We’ve picked out 17 great theatre, circus and cabaret shows to catch in Edinburgh next month, including Cyrano, starring Edinburgh-born David Tarkenter, and a virtual reality musical.
There is also an interesting Fringe show by American singer Victoria Mature, who pays tribute to her late father, the original Hollywood hunk Victor Mature in an intimate cabaret performance.
While, eight world-class acrobats investigate physical skill; how we obtain it, how we perfect it, and how it can transform our lives, in thrilling circus show Ten Thousand Hours.
And, the Olivier Award-winning West End hit ‘Showstopper! The Improvised Musical’ is back for a 15th year. 18 stand-up comedy shows at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024.
5. Villain Era
Villain Era is the debut multimedia comedy show by actor, playwright, producer Star Stone and directed by Ryan Cunningham (Amy Schumer: Growing (2019), Ilana Glazer: The Planet Is Burning (2020), Broad City (2014). Star shares her outrageous true story of going viral online and becoming an internet ‘villain’ to millions. Her life changes overnight, facing a barrage of harassment, ranging from hateful messages to literal death threats. Sharing her wild autobiographical story publicly for the first time, Star reveals it all from battling bots, trolls, the online vegan mafia, and the real effects it had on her, in this one-woman multimedia comedy show. Villain Era at Greenside @ George Street, August 2-10, 12-17, 19-24, 5.10pm. Tickets £13, at https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/villain-era. | DrawBell
6. A Brief Case of Crazy
Following the story of an awkward introvert, A Brief Case of Crazy is a physical theatre play that explores the wonder of unconventional people and the joy they can bring to the world. Set in an office space, the audience witness the remarkable, embarrassing daily life of introvert Thomas who gets dragged out of his comfort zone and closer to his shy office crush Daisy by a magical briefcase. Told through elements of puppetry, dance, object manipulation, mime, and distinct characterisation, Skedaddle Theatre draw inspiration from iconic physical comedy characters such as Mr Bean and Charlie Chaplin to create a trio of ludicrous characters in their own distinct style. A Brief Case of Crazy, at theSpace @ Symposium Hall, Annexe, August 12-24 (not 18), 9.15pm. Tickets £12, https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/brief-case-of-crazy?day=12-08-2024. | Andrew H Williams
7. Hold On To Your Butts
With the ethos of taking parody seriously, Recent Cutbacks’ Hold on to Your Butts is a theatrical recreation of the epic action film from Steven Spielberg. With the use of only two actors, Natalie Rich and Matt Zambrano, and a Foley artist who creates the sound effects live on stage, they recreate each scene and perform every character (including the dinosaurs) between just the three of them. Through comedy, physical theatre and inventive use of simple props – from cardboard cut-outs, traffic cones and muffin tins – they aim to present the game-changing CGI of the iconic film live and in low-fi. Hold on to Your Butts, at Pleasance Courtyard, Forth, July 31 – August 26 (not 12 & 19), 2pm, Tickets £14, https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/hold-on-to-your-butts?day=08-08-2024. | Jacob Hiss
8. Party Girl
Exploring the impact of mental illness on family and challenging traditional feminine behaviour, children’s entertainer Fairy Sprinkles is trying to keep it together at a party whilst the rest of her life is spinning out of control. A stand-up comedy gig paired with a live music concert, Party Girl is a rollercoaster of outrageous storytelling vignettes interspersed with original rock songs which tackle themes of class politics, alcoholism and childhood innocence. Singing through the juxtaposition of her glittery day job and the painful reality of her life, where caring for a bipolar mum is beginning to drain her sense of identity, Fairy Sprinkles welcomes everyone to the party with a cracked smile as she gifts audiences their very own pointed party hats. Party Girl, at Summerhall, Cairns Lecture Theatre, August 1-26 (not 12 & 19), 9.20pm. Tickets £17, https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/party-girl?day=05-08-2024. | Claire Hawley