50 Unmissable Shows At The Edinburgh Fringe 2019
Bring On The Edinburgh Fringe!
Once again, the To Do List team will be jetting up to the Edinburgh Fringe to check out the very best that the festival has to offer, and we’ll be sharing with you the best quirky, offbeat, and downright amazing events at this years Fringe!
BUT FIRST! YES, IT’S OUR ONE-PAGE GUIDE TO 50 OF THE HOTTEST HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME!
We’ve picked out 50 – yes, fifty – of the offbeat, less mainstream offerings from this years jumbo Edinburgh Fringe line-up. Also, look out for our reviews article once the festival kicks off!
Go on, knock yourselves out with fab fringe festivity!
CABARET & VARIETY
Andrea Spisto: Butch Princesa | Heroes @ The SpiegelYurt | Aug 2-12, 14-25 | 18:20
Take a trip with Andrea into a surreal queer wonderland.
CLAW: The Confederation of Lady Arm Wrestlers | Heroes @ Boteco | Aug 1-12, 14-19, 21-25 | 21:20
Move over G.L.O.W! This summer is all about lady arm wrestling, with OTT theatrics – this is an unstoppable spectacle.
Late Night Ceremony | theSpace @ Surgeons Hall | Aug 13-17 | 23:15
A revolutionary late-night ritual exploring our world crises, from rising rents to broken borders.
Lucy Hopkins: Ceremony of Golden Truth | Heroes @ The SpiegelYurt | Aug 1-25 | 21:00
Bow to the high priestess Lucy Hopkins and tickle your funny bones with this silly ceremony.
THEATRE & MUSICALS
Are we not drawn onward to new erA | ZOO Southside | Aug 2-4, 6-11, 13-18, 20-25 | 11:00
Belgian fringe legends Ontroerend Goed return with a visual feast reflecting on civilization and progress.
Bible John | Pleasance Courtyard | Jul 31 Aug 1-12, 14-26 | 15:50
A deliciously dark true-crime adventure solving the cases of infamous Scottish serial killer Bible John.
Confirmation | Pleasance Dome | Jul 31 Aug 1-11, 13-26 | 16:10
A compelling foot-stomping memoir exploring the conflicts between religion and queerness.
Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical | Assembly George Square Gardens | Aug 1-12, 14-25 | 20:30
The erotically-charged cult 90s teen movie gets the musical treatment.
Die or Run | Greenside @ Nicolson Square | Aug 19-24 | 22:05
Visionary artists Hannah Ringham and Glen Neath make the connections between our mental health and political ideology.
Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow | ZOO Playground | Aug 2-17 | 12:50
A 30-minute expedition into the future sees the return of cult theatre company Anorak to the fringe.
Forbruker | ZOO Playground | Aug 2-10 | 15:25
Advertising is dissected in this anarchic ad break by acclaimed clown Frankie Thompson.
Friendsical: A Parody Musical About Friends | Assembly Rooms | Aug 1-6, 8-11, 13-18, 20-25 | 13:00
OH. MY. GOD. Its a Friends Parody Musical. Could we be more excited?
Glockenspielsexpartybavariagoodbye | Greenside @ Infirmary Street | Aug 19-24 | 21:50
A bat-shit crazy-sounding tale of a dominatrix vs a feline foe in the Bavarian countryside.
I, AmDram | Pleasance Courtyard | Jul 31 Aug 1-11, 13-26 | 14:00
Future star Hannah Maxwell explores her AmDram roots.
Life Is No Laughing Matter | Summerhall | Jul 31 Aug 1-4, 6-11, 13-18 | 13:00
Demi Nandhra dissects depression, armed with wit and a fuck ton of bananas.
Misfit Warrior | theSpace on North Bridge | Aug 2-10, 12-24 | 21:20
Pulsating synth and banging beats collide in this story of struggle against cancer and HIV.
Monogamy | PQA Venues @ Riddle’s Court | Aug 2-26 | 22:30
A relationship is laid bare in this fresh new show from the talented Sophia Mertins.
My Mum’s a Twat | Summerhall | Jul 31 Aug 2-11, 13-18, 20-25 | 17:30
A mother-daughter relationship goes sour in this expose of a mum who joins a cult.
Parakeet | ROUNDABOUT @ Summerhall | Jul 31 Aug 2, 4-5, 7-12, 14-19, 21-25 | 17:05
Irresistible life-affirming punk musical from Brigitte Aprodite and Quiet Boy.
Pathetic Fallacy | CanadaHub @ King’s Hall | Jul 31 Aug 1-4, 6-11, 13-18, 20-25 | 17:00
A green screen, a different guest performer every day and a weather theme all make for a potentially ground-breaking work.
Pizza Shop Heroes | Summerhall | Aug 3-11 | 17:40
Former refugees from Eritrea, Afghanistan and Albania tell their epic stories, as they break free from their jobs in a pizza takeaway.
Scottee: Class | Assembly Roxy | Aug 1-4, 7-11, 14-18, 21-25 | 16:05
Performance provocateur Scottee takes a swipe at class.
Scream Phone | Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose | Jul 31 Aug 1-6, 8-13, 15-26 | 17:00
Long before Love Island came teen dating board game Dream Phone. Swipe Right Theatre bring glorious nostalgia and laugh out loud zany comedy in this must-see musical.
Sex Education | Summerhall | Jul 31 Aug 2-11, 13-18, 20-25 | 19:10
Harry Clayton-Wright delves into his sexual past to discover why we want what we want.
Sh!t Theatre Drink Rum with Expats | Summerhall | Jul 31 Aug 2-11, 13-25 | 20:05
A raucous riot of a show about a trip to Malta, exploring nationality, the expat vs immigrant dilemma and our fractured connection to Europe.
Sound Cistem | ZOO Playground | Aug 11-26 | 21:20
A disco revolution led by two transgender performers who say ‘up yours!’ to the gender binary.
Tokyo Rose | Underbelly, Cowgate | Aug 1-11, 13-25 | 18:55
A rap musical uncovering the hidden history of American Iva Ikuko Toguri D’Aquino, who took part in controversial broadcasts in Japan to Allied soldiers.
Tröll | Summerhall | Jul 31 Aug 1-11 | 12:05
A lo-fi sci-fi fable fusing storytelling, projection, and puppetry.
CIRCUS & DANCE
Atomic Saloon Show | Assembly George Square Gardens | Aug 1-11, 13-25 | 22:10
A techno-cowboy big-top stomp fresh from Las Vegas.
Back of the Bus | Assembly George Square Gardens | Aug 2-6, 8-11, 13-18, 20-25 | 17:30, 19:15
Rib-tickling dance show on a moving bus.
For Only an Hour | Dance Base | Aug 2-4, 6-11, 13-18, 20-25 | 19:35
Angela Lansbury, Delia Smith and Bette Midler become the sounds to this camp dance show.
Le Coup | Underbelly’s Circus Hub on the Meadows | Aug 3-11, 13-18, 20-24 | 18:00
From the team behind the astounding Cantina comes a new gasp-worthy circus show.
Raiders of the Grey Gold | ZOO Southside | Aug 4-10 | 19:00
Denmark’s endlessly innovative physical theatre group Don Gnu explore ageing.
Super Sunday | Underbelly’s Circus Hub on the Meadows | Aug 2-6, 8-11, 13-18, 20-24 | 21:00
A circus extravaganza with – epic acts like the wheel of death – with a tongue in cheek, fatalistic charm.
YUCK Circus | Underbelly’s Circus Hub on the Meadows | Aug 3-6, 8-11, 13-18, 20-24 | 16:00
Female circus supremos rip up the rule book and bring a fresh attitude to the ring.
COMEDY
FOC It Up: The Femmes of Colour Comedy Club | Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose | Aug 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, 25 | 23:15
The pioneering comedy night platforming women, trans and non-binary comedians and a ‘100% no-white-dudes-onstage guarantee’ comes to check Edinburgh’s privilege.
Georgia Tasda’s School Of Magic | PBH’s Free Fringe @ CC Blooms | Aug 3-6, 8-13, 15-20, 22-25 | 22:30
RuPaul this is not. Join Georgia for a live art/drag mash up.
Witch Hunt | Pleasance Dome | Jul 31 Aug 1-12, 14-26 | 17:30
Costume changes, magic and voodoo realness make for a steamy stew of the surreal.
Japanese Sweet Wasabi: No Mask Required! | Laughing Horse @ The Place | Aug 5-25 | 21:15
Kilara Sen takes her audience to the heart of being a woman in Japan.
Kayla MacQuarrie: Traumatised | Just the Tonic at The Mash House | Aug 1-11, 13-25 | 11:45
A refreshingly frank tale of transformation from a rising comedy starlet.
MOTHER | Gilded Balloon Teviot | Jul 31 Aug 1-13, 15-26 | 22:15
You need more trash in your life. And MOTHER are the comedy duo ready to thrill ya with their tongue-firmly-in-cheek sketches.
Njambi McGrath: Accidental Coconut | Just the Tonic at Marlin’s Wynd | Aug 1-11, 13-23 | 16:05
Njambi McGrath isn’t afraid to challenge empire and make you think whilst making your lose your shit.
Phoebe Robinson: Sorry, Harriet Tubman | Assembly George Square Studios | Aug 12-25 | 18:45
Star of podcast 2 Dope Queens and author of You Can’t Touch My Hair & Other Things I Still Have To Explain, Phoebe Robinson is sure to bring down the house in Edinburgh.
Quantum Goat Theatre | PBH’s Free Fringe @ CC Blooms | Aug 3, 4, 6-18, 20-25 | 21:15
A mysterious mix of alt comedy with acts from Venezuela, America, Slovenia and Australia.
Random Bag Check | PBH’s Free Fringe @ Voodoo Rooms | Aug 3-25 | 15:05
Podcaster Sadia Azmat and newcomer Vittorio Angelone prove comedy is best in half hour chunks.
Sam Lake and Chloe Petts: Household Essentials | Just the Tonic at The Caves | Aug 1-11, 13-14, 16-25 | 20:40
Sam Lake and Chloe Petts are ‘mutually but separately gay’ and we can’t wait to see their double bill.
Sam See: Coming Out Loud | Laughing Horse @ The Counting House | Aug 1-25 | 17:45
Talented funnyman Sam See exposes the dark secrets of censorship behind Singapore’s smiles.
Sophie Duker: Venus | Pleasance Courtyard | Jul 31 Aug 1-13, 15-25 | 19:00
A vital challenge to the fetishisation of black women.
The Adventures of the Bearded Lady | Gilded Balloon at Old Tolbooth Market | Jul 31 Aug 1-13, 15-25 | 21:15
A surreal and hysterical exploration of being true to your roots.
The LOL Word | Gilded Balloon at Old Tolbooth Market | Jul 31 Aug 1-11, 13-25 | 19:15
A divine bill of award-winning LGBTQ+ women and non-binary comedians.
Occasionally the To Do List team are forced to work together.
Rupert likes: free, cheap & offbeat London, especially: cabaret, art, theatre, pop-ups, eating out, quirky films, museums, day trips, social enterprise & much more.
Stuart likes: nice pubs, film marathons, not doing real marathons, bad comedy, plays/musicals with shorter second halves, and the Oxford comma.
[…] To Do List: Rupert Dannreuther from the admin team is a blogger with a mission to bring the offbeat underdogs to the fore at this year’s fringe. […]
[…] been on MTV, The Jim Jefferies Show and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and picked as the top 50 Unmissable show of the Fringe. It’s an impressive list of accolades and achievements for sure but Sam’s […]