It’s a little over two weeks until a welcome return for the various Edinburgh festivals after two years of cancellations and scaled-back events due to the global pandemic.
This is the time when people looking forward to the cultural feast are scrutinising the programmes to work out their schedules – calculating how long it’ll take to walk between venues to enure they can see as much as possible.
While you have multiple chances to see most shows during the three week Edinburgh Festival Fringe – booking a ticket after a recommendation in a queue or a glowing review – there are also many one-off and limited run shows.
From late-night parties and immersive theatre, to podcasts and famous faces trying out new material, these shows are one of the things that make the Fringe Festival so special.
Sometimes they are added at the last minute with little in the way of promotion, so it’s always worth keeping an eye on venues’ websites for any additions.
We’ve had a look through the programme and picked out 11 of these gems that have been announced so far.
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. One-offs
You might have to be quick off the mark to get tickets for these limited run shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Photo: Contributed
. The Wrestling
The brainchild of Fringe favourites Max & Ivan, the fourth instalment of The Wrestling will this year take place at the Assembly Hall on Tuesday, August 23, at 11pm. See big name standup comedians enter the ring to take on genuine wrestlers in a night you're unlikely to forget. The trash talk has already started on Twitter, with John Robins, Joe Lycett and Mae Martin amongst those vying for the championship belt. There will be plenty of twists, turns, surprises - and hilarious commentary - before a new champion is crowned for the first time since 2015. Photo: Contributed
5. Sir Keir Starmer
Leader of the opposition Sir Keir Starmer is just one of a host of politicians appearing at this year's Fringe. He'll be at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, being interviewed by LBC radio presenter Iain Dale, at 4.30pm on Friday, August 12. Other interviews in the series include Rory Stewart, Angela Rayner, Nicola Sturgeon, Jess Phillips and Nadine Dorries. Meanwhile, former PM Gordon Brown will be interviewed by comedian Matt Forde at the Underbelly McEwan Hall at 3.30pm on Sunday, August 7. Photo: Carl Court
6. Adam Kay
Award-winning comedian Adam Kay scored a smash hit with his show 'This Is Going To Hurt', about his experiences as a junior doctor in the NHS, which was recently turned into a critically-acclaimed television series. He's now back with a work in progress of the follow-up 'This Is Going To Hurt...More', based on diary entries from his new book 'Undoctored' along with other stories. Catch him at the Pleasance Courtyard for two performances on August 22-23 at 9pm. Photo: Tim P. Whitby
7. Get Off Comedy Fundraiser
The Get Off Comedy Fundraiser is one of a number of mixed-bill charity standup likely to spring up at the Fringe. This one is in support of Get Off Live Comedy - which aims to eradicate sexual harassment in the industry. It's being hosted by the wonderful Kiri Pritchard-McLean and is likely to feature a host or well-kent faces. It's on at the Pleasance Grand at 11.20pm on Wednesday, August 24. Photo: Anthony Devlin
8. Rachel Parris: All Change Please
Rachel Parris, the BAFTA-nominated star of BBC's The Mash Report, will be back in Edinburgh with her new show 'All Change Please' for four nights only. Described as "standup and songs about sudden love, the highs and lows of relationships, family, weddings, kids, going viral, going mental, and the baffling state of play in society", it's on at the Underbelly George Square from August 10-13 at 7.40pm. Photo: Contributed