EdFringe 2024
The Spilling Cup
★★★★☆ Bloody lovely
“Hey, little uterus, can we work together?” Sasha’s plea to her capricious organ in Dracume Theatre’s The Spilling Cup will be a familiar sentiment to anyone who’s ever dealt with having one, and especially to those who, like her, are plagued by undiagnosed medical issues of the reproductive system.
Land Under Wave
★★★★☆ Enchanting
The Young Edinburgh Storytellers revive their acclaimed production Land Under Wave at this year’s Fringe, and it remains an otherworldly treat.
After Shakespeare: Richard III
★★☆☆☆ Flat
Billed as a staunch defence of a man maligned by Shakespeare and history alike, After Shakespeare: Richard III from Slade Wolfe Enterprises Limited succeeds only in making a rather boring play out of what was an extraordinary life.
The Pirates of Penzance
★★★☆☆ Piratical
The University of St. Andrews Gilbert & Sullivan Society brings one of their namesake’s most popular and enduring operettas to the Fringe with The Pirates of Penzance.
Through the Mud
★★★★☆ Emotionally resonant
A musical story of Black liberation, explored through the journeys of two generations of female activists in the United States, Apphia Campbell’s Through the Mud at Summerhall for the whole fringe, co-produced by Stellar Quines and Royal Lyceum Theatre, boldly and beautifully examines revolution.
Avenue Q
★★★★☆ Outrageous
Avenue Q, the Sesame Street parody for adults, filled with X-rated musical numbers, enjoys a skilful production from Sound Events Scotland at St Stephen’s Theatre, with a talented cast and some fun comedy moments.
The Last Laugh
★★★★☆ Nostalgic
Extraordinary re-creations of comedians past distinguish The Last Laugh, from Evolution Productions at Assembly George Square Studios.
No Place Called Home
★★★☆☆ Climate crisis drama
Whilst the production team and cast of No Place Called Home are predominantly students, ThirdCulture Productions are not a student led company. At a time when cuts to arts funding in Scotland are making the news again, it’s refreshing to see current and former students committing their immediate future to Edinburgh.
The Signalman / M R James: Whistle and I’ll Come to you
Signalman: ★★★★☆ Thoroughly atmospheric
Whistle: ★★★☆☆ Spooky
Paragon Theatre Collective’s The Signalman and M R James: Whistle and I’ll Come to You from Blue Orange Arts are both fine examples of atmospherically spooky stage adaptations of classic short fiction.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
★★★★☆ Mood-lifter
Edinburgh based newcomers C&C Productions ensure that their production of Rachel Sheinkin and William Finn’s The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is a guaranteed audience pleaser.
