work In Progress Assembly Rooms, 16–20 Aug

20:00

Raul Kohli: Kohl and The Gang Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 17–27 Aug Bumble Me Tinders!

Just the Tonic at La Belle Angele, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Parsons and Emslie: Always a pleasure, never a chore, be good to yourself, alright?

Laughing Horse @ Cabaret Voltaire, 21–27 Aug Matt Forde: Inside No. 10 Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug The Retreat Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug Sh!t-faced Shakespeare®: Romeo and Juliet Pleasance at EICC, 27 Aug Myra DuBois: Be Well Pleasance Dome, 16–27 Aug William Stone: Lofi Jokes to Study/Relax to Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Rosie Holt: That’s Politainment!

Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Robin Grainger: An Audient with Robin Grainger The Stand Comedy Club 2, 16–27 Aug Carl Donnelly – The Dead Dad Show BlundaGardens: BlundaBus & Magical SpiegelYurt, 23–27 Aug Patrick Hastie – My Grandpa’s Grandpa’s Dad Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–27 Aug A Cut Above Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16–27 Aug

Listings

Micky Bartlett: Let Me Start from the Start Just the Tonic Nucleus, 17–27 Aug Sam See: Government Approved Sex Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–27 Aug, not 22 Ed Gaughan: Words and Music Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug, not 21 Dad, Playboy and Me...

Not Your Average Slideshow Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–27 Aug Anu Vaidyanathan: Blimp Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–19 Aug Matty Hutson: Don’t Hold Back Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Best of Irish Laughing Horse @ Dropkick Murphys, 16–27 Aug Absolute Onions: Improv Comedy PBH’s Free Fringe @ BrewDog Lothian Rd, Various dates from 21 Aug to 27 Aug Christopher Macarthur-Boyd: Scary Times Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Tron), 16–27 Aug Michael Herd: Deep Shanghai’d Laughing Horse @ Home Bar, 17–27 Aug Chloe Radcliffe: Cheat Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Alvin Liu: First World Eyebrows (Work in Progress) Laughing Horse @ Home Bar, 16 Aug Laughing Horse Fringe Comedy Selection Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16–27 Aug

Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man & The Pool Underbelly, Bristo Square, 22–27 Aug

73

74

Comedy Anna Piper Scott: Such an Inspiration House of Oz, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Jarred Christmas: Silly Billy Laughing Horse @ 32 Below, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Talkies: Improvised Classic Hollywood Comedy Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug String V SPITTA Pleasance Courtyard, 18–26 Aug 10 Songs for Geeks, with Jollyboat PBH’s Free Fringe @ Liquid Room Annexe/Warehouse, 16–27 Aug Martin Mor Is a Deadly Eejit Laughing Horse @ Cabaret Voltaire, 16–20 Aug

20:05

David Quirk – Astonishing Obscurity The Stand Comedy Club 3 & 4, 16–27 Aug Dylan Rhymer: The Dark Side of the Room Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–27 Aug, not 21

20:10

Greta Titelman’s Exquisite Lies Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug André de Freitas: What If Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Fever Peach: Intense Goblin Nightmare Woman Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Pear: But Braver Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug

festmag.com

20:15

Simon David: Dead Dad Show Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–27 Aug Jacob Henegan: Mostly Killer (Some Filler) PBH’s Free Fringe @ Southsider, 16–27 Aug, not 22 Glenn Wool: The Tardigrades Picnic Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 16–28 Aug Bruce Fummey: Stories of Scotland The Stand Comedy Club 3 & 4, 21 Aug Buffy Revamped Pleasance at EICC, 17–27 Aug, not 21

Wage Against the Machine PBH’s Free Fringe @ Canons’ Gait, 16–27 Aug Best in Class Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–27 Aug Comedy for the Curious Laughing Horse @ The Pear Tree, 17–27 Aug Jo Caulfield: Razor-Sharp The Stand Comedy Club 3 & 4, 16–27 Aug, not 21 The Anti Self-Help Show Laughing Horse @ Dragonfly, 16–27 Aug, not 21

20:20

Dan Rath: All Quiet Carriage Along the Inner Western Line Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug Sunanda Loves Britney BlundaGardens: BlundaBus & Magical SpiegelYurt, 18–27 Aug Laura Ramoso: FRANCES Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug Gillian Cosgriff: Actually, Good Pleasance Courtyard, 17–27 Aug Manchester Revue’s Lonely Hearts Sketch Club theSpace @ Niddry St, 16–22 Aug Eden Sher: I Was On A Sitcom Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug Josh Jones: Gobsmacked Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Su Mi: Banana Beard BlundaGardens: BlundaBus & Magical SpiegelYurt, 16–17 Aug Patti Harrison: My Huge Tits Huge Because They Are Infected Not Fake!

Pleasance Dome, 16–27 Aug The Best of Scottish Comedy The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 16–27 Aug Michael Welch: Ethnic Reveal Party Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug Childlike theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug 3am Brain Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 17–27 Aug

20:25

Six Chick Flicks... Or a Legally Blonde Pretty Woman Dirty Danced on the Beaches While Writing a Notebook on the Titanic Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug Foxdog Studios: Robo Bingo Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug

20:30

❤ Annabel Marlow... is this okay?? HHHH

Pleasance Courtyard, 17–27 Aug Olivia Xing: Party School Just the Tonic at The Grassmarket Centre, 16–27 Aug Horatio Gould: Sweet Prince Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Tom Lawrinson: Hubba Hubba Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug Luisa Omielan: God is a Woman The Musical Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–27 Aug, not 21 The Big Show: Monkey Barrel Comedy’s Fringe Showcase 2023!

Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Hive), 16–27 Aug John Tothill: The Last Living Libertine Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Tom Stade: Natural Born Killer The Stand Comedy Club, 16–27 Aug Connor Burns: Vertigo Just the Tonic Nucleus, 17–27 Aug An Evening of Mayhem with Megan Stalter Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–27 Aug, not 24 Jack Docherty in David Bowie and Me: Parallel Lives Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Matt Hobs: Moontalker Laughing Horse @ 32 Below, 16–27 Aug Nikki Osborne is Bad Barbie Gilded Balloon Teviot, 25–28 Aug Amos Gill: The Pursuit of Happy(ish) Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–24 Aug Nathan Cassidy: Fifty Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16–26 Aug

Jerry Sadowitz proudly presents... Last Year’s Show!

The Queen’s Hall, 23–25 Aug George Zacharopoulos: Wonderland Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug 100% C*ntintental Laughing Horse @ Home Bar, 16–27 Aug Simon Brodkin: Xavier Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Alice Fraser: Twist Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug

20:35

Marc Adams: BMW Bavarian’s Most Wanted Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–27 Aug ❤ Susie McCabe: Femme Fatality

HHHH

Assembly George Square Studios, 16–27 Aug Larry Owens Live Assembly Roxy, 16–27 Aug Julia Stenton and Firuz Ozari: Wolves PBH’s Free Fringe @ Legends, 17–27 Aug Robin Ince – MELONS: A Love Letter to Stand-Up Comedy The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 16–27 Aug John Hastings: The Times They Are A John Hastings Monkey Barrel Comedy, 16–27 Aug

20:40

Christopher Hall: Self Helpless Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug Luke McQueen and Mark Silcox: Songs With My Father Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Tron), 21–27 Aug Robbie McShane: It’s All This These Days Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug Preppers – A Comedy About the Apocalypse(s) Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Tron), 16–19 Aug Tamsyn Kelly: Crying in TK Maxx Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Pablo Escobar Doesn’t Need a Second Job Just the Tonic at The Grassmarket Centre, 16–27 Aug JARUJARU: Arigato 2023 Assembly Roxy, 16–27 Aug Jason Byrne: The Ironic Bionic Man Assembly Hall, 16–27 Aug, not 21

Henry Ginsberg: Cuddle Slut Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–27 Aug, not 21

20:45

Lights Up! The Improvised Musical theSpace on the Mile, 16–19 Aug Comedy Reserve at the Courtyard Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug, not 22 Stuart Mitchell: Cost of Living (WIP) Scottish Comedy Festival @ Waverley Bar, 16–28 Aug The Last Stop PBH’s Free Fringe @ Burrito ‘n’ Shake, 16–18 Aug Sigmund the Viking: Valhalla Calling Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug Rhod Gilbert: Work in Progress Gilded Balloon Teviot, Various dates from 21 Aug to 27 Aug Lost in Translation Greenside @ Riddles Court, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Character Building Experience Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–27 Aug, not 22 101 Comedy – Club Free Laughing Horse @ The Hanover Tap, 16–27 Aug Five Mugs, No Tea Leith Depot, 17 Aug, 21 Aug Aidan Greene: I Can’t Believe It’s Not Stutter!

Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug Richard Stott: Dear Lord…

What A Sad Little Life Laughing Horse @ Cabaret Voltaire, 16–27 Aug Cobin Millage: Lewis Capaldi is Invited and Absolutely No One Else (WIP) Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–27 Aug

20:50

LOLyamorous: A Live Speed-Dating Comedy Show Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug John Robins: Howl Just the Tonic Nucleus, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Frank Skinner: 30 Years of Dirt Assembly George Square, 17–27 Aug, not 23

Ben Ashurst: Three Cheese Straws for a Pound Just the Tonic at The Grassmarket Centre, 16–27 Aug Peter Flanagan: Meditations Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–26 Aug Urooj Ashfaq: Oh No! Assembly George Square, 16–27 Aug Jazz Or A Bucket of Blood Underbelly, George Square, 16–27 Aug

20:55

Shall I Compere Thee in a Funny Way? PBH’s Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth, 16–20 Aug Nicole Travolta is Doing Alright Greenside @ Riddles Court, 21–26 Aug Cabaret Impedimenta Assembly George Square Gardens, 17–20 Aug Julia Masli: CHOOSH! Assembly George Square Gardens, 22–27 Aug Sophia Cleary: It Gets Worse Assembly George Square Studios, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Sex-Ed Revisited ZOO Playground, 16–19 Aug

21:00

Mark Watson: Search Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug, not 17, 21, 22 Rosco McClelland: Bring Out Your Dead Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Hive), 17–27 Aug Steve N Allen: Alzheimer’s? I Can’t Even Remember How to Spell It Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug Europe’s Most Wanted!

Laughing Horse @ The Raging Bull, 16–27 Aug Paul Currie: Shtoom Just the Tonic at The Caves, 17–27 Aug, not 23 Ashley Barnhill: Skullduggery Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug What Would You Do If That Was You? Laughing Horse @ The Cocktail Mafia, 16–27 Aug Phil Kay: Silent DiscoVery...

(Walking Tour) BlundaGardens: BlundaBus & Magical SpiegelYurt, 16–26 Aug Aaron Wood’s Comedy Club Hootenannies @ The Apex, 16–20 Aug

Alexander Bennett: I Can’t Stand the Man, Myself Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug ❤ Courtney Pauroso: Vanessa 5000 HHHH Pleasance Courtyard, 17–27 Aug Frank Sanazi’s Comedy Blitzkrieg Frankenstein Pub, 16–26 Aug, not 20, 21, 22 Big Value Comedy Show Just the Tonic at The Grassmarket Centre, 16–27 Aug Scotland’s Pick of the Fringe Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 16–27 Aug French Bashing by a Frenchman!

Paradise in Augustines, 16–19 Aug Patrick Monahan: Exclusively Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 17–27 Aug Sascha LO: Brat Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Rizal Van Geyzel: Arrested Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16–27 Aug Vanlord Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–27 Aug Joe White: Ethiopian and Still Not Hungry Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug

Adults Only Magic Show Assembly George Square Studios, 16–27 Aug, not 21 The Shambles theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 16–19 Aug Dan Jones: This Seems Ambitious Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug Foil Arms and Hog: Hogwash Underbelly, Bristo Square, 22–26 Aug 10 Songs: The Best of Jollyboat PBH’s Free Fringe @ Liquid Room Annexe/Warehouse, 16–27 Aug Jo Griffin: The Power Hour Assembly George Square, 16–27 Aug Laughing Horse Fringe Comedy Selection Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16–27 Aug Rope-A-Dope Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–27 Aug 5 Headliners for £10 Hootenannies @ The Apex, 16–27 Aug Ashley Haden: Genocidal Liberal Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–27 Aug, not 22 Mat Ewins: Mr TikTok Monkey Barrel Comedy, 16–27 Aug

21:05

21:20

Liars & Clowns: A Late Night Comedy Show Assembly Rooms, 18 Aug, 19 Aug, 20 Aug, 25 Aug, 26 Aug AAA Stand-Up Late Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug Baby Wants Candy Assembly George Square Studios, 16–27 Aug David Ian: (Just a) Perfect Gay Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug Femme Natale Theatre Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–27 Aug, not 21

21:10

Tim Murray is Witches Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug The Chocolate Scot Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–27 Aug Two Little Dickheads: Slot Fillers BlundaGardens: BlundaBus & Magical SpiegelYurt, 18–27 Aug Jim Smith – The Hills Have Ayes The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 24 Aug The Duncan and Judy Murray Show The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 19 Aug Eddy MacKenzie and Liam Farrelly: Little and Large The Stand Comedy Club 2, 16–27 Aug Zoë Coombs Marr: The Opener Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug AAA Stand-Up Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug

21:25

Lara A King – Midlife at the Oasis The Stand Comedy Club 3 & 4, 16–27 Aug ❤ Tadiwa Mahlunge: Inhibition Exhibition

HHHH

Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug

21:30

Skye Scraper: The Life and Times of a Drag Queen Accountant Assembly George Square Studios, 16–27 Aug Dubai Fling: Ali Al Sayed and Mina Liccione Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–26 Aug Off With Your Head Laughing Horse @ 32 Below, 21 Aug Teardrops on My Dildo Bedlam Theatre, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Scotland’s Best Comedians at the Fringe Just the Tonic at La Belle Angele, 16–27 Aug Lawrence Chaney – Overweight and OVER IT! Ian McKellen Theatre, Saint Stephens Stockbridge, 21–27 Aug Filthy Funny Females Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–27 Aug The Stand’s Pick of the Fringe The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 18 Aug, 25 Aug, 26 Aug An Aussie, African and Englishman Walk Into a Bar...

Laughing Horse @ Dragonfly, 16–27 Aug, not 21 War on Woke C ARTS | C venues | C cubed, 17–27 Aug Ed Byrne: Tragedy Plus Time Assembly Rooms, 16–27 Aug Brian Gallagher: Something, Somewhere, Some of the Time Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 16–26 Aug

21:35

Abandoman: Future Fest Underbelly, George Square, 16–20 Aug Paddy Young: Hungry, Horny, Scared Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Aaaaaand now!

Teknicolour Smoof Comedy Club Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–27 Aug

21:40

Awake and Narcoleptic with Sarah Albritton theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 21–26 Aug Comedy Reserve at the Dome Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug, not 22 Don Biswas – The Revolution Will Be Disorganised Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug Garry Starr: Greece Lightning Underbelly, Bristo Square, 23–27 Aug My Last Two Brain Cells Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug Healing King Herod Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Paul Chowdhry: Family-Friendly Comedian Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug The Mr Thing Show Underbelly, George Square, 26–27 Aug Kiran Deol: Joysuck Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug Arkem Mark Walton: Fractal Bumhole!

BlundaGardens: BlundaBus & Magical SpiegelYurt, 16 Aug Huge Davies: Whodunnit Pleasance Courtyard, 17–27 Aug Charlie Lewin: Cockatiel Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug Jazz Emu: You Shouldn’t Have Pleasance Courtyard, 17–27 Aug Leo Mohr: The Bilboquet Theory BlundaGardens: BlundaBus & Magical SpiegelYurt, 18–22 Aug Kwame Asante: In Stitches Pleasance Courtyard, 16 Aug How to Live a Jellicle Life: Life Lessons from the 2019 Hit Musical Cats Pleasance Dome, 17–27 Aug, not 21

21:45

The GottaGo Room: An Escaping-a-Room Thingy theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug 666 Black Widows: The Web of Dark Comedy Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16–27 Aug

Vida Slayman in Comedy of Terrors theSpace on the Mile, 21–26 Aug Chris Turner: Vegas, Baby!

Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–27 Aug Snake Oil Laughing Horse @ Home Bar, 16–27 Aug Breaking Up with Jesus theSpace on the Mile, 16–19 Aug Martin Urbano: Apology Comeback Tour Pleasance Courtyard, 17–27 Aug Laughing Horse Pick of the Fringe Laughing Horse @ The Pear Tree, 16–27 Aug Leila Navabi: Composition Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Al Porter: A Work in Progress Just the Tonic Nucleus, 16–27 Aug

21:50

Comedy for corporates: work-life balance is for losers Just the Tonic at The Grassmarket Centre, 16–20 Aug Flat and the Curves: Divadom Pleasance Dome, 16–27 Aug Found Our Funny Greenside @ Riddles Court, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Ed: The New, Totally Unofficial, Ginger-Inclusive Parody Sketch Show ZOO Playground, 16–19 Aug Yoshi Obayashi’s Adult Content Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–19 Aug Jodie Mitchell: Becoming John Travulva Pleasance Courtyard, 17–27 Aug Bipolar Badass Paradise in The Vault, 21–27 Aug That Don’t Hurt My Feelings None Assembly Rooms, 21–27 Aug

21:55

Chelsea Birkby: Silly Sausage (Pain) (WIP) Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–27 Aug Elliot Steel: Love and Hate Speech Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug Free Medical Advice Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 21–26 Aug

Cara Connors: Straight for Pay Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Stay Big and Go Get ‘Em Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–27 Aug How to Eat a Bear Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Adam Rowe: What’s Wrong With Me? Monkey Barrel Comedy, 17–27 Aug, not 21 25 Years of Red Raw The Stand Comedy Club 3 & 4, 16–27 Aug How to Flirt: The TED XXX Talk Assembly Roxy, 16–26 Aug

22:00

Blood on the Clocktower: Live Underbelly, Bristo Square, 18–27 Aug, not 24 Laughing Stock Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug Ralph Brown: Ralpha Male Scottish Comedy Festival @ Waverley Bar, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Sh!t-faced Shakespeare®: Romeo and Juliet Pleasance at EICC, 16–26 Aug, not 21 Sounds Like...

Underbelly, Bristo Square, 21–25 Aug Cam Gavinski: Bonheur Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug John Robertson’s The Dark Room Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–27 Aug ❤ The Poor Rich

HHHH

Assembly Roxy, 16–27 Aug The Bite, Late-Night (A Mouthful of Fringe Mayhem) Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 21–27 Aug Matt Storrs: Portly Lutheran Know-It-All Just the Tonic at The Grassmarket Centre, 21–27 Aug A Little More Conversation a Little Less Action Please Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–27 Aug ❤ Bill O’Neill: The Amazing Banana Brothers HHHH Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Creepy Boys Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21

Listings

This Time Next Year theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 21–26 Aug Hannah Camilleri: Lolly Bag Assembly George Square Studios, 16–27 Aug Showstopper! The Improvised Musical Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug

21:15

75

76

Comedy Dan Tiernan: Going Under Monkey Barrel Comedy, 16–27 Aug Folk’n’TikTok Laughing Horse @ The Hanover Tap, 16–27 Aug 2 Slut Drops and a Chicken Burger – Kirsty Munro Laughing Horse @ 32 Below, 16–27 Aug Kiell Smith-Bynoe and Friends: Kool Story Bro Pleasance Courtyard, 21–23 Aug Dave Hill: Caveman in a Spaceship The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 16–27 Aug Lots of Feelings: Most Improved Award Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–19 Aug

22:05

Nicole Travolta is Doing Alright Greenside @ Riddles Court, 16–19 Aug Avital Ash Workshops Her Suicide Note Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Tron), 16–27 Aug

22:10

Drag Queens vs Vampires Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Free Footlights Just the Tonic at The Grassmarket Centre, 16–27 Aug The St Andrews Revue Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug Red Rum: Glue or Glory Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–27 Aug Dan Lees: The Vinyl Countdown PBH’s Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth, 16–20 Aug

festmag.com

22:15

Comedy Queers Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–27 Aug Mike Rice – Hand of a Sinner Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 16–27 Aug Atomic Comic Meltdown Just the Tonic Nucleus, 18 Aug, 19 Aug, 25 Aug, 26 Aug Sophie Sucks Face Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug Best of So You Think You’re Funny?

Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug, not 24 Awake and Narcoleptic with Sarah Albritton theSpace on the Mile, 16–19 Aug

Nathan Cassidy: Amnesia Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–26 Aug Rachel Morton-Young: Organised Chaos Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16–27 Aug 50 – End of the Road? theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 21–26 Aug Kelly McCaughan: Catholic Guilt Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–27 Aug The Witching Hour Laughing Horse @ The Cocktail Mafia, 16–27 Aug Mark Thomas: Gaffa Tapes The Stand Comedy Club, Various dates from 16 Aug to 24 Aug Faces of Glasgow PBH’s Free Fringe @ The Street, 16–17 Aug Annie and Angela’s Disco Divorce Party Laughing Horse @ The Raging Bull, 16–27 Aug, not 22

22:20

Alice Cockayne: I Showered Before I Came Underbelly, George Square, 16–28 Aug ❤ Moses Storm: Perfect Cult HHHH Pleasance Courtyard, 17–27 Aug Andy Roach – Laughing at Conspiracy Theories Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug Joe and Rory: Television 1 Assembly George Square Studios, 16–27 Aug AAA Stand-Up Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug One Room Sleep One Night Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug Dahn Rozario: White People Need to Relax Assembly George Square, 16–27 Aug Watch List theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–26 Aug Petting Zoo Comedy Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–20 Aug

22:25

Catnip! Greatest Hits Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug Andrew O’Neill – Geburah Monkey Barrel Comedy, 16–28 Aug, not 22

22:30

3’s Comedy: Late Nights Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–27 Aug

The All Irish After Party Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–27 Aug Joe Jacobs – TurboFleshSuck5000 The Voodoo Rooms, 16–20 Aug ❤ Lachlan Werner – Voices Of Evil HHHH Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug, not 23 Ciarán Bartlett: Machine Gun of Filth Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug RVG’s International Comedy Club Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16–27 Aug Catherine Cohen: Come For Me Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug, not 22, 23 The Stand Late Club The Stand Comedy Club, 18 Aug, 19 Aug, 25 Aug, 26 Aug Baked Shakespeare: As You Like It Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 21–27 Aug

22:35

Mad Ron: Crime School Assembly George Square, 16–27 Aug Seriously Funny Comedy Show theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug

22:40

Dungeons ‘n’ Bastards: An Adam Riches Gameshow Monkey Barrel Comedy, 17–27 Aug This Time Next Year theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug Attack of the 36 Triple-G Woman theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 21–26 Aug Comedy in the Dark – Late Just the Tonic at The Caves, 17–27 Aug, not 21, 22, 23

22:45

Scott McPherson: Life Laughing Horse @ Dragonfly, 16–20 Aug North Americ*nts Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–27 Aug Hate ‘n’ Live Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug Red Flag(s) theSpace on the Mile, 16–19 Aug BATSU! Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug, not 21

Eliott Simpson: (A)Sexy and I Know It Laughing Horse @ Dragonfly, 27 Aug Shaggers Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–27 Aug Nocturnal Animals PBH’s Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth, 16–27 Aug Men Who Are Being Preserved in Oil (with Nate and Ed) theSpace on the Mile, 21–26 Aug Cobin Millage and Pete Carson: Touching Tips (with Friends) Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 16–27 Aug

22:50

Jordan Brookes: Snakes for Cats to Watch (Work in Progress) Pleasance Courtyard, 21–27 Aug Bristol Revunions presents Ready to Board Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Philipp and Phriends: A Late Night Comedy Show Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–27 Aug

22:55

Footlights: Leftovers theSpace on the Mile, 16–19 Aug Best of the Fest: The New Class Assembly George Square Studios, Various dates from 17 Aug to 26 Aug

23:00

Adam Kay: Undoctored – This is Going to Hurt...

More Pleasance Courtyard, 18 Aug, 25 Aug You Dress Funny – Darren Harriott and Rachel Fairburn Pleasance Courtyard, 23–24 Aug The Prince Andrew Tate Appreciation Hour Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16–27 Aug Dog Park Pleasance Courtyard, 17–18 Aug The Improverts Bedlam Theatre, 16–27 Aug Ivo Graham: Organised Fun Pleasance Courtyard, 19–20 Aug Yoshi Obayashi’s Adult Content Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 21–26 Aug

This Is Your Trial (Unleashed) Hootenannies @ The Apex, 16–28 Aug All Killa No Filla Pleasance Courtyard, 24–25 Aug A Retrospection PBH’s Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth, 16–27 Aug The Wild Geeze Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug, not 21 How to Write a Eulogy That Kills Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug Stamptown Comedy Night Pleasance Courtyard, Various dates from 17 Aug to 26 Aug Aaaaargh! Tear This Flyer Into Tiny Little Bits and Weep in the Green Room as You Realize Your Hatred Only Makes Him Stronger Just the Tonic at The Grassmarket Centre, 16–27 Aug

23:05

This Isn’t Working Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–19 Aug The Late Great Rompers x Cowtools Just the Tonic Nucleus, 16–20 Aug

23:10

Tarot: Hive Mind Pleasance Courtyard, 23 Aug, 25 Aug, 26 Aug A Terrible Show for Terrible People Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug, not 21

23:15

Jeremy Flynn: In Like Flynn Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 21–27 Aug Men Who Are Being Preserved in Oil (with Nate and Ed) theSpace on the Mile, 16–19 Aug Marc Burrows in the Glom of Nit Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Werewolf: Live – Charity Spectacular!

Underbelly, George Square, 24–25 Aug Edinburgh Comedy Allstars Underbelly, George Square, 18 Aug, 19 Aug, 25 Aug, 26 Aug Blackout Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–20 Aug

Alex Owen-Hill Asks Himself ‘Is It ADHD?’ Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 17–27 Aug, not 23 Beehavioural Problems: Something Something Autism theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–26 Aug Erin McKinnie and Fearghas Kelly: Stragglers Scottish Comedy Festival @ Waverley Bar, 16–27 Aug Best of Northern Irish Laughing Horse @ The Pear Tree, 16–27 Aug The Confessional Laughing Horse @ West Port Oracle, Various dates from 16 Aug to 27 Aug

23:20

Some Laugh Live Monkey Barrel Comedy, 23–24 Aug Gig Pigs Live in Edinburgh Pleasance Courtyard, 16–17 Aug Act Normal Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–24 Aug Indonesia Presents (Far) East Meets West Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug It’s Christmas Time Monkey Barrel Comedy, 21–22 Aug Siblings and Family Friends Pleasance Dome, 16 Aug, 23 Aug Attack of the 36 Triple-G Woman theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 16–19 Aug

23:25

Jay Handley – The White Jesus Chronicles PBH’s Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth, 16–27 Aug Adult Film Club Monkey Barrel Comedy, 16–17 Aug Paul F Taylor: Head in the Clouds Monkey Barrel Comedy, 17–27 Aug

23:30

Stu Murphy: Debut Monkey Barrel Comedy (The Tron), 16–27 Aug BattleActs!

Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 21–27 Aug The Gong of Edinburgh: Comedy Gong Show Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–27 Aug Late’n’Live Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug

77

Features

RICHARD WHEATLEY

YOU DON'T KNOW YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL

A blind man’s life in a sighted world 42

"enthralling encounter"

Musical Theatre Review

Tales of Transatlantic Freedom 15-19 Aug Venue 209 20:55

Emerald Theatre Jazz Emu’s Pleasure Garden Assembly George Square Studios, Various dates from 17 Aug to 26 Aug

23:50

23:35

Best of the Fest Assembly Hall, Various dates from 17 Aug to 26 Aug Mr Chonkers Presents: Piggy Time Monkey Barrel Comedy, 17–19 Aug The Alternative Comedy Memorial Society (ACMS) Monkey Barrel Comedy, Various dates from 16 Aug to 27 Aug The Drunk and Heckle Show Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 16–26 Aug, not 21 King of the Table Monkey Barrel Comedy, 18 Aug, 25 Aug

Anarchy Cabaret Presents: West End New Act of the Year Showcase 2023 PBH’s Free Fringe @ Voodoo Rooms, 16–27 Aug The George Lucas Talk Show Assembly George Square Studios, 18 Aug, 25 Aug

23:40

Drag Queens vs Zombies Underbelly, Cowgate, 25–26 Aug

23:45

Late Night Comedy Death Camp Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16–27 Aug Jessie Nixon: Damsel Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–27 Aug, not 21

Party Assembly George Square, 18 Aug, 25 Aug

23:55

23:59

The Midnight Show Just the Tonic at The Caves, 18 Aug, 19 Aug, 25 Aug, 26 Aug

00:00

Late with Kate PBH’s Free Fringe @ Canons’ Gait, 17–27 Aug, not 23 Best of Edinburgh Fringe Comedy: Late Show Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 17–28 Aug Abbas Wahab: Gracefully Balding Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 17–28 Aug

00:05

Irish Comedy Showcase Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–28 Aug Viggo Venn: British Comedian Monkey Barrel Comedy, 17–28 Aug Julia Masli: ha ha ha ha ha ha ha Monkey Barrel Comedy, 16 Aug

00:15

Vibe Shift Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 18–28 Aug

Queen and Sober Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–17 Aug

00:25

African-ish Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–28 Aug

00:30

(o) (o) PBH’s Free Fringe @ Burrito ‘n’ Shake, 16–28 Aug Comedy Striptease Laughing Horse @ 32 Below, 17–28 Aug, not 23 James Allen and Annabelle Devey: At Least You Tried Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–19 Aug

00:45

Laughing Horse Pick of the Fringe Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–28 Aug White Bear Comedy Club Laughing Horse @ The Pear Tree, 16–28 Aug

01:00

Furiozo: Man Looking for Trouble Laughing Horse @ 32 Below, 16–28 Aug, not 22 Anna Beros – Creampie Curious Laughing Horse @ City Cafe, 16–28 Aug The Jam Society Monkey Barrel Comedy, 24–25 Aug

01:15

Long-Distance Roommates Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–28 Aug

01:50

Mark Dean Quinn: Is This Enough PBH’s Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth, 16–27 Aug, not 21

Listings

Mick McNeill: Taking the Michael Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 16–27 Aug, not 22 Not Another Quiz Night Gilded Balloon Teviot, Various dates from 17 Aug to 26 Aug Comedians’ DJ Battles Assembly George Square Studios, 20 Aug, 27 Aug Kenya Handle It? Laughing Horse @ The Raging Bull, 16–27 Aug BeComedy UK Presents: No Limits Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–20 Aug Marcus Dean – Foreigner Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–27 Aug I See Three Laughing Horse @ The Cocktail Mafia, 16–27 Aug Absolute Chaos Laughing Horse @ 32 Below, 16–27 Aug

79

80

Theatre 10:00

Mirandolina Hill Street Theatre, 16–19 Aug Gusla Summerhall, 22–27 Aug Shakespeare for Breakfast C ARTS | C venues | C aurora, 16–27 Aug The Wizard of Oz theSpace @ Niddry St, 26 Aug Temping Assembly George Square Studios, 16–27 Aug NASSIM Traverse Theatre, 22 Aug, 24 Aug ADULTS Traverse Theatre, 19 Aug, 27 Aug ❤ The Grand Old Opera House Hotel HHHH Traverse Theatre, 20 Aug, 23 Aug Pieces of Us theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Horizon Showcase: Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World Traverse Theatre, 18 Aug, 26 Aug Horizon Showcase: A Crash Course in Cloudspotting (Audio Installation and Performance) Summerhall (Offsite) @ Institut Français d’Ecosse, 23–24 Aug Funeral Zoo Southside, 16–27 Aug, not 21 ❤ Sean and Daro Flake It ‘Til They Make It

OTMA theSpace on the Mile, 21–26 Aug Das Weben Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–19 Aug The Big Bite-Size Breakfast Show Pleasance Courtyard, 17–28 Aug, not 25

10:25

The Fish Bowl Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Five Short Plays Loosely Linked by the Theme of Crime Greenside @ Riddles Court, 16–19 Aug

10:30

Agent November: Outdoor Escape Game – Robyn Yew Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug Agent November: Outdoor Escape Game – Major X Ploe-Shun Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug Memento Mori Bitches Paradise in The Vault, 16–19 Aug The Lost Lending Library Church Hill Theatre Studio, 26 Aug

10:35

The Misunderstanding theSpaceTriplex, 16 Aug, 18 Aug, 19 Aug

10:40

10:05

33 to 04 theSpace on the Mile, 16–26 Aug

Adaptation: Enough Already theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 16–19 Aug What If theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 21–26 Aug

10:10

10:45

HHHH

Traverse Theatre, 16 Aug

Who Killed My Father Summerhall, 22–27 Aug Wait!

Summerhall, 16–19 Aug

10:15

festmag.com

10:20

The Trials of Galileo Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Alan Bennett’s Cocktail Sticks Greenside @ Riddles Court, 19 Aug The Father Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 21–23 Aug

Serious Nonsense (for Terribly Grown-Up People) PBH’s Free Fringe @ Burrito ‘n’ Shake, 16–27 Aug

10:50

Breaking the Castle Assembly Rooms, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Jesus, Jane, Mother & Me Pleasance Courtyard, 17–28 Aug Coconut theSpace @ Niddry St, 16–19 Aug

10:55

Chasing Butterflies Pleasance Dome, 17–28 Aug, not 23

Ludomachy! The Summoning of Games PBH’s Free Fringe @ BrewDog Lothian Rd, 16–27 Aug

11:00

11:10

The Lost Lending Library Church Hill Theatre Studio, 16 Aug, 19 Aug, 21 Aug, 27 Aug Frankenstein theSpace @ Venue45, 16–19 Aug O Tusitala: Tellers of Tales Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, 20 Aug, 27 Aug 1000 Miniature Meadows Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug Cathedral Song School Tours St Mary’s Cathedral, 18 Aug, 21 Aug, 23 Aug, 25 Aug Steve Richards Presents: Rock’n’Roll Politics theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 16–26 Aug Thrown Traverse Theatre, 19 Aug, 25 Aug Cooked Bedlam Theatre, 22–27 Aug Horizon Showcase: FORGE Lyceum Roseburn, 24–25 Aug Sacred Arts Festival Visual Art at St Vincent’s Stockbridge 3 St Vincent’s, 19 Aug Sacred Arts Festival Visual Art at St Vincent’s Stockbridge 2 St Vincent’s, 18 Aug Horizon Showcase: A Crash Course in Cloudspotting (Audio Installation and Performance) Summerhall (Offsite) @ Institut Français d’Ecosse, 23–24 Aug PLEASE LEAVE (a message) Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–24 Aug Wiesenthal Pleasance Courtyard, 17–27 Aug, not 23 Big Kid Kindergarten C ARTS | C venues | C aurora, 16–25 Aug ❤ Heaven by Eugene O’Brien HHHH Traverse Theatre, 20 Aug, 27 Aug

11:05

Call Me Elizabeth theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 22–26 Aug Hickory theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug

Towering Issues theSpace on the Mile, 16–19 Aug Julius Caesar Must Die theSpace on the Mile, 18 Aug, 20 Aug, 22 Aug, 24 Aug, 26 Aug

11:15

Prick theSpace on the Mile, 17 Aug, 19 Aug, 21 Aug, 23 Aug, 25 Aug The Wizard of Oz theSpace @ Niddry St, 26 Aug Shadow Kingdom Assembly Roxy, 16–28 Aug Collar theSpace on the Mile, 16–19 Aug Hole Paradise in Augustines, 21–26 Aug

11:20

La codista / The queuer Zoo Southside, 16–17 Aug ...And This Is My Friend Mr Laurel Pleasance Courtyard, 17–28 Aug Funeral Zoo Southside, 18–27 Aug, not 21

11:25

He Wears It Well Greenside @ Riddles Court, 16–26 Aug, not 20 My Dad Wears a Dress Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug At That Time, Byeon Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 16–19 Aug

11:30

Tending Greenside @ Riddles Court, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Séance Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug Twelfth Night theSpace @ Niddry St, 21–25 Aug Temping Assembly George Square Studios, 16–27 Aug Mother Mama Mommy Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–19 Aug The Death & Life of All of Us Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21

Overlooked theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug Some Sonnets and a Bit of Bach Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Is it Art? Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 16–19 Aug I Am Mark Charlotte Chapel, 18–19 Aug

Blueprints Pleasance Courtyard, 17–28 Aug, not 21 How to Bury a Dead Mule Pleasance Dome, 17–27 Aug, not 21 Burned Out theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug Sofar Paradise in Augustines, 16–19 Aug

11:35

11:55

Île Pleasance Courtyard, 17–28 Aug Appraisal Assembly George Square Studios, 16–28 Aug, not 21 DNA Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–19 Aug Ophelia Greenside @ Riddles Court, 16–19 Aug

11:40

The Lost Lending Library Church Hill Theatre Studio, 16 Aug, 19 Aug, 21 Aug, 26 Aug, 27 Aug Loft Clearance Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Coconut theSpaceTriplex, 21–26 Aug Tomorrow’s Child Assembly Checkpoint, 16–28 Aug Adaptation: Enough Already theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 21–26 Aug Rewind Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21

11:45

Eulogy Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug Do Rhinos Feel Their Horns or Can They Not See Them Like How We Can’t See Our Noses Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Sing, River Pleasance Courtyard, 17–27 Aug, not 23 Casting the Runes Pleasance Courtyard, 17–27 Aug

11:50

Polko Roundabout @ Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 22 this is a scam. theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 21–26 Aug

❤ Ben Target: LORENZO HHHHH Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21

12:00

Agent November: Indoor Escape Game – Murder Mr E The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 16–27 Aug Sneakpeek: Shadow Game ZOOTV, 16–27 Aug Séance Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug Tana C ARTS | C venues | C aquila, 16–20 Aug In Conversation with…

Tom English The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 20 Aug JM Coetzee’s Life & Times of Michael K Assembly Hall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Yoga with Jillian – A New Comedy Pleasance Courtyard, 17–28 Aug In Conversation with…

Billy Kay The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 16 Aug In Conversation with…

Tom Robinson The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 17 Aug In Conversation with…

Lesley Riddoch The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 19 Aug In Conversation with...

Andy Burnham The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 22 Aug Deeper – Demo Version Voices from the South, 21–24 Aug CREEKSHOW Zoo Southside, 16–27 Aug In Conversation with…

Bobby Bluebell The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 18 Aug Klanghaus: Darkroom Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21

Alexander Klaus, the One-Legged Shoemaker Man PBH’s Free Fringe @ Burrito ‘n’ Shake, 16–19 Aug Raising Kane Assembly George Square Studios, 16–28 Aug, not 21 Horizon Showcase: FORGE Lyceum Roseburn, 23–25 Aug Pavementology Meeting Point, East Princes Street Gardens, 16–28 Aug, not 22 Getting to Grips with Migraine The Royal Scots Club, 18–19 Aug Them Pleasance Dome, 16–27 Aug, not 21 In Conversation with…

Anas Sarwar The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 25 Aug Two Strangers Walk into a Bar...

House of Oz, 16–27 Aug, not 21 In Conversation with…

Ken Loach The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 23 Aug The Court Hill Street Theatre, 16–27 Aug Horizon Showcase: A Crash Course in Cloudspotting (Audio Installation and Performance) Summerhall (Offsite) @ Institut Français d’Ecosse, 23–24 Aug Enquiry Concerning Hereafter Panmure House, 19 Aug, 26 Aug Letter to Boddah theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 20–26 Aug In Conversation with…

Tam Cowan The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 21 Aug In Conversation with…

Jeremy Corbyn The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 24 Aug

12:05

12:10

Stanislaus and James theSpace @ Niddry St, 16–22 Aug The Man Who Thought He Knew Too Much Pleasance Courtyard, 17–28 Aug, not 23 Tennessee, Rose Pleasance Dome, 17–28 Aug, not 23 Here You Come Again theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug Letter to Boddah theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug Upstart! Shakespeare’s Rebel Daughter Judith Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug

12:15

The Signalman theSpace on the Mile, 17–19 Aug My Neighbours Are Kind of Weird?

C ARTS | C venues | C cubed, 16–27 Aug The Last Bantam theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Pressure Cooker theSpace on the Mile, 21–26 Aug Dirty Words Pleasance Dome, 17–28 Aug, not 23

12:20

The Lost Lending Library Church Hill Theatre Studio, 16–27 Aug, not 20, 22, 23, 24 Layers Assembly Roxy, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Sunsets Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug That is the Question theSpace @ Niddry St, 16–19 Aug It’s Magic, but is it Art? Paradise in The Vault, 16–27 Aug, not 20 Spin Cycles Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug Mystery House Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug, not 21

12:25

Artist/Muse Assembly George Square Studios, 16–28 Aug, not 21

Happier Daze theSpace on the Mile, Various dates from 16 Aug to 26 Aug

Alan Bennett’s Cocktail Sticks Greenside @ Riddles Court, 16–19 Aug

12:30

12:40

Agent November: Outdoor Escape Game – Robyn Yew Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug Eulogy Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug Séance Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug An Alternative Helpline for the End of the World Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Truly Madly Baldy Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Nation Greenside @ Riddles Court, 16–26 Aug, not 20 The Birth of Frankenstein Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug Klanghaus: Darkroom Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Agent November: Outdoor Escape Game – Major X Ploe-Shun Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug The Importance of Being Nihilists theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug The Hearth Scottish Storytelling Centre, 16–27 Aug, not 18 Anything That We Wanted To Be Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Self-Raising Pleasance Dome, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Terrence the T-Rex Bedlam Theatre, 16–27 Aug, not 21 June Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 21–26 Aug WONDER DRUG: A Comedy About Cystic Fibrosis Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug, not 21 Brain Freeze Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–19 Aug Blue Dragon Just the Tonic Nucleus, 16–27 Aug

12:35

Lena Assembly George Square, 16–28 Aug Tom Brown’s Schooldays theSpace @ Niddry St, 21–26 Aug

The Van Paemel Family Zoo Southside, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Silly Little Things Just the Tonic at The Caves, 21–27 Aug And Then The Rodeo Burned Down theSpace @ Venue45, 18–19 Aug Alison Skilbeck’s Uncommon Ground Assembly Rooms, 16–27 Aug Man Shed Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug, not 21 Fit Ye Sayin’ Quine?

Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Dugsi Dayz Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Frigid Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug Witches Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–26 Aug, not 20

12:45

Sir Percival and the Jabberwock Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Mirrored Metamorphosis Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–19 Aug Four Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug An Alternative Helpline for the End of the World Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 30 and Out Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug Blueballs theSpaceTriplex, 21–26 Aug The Burden of Truth Paradise in The Vault, 16–19 Aug Picasso: Le Monstre Sacré Assembly Roxy, 16–28 Aug, not 22 Chariot: The Eric Liddell Story Palmerston Place Church, 26 Aug

12:50

Violet and Me Pleasance Courtyard, 17–28 Aug, not 23

Twenty People A Minute theSpace on the Mile, 17 Aug, 19 Aug, 21 Aug, 23 Aug, 25 Aug Robert Garnham, Bouncer Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 16–27 Aug MUSIC Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug The Mrs Dewinters Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 23–26 Aug Where is Love theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–26 Aug, not 20

12:55

Molly Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug Break Up With Your Boyfriend Pleasance Courtyard, 17–28 Aug Before the Drugs Kick In theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–26 Aug

13:00

Séance Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug Chatham House Rules Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug In Everglade Studio Assembly George Square, 16–28 Aug, not 21 An Alternative Helpline for the End of the World Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Agent November: Indoor Escape Game – Murder Mr E The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 16–27 Aug Líam Rudden’s Silence in Court Stables Pavilion, Musselburgh Links, 16–17 Aug An Afternoon with the Ladies of the Cliff Richard Fan Club, Sutton Coldfield, 1995 Assembly Rooms, 16–27 Aug The Ice Hole: A Cardboard Comedy Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug Eccentrics Unite! The Guerilla Autistics and Neurodiverse Show – Year Nine Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Impact Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug How to Drink Wine Like a Wanker Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21

Memories of the Early 1950s Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug What Girls Are Made Of Assembly Rooms, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Temping Assembly George Square Studios, 16–27 Aug Sanctuary Acoustic Music Centre @ UCC, 19 Aug NASSIM Traverse Theatre, 25 Aug Wind in the Willows Musselburgh Racecourse, 26 Aug ADULTS Traverse Theatre, 20 Aug, 23 Aug Klanghaus: Darkroom Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 ❤ The Grand Old Opera House Hotel HHHH Traverse Theatre, 16 Aug, 24 Aug Horizon Showcase: FORGE Lyceum Roseburn, 23–24 Aug Making History by Stephen Fry St Ninian’s Hall, 19 Aug Two Strangers Walk into a Bar...

House of Oz, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Horizon Showcase: Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World Traverse Theatre, 19 Aug, 22 Aug, 27 Aug Nick Wilty: Veteran Comedian Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug The Lost Lending Library Church Hill Theatre Studio, 17 Aug, 18 Aug, 25 Aug ❤ Sean and Daro Flake It ‘Til They Make It

HHHH

Traverse Theatre, 17 Aug

13:05

Burning Down The Horse Pleasance Courtyard, 17–27 Aug Aionos ZOO Playground, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Cat Sh!t Crazy theSpaceTriplex, 16–19 Aug Brothers theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 21–26 Aug The Ghost of a Smile theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–26 Aug

Listings

Skies in the Cloud theSpace on the Mile, 16–19 Aug It’s a Mystery! theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 16–19 Aug The Cabaret of Dangerous Ideas The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 16–27 Aug Uisge theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 22–26 Aug

How to Find a Husband in 37 Years or Longer theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 20–26 Aug

13:10

Dazzling theSpace @ Niddry St, 16–22 Aug

81

82

Theatre The Hunger Assembly George Square Studios, 16–28 Aug Chopped Liver and Unions theSpace on the Mile, 16–26 Aug, not 20 The Last Show Before We Die Roundabout @ Summerhall, 19 Aug An Interrogation Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 ❤ England & Son

HHHHH

Roundabout @ Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 19, 22 The Stall theSpace @ Niddry St, 16–19 Aug

13:15

An Alternative Helpline for the End of the World Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Eulogy Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug ❤ Her Green Hell

festmag.com

HHHH

Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Chance Paradise in The Vault, 21–27 Aug Temporarily Yours Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Oh My Heart, Oh My Home.

Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 The Collie’s Shed Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–20 Aug Pressure Cooker theSpace on the Mile, 16–20 Aug In Memoriam theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 21–26 Aug What Happened to Agnes C ARTS | C venues | C aurora, 16–27 Aug Ringer Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–27 Aug Shortlist Assembly George Square, 16–28 Aug Choo Choo! (Or... Have You Ever Thought About ****** **** *****? (Cos I Have)) Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug, not 21 The Grandfathers Hill Street Theatre, 16–27 Aug What If theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug Love’s Labour’s Lost theSpace on the Mile, 22–26 Aug

13:20

Pilot Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 The Devil’s Passion Assembly George Square Studios, 16–27 Aug, not 21 The Brilliance of Broken Glass Underbelly, George Square, 16–28 Aug

13:30

Lie Low Traverse Theatre, 16 Aug, 18 Aug, 19 Aug, 22 Aug, 25 Aug Séance Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug Poof!

Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug An Alternative Helpline for the End of the World Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Better Days Just the Tonic at La Belle Angele, 16–26 Aug In Loyal Company Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug Thrown Traverse Theatre, 20 Aug, 26 Aug Attila the Stockbroker – The Left-Wing Economic Establishment!

PBH’s Free Fringe @ Bannermans, 19 Aug Klanghaus: Darkroom Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Groomed Pleasance Dome, 17–28 Aug, not 23 Summer Camp for Broken People Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Santi and Naz Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug, not 23 The Cabaret of Dangerous Ideas The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 16–27 Aug Dough Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug, not 21 Horizon Showcase: A Crash Course in Cloudspotting Summerhall (Offsite) @ Institut Français d’Ecosse, 23–24 Aug 1953: The Race for the Summit C ARTS | C venues | C cubed, 23–27 Aug ❤ Heaven by Eugene O’Brien HHHH Traverse Theatre, 24 Aug

13:35

Cowboys and Lesbians Pleasance Dome, 17–27 Aug The School for Scandal theSpace @ Niddry St, 16–19 Aug

13:40

Intimacy theSpace @ Niddry St, 21–26 Aug I’ve Got Some Things To Get Off My Chest Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug The Lost Lending Library Church Hill Theatre Studio, 17 Aug, 18 Aug, 25 Aug Conspiracy Theory: A Lizard’s Tale PBH’s Free Fringe @ Little White Pig, 16–27 Aug

13:45

An Alternative Helpline for the End of the World Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Lie Low Traverse Theatre, 27 Aug A Highly Suspect Murder Mystery – Murder at the Movies theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–26 Aug Super Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug Cat Sh!t Crazy theSpaceTriplex, 21–26 Aug ❤ Clown Sex HHHH Pleasance Courtyard, 17–27 Aug, not 21 Waiting for Champagne Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 18–22 Aug I’m the Greatest Starr Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 23–27 Aug Photon StarBlaster and the Suicidal Spaceship C ARTS | C venues | C aquila, 16–27 Aug The Last Flapper Greenside @ Riddles Court, 16–19 Aug Split Lip Assembly Roxy, 16–28 Aug

13:50

Buff Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug, not 22 How to Survive and Thrive in an Impossible World – With a Piano!

Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–19 Aug Walk Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 21–26 Aug Lost in Translation Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–19 Aug

Intimacy theSpace @ Venue45, 16–19 Aug The Real William Shakespeare... As Told by Christopher Marlowe Greenside @ Riddles Court, 16–19 Aug White Butterfly Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 21–26 Aug

13:55

Good and Gaslit theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 21–26 Aug Five Short Plays Loosely Linked by the Theme of Crime Greenside @ Riddles Court, 21–26 Aug Constrictor theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug Constellations theSpace on the Mile, Various dates from 16 Aug to 26 Aug Violets and Vinegar theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug Rise theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 22–26 Aug

14:00

Séance Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug Agent November: Indoor Escape Game – Murder Mr E The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 16–27 Aug An Alternative Helpline for the End of the World Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Eulogy Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug MEMBER Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–27 Aug The Steamie Loretto School Theatre, 26 Aug Life with Oscar Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug Sealed Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–19 Aug Traditional Tales of Scotland Scottish Storytelling Centre, 16–27 Aug Sacred Arts Festival Poetry at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral St Mary’s Cathedral, 18 Aug FOOD The Studio, 19 Aug, 26 Aug, 27 Aug

The Queen of England Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 22–26 Aug The Madwoman Paradise in The Vault, 16–27 Aug, not 20 Klanghaus: Darkroom Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Horizon Showcase: FORGE Lyceum Roseburn, 25 Aug Glass Ceiling Beneath the Stars Pleasance Dome, 16–27 Aug, not 22 Blub Blub Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 The Great Ruckus Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug Two Strangers Walk into a Bar...

House of Oz, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Dominic Frisby: Gold Panmure House, 16–20 Aug Witch? Women on Trial The Lost Close, 16–28 Aug A Midsummer Night’s Dream Assembly George Square Gardens, 19–20 Aug The Butcher, the Brewer, the Baker and Merryn Somerset Webb Panmure House, 26–27 Aug Home Pleasance Courtyard, 17–28 Aug And the Beat Goes On theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug The Climate Fables Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 16–19 Aug

14:05

Ctrl theSpace on the Mile, 21–25 Aug Lash – A Pulsating New Play About Going Out Out! Pleasance Courtyard, 21 Aug Being Sophie Scholl theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 17–26 Aug, not 20, 23 Thirst Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug, not 21 Nuclear Children Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug, not 22 It’s a Woman’s World theSpaceTriplex, 16–20 Aug

14:10

❤ Blood of the Lamb HHHHH Assembly Rooms, 16–27 Aug, not 21

Only Hitmen and Scammers Make Phone Calls theSpace @ Niddry St, 16–19 Aug 24, 23, 22 Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug A Working Title theSpace @ Niddry St, 16–19 Aug The Wreck of the Queen Thomasina theSpace on the Mile, 16–19 Aug

14:15

An Alternative Helpline for the End of the World Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Heart of the Mind and A Useful Tragedy theSpace on the Mile, 22–26 Aug With the Devil’s Assistance Scottish Storytelling Centre, 16 Aug, 17 Aug, 19 Aug A Shetland Folktale Scottish Storytelling Centre, 21 Aug, 23 Aug, 25 Aug, 27 Aug Sherlock Holmes: The Speckled Band theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, Various dates from 17 Aug to 26 Aug Exit 20:20 Paradise in Augustines, 16–27 Aug, not 20 MEAT Pleasance Courtyard, Various dates from 18 Aug to 28 Aug HoneyBEE Pleasance Courtyard, Various dates from 17 Aug to 27 Aug Can’t Stop Carrying On theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 19 Aug, 22 Aug Jane/Norma theSpace on the Mile, 17 Aug, 19 Aug, 21 Aug, 23 Aug, 25 Aug ❤ One Way Out

HHHH

Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Hear Us and Hasten Scottish Storytelling Centre, 18 Aug, 20 Aug, 22 Aug, 24 Aug, 26 Aug Banana Zoo Southside, 16–27 Aug, not 21 iHands: A Life Less Lived theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16 Aug, 18 Aug 17 Minutes Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug, not 21

83 Features

MY FATHER’S NOSE A ComIc Play by Douglas Walker

Thrilled by theatre ?

03 - 27 AUG

FRONT ROOM

Pleasance Dome 2 - 27 August 12:30pm Award-winning artistic director of Graeae Theatre shares her story of growing up Deaf in a family with a secret.

A blisteringly honest, reflective, and often laugh-out-loud funny one-woman show.

!

Fringe artists

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pleasance.co.uk

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shows?

endless sunset oblivion a story on the state of the world

03 - 27 AUGUST 2023 (except 14th)

VENUE 301D

0330 220 1212

boxoffice@justthetonic.com

festmag.com

A Play, A Pie and A Pint presents

ALL TICKETS INCLUDE A PIE AND A PINT 13:00 (14 - 27 Aug) Ghillie Dhu

84

14:20

Breed or Bust Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug, not 22 Beasts (Why Girls Shouldn’t Fear The Dark) ZOO Playground, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Be My Guest Assembly George Square, 16–28 Aug, not 21 ❤ It’s a Motherf**king Pleasure HHHH Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Bitter Lemons Pleasance Courtyard, 17–28 Aug Candide theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug Spin Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug, not 21 The Invisible Man theSpace on the Mile, 16–19 Aug

14:25

The Life Sporadic of Jess Wildgoose Pleasance Courtyard, 17–28 Aug, not 23 Manifest Destiny’s Child Assembly Rooms, 16–27 Aug

14:30

14:35

Gusla Summerhall, 16–20 Aug The Half Moon Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug, not 21 Declan Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug Horizon Showcase: The Talent Summerhall, 22–27 Aug Shadow Boxing Assembly George Square Studios, 16–20 Aug

14:40

Paradok Platform Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–27 Aug ❤ England & Son

HHHHH

Roundabout @ Summerhall, 26 Aug

14:45

Eulogy Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug

An Alternative Helpline for the End of the World Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Crash and Burns: A New Comedy Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug Indoor Kids C ARTS | C venues | C aquila, 16–20 Aug The Serpent’s Tooth Paradise in The Vault, 16–19 Aug iCON Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 The Grammar of Witchcraft C ARTS | C venues | C aquila, 21–27 Aug Concerned Others Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 (James) Blunt Instrument Paradise in The Vault, 21–22 Aug

14:50

Best Man Underbelly, George Square, 16–27 Aug waiting for a train at the bus stop Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Terminal: A Play About 0 Planes, 1 Person, and a 6-Hour Delay Greenside @ Riddles Court, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Sit or Kneel theSpace @ Venue45, 16–26 Aug Soldiers of Tomorrow Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Blowhole Pleasance Dome, 17–28 Aug Rockbeth theSpaceTriplex, 16–19 Aug

14:55

Dual Pleasance Dome, 17–28 Aug, not 22 Old Bridge Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–19 Aug We Are, in Fact, the Problem theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 21–26 Aug Singing Sands Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 22–26 Aug What Can Indian Look Like?

Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Persephone Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–19 Aug

Kitchen Underwear Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–26 Aug, not 20

15:00

60 Minutes of Mood Swings Greenside @ Riddles Court, 16–19 Aug Black Is The Color Of My Voice Pleasance at EICC, 17–19 Aug Agent November: Indoor Escape Game – Murder Mr E The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 16–27 Aug Séance Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug Wild Onion Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Sensuous Governing Summerhall @ Danish Consulate, 16–20 Aug We Must Do This More The Royal Scots Club, 19 Aug Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me but Banjos Saved My Life theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–26 Aug The Mystery of the Dyatlov Pass theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 17–26 Aug, not 20, 23 Why Am I Like This? theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug Under the Mirrie Dancers Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 20–27 Aug Guffy Pleasance Courtyard, 17–28 Aug, not 23 Sophie Just the Tonic at The Grassmarket Centre, 17–22 Aug Horizon Showcase: FORGE Lyceum Roseburn, 23–25 Aug Midnight Building Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Tones: A Hip-Hop Opera Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug Blizzard Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21

15:05

Victorine: The Artist’s Model Greenside @ Riddles Court, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Goodbye Christopher Robinson theSpace on the Mile, 16 Aug, 18 Aug, 21 Aug, 23 Aug, 25 Aug Lear Alone theSpaceTriplex, 16–19 Aug

15:10

The Lost Lending Library Church Hill Theatre Studio, 16 Aug, 19 Aug, 26 Aug, 27 Aug 4/4/4: 4 Real Asians, 4 White Men, 4 Fake Asians theSpace @ Niddry St, 16–19 Aug Stark Bollock Naked Assembly Roxy, 16–28 Aug, not 22 What Goes on Without Me theSpace on the Mile, 17 Aug, 19 Aug, 22 Aug, 24 Aug, 26 Aug Marie Lloyd Stole My Life Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 17 Aug, 19 Aug, 21 Aug, 23 Aug, 25 Aug A Teacher’s Lament Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 22–26 Aug Tom Moran is a Big Fat Filthy Disgusting Liar Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug

15:15

Edgar Allan Poe: The Murders in the Rue Morgue theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, Various dates from 16 Aug to 26 Aug An Alternative Helpline for the End of the World Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 The Portable Dorothy Parker theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–26 Aug André and Dorine Assembly Rooms, 16–20 Aug Gilbert and Sullivan’s Nightmare Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 16 Aug, 18 Aug, 22 Aug, 24 Aug, 26 Aug Can’t Stop Carrying On theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 18 Aug, 21 Aug, 23 Aug Edmonds Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug, not 17, 24 The Stall theSpace @ Niddry St, 21–22 Aug Helios Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 iHands: A Life Less Lived theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 17 Aug Watson: The Final Problem Assembly George Square Studios, 16–28 Aug, not 21

15:20

Alone Assembly George Square Studios, 16–28 Aug, not 17, 21 52 Monologues for Young Transsexuals Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug Park Bench theSpace on the Mile, 22 Aug, 24 Aug, 26 Aug The Other Paradise in The Vault, 21–27 Aug Dead End Job theSpace on the Mile, 21 Aug, 23 Aug, 25 Aug

15:25

The Stall theSpace @ Niddry St, 20 Aug

15:30

All Aboard! at Termination Station Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug, not 21 Séance Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug Eulogy Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug An Alternative Helpline for the End of the World Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 The Rosenberg/Strange Fruit Project Assembly Rooms, 16–27 Aug, not 22 A Dram O’ History The Lost Close, 16–28 Aug Boy Out The City Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Seventy-Eight Thank Yous Arthur Conan Doyle Centre, 16–20 Aug I Believe in One Bach C ARTS | C venues | C cubed, 19–27 Aug Flickering Seasons St John’s Church, 17 Aug, 18 Aug, 22 Aug, 24 Aug, 25 Aug Trainspotting Live Pleasance at EICC, 27 Aug Bacon Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Horizon Showcase: A Crash Course in Cloudspotting Summerhall (Offsite) @ Institut Français d’Ecosse, 23–24 Aug Revelations of Rab McVie Pleasance Courtyard, 24–25 Aug

Listings

Paul Zenon in Monkey Business Le Monde, 16–27 Aug The Lost Lending Library Church Hill Theatre Studio, 16 Aug, 19 Aug, 26 Aug, 27 Aug Agent November: Outdoor Escape Game – Robyn Yew Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug Séance Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug An Alternative Helpline for the End of the World Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 The Curious Case of Osgood Mackenzie The Royal Scots Club, 16–19 Aug The Church of Princess Cassandra Laughing Horse @ 32 Below, 17–27 Aug Sad-Vents Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug The Chairs Revisited Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug Temping Assembly George Square Studios, 16–27 Aug

Sanctuary Acoustic Music Centre @ UCC, 17 Aug Titanic: The Last Hero and The Last Coward Charlotte Chapel, 18 Aug, 19 Aug, 23 Aug, 24 Aug, 25 Aug Sudha Bhuchar: Evening Conversations Pleasance Courtyard, 22–27 Aug Life is a Dream The Lyceum, 26–27 Aug Agent November: Outdoor Escape Game – Major X Ploe-Shun Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug Help! I Think I’m a Nationalist Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Attenborough and His Animals Gilded Balloon at the Museum, 17–26 Aug, not 23 Mrs President C ARTS | C venues | C aquila, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Salty Irina Roundabout @ Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 22, 26 Graham in the Green Pleasance Courtyard, 17–27 Aug, not 26 A Midsummer Dream in Auld Reekie Inverleith St Serf’s Church Centre, 19 Aug Maureen House of Oz, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Whisky Galore Mayfield Salisbury Church, 19 Aug

15:35

Park Bench theSpace on the Mile, 17 Aug, 19 Aug

85

86

Theatre End of the World ZOO Playground, 16–19 Aug I Love You, Now What?

Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug, not 21 Godot is a Woman Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Billy and The Situation PBH’s Free Fringe @ Legends, 16–27 Aug The Rejects theSpace on the Mile, Various dates from 16 Aug to 26 Aug Dead End Job theSpace on the Mile, 16 Aug, 18 Aug

15:40

Unforgettable Girl Pleasance Courtyard, 17–28 Aug Nobody’s Talking About Jamie Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug Strays theSpace on the Mile, 17 Aug, 19 Aug, 21 Aug, 23 Aug, 25 Aug Beautiful Evil Things Pleasance Dome, 16–27 Aug, not 21 The Lost Lending Library Church Hill Theatre Studio, 17 Aug, 18 Aug, 25 Aug

15:45

Wallace Hill Street Theatre, 21–27 Aug An Alternative Helpline for the End of the World Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 The Flea Hill Street Theatre, 16–20 Aug Pitch Pleasance Courtyard, 17–28 Aug, not 23

15:50

The Lost Lending Library Church Hill Theatre Studio, 16 Aug, 19 Aug, 26 Aug, 27 Aug For Better, For Worse C ARTS | C venues | C aquila, 16–27 Aug The Knot theSpace @ Niddry St, 21–26 Aug

festmag.com

15:55

Garage Warriors theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug The Kids with Nae Hame C ARTS | C venues | C aurora, 16–27 Aug, not 22

#MeToo, a one-woman show C ARTS | C venues | C aquila, 16–20 Aug The Psychic Tests C ARTS | C venues | C aquila, 21–27 Aug

16:00

Agent November: Indoor Escape Game – Murder Mr E The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 16–27 Aug Séance Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug An Alternative Helpline for the End of the World Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Deaf Action Presents: Faslane by Amy Helena Scottish Storytelling Centre, 20 Aug Lady Dealer Roundabout @ Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 22 Let the Bodies Pile by Henry Naylor Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug I Hope Your Flowers Bloom Scottish Storytelling Centre, 17–27 Aug, not 20 Thrown Traverse Theatre, 16 Aug, 22 Aug, 27 Aug Attila the Stockbroker – The Left-Wing Economic Establishment!

PBH’s Free Fringe @ Bannermans, 16 Aug, 17 Aug, 18 Aug, 20 Aug Expecting by c21 Theatre Company Deaf Action, 17–19 Aug Temping Assembly George Square Studios, 16–27 Aug Sanctuary Acoustic Music Centre @ UCC, 18 Aug NASSIM Traverse Theatre, 26 Aug ADULTS Traverse Theatre, 16 Aug, 24 Aug Wind in the Willows Musselburgh Racecourse, 26 Aug Hayfever theSpace @ Venue45, 16–26 Aug, not 20 ❤ The Grand Old Opera House Hotel HHHH Traverse Theatre, 17 Aug, 25 Aug Horizon Showcase: FORGE Lyceum Roseburn, 23–24 Aug MANikin Leith Arches, Various dates from 16 Aug to 22 Aug

Help Yourself Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Hollywoodn’t Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–27 Aug Horizon Showcase: Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World Traverse Theatre, 20 Aug, 23 Aug Enquiry Concerning Hereafter Panmure House, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Gaze Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–19 Aug Brain Freeze Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 21–26 Aug ❤ Sean and Daro Flake It ‘Til They Make It

HHHH

Traverse Theatre, 18 Aug

16:05

Abbey’s Box Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Varmints Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 16–19 Aug The Bad Daters theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–26 Aug Scaredy Fat Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug, not 21 Macbeth by the Sea theSpace on the Mile, 16–19 Aug After Shakespeare theSpaceTriplex, 16–26 Aug Pretending to Fly theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 16–26 Aug

16:10

The Rampant Rise of Willy of Normandy Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 21–26 Aug Sound Clash: Death in the Arena Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug, not 21 The Lost Lending Library Church Hill Theatre Studio, 23–24 Aug

16:15

OommoO Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Second Helping: Two Dead Lovers, Dead Funny PBH’s Free Fringe @ CC Blooms, 16–27 Aug Lie Low Traverse Theatre, 17 Aug, 20 Aug, 23 Aug, 24 Aug, 26 Aug Eulogy Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug

An Alternative Helpline for the End of the World Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 J.E.N. Paradise in The Vault, 16–27 Aug, not 20 Everything That Annoys Me, and You Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–19 Aug Paper Walls theSpace on the Mile, 21 Aug, 23 Aug, 25 Aug

16:20

Everyone’s Worried About Eve Greenside @ Riddles Court, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Marlon Solomon: How to Be an Antisemite Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug Queer Street theSpace @ Niddry St, 16–22 Aug All the Glorious Moments In Between theSpace on the Mile, 22 Aug, 24 Aug, 26 Aug A Trilogy: bag-theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16 Aug, 19 Aug, 21 Aug, 24 Aug A Trilogy: box. theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 18 Aug, 23 Aug, 26 Aug A Trilogy: blood (line) theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 17 Aug, 22 Aug, 25 Aug SHOWSTOPPER Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug, not 21 The Strongest Girl in the World Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 16–19 Aug If You Were to Die Tomorrow Paradise in Augustines, 16–19 Aug The Lost Lending Library Church Hill Theatre Studio, 17 Aug, 18 Aug, 25 Aug

16:25

Sherlock Holmes The Last Act theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–26 Aug We’re All Mad Here Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 21–26 Aug

16:30

Agent November: Outdoor Escape Game – Robyn Yew Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug

Bowjangles: Dracula in Space Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug Séance Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug An Alternative Helpline for the End of the World Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 The Insider Zoo Southside, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Gie’s Peace Scottish Storytelling Centre, 16 Aug, 24 Aug, 25 Aug, 26 Aug Fool’s Gold ZOO Playground, 17–27 Aug Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story Pleasance Dome, 17–28 Aug, not 21 Twinkle C ARTS | C venues | C cubed, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Kill the Cop Inside Your Head Summerhall, 22–27 Aug No One Is Coming Scottish Storytelling Centre, 17–20 Aug Paper Walls theSpace on the Mile, 16 Aug, 18 Aug Breakup Addict Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–27 Aug Agent November: Outdoor Escape Game – Major X Ploe-Shun Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug Save the Princess theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 21–26 Aug Lost Soles Assembly Roxy, 16–28 Aug

16:35

All the Glorious Moments In Between theSpace on the Mile, 17 Aug, 19 Aug Of Moonset and the Milky Way Assembly Roxy, 17–27 Aug, not 21

16:40

The Importance of Being... Earnest?

Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug

16:45

An Alternative Helpline for the End of the World Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21

16:50

The Lost Lending Library Church Hill Theatre Studio, 23–24 Aug

16:55

Gate Number 5 C ARTS | C venues | C aurora, 20–27 Aug

17:00

Klanghaus: InHaus Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 They May Have Even Eaten Ham! theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug Conversations We Never Had, as People We’ll Never Be C ARTS | C venues | C aquila, 21–27 Aug Good Grief: Five Deserts in Search of My Father. A One-Man Show by Writer Jon Lawrence Hill Street Theatre, 16–27 Aug Agent November: Indoor Escape Game – Murder Mr E The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 16–27 Aug Séance Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug Eulogy Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug An Alternative Helpline for the End of the World Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Bards at the Barracks Army @ The Fringe, 22–25 Aug ❤ Dark Noon HHHH Pleasance at EICC, 17–27 Aug, not 23 The Threepenny Opera Festival Theatre, 20 Aug ❤ Frankie Thompson and Liv Ello: Body Show

HHHH

Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug Titanic: The Last Hero and The Last Coward Charlotte Chapel, 16 Aug Move Bedlam Theatre, 22–27 Aug Horizon Showcase: FORGE Lyceum Roseburn, 23–24 Aug Getting to Grips with Migraine The Royal Scots Club, 16–17 Aug Dahlia Wilde: Oh My God Particle Show!

Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug

Two Strangers Walk into a Bar...

House of Oz, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Tickbox 2 Pleasance Courtyard, 17–27 Aug, not 23 Junk Monkey Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug, not 20 Horizon Showcase: A Crash Course in Cloudspotting Summerhall (Offsite) @ Institut Français d’Ecosse, 23–24 Aug It Won’t Be Long Now Army @ The Fringe, 16–20 Aug Nova Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, 16–27 Aug, not 21 The Lost Lending Library Church Hill Theatre Studio, 17 Aug, 18 Aug, 25 Aug Soulmates: (Not) Found Laughing Horse @ West Port Oracle, 16–20 Aug The All-Terrain Podcast Live The Salvation Army Edinburgh City Corps, 16–17 Aug

17:05

Jacob Storms’ Tennessee Rising: The Dawn of Tennessee Williams Assembly Rooms, 16–27 Aug, not 22 When Kurt Met Thora theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug Blue Assembly George Square, 16–28 Aug Kingdom theSpace on the Mile, Various dates from 16 Aug to 26 Aug All is Pink in West Berkshire County theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 16–26 Aug A Highly Suspect Murder Mystery – Murder on the Disorient Express theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–26 Aug Collar theSpace on the Mile, 21–26 Aug

17:10

17:15

The Only Punk Rocker in the Village theSpaceTriplex, 16–19 Aug An Alternative Helpline for the End of the World Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Attachment: The Leech Show Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–19 Aug Nan, Me and Barbara Pravi Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Spend the Night with Tiffany Black Paradise in Augustines, 16–19 Aug Awake, Gay and Writing a Play PBH’s Free Fringe @ The Street, 16–27 Aug, not 19 Sea Words Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21

17:20

The Brief Life & Mysterious Death of Boris III, King of Bulgaria Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug The Way Way Deep Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug Dom – The Play Assembly Rooms, 16–27 Aug, not 21 2-Faces Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–26 Aug, not 20 I Killed My Ex theSpace @ Niddry St, 16–19 Aug Strategic Love Play Roundabout @ Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 22 Burnt Lavender Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–19 Aug Character Flaw Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Lucy and Friends Pleasance Courtyard, Various dates from 16 Aug to 23 Aug Hey Pamela? Yes Pamela?

Greenside @ Riddles Court, 21–26 Aug

Knuckles Greenside @ Riddles Court, 16–19 Aug The Lost Lending Library Church Hill Theatre Studio, 19 Aug

17:25

Peephole Greenside @ Riddles Court, 21–26 Aug Extreme (The New Norm) Greenside @ Riddles Court, 16–19 Aug

17:30

Séance Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug An Alternative Helpline for the End of the World Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Vino Veritas theSpace on the Mile, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Expecting by c21 Theatre Company Deaf Action, 20 Aug Temping Assembly George Square Studios, 16–27 Aug Walking Home Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug, not 21 Brain Hemingway Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Thorns Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–27 Aug The Imitator Assembly Rooms, 16–26 Aug, not 21 Come to Our Show (Please) C ARTS | C venues | C aquila, 16–20 Aug How to Find a Husband in 37 Years or Longer theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug

17:35

Party Scene: Chemsex.

Community. Crisis.

Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21, 22 Scent Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–26 Aug, not 20 The Quality of Mercy: Concerning the Life and Crimes of Dr Harold Frederick Shipman theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–26 Aug The Stronger Assembly Rooms, 16–27 Aug, not 21

17:45

Eulogy Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug

An Alternative Helpline for the End of the World Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 The Last of the Soviets ZOO Playground, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Thunderstruck Scottish Storytelling Centre, Various dates from 17 Aug to 28 Aug Yippee Ki Yay the Die Hard Parody Gilded Balloon at the Museum, 17–27 Aug, not 23 Distant Memories of the Near Future Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Trainspotting Live Pleasance at EICC, 27 Aug Chariot: The Eric Liddell Story Palmerston Place Church, 25 Aug Land Under Wave Scottish Storytelling Centre, Various dates from 16 Aug to 27 Aug

17:50

What If They Ate The Baby? theSpace @ Niddry St, 16–19 Aug Fool’s Paradise Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21

17:55

The Baron and the Junk Dealer Assembly Roxy, 16–24 Aug

18:00

Agent November: Indoor Escape Game – Murder Mr E The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 16–27 Aug Séance Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug Call Mr Robeson – A Life, with Songs C ARTS | C venues | C aurora, 17 Aug, 19 Aug An Alternative Helpline for the End of the World Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Wasteman Assembly George Square Studios, 16–28 Aug, not 17 Alice Hawkins – Suffragette Arthur Conan Doyle Centre, 16–17 Aug Hamlet The Royal Scots Club, 21–26 Aug A Migrant’s Son House of Oz, 16–26 Aug, not 21

Just An Ordinary Lawyer C ARTS | C venues | C aurora, 16 Aug, 18 Aug, 20 Aug ‘78 Things I Don’t Want to Tell You About the Love of My Life Outhouse, 20 Aug Horizon Showcase: FORGE Lyceum Roseburn, 23 Aug Bolts of Melody French Institute in Scotland, 16–20 Aug James Rowland: Piece of Work Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21, 26 Making History by Stephen Fry St Ninian’s Hall, 19 Aug Two Strangers Walk into a Bar...

House of Oz, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Horizon Showcase: A Crash Course in Cloudspotting Summerhall (Offsite) @ Institut Français d’Ecosse, 22 Aug Deaf Action Presents: Faslane by Amy Helena Deaf Action, 19 Aug

18:05

Survivors theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug Constrictor theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 21–26 Aug The Ballad of Truman Capote theSpace @ Niddry St, 16–26 Aug Nevernatal theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug Does My Fanny Look Big in This? theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 21–26 Aug Certain Death and Other Considerations ZOO Playground, 16–27 Aug, not 21

18:10

On the Rail theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 21–26 Aug Top of the World theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug Hersterectomy Just the Tonic at The Caves, Various dates from 16 Aug to 26 Aug Lost and Found Just the Tonic at The Caves, Various dates from 17 Aug to 27 Aug

18:15

The Standard Short Long Drop theSpaceTriplex, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Mister Shakespeare Hill Street Theatre, 16–27 Aug

18:20

Grown Up Orphan Annie Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug Meat Cute Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug Oggie! Oggie! Oggie!

C ARTS | C venues | C aurora, 23–27 Aug Square Peg Paradise in Augustines, 16–19 Aug

18:25

(...)Prty Grl Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–19 Aug My Father’s Nose Assembly Rooms, 16–27 Aug The Last Vagabonds Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 21–26 Aug Maybe Things Are Okay Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 21–26 Aug

18:30

The Death of Molly Miller Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug Agent November: Outdoor Escape Game – Robyn Yew Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug Séance Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug Eulogy Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug MacBeth Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Teacher’s Pet Pleasance Courtyard, Various dates from 17 Aug to 27 Aug The Lifespan Tour Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 16–26 Aug, not 20 KING Assembly @ Dance Base, 16–27 Aug, not 19, 20, 21 Thrown Traverse Theatre, 17 Aug, 23 Aug Lilies on the Land The Royal Scots Club, 16–19 Aug Draining the Swamp C ARTS | C venues | C aquila, 16–27 Aug

Listings

Graveyard of the Outcast Dead theSpace on the Mile, 17 Aug, 19 Aug, 21 Aug, 23 Aug, 25 Aug The Caravel theSpace @ Venue45, 22–26 Aug

The Courteous Enemy theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 21–26 Aug Nearly Lear theSpace @ Venue45, 16–19 Aug BUTCHERED Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–20 Aug The Abrupt Son theSpace on the Mile, 16–19 Aug

89

90

Theatre Trainspotting Live Pleasance at EICC, 17–26 Aug, not 21 Agent November: Outdoor Escape Game – Major X Ploe-Shun Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug Horizon Showcase: A Crash Course in Cloudspotting (Audio Installation and Performance) Summerhall (Offsite) @ Institut Français d’Ecosse, 23–24 Aug True Spirit Pathway Greenside @ Riddles Court, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Hot as Hell Pleasance Courtyard, Various dates from 18 Aug to 28 Aug ❤ Heaven by Eugene O’Brien HHHH Traverse Theatre, 16 Aug, 18 Aug, 22 Aug, 25 Aug

18:35

ORFARM – Animal Farm Greenside @ Riddles Court, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Notes to Future Self theSpace on the Mile, 21–26 Aug

18:40

The Society for New Cuisine Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug How to Become Ridiculously Well-Read (In About 50 Minutes) Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Meat Boy theSpace on the Mile, 16–19 Aug Paved with Gold and Ashes Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–26 Aug, not 20

18:45

Everything Under the Sun Army @ The Fringe, 16–27 Aug, not 21 ❤ Heaven by Eugene O’Brien HHHH Traverse Theatre, 19 Aug

festmag.com

18:50

Candide theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 20–26 Aug Bangers Roundabout @ Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 22 Colonel Anne: Jacobite Heroine theSpace @ Venue45, 16–19 Aug

18:55

Playing Latinx Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Optimistic: Elizabeth Holmes Zoo Southside, 16–27 Aug, not 17 Salamander Assembly Roxy, 16 Aug 1984 Assembly Roxy, 18–28 Aug Hi, I’m Zoë...

Laughing Horse @ Eastside, 20–27 Aug

19:00

Klanghaus: InHaus Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Agent November: Indoor Escape Game – Murder Mr E The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 16–27 Aug Séance Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug Dimanche Church Hill Theatre, 16–19 Aug Tipples, Tales and Traditions with Edinburgh Gin Edinburgh Gin Distillery, 21 Aug, 28 Aug And Then The Rodeo Burned Down theSpace @ Venue45, 20–26 Aug Pleading Stupidity Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug Growler Summerhall, 16–26 Aug, not 21 Havisham ZOO Playground, 16–27 Aug Temping Assembly George Square Studios, 16–27 Aug NASSIM Traverse Theatre, 27 Aug ADULTS Traverse Theatre, 17 Aug, 22 Aug, 25 Aug Almost Adult Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug Messhead Paradise in Augustines, 21–27 Aug Murder in the Cathedral Old Saint Paul’s Church, 28 Aug ❤ The Grand Old Opera House Hotel HHHH Traverse Theatre, 18 Aug, 26 Aug April Small: Bloody Medea!!

BlundaGardens: BlundaBus & Magical SpiegelYurt, 18–27 Aug

Our Anxious Measurements PBH’s Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Horizon Showcase: Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World Traverse Theatre, 16 Aug, 24 Aug Two Strangers Walk into a Bar...

House of Oz, 16–27 Aug, not 21 The Mariner’s Song Scottish Storytelling Centre, 16–20 Aug Kravitz, Cohen, Bernstein and Me Assembly Rooms, 16–27 Aug Pride and Prejudice Musselburgh Racecourse, 26 Aug ❤ Sean and Daro Flake It ‘Til They Make It

Chariot: The Eric Liddell Story Palmerston Place Church, 23–25 Aug

Traverse Theatre, 19 Aug

19:30

HHHH 19:10

Three Sisters and Them theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–26 Aug, not 20

19:15

A Working Title theSpace on the Mile, 21–26 Aug Eulogy Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug A Good Panto Die Hard Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug Drumming Up Poetry theSpaceTriplex, 21–26 Aug ❤ Horizon Showcase: Birthmarked HHHH Assembly Rooms, 16–27 Aug, not 20 Yellow Corners theSpaceTriplex, 16–19 Aug What You See When Your Eyes Are Closed / What You Don’t See When Your Eyes Are Open Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Rhubarb and Custard Paradise in The Vault, 21–27 Aug Afghanistan Is Not Funny

by Henry Naylor Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–18 Aug Tituba C ARTS | C venues | C aurora, 16–27 Aug Lovefool Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Norma theSpace on the Mile, 16–19 Aug

19:20

Bang ZOO Playground, 16–27 Aug GUSH Assembly George Square, 16–28 Aug, not 22 Quitting Comedy PBH’s Free Fringe @ Legends, 16–27 Aug, not 22 Unstitching theSpace @ Niddry St, 16–22 Aug

19:25

Otto & Astrid’s Joint Solo Project Assembly George Square Gardens, 17–27 Aug

A Fairie Tale Scottish Storytelling Centre, 16–27 Aug, not 17, 18, 23 Séance Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug The Beatles Were a Boyband Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 18–27 Aug The Steamie Loretto School Theatre, 23–26 Aug Never Trouble Trouble (Till Trouble Troubles You) Tynecastle Park, 18 Aug, 21 Aug, 22 Aug, 25 Aug, 27 Aug Tales of Edinburgh Horror Arthur Conan Doyle Centre, 16 Aug, 17 Aug, 22 Aug, 24 Aug The Threepenny Opera Festival Theatre, 18–19 Aug Life is a Dream The Lyceum, 23–26 Aug Bits ‘N’ Pieces Leith Arches, 16–26 Aug, not 17, 24 Making History by Stephen Fry St Ninian’s Hall, 16–18 Aug The Screwtape Letters

by CS Lewis Charlotte Chapel, 16 Aug Bear with Me: A Polar Bear in Scotland Scottish Storytelling Centre, 23 Aug A Midsummer Dream in Auld Reekie Inverleith St Serf’s Church Centre, 16–18 Aug Whisky Galore Mayfield Salisbury Church, 16–18 Aug A Comedy of Tenors The Royal Scots Club, 21–26 Aug

19:35

Locusts theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Modern Witches Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–26 Aug, not 20 When Worlds Collide Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 21–26 Aug Did You Eat? Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–26 Aug, not 20

19:40

When We Died Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 97+ theSpace on the Mile, 16–19 Aug Tea and Milk C ARTS | C venues | C aquila, 16–27 Aug Not Our Crime, Still Our Sentence Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–17 Aug

19:45

Wildcat’s Last Waltz Assembly Rooms, 16–26 Aug DARLING BOY Assembly George Square Studios, 16 Aug Satan vs God C ARTS | C venues | C aurora, 16–27 Aug

19:50

A Manchester Anthem Pleasance Courtyard, 17–27 Aug In Loving Memory of Mary Mort Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 16–26 Aug, not 20

20:00

Eulogy Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug Agent November: Indoor Escape Game – Murder Mr E The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 16–27 Aug Séance Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug We Must Do This More The Royal Scots Club, 18–19 Aug Shakesperimental Bedlam Theatre, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Plague Stone Party: Farewell, Tor BlundaGardens: BlundaBus & Magical SpiegelYurt, 18–22 Aug FOOD The Studio, 16–26 Aug, not 21

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard The Royal Scots Club, 21–26 Aug Horizon Showcase: A Crash Course in Cloudspotting Summerhall (Offsite) @ Institut Français d’Ecosse, 22 Aug Mark Twain’s The Stolen White Elephant Paradise in The Vault, 16–27 Aug, not 20

20:05

Runaway theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–26 Aug

20:10

Report to an Academy Zoo Southside, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Unveiled theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 17–26 Aug, not 20, 23

20:15

The Alpha Podcast theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 21–26 Aug Two Cats on a Date ZOO Playground, 17–27 Aug Captain Avaritia’s Carnival of Wonders theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 21–26 Aug Gold! theSpace on the Mile, 16–26 Aug

20:20

Andronicus Synecdoche presented by Song of the Goat Theatre Zoo Southside, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz Roundabout @ Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 22 Goodbye Uncle Fudgey Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug Cola Boy theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 16–19 Aug Please Love Me Pleasance Dome, 16–26 Aug, not 21

20:25

And Then The Rodeo Burned Down theSpace @ Niddry St, 16–17 Aug Hysterical Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21

20:30

Agent November: Outdoor Escape Game – Robyn Yew Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug Ctrl Room :_ Army @ The Fringe, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Séance Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug The Importance of Being Earnest The Royal Scots Club, 16–19 Aug Temping Assembly George Square Studios, 16–27 Aug Love is Blue C ARTS | C venues | C cubed, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Welcome to The Big Show Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Agent November: Outdoor Escape Game – Major X Ploe-Shun Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug An Oak Tree Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, 16–27 Aug, not 21

20:35

Trust ZOO Playground, 16–19 Aug A Perfectly Average Glimpse into a Perfectly Average Day ZOO Playground, 20–27 Aug Bill’s 44th Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–27 Aug

20:40

Four Cut Sunflowers theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–26 Aug, not 20

20:45

20:50

Peer Gynt: A Jazz Revival Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 16 Aug, 18 Aug, 22 Aug, 24 Aug, 26 Aug 1 Tent, 4 Girls Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Garry Bonds’ Balanced Breakfasts Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 17 Aug, 19 Aug, 21 Aug, 23 Aug, 25 Aug ❤ Chicken HHHH Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Blanket of the Dark theSpace @ Niddry St, 24–26 Aug YOU ARE GOING TO DIE Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21

20:55

House of Life Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–25 Aug

21:00

Séance Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug Klanghaus: InHaus Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Club Life Summerhall, 17–27 Aug, not 21, 22, 23 Call Me Suicidal Greenside @ Riddles Court, 16–19 Aug Agent November: Indoor Escape Game – Murder Mr E The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 16–27 Aug Séance: Live Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug Thrown Traverse Theatre, 18 Aug, 24 Aug Queer Folks’ Tales Scottish Storytelling Centre, 19 Aug, 25 Aug, 26 Aug Loud Poets: Best of Fringe Scottish Storytelling Centre, 18 Aug The Leading Lady Club Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 21–26 Aug

Is This the End of Edward J Payne?

Paradise in Augustines, 21–27 Aug Shadows of Angels Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–19 Aug ❤ Heaven by Eugene O’Brien HHHH Traverse Theatre, 17 Aug, 23 Aug, 26 Aug

21:40

21:05

Grief Lightning: A Satire in 78 Slides Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21

The Mystery of Dracula PBH’s Free Fringe @ Voodoo Rooms, 16–27 Aug

21:10

Gunter Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Ginzel’s Little Cordoba: A Double Bill theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug

21:15

What If They Ate The Baby? theSpace on the Mile, 21–26 Aug A Year and a Day theSpace on the Mile, 16–19 Aug Internal theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 21–26 Aug The Good Dad (A Love Story) theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–26 Aug A Night With Me, Myself and Bipolar Brenda theSpace @ Symposium Hall, 21–25 Aug

21:20

Brief Candle theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Culture for the Many The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 23 Aug Crash and Burn theSpace @ Niddry St, 16–22 Aug Mythos: Ragnarok Assembly Roxy, 16–27 Aug

21:25

Deuteronomy Zoo Southside, 16–19 Aug

21:30

International House of Vape: Redefining Theatre Experience Underbelly, Cowgate, 16–24 Aug The Grandmothers Grimm Paradise in The Vault, 16–19 Aug

The Last Show Before We Die Roundabout @ Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 22 Frighthouse Presents: The Wheel of Misfortune theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug

21:55

22:00

Agent November: Indoor Escape Game – Murder Mr E The Stand’s New Town Theatre, 16–27 Aug Temping Assembly George Square Studios, 16–27 Aug NASSIM Traverse Theatre, 23 Aug ADULTS Traverse Theatre, 18 Aug, 26 Aug ❤ The Grand Old Opera House Hotel HHHH Traverse Theatre, 19 Aug, 22 Aug, 27 Aug Horizon Showcase: Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World Traverse Theatre, 17 Aug, 25 Aug Auto-Engrain: A One-Woman Show Fringe Online, 22 Aug, 27 Aug Auto-Engrain: A One-Woman Show Hill Street Theatre, 16–27 Aug ❤ Sean and Daro Flake It ‘Til They Make It

HHHH

Traverse Theatre, 20 Aug

22:05

Rock Bottom Paradise in The Vault, 21–27 Aug

22:10

Until Death theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–26 Aug

22:15

Break the Chains theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug Slash Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 That is the Question theSpace on the Mile, 21–26 Aug

Ay Up, Hitler! theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–26 Aug

22:20

Horizon Showcase: Little Wimmin Zoo Southside, 21–27 Aug Why I Stuck a Flare Up My Arse for England theSpace @ Niddry St, 16–22 Aug

22:30

Paddy Englishman, Paddy Irishman and Paddy...?

Paradise in The Vault, 16–19 Aug The Thin Place theSpace @ Niddry St, 21–26 Aug B Dolan – Modified Warrior The Voodoo Rooms, 22–27 Aug An(dre)a Spisto: El Dizzy Beast Assembly George Square Studios, 16–27 Aug, not 21

23:10

Punk theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 21–25 Aug Secreting Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–19 Aug

23:20

Green Bird Greenside @ Riddles Court, 16–19 Aug

23:25

Magic for Animals Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–26 Aug, not 20

22:40

Shakespeare Up Late: A Right Royal Visit C ARTS | C venues | C aquila, 16–27 Aug

22:45

Babs for Life C ARTS | C venues | C cubed, 16–27 Aug

23:00

Lash – A Pulsating New Play About Going Out Out! Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug HEART Roundabout @ Summerhall, 24–26 Aug Asexuality!

Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 16–27 Aug, not 18, 25 LATER Roundabout @ Summerhall, 17–19 Aug He Kept Me Safe theSpace @ Niddry St, 17–19 Aug Purgatorio theSpaceTriplex, 16–26 Aug May Contain Traces of Nuts. theSpaceTriplex, 16–19 Aug

23:05

The Fruity Prince Paradise in The Vault, 16–27 Aug, not 20

Listings

Eulogy Pleasance Dome, 16–28 Aug I’ve Never Met Anyone Quite Like You Before theSpace on the Mile, 21–26 Aug A Preoccupation with Romantic Love PBH’s Free Fringe @ Burrito ‘n’ Shake, 19–27 Aug How To Rob a Millionaire (In Five Easy Steps) Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Puppets Paradise in The Vault, 16–19 Aug We’re All Mad Here Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 21–26 Aug Trainspotting Live Pleasance at EICC, 17–26 Aug, not 21

Good Morning, Faggi Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Pinched Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–26 Aug, not 20 Lino Greenside @ Infirmary Street, 16–19 Aug

91

92

Kids 09:05

Whipped Up! (0+) Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 16–26 Aug, not 20

09:30

Bumble’s Big Adventure (3+) C ARTS | C venues | C aquila, 16–17 Aug

09:45

Taiwan Season: World in a Word (3+) Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21

10:00

CeilidhKids at the Fringe (3+) Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–27 Aug, not 17, 22, 24 Adventure Bubble Show with Milkshake (0+) theSpaceTriplex, 16–20 Aug Down the Hatch! (0+) Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–27 Aug Sea Dragon for Under 5s (0+) Pleasance Courtyard, 17–20 Aug Plague, Poo n’ Punishment (8+) The Lost Close, 16–28 Aug Family Portrait (0+) ZOO Dovecot , 16–20 Aug

10:25

Beware the Jabberwock (5+) Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 16–18 Aug

festmag.com

10:30

Vampire’s Ball: Ultimate Halloween Party! (8+) Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Wriggle Around the World (0+) Stockbridge Church, 16–26 Aug, not 20, 23 A Girl Called Grace (3+) The Royal Scots Club, 16–18 Aug Cartoooon!! (0+) Assembly Roxy, 16–28 Aug, not 21 Grow (0+) Scottish Storytelling Centre, 17–27 Aug, not 23 Magic Gareth: Level Up! (5+) Pleasance Courtyard, 17–20 Aug The Bubblegum Gumdrop Show (0+) theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug

The Bubble Show (3+) Assembly George Square Gardens, 17–20 Aug Saturday Morning Magic (8+) Scottish Arts Club, 19 Aug

10:35

Rubbish Romeo and Juliet (5+) Pleasance Courtyard, 17–28 Aug, not 18, 19, 20

10:40

Monski Mouse’s Baby Cabaret (0+) Assembly George Square Gardens, Various dates from 16 Aug to 25 Aug Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dance Hall (0+) Assembly George Square Gardens, 19 Aug, 20 Aug, 26 Aug, 27 Aug

10:45

Bubba-Licious (0+) Laughing Horse @ The Pear Tree, 16–27 Aug Family Portrait (0+) ZOO Dovecot , 16–20 Aug

10:55

Mario the Maker Magician (3+) Underbelly, George Square, 16–27 Aug, not 21

11:00

Science Magic: Messy Mayhem (5+) Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–27 Aug Tales From a Haunted Bookshop (8+) Gilded Balloon Teviot, 17–20 Aug Children’s Underground Ghost Show (5+) City of Edinburgh Tours @ Old Police Box, 16–28 Aug Drag Queen Story Hour (3+) Assembly Roxy, 16–27 Aug Wee Seals and Selkies (5+) Scottish Storytelling Centre, 19 Aug, 20 Aug, 26 Aug, 27 Aug Sea Dragon Babies (0+) Pleasance Courtyard, 17–20 Aug Beetle (3+) House of Oz, 16–26 Aug, not 17, 20, 24

11:15

Lost in the Woods (5+) Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug The Spanish Gentleman Juggler (3+) Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–27 Aug Story Builders (5+) Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, 16–27 Aug, not 17, 24 Pinocchio! The Panto (3+) theSpace on the Mile, 21–26 Aug

11:20

Artiste (3+) Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–20 Aug Mog the Forgetful Cat (3+) Underbelly, Bristo Square, 17–27 Aug, not 21, 22, 23

11:30

Bubba-Licious (0+) Laughing Horse @ The Pear Tree, 16–27 Aug Who Stole My Hammer?

(5+) Underbelly, Bristo Square, 16–28 Aug Children’s Underground Vaults Tour (5+) Welcome Edinburgh Tourist Information Booth Outside of the Bank of Scotland, 16–27 Aug Cheekykita: Octopus in Space (5+) Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–20 Aug Blue Badge Bunch: ReRamped (5+) Pleasance Courtyard, 17–28 Aug Family Portrait (0+) ZOO Dovecot , 16–20 Aug Lightning Ridge (8+) Summerhall, 16–20 Aug

11:40

Olaf Falafel’s Super Stupid Show (20% More Stupider) (3+) Pleasance Courtyard, 17–27 Aug, not 22, 23 Mr Sleepybum (5+) Assembly George Square, Various dates from 17 Aug to 27 Aug

11:45

Jon – The Music Man (3+) Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 16–27 Aug

11:10

Not a Load of Bumfuzzle and Faradiddle (5+) theSpace @ Surgeons Hall, 16–19 Aug

JUDITH KERR’S THE FORGETFUL CAT

11:50

First Piano on the Moon (Revisited) – Will Pickvance (5+) Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21

11:55

Roger McGough’s Money-Go-Round (5+) Assembly Rooms, 16 Aug, 18 Aug, 19 Aug, 20 Aug, 21 Aug

12:00

A Bee Story (3+) Assembly George Square Gardens, 16–27 Aug, not 21 The Crazy Puppet Magic Show (5+) Frankenstein Pub, 16–20 Aug Doktor Kaboom and the Wheel of Even More Science! (8+) Pleasance Courtyard, 16–27 Aug, not 18 Plague, Poo n’ Punishment (8+) The Lost Close, 16–28 Aug Science Adventures: Deep Sea (5+) Pleasance Courtyard, 17–20 Aug Chevalier – Hobbyhorse Circus (3+) Assembly George Square Studios, 16–27 Aug, not 21

12:05

Trash Test Dummies (0+) Underbelly’s Circus Hub on the Meadows, 16–26 Aug, not 21

12:15

Science Magic: Crazy Gadgets (5+) Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–27 Aug Family Portrait (0+) ZOO Dovecot , 16–20 Aug

12:30

Children’s Underground Ghost Show (5+) City of Edinburgh Tours @ Old Police Box, 16–28 Aug Amazing Bubble Man (0+) Underbelly, George Square, 16–28 Aug Circus Sonas Family Show (3+) Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–20 Aug Ancient Ballad of Thomas the Rhymer (Into the Woods) (5+) artSpace@StMarks, 16–19 Aug

14:00

12:40

James and the Giant Peach (0+) Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 16–19 Aug

12:45

Comics vs Kids: The Super Showdown (5+) Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–20 Aug

13:00

Strictly Barking (3+) Gilded Balloon Teviot, 17–20 Aug The Listies Make Some Noise (3+) House of Oz, 16 Aug, 18 Aug, 19 Aug, 20 Aug Family Portrait (0+) ZOO Dovecot , 16–20 Aug The Slightly Annoying Elephant (3+) Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–28 Aug, not 21

13:05

Improvised Rubbish Shakespeare – The Incomplete Works (5+) Pleasance Courtyard, 16–28 Aug

13:15

Ancient Coins of Forgotten Kingdoms (8+) PBH’s Free Fringe @ Burrito ‘n’ Shake, 16–27 Aug, not 22 Shelf: The Kids’ Show (3+) Pleasance Courtyard, 17–27 Aug

13:30

Children’s Underground Vaults Tour (5+) Welcome Edinburgh Tourist Information Booth Outside of the Bank of Scotland, 16–27 Aug Brotipo (5+) Assembly George Square Gardens, 16–27 Aug, not 21 Inside The Robot: Kids vs Chaos! (5+) Just the Tonic at The Caves, 16–20 Aug Adventures! Journey Through Dungeons With Dragons (5+) Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–20 Aug

13:45

Family Portrait (0+) ZOO Dovecot , 16–20 Aug ComedySportz (8+) Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16 Aug

Kings and Queens (0+) Stockbridge Church, 16–26 Aug, not 23 Game On: Boss Level (5+) Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–27 Aug

14:15

The Alphabet of Awesome Science (5+) Underbelly, George Square, 16–28 Aug, not 21

14:30

The Greatest Magic Show (3+) Assembly George Square Gardens, 17–28 Aug, not 21 FlamenKids (0+) St Andrew’s and St George’s West, George St, 20 Aug Family Portrait (0+) ZOO Dovecot , 16–20 Aug

14:55

Marcel Lucont: Les Enfants Terribles – A Gameshow For Awful Children (8+) Assembly George Square Gardens, 16–21 Aug

15:15

Family Portrait (0+) ZOO Dovecot , 16–20 Aug

15:30

Children’s Underground Vaults Tour (5+) Welcome Edinburgh Tourist Information Booth Outside of the Bank of Scotland, 16–20 Aug

15:55

Comedy Club 4 Kids (5+) Assembly Roxy, 16–27 Aug, not 21, 22, 23, 24

16:00

The Railway Children (0+) C ARTS | C venues | C aurora, 16–27 Aug Family Portrait (0+) ZOO Dovecot , 16–20 Aug

16:20

Teach Rex Live – A Dragon’s Tale (3+) Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 21–26 Aug Alice’s Adventures (3+) Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 16–19 Aug Taiwan Season: The Way Back (5+) Summerhall, 16–27 Aug, not 21

R SUMME Y IL M A F FUN FOR 3+

16:25

The Mighty Kids Beatbox Comedy Show Strikes Back! (5+) Assembly George Square Gardens, 16–27 Aug

16:30

101 Ways to Annoy Your Parents... And Other Really Old People (5+) Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, 16–27 Aug

16:45

The Dark Room for Kids! (8+) Gilded Balloon Teviot, 16–27 Aug

18:15

Family Portrait (0+) ZOO Dovecot , 17 Aug

18:40

Teach Rex Live – A Dragon’s Tale (3+) Greenside @ Nicolson Square, 21–26 Aug

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Family Portrait (0+) ZOO Dovecot , 17 Aug

17:15

17:30

@festmag

Family Portrait (0+) ZOO Dovecot , 17 Aug

Listings

Amazing Prize Family Bingo (5+) 9 Queen Street, 16 Aug, 17 Aug, 18 Aug, 20 Aug

HHHH

‘A MIAOW-VELLOUS MUSICAL TREAT’ Guardian

Adapted for the stage by

THE WARDROBE ENSEMBLE

11.20am

03-27 AUG (not 16, 21, 22, 23) BRISTO SQUARE

underbellyedinburgh.co.uk 0131 510 0395

© Kerr-Kneale Productions Ltd 2022 Licensed by Harper Collins Publishers Ltd

93

festmag.com

Fringe Dog meets

MC Hammersmith The canine journalist freestyles with the master improviser Image: courtesy of the artist

i once had a short-lived career as ‘dj three-stops-shortof-dagenham’ – but i kept scratchin’ the records! what first inspired you to combine freestyle rap with comedy?

That’s a nice story! I learned freestyle rap in prison! And then when I emerged, I stumbled upon the work of MC Juice and MC Supernatural – two of the grandfathers of freestyle rap. I realised all they were doing was improv. And I had already been performing improv for a number of years.

So, as a lifelong hip-hop fan, it seemed like the perfect Venn diagram overlap of my interests.

Edinburgh meant I was part of the Edinburgh Revue (the university’s comedy society), so I had the fun of being surrounded by talented people, plus infinite stage time to be shit and get better through failure.

Training in improv meant I could understand why comedy works – premise, heightening, patterning, all the things usually lacking from terrible student comedy.

i heard you keep a rhyming dictionary in your head! i once chewed on a first edition of fowler’s english but i can’t find its contents in my mind. do you have a dog? have your powers of recall I do have a dog! A border collie helped you in other areas of mix called Dog. I thought for is it true you studied linguisyour life? ages – what would be a good tics because it rhymes I do keep a rhyming dictionary name for a dog? So I called with biscuits? in my head – otherwise rhymhim Dog. Yes, I love biscuits, and rhymes ing would be very difficult. guide my life, so it was the To be honest, my powers of can you write a little rap that only subject that made sense. recall aren’t particularly above describes your dog?

I was going to study chemaverage. I just sit down and Grab the microphone, my istry, but that rhymes with learn the words through brute rhymes are so insane ecstasy, and I can’t go back force, like a psychopath. If I I have a big dog, to prison. could recall people’s names, and Dog is his name that would be sick, but I at puppy school i was told clearly care more about how Yes Dog is the name, it was i was untrainable and so i “Homer Simpson” rhymes with easy to choose it became a comedy reviewer. “solar system”.

I was going to call him Cat, but what had the bigger influence was told that was stupid on your comedy – being a student in edinburgh or SHOW MC Hammersmith: Don’t call him Cat, improv training in chicago Straight Outta Brompton that’s really odd and new york?

VENUE: Monkey Barrel Comedy Because he isn’t a cat, he’s I think both taught me differTIME: 12:30pm,16-27 Aug clearly a dog ent things. Being a student in (not 22) 94

Fringe Dog

THE TASTE OF

CANDIED MIRACLE STEEPED IN

WILD MYSTERY

20–27 AUGUST Vital, genre-defying performances The Talent Action Hero & Deborah Pearson Birthmarked Brook Tate TOM BULLYACHE Little Wimmin Figs in Wigs

Birthmarked. Photo © Paul Blakemore

Always Already Haranczak/Navarre Performance Projects Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World The Javaad Alipoor Company FORGE Rachel Mars A Crash Course in Cloudspotting Raquel Meseguer Zafe/ Unchartered Collective BODIES Ray Young

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