39 Unmissable Shows at the Edinburgh Fringe 2014
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Bring On The Edinburgh Fringe!
We’re jetting up to the Edinburgh Fringe next week, and we’ll be sharing with you the best quirky, offbeat, and downright amazing events at this years festival!
BUT FIRST! YES, IT’S OUR ONE-PAGE GUIDE TO THE HOTTEST HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME!
Check out the great shows we’ve picked out for you below, and we promise that if you tick off even a few of these, you’ll be a happy haggis.
Go on, knock yourselves out with fab fringe festivity! And don’t forget to check out our Edinburgh Fringe Reviews![/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
CABARET & CIRCUS
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COMEDY
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THEATRE & MUSICALS
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CABARET & CIRCUS
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Amy G: Entershamement
Jul 30-Aug 11, Aug 13-18, 20-25 | 11:00pm | £6-12 | Underbelly, Bristo Square
CABARET – Comic chanteuse Amy G belts out big song and dance numbers with the help of roller skates, a live chicken and a bucket full of joie de vivre!
★★★★★ Review
[/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/amy-g-entershamement”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Christeene: The Christeene Machine
Jul 31-Aug 9, Aug 11-16, 18-23 | 10:10pm | £6-12 | Underbelly, Cowgate
CABARET – Join the church of Christine – one foul-mouthed song after another, combining raw, pulse-pounding music with intimate moments of intense emotion.
★★★★ Review
[/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/christeene-the-christeene-machine”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
La Clique
Aug 2-24 | 10:00pm | £20 | The Famous Spiegeltent
CABARET – The offbeat, thumping heart of the fringe returns to The Famous Spiegeltent for another round of quirky, offbeat spectacle. Be prepared to be surprised![/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/la-clique”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Lynn Ruth Miller: Not Dead Yet
Jul 30-Aug 11, Aug 13-25 | 6:05pm | £8.50-£10.50 | C Venues – C Nova
CABARET – Possibly the oldest comedienne on the fringe, proves that a potty mouth is not just for the young![/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/lynn-ruth-miller-not-dead-yet”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Miss Hope Springs
Aug 6-8, 13-15 | 8:30pm | £10 | The Boards
CABARET – The definition of classy cabaret brings her piano bar chic to The Boards. Expect decadence, delightful original tunes, and a show-stopping voice to die for.[/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/miss-hope-springs”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Tina T’urner Tea Lady
Aug 1-3, 5-10, 12-17, 19-24 | 2:30pm | FREE | Cowgatehead
CABARET – Our pick of the fringe! If you see nothing else, see this – you’ll be wetting yourself with laughter, even if you’re not quite sure why. Goldeneye will never be the same again…
★★★★★ Review
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Circa: Beyond
Jul 30-Aug 5, Aug 7-11, 13-19, 21-25 | 7:00pm | £12-£18.50 | Underbelly, Bristo Square
CIRCUS – Sexy Aussie circus troupe Circa combine jaw-dropping stunts and tongue-in-cheek humour in this fast-paced big-top treat.[/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/circa-beyond”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
EastEnd Cabaret: Sexual Tension
Jul 30-Aug 10, Aug 12-25 | 8:00pm | £7-£11.50 | Underbelly, Bristo Square
CABARET – To Do List favourites Victor Victoria and Bernadette Byrne return with another show packed full of risqué songs, cheeky repartee, and probably the odd Dangerwank…[/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/eastend-cabaret-sexual-tension”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Show Off
Jul 30-Aug 10, Aug 12-18, 20-25 | 2:15pm | £6-£11 | Pleasance Courtyard
CABARET – Figs in Wigs reinvent the variety show with this satirical look at our digital lives in the world of social media.[/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/show-off”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho
Jul 31-Aug 10, Aug 12-24 | 9:10pm | £12-£18.50 | Assembly George Square Gardens
CABARET – Maggie returns! Get ready for “a camp odyssey about gay rights, the 80s and disco” – and you might just learn something, too!
★★★★½ Review
[/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/margaret-thatcher-queen-of-soho”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Adventures of the Singing Acupuncturist: Big O Finds Her Soul
Aug 1-11, 13-17, 19-24 | 2:40pm | £5-£10 | Just The Tonic at The Mash House
CABARET – Olivia Rhee stars in a world premier, one-woman show about herself: a Las Vegas acupuncturist by day, cabaret songstress by night![/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/adventures-of-the-singing-acupuncturist-big-o-finds-her-soul”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
The LipSinkers
Aug 9-16 | 10:00pm | FREE | The Annexe at The Liquid Rooms
CABARET – RVT residents The LipSinkers bring the noble art of lip-syncing bang up to date with a razor sharp edge.[/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”IT’S FREE!” target=”_blank” color=”btn-success” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://www.facebook.com/events/1444455932481292/”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_separator color=”grey”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]
COMEDY
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50 Shades! The Musical
Jul 31 – Aug 12, Aug 14-25 | 10:30pm | £10-15 | Assembly Hall
COMEDY – If the recent trailer has left you gagging for more, this should tide you over… Tongue in cheek (not to mention other places) – check out There’s A Hole Inside Of Me for an idea of what to expect…[/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/50-shades-the-musical-the-original-parody”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Billie Was Tap Dancing for the Seagulls
Aug 1-10, 12-18, 20-25 | 8:45pm | FREE | St John’s
COMEDY – Twisted character comedian Katie O’Brien presents a bizarre gallery of misfits, including cruise ship entertainer SuZanna GonZo.
★★★★★ Review
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Chelsea Manders: Don’t Tell My Dad
Jul 30-Aug 10, Aug 12-25 | 10:30pm | £5-9 | Assembly George Square Studios
COMEDY – Canadian Comedy Award winning Chelsea sings songs about cannibalism, polygamy, and talking dirty (in French).[/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/chelsea-manders-don-t-tell-my-dad”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Frank Skinner: Man in a Suit
Aug 2-24 | 8:45pm | £17.50 | Assembly George Square Theatre
COMEDY – We caught the work in progress for this show at Soho Theatre a while back, and it didn’t seem to need much more work. Older? Yes. Wiser? Perhaps? Less rude… not a bit![/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/frank-skinner-man-in-a-suit”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Oh Boy! The Quantum Leap Show
Aug 1-3, 5-10, 12-17, 19-24 | 2:30pm | FREE | Cowgatehead
COMEDY – Top improv troupe from Brighton, the Maydays, create an improvised episode of cult sci-fi series The Quantum Leap before your very eyes…[/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”IT’S FREE!” target=”_blank” color=”btn-success” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/oh-boy-the-quantum-leap-show”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Queens Of Pop: After Dark
Aug 11-15 | 11:00pm | £8 | Electric Circus
COMEDY – Brothers Jim & Ged Weir cut celebrities such as Cheryl Cole down to size with scorching musical parodies – fascinating, fearless and outrageously funny![/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/queens-of-pop-after-dark”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Adam Hess: Mustard
Jul 31-Aug 24 | 5:00pm | £5 | Heroes & The Hive
COMEDY – He’s pretty (funny). Silly, surreal, manic stand-up on acid with a Red Bull chaser. No need for laughing gas – don’t forget to breathe between the jokes![/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/adam-hess-mustard”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Guilt & Shame: Going Straight
Jul 31 Aug 1-12, 14-24 | 9:30pm | £6-£10 | Underbelly, Cowgate
COMEDY – To Do List is on the poster! We loved their last two Ed Fringe shows, but can they lure our elusive fifth star out of cold storage this time around. We wouldn’t bet against these two cheeky chaps, whose shows are always part play, part sketch, part PARTY!
★★★★ Review
[/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/guilt-shame-going-straight”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Pippa Evans: Don’t Worry, I Don’t Know Who I Am Either
Aug 2-3, 5-10, 12-17, 19-24 | 1:45pm | FREE | Bannermans
COMEDY – The real face behind drunken country queen Loretta Maine, Pippa Evans throws aside the silly voices and tries to discover who she really is…[/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”IT’S FREE!” target=”_blank” color=”btn-success” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/pippa-evans-don-t-worry-i-don-t-know-who-i-am-either”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_separator color=”grey”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]
THEATRE & MUSICALS
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Alison Jackson: A Story in the Public Domain
Aug 21-24 | 3:40pm | £10-15 | Summerhall
OPERA – New opera devised by Alison Jackson, known for her satirical lookalike photographs. Celebs beware![/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/alison-jackson-a-story-in-the-public-domain”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Cirque Tsuki: Feast
Jul 30-Aug 11, Aug 13-25 | 12:45pm | £7.50-9.50 | C Venues – C Nova
THEATRE – Inspired by 1001 Arabian Nights, Feast is a heady mix of feasting, dancing and love potions – Scheherazade, kidnapped by a master magician, prolongs her life with tales of genii, princes, deserts and magic,,,[/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/cirque-tsuki-feast”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Decade
Aug 2-10, 12-17 | Times Vary | £8 | Paradise in The Vault
THEATRE – Ten short plays from a variety of leading playwrights, all set in the last ten years, Decade brings together the work of Mike Bartlett, Abi Morgan, Christopher Shinn, Beth Steel et al, in response to a defining event of our modern world: 9/11.
★★★ Review
[/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/decade”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Guinea Pigs on Trial
Aug 2-3, 5, 7, 9-10, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23 | 3:30pm | £5 | Summerhall
THEATRE – Sh!t Theatre delve into the murky world of pharmaceuticals through song, satire, spoken word and movement.”Is guinea-pigging a good cure for an empty bank account?”[/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/guinea-pigs-on-trial”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Lippy
Aug 6-9, 12-17, 19-24 | Times Vary | £19 | Traverse
THEATRE – This is not the story of four women who, fourteen years ago, decided die. It is instead a story about why we tell stories when faced with tragedy.
★★★★½ Review
[/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/lippy”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Looking for Paul – Wunderbaum
Aug 14-23 | 10:30pm | £12.50 | Summerhall
THEATRE – The story of Inez van Dam vs. Kabouter Buttplug. To be honest, this had the weirdest description we’ve ever seen in an Ed Fringe programme. So it sounds right up our street![/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/looking-for-paul-wunderbaum”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Mental
Aug 7-10, 14-17, 21-24 | 6:30pm | £10 | Pleasance Pop-Up: The Bedroom
THEATRE – Autobiographical show in a secret location, telling the story of Glaswegian artist-activist the vacuum cleaner, a constant struggle against the bureaucracy of every day life.[/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/mental”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Kim Noble: You’re Not Alone
Aug 19-24 | 11:15pm | £13-£19 | Traverse
THEATRE – Performance, comedy and film combine in this journey through tower blocks, supermarkets and Facebook in an attempt to get to know people. People like you.[/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/kim-noble-you-re-not-alone”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Near Gone
Aug 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 | 12:30pm | £7-£10 | Summerhall
THEATRE – Bilingual (English and Bulgarian) and with lashings of gypsy-inspired music, Near Gone is a powerful celebration of what it is to live. (To be honest, we’re not really sure what this is all about, but they had us at Bulgarian…)[/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/near-gone”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
No Guts, No Heart, No Glory
Aug 18-25 | Times Vary | £12 | Sandy’s Boxing Gym
THEATRE – Set in a boxing ring, this site specific play is based on interviews with female Muslim boxers – expect the raw intensity of a boxing club, with an awesome electro sound score, epic visual design and cinematic lighting. Expect the unexpected.[/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/no-guts-no-heart-no-glory”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Sirens
Aug 12-17, 19-24 | 8:30pm | £8-£12.50 | Summerhall
THEATRE – We always try to catch the latest Ontroerend Goed show at the Fringe, as it’s sure to push the envelope in one way or another. Always thought-provoking, often beautiful, never forgettable.[/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/sirens”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
The Addams Family
Aug 1-10, 12-17, 19-25 | 11:00am | £10-£13 | Assembly Hall
MUSICAL – The UK debut of the Broadway smash musical comedy hits Edinburgh courtesy of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. A suitably macabre, joyful and wicked rendering of an old favourite, sure to have you humming for the rest of your stay in Edinburgh.
★★★½ Review
[/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/addams-family”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
The God That Comes
Aug 13-17, 19-24 | 6:10pm | £12 | Summerhall
THEATRE – Hawksley Workman stars in a rock’n’roll cabaret celebration of the god of wine and ecstasy, Bacchus. Intimate AND chaotic – a perfect combination![/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/god-that-comes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Wuthering Heights
Aug 10-14, 16-17, 19-24 | 10:00pm | £12.50 | Summerhall
THEATRE – A talented, all-male ensemble explore Emily Bronte’s classic story of Cathy, Heathcliffe and all that moping about on moors. Thankfully, the music of Kate Bush and a dance or two should brighten this up no end.[/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/wuthering-heights”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Burger Van
Aug 1-25 | 5:30pm | FREE | Phones 4U
THEATRE – Ever dreamt of working in a burger van? No. Well, imagine working in a burger van and wishing you were somewhere, anywhere, else. Live music and meat puppets (MEAT PUPPETS!) combine in this “multi-sausage exploration of life”.[/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”IT’S FREE!” target=”_blank” color=”btn-success” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/burger-van”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Pioneer
Aug 1-25 | 1:00pm | £7-£12 | Zoo Southside
THEATRE – Fringe First winners curious directive return with a story from the near-future: the first human mission to another planet.
★★★½ Review
[/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/pioneer”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Backstage in Biscuit Land
Aug 1-3, 5-10, 12-16 | 1:55pm | £6-£11 | Pleasance Courtyard
THEATRE – Tourettes Hero Jess Thom unleashes unto the world her unique perspective on life. She’s neurologically incapable of staying on script, so this could go absolutely anywhere – and that’s the joy of it.[/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”Buy Tickets” target=”_blank” color=”btn-warning” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/backstage-in-biscuit-land”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]
Forest Fringe
Aug 6-17 | 11am-11pm | Out of the Blue Drill Hall
THEATRE – Make the effort to leave the Old Town and head towards Leith, and you will find Forest Fringe – home to an eclectic programme of innovative theatre, live art and interactive experiences.[/vc_column_text][vc_button title=”More Info” target=”_blank” color=”btn-info” icon=”none” size=”btn-large” href=”http://www.forestfringe.co.uk/edinburgh2014/”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
I am Joint Editor at To Do List. I like: nice pubs, film marathons, not doing real marathons, bad comedy, plays/musicals with shorter second halves, and the Oxford comma.
