Author: Arusa Qureshi
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The Very Best of the Edinburgh Festivals 2025
Our continually updated round-up of all the four and five star shows seen by our writing team
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Review: Figures in Extinction
Extraordinary, unique and emotion-firing performance
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Review: Faustus in Africa!
Witty and sometimes harrowing display of puppet power
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Review: Tom at the Farm
A tedious exploration of important issues, despite its epic scale
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Review: The Quiet Earth Beneath
Personal story of memory and bereavement that is visually transporting
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Review: A Small Town Northern Tale
Heartfelt solo piece from writer/performer Nathan Jonathan
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Review: Theo Mason Wood: Legalise Kissing
Tale of a recent break-up with twinkly swagger and a knowing wink
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Review: Daniel Muggleton: You May Be White, I May Be Crazy
Solidly entertaining observations from the easygoing Australian stand-up
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Review: The Alchemy of Sadness
A fascinating conversation around power imbalances that feels stilted
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Review: Jessica Fostekew: Iconic Breath
Fostekew mines the routinely domestic for comedy gold
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Review: Cirque Kalabanté: WOW (World of Words)
A showcase of true dedication and skill
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Review: Pussy Riot: Riot Days
Raw, unapologetic and defiant show from the Russian protest art collective
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Review: Anatomy of a Night
Performance intended as a “love letter” to queer spaces is thinly conceived
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Review: The Green Knight (But It’s Gay)
Delightfully silly retelling of the medieval classic
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Interview: Emma Frankland
Cover story: In No Apologies, Emma Frankland delves deep into the long-running internet discourse around Kurt Cobain’s gender identity. The writer-performer speaks to Arusa Qureshi about the mythology that surrounds celebrities, the current climate for trans people in the UK and the importance of community
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The Last Word: The Listies
The Australian double act offer up their unparalleled knowledge
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Review: Book of Mountains and Seas
Minimalist opera that is meditative and soothing
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Interview: Khalid Abdalla
Actor and activist Khalid Abdalla discusses his intricate and playful solo show, inspired by his involvement in the Egyptian revolution of 2011
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Interview: Jess Robinson and Henry Naylor on Elton John
Jess Robinson and Henry Naylor pay homage to the icon that is Elton John at this year’s Fringe
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Review: Score
Rich and deeply intelligent confrontation with technologies of control
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Review: Stepping In… Spilling Out
Gorgeously unfussy performance from dancer Mark Bleakley and percussionist Rémy Gouffault
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Review: I’m Ready to Talk Now
Oliver Ayres’ solo piece is calm, reflective and unsettling
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Review: Thanks for Being Here
Ontroerend Goed’s latest show places emphasis on the camaraderie of collective experience
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Daisy Doris May’s Perfect Night
Three of the comedian and drag king’s iconic characters take us on their big night out
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Kids Review: Cinderella Ice Cream Seller – A Musical
Xavier, six, enters an ice cream parlour
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Kids Review: The Truth About Trees
Siena, eight, enjoys spending time with puppets
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Interview: Zainab Johnson
As she makes her highly-anticipated debut at this year’s Fringe, Zainab Johnson talks politics, identity and being a responsible gun owner
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Review: Elysium
A remarkable theatrical and musical exploration of personal relationships
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Review: The Nature of Forgetting
Valuable physical theatre with a novel approach to our perception of dementia
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Ben Pope’s Guide to the 5 Fringe Posters He Never Wants to See Again
The comedian and bookseller went viral for sharing the book cover tropes that need to end. We asked him to give Fringe posters the same treatment
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Interview: Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith
Cover story: Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith’s upcoming album Gush places emphasis on the melding of the senses. The American composer talks to Claire Sawers about synaesthesia, adrenaline highs and her lush live show
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Review: Youth in Flames
A formidable debut from Mimi Martin
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Review: Triptic
Rapturous, virtuosic exploration of global folk music
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Review: Sikisa: Serving Justice
Satire and hilarity chock-full of audience engagement
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Interview: Basil Jones and Caden Scott on Faustus
Two plays, one at the Fringe and one at the EIF, take on Marlowe’s tragic Faustus, but in contrasting and confronting ways
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Kids Review: The Unlikely Friendship of Feather Boy and Tentacle Girl
Lyra, nine, is wowed by the two artists
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Young Critics at the Fringe
We sent the Super Power Agency out into the festivals with a group of newly-trained teen reviewers to suss out the best shows for young people this Fringe
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Review: Shamik Chakrabarti: Despite Appearances
Wry humour and a sharp eye for absurdity
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Review: Kanpur: 1857
Effortless and enchanting storytelling from Niall Moorjani
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Review: Wee Man
Barrowland Ballet’s intergenerational show provides a breadth of contributions
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Review: Jackie!!!
An eccentric, fun joyride through a turbulent time
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Review: An Evening with Dame Granny Smith
Show which moves between gentle humour and pathos
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Review: Because
Measured, clean, and masterful performance from Hassan Govia
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Review: Up Late with Kathryn Joseph
Gorgeous set from the bluntly honest electronic rock troubadour
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Review: Float
A rich galaxy of complicated emotions in this debut solo show
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Review: The Beautiful Future is Coming
Compassionate but gloomy play about the climate crisis
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Review: The Boy from Bantay
Poignant exploration of despair and loss
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Review: Desiree Burch: The Golden Wrath
An inspirational, inclusive, and thoroughly entertaining hour
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Interview: Ivo Graham
Making multiple appearances at the Fringe and Book Festival this year, Ivo Graham talks through his busy schedule
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Review: Bryan Safi: Are You Mad at Me??
A wonderfully goofy show filled with catty one-liners
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MC Hammersmith’s Perfect Day
The hip-hop comedian takes on a day at the Fringe, via rap
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Review: Strangers and Revelations
Chiedza Rwodzi’s debut play features flawless performances
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Review: Works and Days
Impressive, epic rumination on humanity’s quest to conquer nature
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Review: Copla: A Spanish Cabaret
Dr Alejandro Postigo presents powerful renditions of the songs that made him
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Just Good Friends: A Day Out with Trygve Wakenshaw and Barnie Duncan
Evan Beswick spends a day at the Fringe with best pals Trygve Wakenshaw and Barnie Duncan, finding real joy and creativity in their unique partnership
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Review: Imago
An incredibly impressive feat of acrobatics, staging, and sound design
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Review: MILES.
A striking play which affirms the complex and brilliant legacy of the artist
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Review: Hot Mess
Entertaining musical romcom about the climate crisis
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Review: HAMLET by New York Circus Project
Innovative and highly visual approach to Shakespeare
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Review: Dance People
Interactive dance performance that ignites and unites audiences
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Review: Blaze FM
A moving insight into a significant UK subculture
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Review: Driving in Circles
Musical theatre show taking audiences from rage and alienation to moments of bliss
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Interview: Michelle Wolf
Back at the Fringe with two Netflix specials, a podcast and an infamous White House Correspondents’ Dinner appearance in tow, Emmy-nominated comedian Michelle Wolf explains why it’s better to be unfiltered
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Interview: Hamish Hawk on Ivor Cutler
As he prepares to take on the work of Scotland’s pre-eminent poet-eccentric Ivor Cutler, Edinburgh singer-songwriter Hamish Hawk discusses influences, tributes and new avenues
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Review: Kate Dolan: The Critic
A wild assault of jokes, voices, act outs and asides
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Review: Rosa Garland: Primal Bog
Nonsensical but endearing merging of clowning and comedic performance art
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Interview: Lewis Walker on Bornsick
The artist discusses their new solo performance piece Bornsick and how they work with the extremes of movement
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Gilded Balloon: 40 Years of Funny
As Edinburgh institution Gilded Balloon celebrates its 40th anniversary, some famous faces of decades past write their own love letter to the venue that helped launch so many careers
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The Master’s Perfect Day
A vampire’s guide to enjoying a da– er, night out at the Fringe
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Review: Ismael Loutfi: Heavenly Baba
A hilarious and confident debut from the Floridian comic
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Kids Review: The Listies: Make Some Noise
Edie, seven, enjoys laughing with The Listies
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Kids Review: The Flying Bubble Show
A mesmerising display of bubbles
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Kids Review: Mr Sleepybum’s Dream Machine
Alvie, four, has a great time with Mr Sleepybum
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Review: Paldem
Writing with the electric chemistry and quickfire wit of a great romcom
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Recipe For Success: Polenta with Carne De Sol
What’s in the Kitchen chef Alejandro Huerta offers up a recipe for a dish that captures the essence of Brazil
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Edinburgh International Book Festival – Top Picks
From Palestinian poetry to Gothic classics, the Book Festival welcomes writers from around the globe
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Review: Amazons
A trenchant critique of the silencing of women’s voices
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Review: AETHER
Ambitious hour that celebrates the dizzying, vertiginous joy of the unknown
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Review: Circa: Wolf
Exceptional creativity performed with unmatched skill
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Edinburgh Art Festival 2025 – Top Picks
A variety of international talent, from indigenous storytelling to Pakistani folklore
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Interview: Toussaint Douglass
Cover story: Arriving in Edinburgh for his Fringe debut, Toussaint Douglass talks about being an introvert and why he’ll never be a beanie hat comedian
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Review: The Horse of Jenin
Comedian and theatre maker Alaa Shehada presents his poignant story with irresistible warmth
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Review: Betty Grumble’s Enemies of Grooviness Eat Sh!t
A statement of power, collective catharsis and radical joy
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Review: Consumed
Birthday party-set play is heightened and heavy on cliché
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Review: Lost Lear
An accomplished, slippery production by Dan Colley that goes beyond the classic
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Review: Molly McGuinness: Slob
An affable and warm debut hour
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Review: Hasan Al-Habib: Death to the West (Midlands)
Infectiously effusive hour from the Birmingham comic
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Review: Seymour Mace Does Things With Stuff
An hour of wacky, oddball prop comedy
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Review: Sink or SING!
A fun and poignant interactive singing party courtesy of Amelie Peters
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Review: Twonkey’s Zip Wire to Zanzibar
A slice of pure unsullied anything-goes Fringe
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Review: Dan Tiernan: All In
The award-nominated stand-up continues to excel at the long range bait and switch
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Review: Fisherman Jon: What’s on the End of My Rod? A Clown Odyssey
Multifaceted costumes and props make for an endearing clown-odyssey
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Review: Karen Houge: DREAMGIRL
A burlesque show about collective mistrust that is somewhat misjudged
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Review: Dangerous Goods
Bold and searing new cabaret from Australia’s Polytoxic
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Review: Woody Fu: One Man John Wick
Goofy paean to the ultra-violent action series
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Review: Christopher Macarthur-Boyd: Howling at the Moon
A solid return for the Glasgow comic that revels in self-deprecation
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Review: Cabbage the Clown: Cinemadrome
Debut hour of skilful clownery and queer joy
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Review: Apocalypse Cabaret: Songs for the End of the World
A one-woman cabaret that will have the audience singing along
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Review: Saaniya Abbas – Hellarious
An exploration of sinful actions and cultural taboos
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Review: Dreamscape
A work of hip-hop theatre that is a powerful piece of writing
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Review: Krystal Evans: A Star is Burnt
An inspiring survival tale about years in hospitality
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Review: Holly Spillar: Tall Child
Engaging musical comedy with an otherworldly charm
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Review: Sooz Kempner is Ugly
After experiencing a tidal wave of mediocre insults online, Sooz Kempner concludes that if you need a job done well, you might as well do it yourself
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Review: How To Win Against History
A slick musical comedy jam-packed with gags and wordplay
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Review: Ayo Adenekan: Black Mediocrity
An incredibly impressive debut hour from the Edinburgh comic
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Review: The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave
A relentless feat of endurance from New Zealand choreographers Oli Mathiesen, Lucy Lynch and Sharvon Mortimer
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Review: MADONNA ON THE ROCKS
One-woman musical exploring post-partum depression
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Review: Nerds: The Bill Gates vs. Steve Jobs Comedy Musical
Big brash musical about the beginnings of the PC era
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Review: Sugar
Smutty millennial solo cabaret show with heart and exuberance
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Review: Cat Cohen: Broad Strokes
The Edinburgh Comedy Award winner returns with another tightly crafted hour
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Review: Moonage Rhapsody
A tribute to the pioneers of yesteryear
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Review: Rift
Gabriel Jason Dean’s play is an intriguing condemnation of liberal failure
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Review: Kevin James Doyle: Wild Card
An entertaining hour where the audience provides the prompts
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Review: No Apologies
A defiant and arresting show from Emma Frankland about wishful thinking
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Review: Relay
Smart and sharp punk musical comedy from writer Leila Navabi
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Review: Toussaint Douglass: Accessible Pigeon Material
A brilliant and relatable debut exploring generational weirdness
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Review: Zainab Johnson: Toxically Optimistic
A confident hour of solo stand-up from the American comic
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Review: Champions
A reflective and meditative portrait that provides an outline of dysfunction
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Kids Review: Treeeeee
Emmy, four-and-a-half years old, has a good laugh alongside her grown-ups
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Kids Review: Once Upon A Flowerbed
Emmy, four-and-a-half years old, makes some new friends
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Review: Make It Happen
James Graham’s tale of cataclysmic collapse is both spectacular and highly memorable
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Review: jessica aszkenasy: TITCLOWN
A delightfully bizarre hour of clowning and breast-based comedy
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Review: #CHARLOTTESVILLE
A passionate and stirring docudrama from Priyanka Shetty
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Review: John Tothill: This Must Be Heaven
For Tothill heaven is a place on earth, and that place is his sofa with a Rustler’s burger in hand
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Interview: Peter Richardson on The Comic Strip
The writer and director of the cult-classic Comic Strip films explains what audiences can expect from the exclusive screenings at the Fringe
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Interview: All Together Now
Writer/performer Oliver Ayres, Ghent-based company Ontroerend Goed and NYC’s Dutch Kills Theater present shows that blur the boundaries between audience and performer with care and compassion
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Review: Grace Mulvey: Did You Hear We’re All Going To Die?
The Irish comic dances around big subject matter in this follow-up to her debut
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Review: Michelle Brasier: It’s a Shame We Won’t Be Friends Next Year
Another warm and affecting hour of music and storytelling from one of Australia’s finest
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Interview: Cat Cohen on Broad Strokes
Cat Cohen suffered a stroke in 2023, which ended up derailing her Fringe run. Here, the Edinburgh Comedy Award winner talks about coming back with her most personal show yet
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Interview: Local Heroes
Comedians Jack Traynor, Ayo Adenekan, Amanda Hursy and Hannah Morton on what to expect from their inaugural hours
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Interview: Circa’s Yaron Lifschitz and Wright&Grainger
At the Fringe and EIF, two productions take on the classical myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, but in two very different ways
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Interview: Nick Nikolaou and Tommy Small
The two artists explain the importance of placing queer joy at the heart of their Fringe shows
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Interview: Crash Theatre Company, Crow Theatre and Song of the Goat
The three companies discuss their new interpretations of Shakespeare
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Interview: Thanyia Moore on August
Returning to the Fringe for the first time since her ill-fated debut, Thanyia Moore reflects on the importance of finding levity in moments of trauma
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Interview: Indra Wilson and Róisín Sheridan-Bryson
With shows that centre LGBTQ+ experience, Indra Wilson and Róisín Sheridan-Bryson explain how queer theatre is the future of the Fringe
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Interview: Lomond Campbell, K Mak and Wet Hands
The artists discuss the audio-visual projects they’re bringing to the Fringe
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Interview: Thinking Funny
So You Think You’re Funny? alumni give us the lowdown on their must-see comics at this year’s Fringe
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Interview: Su Mi and Cabbage the Clown
Two acts from the BIGHEAD Comedy roster explain why they’ve found a liberating home at the alternative company
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Interview: Mairi Campbell
As she prepares to perform her acclaimed Pendulum Trilogy in its entirety for the first time, Mairi Campbell talks through the process involved in bringing the shows together
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Interview: Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s Alison Green
Green talks about performing for people with dementia and their loved ones, and the SCO’s upcoming International Festival concert
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Interview: Hannah Moscovitch, Kylie Westerbeck and fish in a dress
Three shows explore consent, complicity and control when it comes to women’s bodies
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Interview: Francesca Moody
The producer discusses this year’s Shedinburgh programme and the ethos behind the project
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Interview: Tomáš Kantor, Kat McGarr and Izzy Kate Ward
The three performers discuss debuting their alter-ego cabaret characters
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The Cycling Man’s Guide to Cycling in Edinburgh
Kathy Maniura’s deeply flawed, lycra-clad Cycling Man takes us around Edinburgh on a bike
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Interview: Narin Oz and Ria Lina
Comedians Narin Özenci and Ria Lina discuss how autism can be viewed through different lenses in the same genre
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Interview: Fairouz Nishanova and Basel Rajoub
As the Aga Khan Music Programme returns to the EIF, Director Fairouz Nishanova and musician Basel Rajoub reflect on its impact
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Nicola Meighan’s Guide to Edinburgh’s Music
The BBC broadcaster and A Kick Up The Arts host takes us around Edinburgh via its music
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Interview: Elisabeth Gunawan and Alfrun Rose
The two creatives discuss how their theatre shows interrogate the possibilities and limits of AI technology
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Interview: Urooj Ashfaq & Joe Kent-Walters
It’s one of comedy’s biggest breaks, but what happens when you‘re nominated for – and win – Edinburgh’s Best Newcomer award? Back with hotly-anticipated follow-up shows, Urooj Ashfaq (2023) and Joe Kent-Walters (2024) break it down
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Interview: Joe Tracini
Joe Tracini discusses the value of honesty, life with BPD and the five-year journey to his Fringe show
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Alana Jackson’s Guide to Drinking in Edinburgh
The So You Think You’re Funny? 2024 winner gives us the lowdown on her favourite watering holes in the city
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Interview: Betty Grumble & Suhui Hee
Placing the body at the centre of their art, Betty Grumble and Suhui Hee explore how it becomes a tool for performance, activism, pleasure and more
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Interview: Welcome to the Fringe, Palestine
With Welcome to the Fringe, Palestine arriving at Portobello Town Hall this August, festival co-organiser Sara Shaarawi tells us more about the vital showcase
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A Day at the Fringe with Miriam Margolyes
As she returns to Edinburgh with more Dickens and more characters, the iconic actress and author takes us through a typical day at the Fringe
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Lorna Rose Treen’s Guide to Edinburgh Dining
The character comedian gives us a whistle-stop tour of her favourite dining spots in the city
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Interview: Jordan Gray
Hot off the heels of her hit ITV2 comedy Transaction, Jordan Gray talks about her return to the Fringe and her commitment to clowning
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Interview: Let’s Talk About Sex
Comedian Chloe Petts, podcast duo Poppy Jay and Rubina Pabani, and playwright Jules Coyle on inclusive discussions about sex on stage
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Interview: Polytoxic on Dangerous Goods
Cover story: Polytoxic’s Dangerous Goods arrives in Edinburgh with plenty of heat. Leah Shelton and Lisa Fa’alafi talk to Eilidh Akilade about the revolutionary and rebellious feminist cabaret
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Edinburgh Fringe 2025 – Top Picks: Kids
From turning movement into music to dazzling aerial delights, there’s something for every young festival lover
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Edinburgh Fringe 2025 – Top Picks: Dance and Circus
Immerse yourself into worlds of imaginative storytelling, from Afrofuturist performance to the migration of birds
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Edinburgh Fringe 2025 – Top Picks: Cabaret
Discover the must-see cabaret shows, from twisted pop to gin-soaked humour
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Edinburgh International Festival 2025: Top Picks
The best music, dance and theatre arriving at the International Festival
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Edinburgh Fringe 2025 – Top Picks: Music
This year’s music selection includes punk theatre, pop comedy musicals and a new gig series
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Edinburgh Fringe 2025 – Top Picks: Theatre
The best theatre at the Fringe, from eco-sexual rebellion to the history of panto
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Edinburgh Fringe 2025 – Top Picks: Comedy
From imposter syndrome to medieval saints, these comedy shows will have you in stitches
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Edinburgh Fringe Q&A: Sam Jay
The American comedian and writer chats ahead of her Fringe debut
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Pecking Order
Eva O’Connor on her bird-brained, award-winning play Chicken
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Queer and Now
Arusa Qureshi speaks to Filipino-Australian artist Seann Miley Moore as they prepare to take on the title role in a new iteration of cult rock musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch
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WOMADelaide Highlights
Unmissable acts at this year’s edition of the iconic open-air festival