Hooray! The Festival is here!

[BriceNobeslovesMurielHeslop]

Anybody fancy sharing their Fringe/ Festival recommendations here?
I went out on a whim tonight and scored some free tickets to Tape Face at The Pleasance. I would have never picked it but it was deliriously funny! Just so silly and unexpected. There were quite a few kids in the audience as well- 1 incidence of very mild swearing and a couple of jokes fir the mums ‘n dads, but overall very family friendly.

Maybe not for people who have a horror of audience participation, but they make that pretty clear from the outset.

Agree - I tend to stick to folk I know/have seen previously now. Shame as it used to be great fun to rock up and take a chance on some random acts, but at £15+ I'm not going to do that now. Having said that, I still love the Festival/Fringe!

Any recommendations for teenagers (14-16)? Have family visiting and would like to book a few things.

Ahh cool! Love that song and album. Used to be a huge fan in my teens.

Not a Stereophonics reference, was randomly plucked out the air.

We completely misunderstood what “Arcade” at the pleasance dome was going to be. Both my husband and I were terrified! 🥴

We have tickets for a comedy sketch on Tuesday night, which is hopefully a lot less bone chilling!

My recommendations from today - Alana Jackson, Matt Forde, Keiran Hodgson. All funny. 00 Billionaire, not so much!

DS loved Police Cops at 15/16 @ElectronicRenaissance

I’m up early browsing shows (waiting for DC exam results!) and I keep finding shows that are sold out, not just for today but for the whole run.

i was diligently checking out newspaper hot picks over the last few weeks, yet I still never seem to find these sellout shows until it’s too late. Gah!

Thank you, that looks right up their street!

The Britpop Hour was an entertaining way to spend an hour if you’re a fan of music of that era.

I loved The Genesis at the assembly hall in the mound...1230. I don't like acrobatic shows usually but this was a cut above...
I've seen 9 shows so far and this was the best.

I just walked through town, figuring it was quicker than the bus… and oh my god… I am done. 🤯

I have lots of recommendations just back after a couple of days. I saw Make it Happen thought it was brilliant but very posh crowd who were not v friendly. Think it’s sold out. If you like musicals don’t miss Showstopper The Improvised Musical and I wish my life was like a Musical.
for v v funny NYC comedy try Abracadara Bitch and David and Katie Get Remarried ( my favourite show) don’t miss the circus tent I saw a v charming French circus show. American Blues Brothers are acrobats with canned music so don’t expect a love band like I did. Give Cambridge Footlights a miss, as well as being v poor I got irate at the lack of diversity of the actors. Saw a couple mainstream comedians, you can see them for an hour for £15 for what would cost £60 or more on tour. I took pot luck on another few shows and wasn’t disappointed. Have great fun !

I have lots of recommendations just back after a couple of days. I saw Make it Happen thought it was brilliant but very posh crowd who were not v friendly. Think it’s sold out. If you like musicals don’t miss Showstopper The Improvised Musical and I wish my life was like a Musical.
for v v funny NYC comedy try Abracadara Bitch and David and Katie Get Remarried ( my favourite show) don’t miss the circus tent I saw a v charming French circus show. American Blues Brothers are acrobats with canned music so don’t expect a love band like I did. Give Cambridge Footlights a miss, as well as being v poor I got irate at the lack of diversity of the actors. Saw a couple mainstream comedians, you can see them for an hour for £15 for what would cost £60 or more on tour. I took pot luck on another few shows and wasn’t disappointed. Have great fun !

I felt pretty uncomfortable when I heard from a local that the city benefits v little and all the venues are managed by big companies where the profit all goes out of the city and it blocks all public spaces. And the air B and B driving out locals. So try to spend money outside the festival, I stayed in Portobello and loved it

I felt pretty uncomfortable when I heard from a local that the city benefits v little and all the venues are managed by big companies where the profit all goes out of the city and it blocks all public spaces. And the air B and B driving out locals. So try to spend money outside the festival, I stayed in Portobello and loved it

I went to see World’s Greatest Lover at The Pleasance which was alright- the performers were great and really giving it their all and there were a couple of good numbers, although my pal was about cringing off of her seat!
Seeing Vic Reeves/ Jim Moir at Fringe By The Sea at the weekend so looking forward to that.
I’m going to see Showstopper The Musical next weekend so glad to hear it’s good.
Creativity diversity and innovation has definitely been diminished from The Fringe with the rise of Underbelly and Avalon (don’t get me started on this practice of calling Potterow “The Pleasance Dome” etc, it’s so confusing). CEC need to tackle how inaccessible accommodation and performance spaces are for performers - last year there was a tent pitched down by the Water Of Leith for the whole month of August.

My brother works on the Royal Mile and was nearly in tears at the thought of the chaos a few weeks ago. If I could change anything, I’d want it to be like the Fringe of the early ‘00s, where you could go out and see all kinds of things, with performers from across the world, and it was far more affordable for both performers and audiences. The expense will unfortunately have a direct impact on creativity and diversity.

What was the French circus show and would you recommend if for a little kid?

Any recommendations for a slightly sensitive little child would be very welcome

Only until 12th but The Beatbox Collective at George Square are fab. A real family friendly mix of Beatbox, music, comedy - best for 10+ kids I would say. I've caught some really good acapella choirs in the past (Cambridge Uni were good) and another vote for Ben Hart's Magic Show. DD rated it 10/10.

Book festival starts today too! Love it all.

I saw Circa Wolf and it was wonderfully intense - some amazing tricks, gender balance (strong women and flexible men along with the reverse) and was just really fun.

I really enjoyed Lady McBeth plays wing defense - great cast and great singing, and just a really enjoyable hour and felt like money well spent- all that i want in a show really!

I've bought tickets to Hot Mess - it's had good reviews but is sold out until next week though.

I'm avoiding the comedy this year and don't have little ones to please. It's refreshing to do the festival different to how I've done before.

It's worth saying that it does feel quieter than in previous years. Yes the royal mile is packed but George Square was much quieter this week than I expected. Will likely be busier as the book festival starts today but I do think Oasis might have an effect this weekend too.

If you're looking for a show for teenagers and young adults, United by Ted Milligan at Pleasance Courtyard is a very funny football mockumentary about a fictional lower league club. It's getting some really good audience reviews (including "Witty writing and really well performed - it’s a feel good show and he is really endearing. Took my parents and my teenage kids - all three generations really enjoyed it. I think it’s the perfect show for older teens just too young to go to the pub but don’t want to go back to the hotel either!" and "This clever and heartwarming character comedy was our pick of the fringe so far").

He got a standing ovation last night. Disclaimer: I am his mum.

Oh good to hear. They handed us a flyer last week and it sounded fun. Thinking of taking my daughter next week (she’s 12 so outgrown the kids stuff now)

Just checking in to see if there were any more recommendations now it’s more than half way through. Looking to squeeze in a few more shows next week before it all disappears for another year!

David and Katie Get Remarried

I went to see Christine Bovill at the Speigeltent the other night and she was sensational. She sings the songs of Piaf while talking about both her and EP’s life and career, she has a lovely warm manner and was very funny as well, her accompanying musicians were fab as well.
I’m now in the middle of falling down a little Edith Piaf rabbit hole!

Really enjoyed Zara Gladman, it was hilarious.

For non-ticketed shows it's handy to have the PBH Free Fringe app or just its brochure, you can easily see what's coming up soon and they're all free and just pay what you want.