We’re in July! How the hell did that happen?! Edinburgh Fringe is fast approaching and we have already been inundated with the response from artists attending this year’s festival. You can hear from some of these artists in our upcoming limited podcast series ‘On The Road To Fringe’.
Over the past few weeks we have been looking into the programming and have been hand picking some of the shows that we are excited to see in Scotland’s capital this August.
This year’s Fringe is brimming with potential and undiscovered talent which we are going to make every effort to cover as much as possible, however for now, these are the artists, comedians, companies and productions to look out for.
‘The Grand Old Opera House Hotel’ – Traverse Theatre (Thurs 27th Jul – Sun 27th Aug)
Isobel McArthur is one of the biggest writing and directing talents in Scotland at the moment, her impact through the Olivier award winning ‘Pride and Prejudice (*sort of)’ and also the critically acclaimed ‘Kidnapped’ has put Scottish theatre firmly back on the map.
Her newest production which has been co-produced by The Traverse Theatre Company and Dundee Rep follows shy Aaron, as he joins the The Grand Old Opera House Hotel’s ramshackle team. In this new endeavour he is faced with emotionally volatile guests, apathetic staff and inept management, not to mention the rumour of a pair of singing ghosts haunting the corridors. But through the madness, one voice rings out clear, capturing both his ears and heart – and Aaron chooses to go into battle with the hotel’s magical chaos in order to find the person who owns it.
This is being produced as part of TravFest, celebrating sixty years of the Traverse Theatre.
Get your tickets here: https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event/the-grand-old-opera-house-hotel-festival-23
Rueben Kaye ‘The Butch is Back’ – Assembly George Square Gardens (Tues 15th – Sun 27th Aug)
*Except Monday 21st Aug
Rueben Kaye was first introduced to some of the Theatre Scotland team last year at the Assembly’s launch night, and from that point onwards the Australian comedian had several members of our team hooked. Rueben scored two five star reviews with ‘The Butch is Back’ and ‘Kaye Hole’, both productions are returning to the Fringe this year, hot off of touring the world. These two shows are not to be missed. The raunchy, talented, unfiltered and bloody hilarious showman leaves audiences begging for more after each performance of this delicious cabaret.
Get your tickets for ‘Rueben Kaye: The Butch is Back’ here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/reuben-kaye-the-butch-is-back
‘Divas: From Stage to Screen’ – Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose (Wed 2nd – Sun 27th Aug)
* Except Mon 14th/21st & Tues 22nd Aug
Big Band Does Productions are one of the most exquisite companies for musical theatre cabaret/concert performances. Last year both of their productions ‘Big Band Does… Broadway’ and ‘Divas: From Stage to Screen’ gained five star reviews from Theatre Scotland. ‘Divas’ is returning for it’s victory lap at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, and this is a show for anyone who loves musical theatre and strong female artists. With a stunning live band and incredible performers, this should be on your list for this year’s Fringe (it’s on ours).
Get your tickets for ‘Divas: From Stage to Screen’ here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/divas-from-stage-to-screen
‘The Threepenny Opera‘ – Edinburgh Festival Theatre (Fri 18th – Sun 20th Aug)
The Berliner Ensemble bring a new and contemporary production of Brecht’s masterpiece to the Edinburgh International Festival. Having already shown this work in New York, the company which were established by Bertolt Brecht himself, are bringing their critically acclaimed extravaganza of movement, acting and music to Edinburgh in time for the Edinburgh Fringe.
This is one production which quickly gained our critic’s attention in the EIF programme, as it is so rare that ‘The Threepenny Opera’ is tackled with such creative licence as that which is hinted in the previews for this production. This seems like it could be one of the most talked about shows to be hitting Edinburgh this August.
Get your tickets for ‘The Threepenny Opera’ here: https://www.eif.co.uk/events/the-threepenny-opera
‘What Girls Are Made Of’ – Assembly Rooms (Fri 4th – Sun 27th Aug)
*Except Wed 9th, Mon 14th & 21st Aug
Cora Bissett is bring back her critically acclaimed one woman show ‘What Girls Are Made Of’ to the Fringe! This show is gig theatre at it’s best, directed by Orla O’Loughlin, Bissett takes us on a rocking journey through her younger years. This includes her experiences of touring with Radiohead, partying with Blur, she was living the dream. Until she wasn’t. With a live band, Cora celebrates life’s euphoric highs and epic lows, asking what wisdom we should pass to the next generation, and which glorious mistakes we should let them make. This is one which is not to be missed.
Get tickets for ‘What Girls Are Made Of’ here – https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/what-girls-are-made-of
Daniel Sloss: Cant – Edinburgh Playhouse (Wed 9th & Thurs 10th Aug)
Daniel Sloss is one of the best comedians to come out of Scotland, his previous tours have gained international acclaim and he is returning to Edinburgh this August. Daniel’s comedy shows explore the world in a dark manner where his unfiltered takes leave the audience in hysterics. With this Daniel raises important issues in his show that hold a mirror up to the audience, as much as their is laughter, you leave with perspective and perhaps a change of mentality.
You can see Daniel Sloss at the Edinburgh Playhouse, get your tickets here: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/daniel-sloss-cant/edinburgh-playhouse/
‘After The Act’ – Traverse Theatre (Thurs 3rd – Sun 27th Aug)
Currently we find the LGBTQ+ community are coming under fire from all angles. To prove that history really does repeat it’s self, Breach Theatre are bringing their verbatim play ‘After Act’, a musical surrounding the events of Maggie Thatcher’s dreaded Section 28, to Edinburgh’s Fringe 2023. This was musical written by Ellice Stevens and Billy Barrett, with original score written by Frew. The musical gained critical acclaim during it’s debut at the New Diorama Theatre in March 2023.
Get your tickets for ‘After Act’ here: https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event/after-the-act-festival-23#datesandtimes
Colin Cloud: ‘After Dark’ – Underbelly Bristo Square – McEwan Hall (Thurs 17th – Mon 21st Aug)
Colin Cloud is returning to the Edinburgh Fringe with his new show ‘After Dark’. Colin is renowned for being the real life Sherlock Holmes, his magic and intuition is unlike any magician that has come before him. Audiences are shocked by how he can easily he can read their mind. This is an act that has already made their impact internationally and is not one to miss at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.
Get your tickets for Colin Cloud here – https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/colin-cloud-after-dark
‘The Beatles Were A Boyband’ – Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose (Fri 18th – Sun 27th Aug)
F-BOMB are one of the biggest companies to come out of the Edinburgh Fringe within recent years. The company that focuses on feminist issues, is bringing back their award winning production ‘The Beatles Were A Boyband’. The play focuses on a group of flatmates who have their lives rocked by the murder of a woman. This play showcases new female talent on and off stage, bringing important issues to the fold in a bold and creative manner.
Get tickets for ‘The Beatles Were A Boyband’ here – https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/beatles-were-a-boyband.
Trainspotting Live’ – Pleasance at EICC (Thurs 3rd – Sun 27th Aug)
*Except Wed 9th & 16th and Mon 21st Aug
‘Trainspotting Live’ is unlike any play that features at the fringe. This immersive, gritty and hard hitting mega-hit has toured the world and played the fringe many times, yet there is no better way you can experience Irvine Welsh’s novel than seeing it at EICC in it’s bespoke created avenue theatre. If you’re a fan of the Danny Boyle films, this rollercoaster of a production will have you choosing life in an entirely new way. Awarded five stars by us last year, we couldn’t help but recommend this production for our readers again.
Get your tickets for ‘Trainspotting Live’ here – https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/trainspotting-live
Lawrence Chaney: ‘Overweight and OVER IT’ – Ian McKellen Theatre, Saint Stephens Stockbridge (Mon 21st – Sun 27th Aug)
RuPaul’s Drag Race legend LAWRENCE CHANEY is making her Fringe debut this August. The Scottish queen is well known for her unfiltered hysterical comedy and for the first time ever she is unleashing herself in her own one-woman show. This show will undoubtedly be a favourite for all drag race followers but it also is something for those who enjoy Scottish patter. We have definitely got Lawrence’s show on our list for Fringe 2023 and we think a lot of you should do the same!
Get your tickets for ‘Overweight and OVER IT’ here – https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/lawrence-chaney-overweight-and-over-it
‘Bitter Lemons’ – Pleasance Courtyard (Wed 2nd – Mon 28th Aug)
*Except Wed 16th Aug
‘Bitter Lemons’ is an exciting new play which received a Pleasance Edinburgh National Partnership Award and has been supported by Bristol Old Vic. The play’s storyline follows two woman who are both struggling in their own careers, and personal lives. With powerful issues such as the pressures on women’s bodies and the power society holds over them, this play is bound to resonate with and educate it’s audiences. With upcoming writer and director Lucy Hayes at the helm with direction also from Sara Malik, this is a contemporary and gripping story that is sure to be a talking point at this year’s Fringe.
Get your tickets for ‘Bitter Lemons’ here – https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/bitter-lemons
‘The Addams Family – A New Musical’ – Broughton High School (Sat 5th – Sat 12th Aug)
*Except Mon 7th Aug
Edinburgh’s local youth theatre Forth Children’s Theatre, are making their triumphant return to the Edinburgh Fringe for their 42nd stint. FCT haven’t been back at the Fringe since pre-covid and now they are returning with a refreshed image and a group of talented young people ready to make their Fringe debut. Hot off the tracks of their successful run of ‘Anything Goes’ earlier in the year, it seems the company are on a roll for entertaining Edinburgh and the surrounding areas. Having received storming reviews from us and other critics, Forth Children’s Theatre are one local company not to miss at this year’s Fringe.
Get your tickets for ‘The Addams Family’ here – https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/addams-family-a-new-musical
‘Salamander’ – Assembly Roxy (Wed 2nd – Wed 16th Aug)
Pretty Knickers Productions are returning to the Edinburgh Fringe 2023 with their sellout and critically acclaimed production ‘Salamander’. This production not only features some of the best talent Edinburgh has to offer, however it holds the spirit and importance of community deep in it’s narrative. Inspired by the unsolved murder of a sex worker in Leith, 1983, ‘Salamander’ celebrates the underrepresented through original poetry and song, posing the question – has anything improved 40 years on. If you missed this production last year then please be sure to see it in August, this is a story true to Edinburgh and it’s people in the face of tragedy.
Get your tickets for ‘Salamander’ here – https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/salamander
‘Sunshine On Leith’ – Assembly Rooms (Thurs 3rd – Sun 26th Aug)
Captivate Theatre’s ‘Sunshine On Leith’ is arguably the best production of this musical to grace the capital. The cast and creatives bring the heart and passion of the Proclaimer’s musical to stage gloriously. As much as this musical is a regular at the Fringe, it is still one of the best musical productions out there in August. If you want to experience the story of Ally and Davy told by Edinburgh locals, then this is the production for you.
Get your tickets for ‘Sunshine On Leith’ here – https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/sunshine-on-leith
Theatre Scotland 