Edinburgh Festival Fringe ’25
— A Summer Pilgrimage for Theatre Lovers
Every August, Edinburgh undergoes a remarkable transformation. Posters blanket the streets, flyers are handed out at every corner, and street performers bring the city alive—turning Scotland’s capital into the world’s largest stage for the performing arts. This is the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Originally, the Fringe was created to give emerging artists a low-cost platform to showcase their work directly to audiences. Over the years, it has launched countless careers—including the smash-hit musical SIX, which started here before storming the West End and Broadway. Today, the Fringe attracts professional companies and international cultural organisations alike, offering an unparalleled variety of performances across languages, genres and forms. If you’re in the UK this August, the Fringe is an experience not to be missed.
In just four weeks, more than 3,300 shows take over the city. Some festival-goers plan meticulously, booking tickets weeks in advance, while others prefer to wander and decide on the spot—drawn in by a striking poster or a last-minute recommendation. There’s an unique thrill in this “lucky dip” approach, where every performance could be a hidden gem. With so many shows on offer, even following a friend’s recommendations can fill your diary.
Here are some of the productions we saw at this year’s Fringe:
🎭 Down to Chance
A production from our teacher Rob! Performed in an intimate theatre space, two actors take on multiple roles to tell stories of an Alaskan earthquake rescue team—touching, humorous, and heartfelt.
🎶 How To Win Against History
A sharp, witty musical comedy already ran in London, following a marquess who bankrupts himself in his quest for fame. High-energy, highly entertaining, and brimming with potential.
🌙 Midnight at the Palace
A group of hippie queers bring their cabaret to Broadway, only to face failure. Despite its low budget, the show bursts with energy, cleverly embracing the small-theatre format and featuring outstanding vocal performances.
😂 …Earnest?
One of this year’s biggest surprises! When the lead actor of a traditional play goes missing, the director recruits an audience member to step in. Hilarious, bold, and full of interaction, this production keeps everyone on their toes.
✨ KINDER
A solo performance by a queer artist, exploring family and identity through the lens of a drag queen. Every detail—from the lighting to the movement to the script—is carefully crafted and deeply moving.
💖 Legally Blonde
Local company Captivate Theatre are known for their annual musical productions, this year staging Legally Blonde, Les Misérables, and Next to Normal. Though low-budget, their shows boast outstanding singing and dancing, nurturing amateur performers who could rival professionals.
🌈 Pop Off, Michelangelo!
A cheeky, reimagined musical centred on Michelangelo, laced with LGBTQ themes. Packed with laughs and catchy tunes, it’s hugely entertaining.
🔥 Sauna Boy
A gripping one-man play about a young worker in a sauna and his tangled relationship with his boss. With the pacing of a Netflix miniseries, it’s compelling from start to finish.
🩰 Swan?
A solo performance blending ballet and physical theatre to explore women’s struggles with self-doubt and vulnerability in love. With moments of audience interaction, it’s both engaging and thought-provoking.
🥁 Ta-Bamm!!! Tap Dance and Marimba
A delightful collaboration of tap dance and marimba, performed by two Swiss artists whose physical comedy and charm brought the audience endless smiles.
🎧 Arcade
The latest immersive piece from Darkfield, performed in complete darkness. With 5D effects and interactive choices, the audience becomes part of the story—an exhilarating and innovative experience.
📖 Cardstock
Set in a tiny venue, this play tells the story of a boy-love novelist and a traumatised fan who meet over a censored manuscript. Politically charged and feminist in tone, it leaves audiences with much to reflect on.
👑 Jonny Woo: Suburbia
A legendary drag queen revisits the legacy of AIDS in a daring one-person show. The finale is both outrageous and unforgettable.
💌 Almost Everything
A simple yet powerful three-hander about love. With no elaborate set, lights, or music, the actors’ raw performances captivate the audience, reminding us of the beauty of pure theatre.
From large-scale spectacles to intimate experiments, from musicals to immersive theatre, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe once again showcases the diversity and vitality of British theatre. For audiences, it’s a month of discovery; for young artists, it’s a vital stepping stone—helping to build credits, gain exposure, and even strengthen applications for the UK’s Global Talent Visa.
So if you find yourself in Britain this August, dive into the Fringe. Who knows—the next small-scale production you stumble across in a backstreet venue might just be the next West End or Broadway sensation.