The 2023 Edinburgh Fringe promises to ensure we all have an exciting August and our roster of shows includes amazing new musicals, world premieres, circus and physical comedy and lyrical and captivating theatre exploring timely themes, modern relationships and much more. We’ll also be working with the wonderful Pleasance Theatre Trust again on their brilliant programme. This Edinburgh Fringe isn’t to be missed. Here is Part One of this years theatre shows
17 Minutes
17 Minutes follows a community left in the wake of a tragedy, searching for someone to blame. This critically acclaimed drama by American playwright Scott Organ (What Comes Around, Toronto International Film Festival) takes an intimate look at how the unexpected consequences of gun violence reverberate through a community over time. It explores the repercussions of 17 minutes of action and inaction. Gilded Balloon Teviot (Wine Bar) from Wednesday 2nd – Monday 28th August 2023 (not 14th, 21st) at 14:15. THEATRE
Almost Adult
A boisterous coming-of-age comedy and brave confrontation of workplace sexual harassment, Almost Adult is inspired by Charlotte Anne-Tilley’s own experience as a young woman taking on The Big City, following an appalling experience at a large immersive entertainment company in London. This big-hearted and honest play gives voice to the thousands of women who have been silenced or challenged when they spoke out. Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose (Snug) from Wednesday 2nd – Saturday 27th August 2023 (not 14th) at 19:00. THEATRE
Bill’s 44th
New York-based puppeteers Andy Manjuck and Dorothy James bring their wordless tragicomedy Bill’s 44th to the Edinburgh Fringe following a sold-out run at London International Mime Festival 2023. This introspective puppet show explores physical and emotional seclusion through a tender and hilarious party. Bill’s 44th explores loneliness and self-acceptance through different styles of puppetry, raucous balloons and a cheeky piece of crudité. Underbelly Cowgate (Belly Button) from Thursday 3rd – Sunday 27th August 2023 (not 14th) at 20:35. PUPPETRY
Birthmarked
A Jehovah’s Witness comes to terms with his sexuality in the autobiographical new gig theatre show Birthmarked. Written, performed and composed by Brook Tate, and directed by Olivier award winner Sally Cookson, Birthmarked follows a young Witness on his journey from door-knocking on the street to finding his feet (and high heels) on the www. It tells the true story of Brook growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness until he was disfellowshipped at the age of 23. Assembly Rooms (Ballroom) from Wednesday 3rd – Sunday 27th August 2023 (not 9th, 14th, 20th) at 19:15. GIG THEATRE
Bowjangles: Dracula in Space
An epic horror and sci-fi caper, string quartet Bowjangles present their original musical comedy Dracula in Space. This anarchic examination of creativity versus capitalism asks the all-important question: would you sell your soul in order to sell your art? Forget everything you think you know about string quartets: the Bowjangles company are irreverent genre-spanners that bring music, theatre and comedy together in a truly unique way. Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose (Doonstairs) from Wednesday 2nd – Sunday 27th August 2023 at 16:30. THEATRE/MUSICAL THEATRE/COMEDY
Chriskirkpatrickmas: A Boy Band Christmas Musical
Chriskirkpatrickmas: A Boy Band Christmas Musical is a laugh-out-loud original parody musical inspired by *NSYNC, featuring 12 original songs and plenty of 90s nostalgia. Created by Valen Shore, a songwriter/artist whose work has been featured on Riverdale, Lucifer, and Pretty Little Liars, and award-winning writer, actor and filmmaker Alison Zatta, this punchy piece includes music direction by Taylor J Williams (Hamilton; Moulin Rouge!) and sound design by Josh Millican (SIX The Musical; The Band’s Visit). Pleasance Courtyard (Pleasance Two) from Wednesday 2nd – Monday 28th August 2023 (not 9th, 16th, 23rd) at 15:10. MUSICAL
Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story
Combining drag, multimedia, audience interaction, puppetry and queer joy, Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story is a unique celebration of the People’s Princess. Told by Diana from Heaven, the show highlights her ground-breaking stances on social and queer issues and allows her to speak her (un)truth in breaking free from the monarchy. Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story foregrounds her as the powerful, independent woman she wasn’t meant to be. Pleasance Dome (King Dome) from Wednesday 2nd – Monday 28th August 2023 (not 15th, 16th, 21st) at 16:30. THEATRE
Dough
Money isn’t just money: it is the thing that decides our relationships, our choices and our experiences. Dough is an unsettlingly hilarious and bittersweet tale about money and the lack thereof, by the Molière Award-winning author, director and composer David Lescot. Dough is a fast-paced and funny show charting a lifetime’s relationship to money – from the Tooth Fairy to negotiating with the funeral director. Pleasance Dome (King Dome) from Wednesday 2nd – Monday 28th August 2023 (not 14th, 21st) at 13:30. THEATRE
Hello Kitty Must Die
Based on the gripping cult novel, from the producers of SIX and The Play That Goes Wrong, the world premiere of Hello Kitty Must Die is a darkly comedic musical mashup: it’s time to kill the Hello Kitty stereotype because women can be anything they aspire to be – even murderers. It’s an outrageously irreverent mash-up of Asian feminism which gets its claws into expectations of family, dating and that cartoon cat, to then tear them to shreds. Pleasance Courtyard (Pleasance Two) from Wednesday 2nd – Monday 28th August 2023 (not 8th, 15th, 22nd) at 16:50. MUSICAL
Lucky Pigeons
A treat for the whole family, Brainfools’ high-flying Fringe debut conjures the unearthly world of a flock of energetic, colourful and curious pigeons. In association with Underbelly, Lucky Pigeons uses polished contemporary circus skills and irresistible humour to tell a surreal new fable about the pecking order of urban society. Expect the unexpected, from jaw dropping juggling to dazzling aerialist tricks and lifts! Underbelly’s Circus Hub on the Meadows (The Beauty) from Friday 4th – Saturday 26th August 2023 (not 14th, 21st) at 13:05. CIRCUS
Mervyn Stutter’s Pick of the Fringe and Mervyn’s 30th Charity Gala
Mervyn Stutter’s Pick of the Fringe has been helping to answer the most important question at Fringe, ‘Have you seen anything good?’, for three decades. The unique daily showcase covers all genres of performance, from comedy, theatre and cabaret to music, dance and circus – and everything in between! As well as the legendary showcases, Mervyn will also hold a special charity gala to celebrate a phenomenal 30 years at the Edinburgh Fringe. Pleasance Courtyard (Pleasance One) from Saturday 5th – Saturday 26th August 2023 (not 17th, 21st, 23rd) at 12:40. Mervyn’s 30th Charity Gala will be held on Monday 21st August 2023 at 14:30 in The Grand. VARIETY SHOW/GALA
NewsRevue (HMS Unthinkable)
From King Charles to Keir Starmer, Prince Harry to Putin, Sunak to Strikes and Sleaze, no stone will be left unturned. Expect 100% brand-new material from this multi award-winning institution. This incredible song and sketch shows parodies our crazy world, giving us all a bit of light relief from the madness in which we live. Pleasance Courtyard (Grand) from Wednesday 2nd – Sunday 27th August 2023 (not 16th) at 17:30. COMEDY
Nobody’s Talking About Jamie
It’s a boy meets girl story, with a melodic twist. Regional Finalist for the BBC New Comedy Awards and Finalist for Musical Comedy Awards, Jamie Finn blends storytelling, comedy and original music to explore this story of dizzying romance and the tragedy of friendship. Sometimes the loss of a friend is more agonising than the loss of a romantic partner. Nobody’s Talking About Jamie celebrates the wilderness of platonic love. Underbelly Cowgate (Iron Belly) from Thursday 3rd – Sunday 27th August 2023 (not 14th) at 15:40. THEATRE/MUSICAL THEATRE
Nuclear Children
Winner of the 2021 Platform Presents Playwright’s Prize, Nuclear Children is written and performed by Ezra England, and is directed by Seán Linnen (Director, Queers, Old Vic; Associate Director, Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons, Harold Pinter Theatre). This absurd and deeply human production follows Isla as she battles with grief and strives to find her identity as an adult. This dark comedy is about mental health, a submarine accident, and a melon. Pleasance Courtyard (The Attic) from Wednesday 2nd – Monday 28th August 2023 (not 15th, 22nd) at 14:05. THEATRE
Pitch
Pitch is a bold and joyful exploration of the relationship between football and the queer community. Winner of the Pleasance’s Charlie Hartill Fund, it will dig under the surface of the world’s most popular sport to celebrate the connectivity it can bring while giving a voice to those who still can’t be proud of their identity when in a stadium. In the wake of the Qatar World Cup, Pitch imagines a future in which queer representation in football is more than just a debate over a rainbow armband. Pleasance Courtyard (Above) from Wednesday 2nd – Monday 28th August 2023 (not 9th, 16th, 23rd) at 15:45. THEATRE
Find out more about each show here.
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