Penelope waited 20 years for Odysseus to return from the Trojan War. Now she's ready to share her side of the story – but she’s going to need a drink first. Starring Broadway’s 'phenomenal' Grace McLean (New York Times), this contemporary chamber musical brings one of history's greatest epics to life through a Richard Rodgers Award-winning folk-pop score. Sharp, funny and unexpectedly moving, this is The Odyssey as Penelope always meant it to be told. Penelope, at Underbelly Cowgate, Belly Button. 3.45pm, August 5-30.placeholder image
Penelope waited 20 years for Odysseus to return from the Trojan War. Now she's ready to share her side of the story – but she’s going to need a drink first. Starring Broadway’s 'phenomenal' Grace McLean (New York Times), this contemporary chamber musical brings one of history's greatest epics to life through a Richard Rodgers Award-winning folk-pop score. Sharp, funny and unexpectedly moving, this is The Odyssey as Penelope always meant it to be told. Penelope, at Underbelly Cowgate, Belly Button. 3.45pm, August 5-30. | Michelle Mangan Communications and PR

14 unmissable musical shows at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Kevin Quinn
By Kevin Quinn

Reporter

Published 28th Jul 2026, 12:20 BST
Updated 3rd Aug 2026, 10:42 BST

Music talent coming to Edinburgh in August

With the world’s largest arts festival returning to Edinburgh next week, we’ve taken a look at the best musical shows coming to town for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

From break-ups and banjos to Danes and drag queens, we’re showcasing 14 unmissable musical shows for you to enjoy at this year’s Fringe, including a tribute to Elton John.

22 great comedians making their Fringe debut next month

See the gallery below for the best musical treats on offer at the Fringe this year, including a composer and soloist from Seoul, a banjo player, a pop act, and a collection of drag superstars including Gigi Zahir, who is in Edinburgh fresh from supporting American pop superstar Chappell Roan.

Cabaret favourite returns with a theatrical tapestry unpacking a seminal 90s album, Anne Frank’s Diary, teenage longing and the beauty of love. Neutral Milk Hotel's 1998 indie-rock triumph In the Aeroplane Over the Sea and Anne Frank's stunning and candid The Diary of a Young Girl fuse with confessions from Salty's adolescent longings in this genre-defying cabaret with wit, spectacle and heart. Premiering in Edinburgh before transferring to Soho Theatre, London, How Strange It Is (The Neutral Milk Hotel Show) causes sparks to fly, and time to bend, as the ghosts of our past return to us in this hilarious and devastating work from Salty's acclaimed and expansive Living Record Collection. How Strange It is (The Neutral Milk Hotel show), at Dissection Room, 1 Summerhall, Augsut 7-30, not 12, 17 or 24. 9.30pm.

13. How Strange It is (The Neutral Milk Hotel show)

Cabaret favourite returns with a theatrical tapestry unpacking a seminal 90s album, Anne Frank’s Diary, teenage longing and the beauty of love. Neutral Milk Hotel's 1998 indie-rock triumph In the Aeroplane Over the Sea and Anne Frank's stunning and candid The Diary of a Young Girl fuse with confessions from Salty's adolescent longings in this genre-defying cabaret with wit, spectacle and heart. Premiering in Edinburgh before transferring to Soho Theatre, London, How Strange It Is (The Neutral Milk Hotel Show) causes sparks to fly, and time to bend, as the ghosts of our past return to us in this hilarious and devastating work from Salty's acclaimed and expansive Living Record Collection. How Strange It is (The Neutral Milk Hotel show), at Dissection Room, 1 Summerhall, Augsut 7-30, not 12, 17 or 24. 9.30pm. | Alex Brenner

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An enigmatic, fun-filled and original sing-a-long romcom musical inspired by the legendary Elton John for tiny dancers and crocodile rockers everywhere. This fun, feel-good one-woman character comedy comes to Edinburgh following a short run of sell-out London shows. Rocket Fan weaves a love story around (optional) sing-a-long favourites drawn from Elton John’s iconic back catalogue. Musical comedy star Alice will play all characters (Jack, Bennie and Daphne) and perform live on piano in this hilarious show full of comedic twists, mash ups and re-interpreted classics. Rocket Fan, at Gilded Balloon, Patter Hoose (Corrie), August 5-17, 7.40pm.

14. Rocket Fan

An enigmatic, fun-filled and original sing-a-long romcom musical inspired by the legendary Elton John for tiny dancers and crocodile rockers everywhere. This fun, feel-good one-woman character comedy comes to Edinburgh following a short run of sell-out London shows. Rocket Fan weaves a love story around (optional) sing-a-long favourites drawn from Elton John’s iconic back catalogue. Musical comedy star Alice will play all characters (Jack, Bennie and Daphne) and perform live on piano in this hilarious show full of comedic twists, mash ups and re-interpreted classics. Rocket Fan, at Gilded Balloon, Patter Hoose (Corrie), August 5-17, 7.40pm. | SM PUblicity

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