IT'S that time of year again ... the hotels are filling up, the street acts are preparing to flood the Royal Mile and the performers are putting the finishing touches to their shows. The Edinburgh Fringe Festival returns this week for its month-long feast of the high-brow and low-brow, the wonderful and the just plain weird.
But as the race for ticket sales gets under way, how do you choose what to see?
Never fear ... Sunday Herald writer Kirsty Fraser has been trawling through the schedules to find 10 gems hidden among the thousands of shows on offer. From rapping care workers to synchronised swimming on dry land, these shows are her guide to the strange and surprising treats on offer at the Fringe.
“Who cares?”
by Jane Westhead
Where: Natural Food Kafe, Clerk Street
When: August 4-12, 14-20, 22-25 @ 13:10
Duration: 1 hour
Age: 8+
Price: Free
To kick this list off, we have the ultimate one-woman show. Meet Tracy, the hard-working mobile care worker, and meet her completely random alter-ego – Rapper Tray-Z. In the basement of an Edinburgh Café, Tray-Z raps and rhymes her way through this one-woman show about life as a care worker. It’s fair to say that the soft tones you expect from a care worker are not to be heard in this performance.
You will also meet Jack, Maureen, Lily and Daisy who already seem to have had their hips popped and locked from their younger years. But ultimately, who cares? Does Tracy care, does Tray-Z care? Well, I only care because this is a one-woman rap show that is completely FREE!
“Japan Marvelous Drummers”
by NPO Japan Marvelous.
Where: Assembly George Square
When: August 4-7, 9-16, 18-27 @ 13:15
Duration 1 hour
Age: 3+
Price: £13/14
Hear that big booming? No? Me neither, but you certainly will at the Fringe because the Japan Marvelous Drummers are in town. With not a bagpipe in site, this performance allows you to escape from the busy streets of Edinburgh and immerse yourself in Japanese musical culture.
I’d normally say sit back and relax, but the banging of the drums will probably keep the audience on their toes throughout this spectacle. Bamboo flutes and Koto Harps fly around as dancers move gracefully across the stage. Ditch the tartan and enter an entirely new culture. Really, it’s hard to miss a beat with these talented drummers.
“Ah Dinnae Ken”
by STAG
Where: TheSpace on Niddry Street, Upper Theatre
When: August 3-4, 6-11, 13-18 @ 16:15
Duration: 50 minutes
Age: 12+
Price: £7/8
Romeo and Juliet meets future Scottish Independence Referendum in Ah Dinnae Ken. Basically, you fancy the guy next door but your parents become too involved. We’ve all been there, but perhaps not because your parents wanted to kill the neighbours for voting no…
This show has the audiences seated on all four sides of the stage, but don’t worry, you won’t be divided by whether you vote Yes or No. It really doesn’t matter, just be ready to watch an absurd amount of costume changes with this double-casted farcical show. Shamelessly Scottish, Ah Dinnae Ken is an unusual political gem.
“Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dance Hall”
by Monski Mouse Media
Where: George Garden Square
When: August 3-5, 10-12, 17-19, 24-26 @ 11:00
Duration: 1 hour
Age: 0+
Price: £7.50
This dance experience is on the list because it unintentionally, yet whole-heartedly, encourages the ultimate dance style out there – dad-dancing! Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dance Hall is the opportunity to show the young ones how partying is done. Parents bring their kids who are yet too young to be embarrassed, and dance away to pop tunes and funky nursery rhymes.
Admittedly there is no booze to get you through, but partying with your whole family and with the bonus of escaping a hangover is right up my street! Full of fun and silliness, this dance session will leave you dancing down the Royal Mile.
“Synchronised Swimming – The Dry Version”
by Ursus and Nadeschkin in association with Aurora Nova.
Where: Assembly Rooms – The Blue Room
When: August 2-12, 14-19, 21-25 @18:00.
Duration: 1 hour
Age: 12+
Price: £10/12
Leave your flippers and nose clip behind and experience synchronised swimming ... on dry land. Yes, you heard right – there is strictly no water to be found in this synchronised swimming performance. Graceful movements and precise choreography doesn’t quite come to mind when presented with comical Swiss duo Ursus and Nadeschkin. Images of crashing and splashing seem far more likely, as this duo show audiences how this absurd not-dry-land-but-on-dry-land-sport is achieved. If this sounds on your wavelength, then you can dive right into this crazy show throughout the entirety of the Fringe – goggles are not required.
“Accordion Fight Show”
by Strangely
Where: Sweet Grassmarket
When: August 22-26 @ 23:00
Duration: 1 hour
Ages: 18+
Prize: £5.
When I think of an accordion player, I imagine traditional Scottish music being played in the corner of a charming wee pub by one of the locals. I don’t think of an insanely daring fight show with a folk-punk accordion player who is completely naked. Yet, that is what musician Strangely presents in his late-night show Accordion Fight Show. He invites adults only to witness this outrageous hour of him and his accordion. There are sing-alongs, questionable stories and the chance to partake in a battle with Strangely to win some, probably very budget, prizes. Nonetheless, a naked accordion player is exactly what was missing from this unusual list of shows.
Alice Hawkins – Suffragette”
by Peter Barratt
Where: The Helen Duncan Room
When: August 13 – 17 @16:00
Duration: 55 minutes
Age: 8+
Price: £7/8
For a change of scenery from the gags and frills of the Fringe, I recommend Alice Hawkins – Suffragette. A century on from The Representation of the People Act 1918, this show retells the story of suffragette Alice Hawkins in a passionate spoken-word performance by her great-grandson Peter Barratt.
He gives a moving and poignant account of Alice's campaign with readings from her own notes from during her time as a political prisoner. Despite being a historical piece, this is current and relevant to an important conversation happening in the world today, and it is made that more significant in this 100th year of women having the vote.
“Ray Bradshaw: Deaf Comedy Fam”
by Ray Bradshaw
Where: Gilded Balloon Teviot – Sportsman
When: August 16-22 @ 16:15
Duration: 1 hour
Age: 12+
Price: £10/11
With so many comedians at the Fringe it is impossible to know where to start, but Ray Bradshaw provides a show which is, truly, one of a kind. It is the first ever stand up show where the comedian speaks and signs simultaneously. Now, we all have numerous stories we could tell about growing up and the painful embarrassment that our parents inflicted on us, but how different are these stories from Bradshaw’s, who grew up with two profoundly deaf parents? To start with, the stories are far more hilarious than you might expect. This hysterical multilingual show – sign language is actually Ray's first language – is an unusual but humorous find at this year’s Fringe.
“Comfort Food Cabaret”
by Michelle Pearson Music in association with Made in Adelaide.
Where: C Venues at New Town Cookery School
When: August 15-18, 22-26 @ 19:00/21:30
Duration 1 hour 25 mins
Age: 12+
Price: £14.50/16.50.
Do you ever get peckish throughout a show, or have to experience that awkwardly loud unwrapping of a tiny wee sweet and feel the angry eyes from people around you? Comfort Food Cabaret is a show that rids you of that shame, because it requires you to eat throughout the performance – perfect!
This show mixes cabaret and cooking as Australian Singer Michelle Pearson cooks the audience a three-course meal during her award-winning show. Pearson leaves you fully satisfied with performances of jazz, pop and rock as you discover the meanings behind your three delicious courses. This is undoubtedly a brilliant two-for-one at the festival this year, and is exactly what I want from a show.
“UniverSoul Circus: Hip Hop Under the Big Top”
by UniverSoul Circus
Where: Underbelly’s Circus Hub on the Meadows
When: August 4-25 @17:00
Duration: 1 hour
Age: 5+
Price: £19.50/£21.50
Finally, we have an incredible circus spectacle. Making their UK debut, American hit circus show Hip Hop Under the Big Top have come to Edinburgh to showcase their circus of international talent and skill. At the very least you can expect to see Caribbean limbo fire-dancing, high-wire walking and mindboggling contortionists, not forgetting the hilarious slapstick comedians and stunning soundtrack.
I agree, that already seems like a lot to take in, but this show presents some of this most unusual and crazy sights at this year’s Fringe, all under the one roof, or rather, circus tent.
FIVE FRINGE HOT PROPERTIES
Hot Brown Honey
By Gilded Balloon and Briefs Factory
Where: Gilded Balloon Teviot
When: Aug 3-7, 9-14, 16-22, 24-27 @19:30
Duration: 1 hour 10 mins
Age: 16+
Price: £15.50/ £16.50
The world-renowned Hot Brown Honey are returning this year with their outrageous cabaret show. Prepare for the heat to rise in Edinburgh with this sass-filled sensation. A carnival style party, this show has audiences laughing, gasping and dancing the whole night away.
Gary Delaney: Gagster’s Paradise
By CKP, Impatient and InterTalent Group
Where: Pleasance Courtyard
When: Aug 2-11 @21:20
Duration: 1 hour
Age: 16+
Price: £13/14
Mock the Week star Gary Delaney hits the fringe with his one-liner gags to present his greatest stand-up show yet. His risky humour will have audiences roaring in disbelief, but his charming cheeky manner gets him away with every punchline.
DICK vs DOM
By Brett Vincent for Get Comedy
Where: Underbelly, Bistro Square
When: Aug 1-12 @13:00
Duration: 1 hour
Age 5+
Price: £12.50/£14.50
Children TV legends Dick and Dom are making their way to Edinburgh for their Fringe debut. The multi BAFTA-winners bring their newly toured show which is sure to feature mess, songs, and the infamous game of “Bogies”. An interactive show that the whole family can enjoy.
Trainspotting
By Kings Head and In Your Face present by James Seabright
Where: The Tunnel, Venue 150 at EICC
When: Aug 2-7, 9-14, 16-21, 23-27 @18:00/19:45
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Age: 16+
Price: £17.50/19
Trainspotting is the must-see production for any Fringe goer. In a tunnel beneath Edinburgh’s streets, audiences will experience an intense immersive adaption of Irvine Welsh’s classic. Having sold-out for the past three years, this is definitely one to book in advance. Expect a grimy whirlwind of a show, with a visit to the unforgettable "worst toilet in Scotland".
Prom Kween
By Aine Flanagan Productions in association with Harlow Playhouse
Where: Assembly George Square Gardens – Piccolo
When: Aug 2-12, 14-26 @21:05
Duration: 1 hour
Age: 12+
Price: £13/14
Strutting straight back into the Fringe with an absurd amount of glitter is the musical comedy Prom Kween. Following a sell-out 2017 Fringe, the Kweens take audiences through an epic story of falling in love with yourself. Sequins and frills galore, make sure to get your tickets for this hit show.
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