An Evening with Michael Fry and Killian Sundermann
As two of Ireland's hottest digital talents, Michael Fry and Killian Sundermann unleash their unique blend of humour, sketches, and tunes live on stage.
4
4/5
The Last Show Before We Die
The Last Show Before We Die is a riveting performance art spectacle that defies traditional boundaries and delves deep into the realms of life, death, and everything in between. As you enter the round tent with its central circular stage, the duo, clothed in nude-coloured tights, lie naked, setting the tone for an evening of vulnerability and raw emotion. Amidst lowlights and the resounding echo of music, a confetti cannon ignites, marking the rebirth of their presence.
4
4/5
MASS EFFECT
Mass Effect is a remarkable performance that captivates with its high-intensity presentation. The ensemble of performers demonstrates their dedication and pushes their physical boundaries, navigating exhaustion, motivation, and group dynamics. The intricately woven spatial patterns shape elaborate running formations, highlighting the significance of teamwork. As they push beyond the limits of their endurance, a synergy emerges that transcends mere fatigue.
After its triumphant debut at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2022, Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder is back to joyous delights of musical theatre fans everywhere.
5
5/5
Tom Lawrinson: Hubba Hubba
Manchester comedian Tom Lawrinson has amassed over 125 million views with his online sketches. He brings his brand of wacky and wonderful humour to the Fringe in his hour-long tour de force ‘Hubba Hubba.’
5
5/5
A Manchester Anthem
A beautiful coming of age story, A Manchester Anthem stands out at this year’s fringe for its raw, sensitive portrayal of a young man’s last night at home before moving away to Uni.
Get ready to embark on a heartfelt journey of self-discovery with comedian Kassie Thornton's one-woman show, That Don't Hurt My Feelings None. Set in the intimate ambiance of the Assembly Rooms Drawing Room, this performance is a thoughtful blend of authentic storytelling, humour, and raw emotion, leaving the audience both laughing and touched.
5
5/5
Danny Beard and Their Band
This is not my first time seeing Danny Beard perform and it will not be the last. Danny has such a warmth and humble energy with the crowd, yet they know when to be cheeky and when to bring drag excellence. Now I would be sad if Danny didn't insult someone in the audience and they did not disappoint. They have that unteachable quality of being able to laugh at themselves and others in a way that brings so much joy.
5
5/5
The Beatles Were a Boyband
Every three days a woman is killed by a man. When a woman reports rape, she’s asked what she was wearing, and when the government are asked for help, apparently there’s no money. The Beatles Were a Boyband follows three young women as they have to face the harsh reality of widespread misogyny in society.
5
5/5
HERITAGE FUTURES: Re-designing the past
Heritage Futures: Re-Designing the Past is a small exhibition presented at Deaf Action as part of the second annual Edinburgh Deaf Festival.
4
4/5
POLICE COPS: The Musical
Get ready for a wild ride through the hilariously twisted world of Police Cops, the musical comedy that's all singing, all dancing, and guns blazing. Set in the USA in the 80’s, it follows rookie Police Cop Jimmy Johnson hunting down the drug lord that killed his sister. From the mean streets of America to a wild adventure in Mexico, Jimmy's journey is fuelled by dark humour, violent mishaps, and ticking off every stereotype in the book.
4
4/5
Taiwan Season: Duo
Duo is an exquisite dance-infused acrobatic circus performance that paints an intricate canvas of emotions and relationships. With a spotlight on two performers, the show beautifully blends acrobatic technical prowess with profound sentiment. Amidst a table and chairs, the evolving dynamics of a relationship come alive through seamless physical grace.
An Evening with Michael Fry and Killian Sundermann
As two of Ireland's hottest digital talents, Michael Fry and Killian Sundermann unleash their unique blend of humour, sketches, and tunes live on stage.
5
5/5
Tom Lawrinson: Hubba Hubba
Manchester comedian Tom Lawrinson has amassed over 125 million views with his online sketches. He brings his brand of wacky and wonderful humour to the Fringe in his hour-long tour de force ‘Hubba Hubba.’
4
4/5
Alexander Bennett: I Can’t Stand the Man, Myself
In his stand-up comedy show I Can't Stand the Man, Myself, Alexander Bennett takes us on a journey through self-critique, self-discovery, and self-love with a dash of hilarity.
3
3/5
Frankie Thompson and Liv Ello: Body Show
Body Show by Frankie Thompson and Liv Ello delivers an intriguing blend of performance art, spoken word and comedy that delves into themes surrounding body image, societal constructs, and identity exploration.
5
5/5
John Tothill: The Last Living Libertine
The Last Living Libertine by John Tothill effortlessly blurs the lines between cabaret and TEDTalk, offering an evening that's as intellectually stimulating as it is side-splittingly funny.
4
4/5
Phil Ellis’s Excellent Comedy Show
If comedy, shows, and a touch of excellence are your thing, then Phil Ellis's Excellent Comedy Show is an absolute gem that promises an hour of laughter. This Edinburgh Award-winning comedian, hailing from the North West, enters the stage dressed in a black morph suit, cat ears, and cat makeup, setting the tone for his irreverent and high-energy performance.
Maria DeCotis enters the stage with a smirk on her face that hides a secret. As she pulls us into the imagination of Lynn, a 62-year-old woman trying to regain control over a lost life by reimagining herself as a youthful comedian, we learn that the secret she hides is a deep sorrow.
Adults
Kieran Hurley is known for his award-winning plays about social and interpersonal politics, including Mouthpiece and Beats. With his latest work, Adults, created for Traverse and premiering at Fringe 2023 in a production by Roxana Silbert, he pivots into uncharted territory with a contemporary take on the bedroom farce.
4
4/5
Sound Clash: Death in the Arena
Fans of 1970s dystopian worlds like ‘Rollerball’ and ‘The Warriors’ will feel at home in the reggae-infused, dance-based future of Sound Clash: Death in the Arena. A loose ‘Romeo and Juliet’ retelling, ‘Sound Clash’ imagines a world divided by political factions and performers competing for power; power to keep feeding corrupt systems, or the power to change the world for the better.
4
4/5
POLKO
Emma, Joe and Polko used to be the best of friends but now ten years have passed. Joe is stuck in a dead end job, Polko has disappeared off the face of the earth and Emma has returned to move back in with her parents. Journalist turned playwright, Angus Harrison, brings us Polko - a play about being back where you started, even after you have moved on.
4
4/5
Horizon Showcase: The Talent
The Talent is a collaboration between writer Deborah Pearson and performance duo Action Hero (Gemma Paintin and James Stenhouse). Gemma is also the solo performer, producing an incredible acting display by boasting an array of vocal acrobatics and natural presence.
4
4/5
Fool’s Paradise
Britt Plummer lights up the stage with an energy reminiscent of Miss Honey from Roald Dahl's Matilda, albeit with a twist. Oscillating between bedtime story-like charm and the allure of an erotic novel, Britt delivers a performance that's both playful and thoughtful. Her expressiveness and warmth draw the audience into the world she weaves.
The Last Show Before We Die is a riveting performance art spectacle that defies traditional boundaries and delves deep into the realms of life, death, and everything in between. As you enter the round tent with its central circular stage, the duo, clothed in nude-coloured tights, lie naked, setting the tone for an evening of vulnerability and raw emotion. Amidst lowlights and the resounding echo of music, a confetti cannon ignites, marking the rebirth of their presence.
4
4/5
THE BLACK BLUES BROTHERS
Jaw-dropping, heart-pumping, how-did-they-do-that acrobatics paired with the music of the cult movie The Blues Brothers. What’s not to love?
4
4/5
Paul Merton’s Impro Chums
Paul Merton and his impro chums deliver a comedy show that skilfully incorporates audience suggestions to create moments of amusement, often resulting in a charming blend of laughter and light-heartedness. The ensemble, comprising of Paul Merton, Suki Webster, Richard Vranch, Kirsty Newton, and Mike McShane, showcase their commitment to spontaneous creativity, with Richard Vranch's performance particularly shining through.
4
4/5
Suhani Shah: Spellbound
Before the show begins, audience members are encouraged to write a favourite destination, a drawing, or even their bank pins if they dare on a piece of a paper at the front of the room. As the queue forms and the paper slips fill the box, Shah immediately hooks the crowd by guessing several correctly. Appearing as a mere warmup, the performance only gets better. From being blindfolded and finishing the drawings of audience members on a marker board to reading the minds of several individuals, Shah entertains and delights. While those who wish to simply watch can do so, Shah’s professionalism and humour lightened the room and encouraged the crowd to volunteer.
5
5/5
Monet X Change: Life Be Lifein’
A fusion of drag, stand-up and opera, Drag Race All Stars winner Monet X Change brings her one-woman show to McEwan Hall, and it will definitely have you laughing. It only takes a few seconds of Monet’s charisma to have you ready for a fun, fierce, heart-warming show.
4
4/5
Dan Tiernan: Going Under
Dan Tiernan won The Frog and Bucket comedy club's "Beat the Frog" new stand-up competition in 2020. The following year he became a finalist in the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year at the Leicester Comedy Festival. Then, in 2022, Dan Tiernan was named British Comedian of the Year and awarded the BBC New Comedy Award. Nonetheless as I descended the stairs into Monkey Barrel 2...
Mass Effect is a remarkable performance that captivates with its high-intensity presentation. The ensemble of performers demonstrates their dedication and pushes their physical boundaries, navigating exhaustion, motivation, and group dynamics. The intricately woven spatial patterns shape elaborate running formations, highlighting the significance of teamwork. As they push beyond the limits of their endurance, a synergy emerges that transcends mere fatigue.
4
4/5
KING by Pat Kinevane
Olivier and triple Fringe First-winning Fishamble’s production, KING, a creation by Pat Kinevane, invites audiences into a world where the Argentine tango's allure intertwines with the poignant tale of Luther. In Pat’s resonant Irish accent, Luther's journey unfolds under the spotlight, his movements on the floor resembling a dance of memories and emotions.
4
4/5
Rosalie Minnitt: Clementine
Rosalie Minnitt brings an hour of raucous fun in her comedy show ‘Clementine’ about a regency ish era woman who is searching for a love that won’t die on her (like all of her past loves), while trying to avoid spinsterhood. Following the rules of proper womanly courtship, she struggles to understand why she cannot find the love of her life and searches for her purpose while facing ghosts, accusations of witchcraft, and even more unusual obstacles.
4
4/5
Horizon Showcase: FORGE
Rachel Mars, a London based performer and writer, presents a unique three-day installation in which she welds a replica of the stolen Dachau concentration camp gate. This immersive experience explores questions regarding sites of collective historical trauma, and who memorials are really for.
4
4/5
Séance
Are you ready to believe? Are you open to receiving? Leave your preconceptions at the door and step into the world of SÉANCE. Yourself, other participants and who knows how many other visitors enter this long narrow chamber and find a seat at the SÉANCE table.
4
4/5
Angel Monster
Angel Monster, a riveting dance-physical theatre creation by Australia's Phluxus2 Dance Collective and choreographer Nerida Matthaei, presents an unfiltered exploration of equality, ownership, and respect. This captivating production, an ode to femininity's strength, ignites profound conversations through its explosive choreography.
Throngs of schoolchildren made their way into this show, awestruck faces and loud excited chatter as the ‘wheel of even more science' took centre stage. Doctor Kaboom made his big entrance and immediately cajoled the audience into playing their part when prompted.
3
3/5
The Revel Puck Circus: The Wing Scuffle Spectacular
For their inaugural fringe run, I could not be more impressed with the energy, warmth and talent of Revel Puck’s Circus. Hailing from East London, the sparky group showcased a medley of acts and talents, threaded together by an adorable love story between a clown and a lion.
5
5/5
BLUB BLUB
Trunk Theatre Project’s performance, Blub Blub, will feel unlike anything you’ve ever seen before, but also comfortingly reminiscent of your primary school theatre productions.
Set within an aquarium, the show follows two fish as they endeavour to escape from their confinements. The performance is a delightfully creative execution of an endearingly simple plot, achieved by inventive means. The homemade, garishly bedazzled hats may at first seem a weak attempt at resembling a fish tail, but reality is suspended when the spotlight casts a perfect fish silhouette upon the wall. The bubble machine-cum-cigarette brings a perfectly distilled comedic touch, and the glass walls of the bowl are built in our imaginations by a single note on the xylophone whenever the characters make contact.
5
5/5
Marcel Lucont: Les Enfants Terribles – A Gameshow For Awful Children
For some, it may be unexpected to find a Fringe comedy highlight in a children’s show but Marcel Lucont : Les Enfants Terribles – A Gameshow for Awful Children hits the mark! Located in the charming Piccolo Tent, the show was a treat from beginning to end.
4
4/5
THE ALPHABET OF AWESOME SCIENCE
Lexi Con and Noel Edge’s show is filled with scientific wonders that will entertain children of all ages, and even the parents. Enlisting the help of the audience to decide the order of experiments, no performance is ever the same. Completing 26 experiments in 52 minutes, it is fast-paced and enjoyable throughout.
4
4/5
Any Suggestions, Doctor? The Improvised Doctor Who Parody
A talented group of comedians take the audience on an original Doctor Who inspired journey that relishes its own silliness. The show starts with audience suggestions for a wacky (yet family appropriate) episode title, a decided-by-applause location, and a literal roll of the dice to determine our Doctor of the day. I happened to be in the audience for a ‘garlic bread shenanigan’ themed trip to Ibiza with the Doctor and his companion that resulted in a ridiculous take on the importance of best friends.
