As we head into the final days of another exhilarating Edinburgh Fringe, Theatre Weekly is proud to present our annual Best of the Fest. This year’s festival has been a celebration of bold storytelling, unforgettable performances and boundary-pushing creativity across every genre.
From intimate solo shows to electrifying ensemble pieces, the 2025 Fringe has once again proven why it remains the world’s most exciting arts festival. Our team has reviewed hundreds of productions and selected the very best across a range of categories.
Each winner has been chosen for their outstanding contribution to the festival, and we’re thrilled to spotlight these exceptional artists and companies. Read on to discover who made this year’s Best of the Fest.
Best Solo Performance – Charlotte McBurney in The City for Incurable Women – The Pleasance
Charlotte McBurney delivers a spellbinding solo performance in The City for Incurable Women, portraying the historical treatment of hysteria with both intensity and nuance. Her physicality and control on stage bring Helena McBurney’s script to life, immersing the audience in the haunting world of the Salpêtrière Hospital. With minimal props and a striking use of movement and sound, McBurney’s portrayal is both captivating and thought-provoking, making this one of the most impactful performances at the Fringe.
Best Ensemble Performance – Genesis – Assembly
Performed by the Copenhagen Collective, Genesis is a breathtaking acrobatic journey featuring 17 international performers whose trust, resilience and unity shine through every moment. The ensemble’s physical feats — from tumbling and stacking to seemingly impossible balances — are matched by subtle emotional connections, such as playful glances and reassuring gestures. These moments of camaraderie elevate the performance beyond spectacle, creating a heartfelt narrative of cooperation and strength. With original sound and atmospheric lighting enhancing the storytelling, Genesis is a masterclass in ensemble performance.
Best New Writing – Aether – Summerhall
Aether is a dazzling exploration of cosmic curiosity, brought to life through five interwoven stories performed by a mesmerising cast of four. The writing is rich with philosophical depth and scientific intrigue, using inventive theatrical devices like choreographed movement and Sprechstimme to convey complex ideas with clarity and flair. The feminist themes are deeply embedded in the structure of the play, offering a subversive and powerful narrative that challenges conventions. With its intricate storytelling and stylised presentation, Aether stands out as a triumph of new writing at the Fringe.
Best Comedy Play – Wummy – Just The Tonic
Charis King’s Wummy is a brutally funny and sharply observed one-woman show that skewers the modern obsession with curated perfection. Playing a struggling teacher who dreams of becoming a “yummy mummy,” King dives into the world of manifestation and online wellness culture with hilarious and heartbreaking results. Her razor-sharp script and electric performance bring a host of vivid characters to life, especially the posh influencer Allegra, who had audiences in stitches. With clever staging and a surprising, satisfying ending, Wummy is a bold and brilliant comedy that captures the absurdities of modern ambition.
Best Drama – Our Brothers in Cloth – Assembly
Written by Ronan Colfer and inspired by real events, Our Brothers in Cloth is a searing exploration of clerical abuse and the silence that surrounds it. Set in 1990s rural Ireland, the play follows Alan, grieving his brother and grappling with the dark legacy of a beloved priest. Jake Douglas gives a phenomenal performance as Alan, portraying his anguish and determination with raw intensity. The production’s emotional depth, layered writing and subtle direction by Ryan McVeigh make it a powerful tribute to survivors and a call for truth. Partnered with The Survivors Trust and Nexus NI, this is theatre with purpose and impact.
Best Musical – Hot Mess – The Pleasance
Hot Mess is a dazzling romcom musical that reimagines the climate crisis as a love story between Earth and Humanity. Written and directed by Ellie Coote, with music and lyrics by Jack Godfrey, the show bursts with pop energy and emotional depth. Danielle Steers and Tobias Turley lead the cast with powerhouse vocals and nuanced performances, capturing the highs and lows of a cosmic relationship. The neon-lit set and chart-worthy songs create a vibrant, otherworldly atmosphere, while the clever concept delivers a vital message with humour and heart. Hot Mess is a fiery fusion of passion and poignancy, making it a standout musical at this year’s Fringe.
Best Cabaret – Bernie Dieter Club Kabarett – Underbelly
Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett is a riotous celebration of freedom, identity and unapologetic self-expression. Set in The Beauty Spiegeltent at Underbelly’s Circus Hub, this genre-defying cabaret features jaw-dropping circus acts, including contortionism, aerial acrobatics and fire-breathing, all woven together by Bernie Dieter’s powerhouse vocals and punk rock charisma. With a live band and daring audience interaction, the show delivers both spectacle and substance, championing the message “My body, my choices.” It’s a bold, glitter-soaked night of defiance and delight that embodies the spirit of cabaret at its finest.
Best Physical Theatre – The Nature of Forgetting – The Pleasance
The Nature of Forgetting by Theatre Re is a breathtaking revival that explores memory and identity through the lens of early-onset dementia. Conceived and directed by Guillaume Pigé, the production follows Tom as he prepares for his birthday, triggering a vivid journey through his past. With minimal dialogue, the ensemble uses physical storytelling to convey emotional depth, supported by a sublime live score composed by Alex Judd. The choreography, lighting and design evoke nostalgia and loss with remarkable sensitivity. Developed in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Society and neuroscience experts, this masterpiece of physical theatre is both intellectually rigorous and profoundly moving.
Best Dance Performance – The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave – Summerhall
The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave is a hypnotic, high-energy celebration of rave culture and human endurance. Performed by Oli Mathiesen, Lucy Lynch and Sharvon Mortimer, the show transforms Summerhall’s Main Hall into a full-blown party, complete with wristbands, haze and pounding techno beats. Set to Suburban Knight’s Nocturbulous Behaviour, the choreography is relentless and precise, with every movement synchronised to the music. The dancers push their bodies to the limit, transitioning seamlessly between styles while maintaining an infectious energy that has the audience bouncing. It’s a visceral, sweat-drenched spectacle that captures the euphoria and exhaustion of rave culture.
Best Family Show – Here Comes Gudong – theSpaceUK
Here Comes Gudong by Roarrr Theatre is a sensory-rich puppetry adventure that enchants children and adults alike. Following a curious monkey on a quest to uncover the source of a mysterious “Gudong!” sound, the show blends mythological storytelling with ecological themes. Featuring a vibrant cast and stunning puppetry design by Jessica Wenjing Ji, the production incorporates Chinese shadow puppetry and the mythical figure Jingwei to create a cross-cultural experience. With movement direction by Mingyu Ding and a focus on environmental awareness, Here Comes Gudong is a magical and meaningful journey that fosters imagination and global understanding.
Best LGBTQ+ Show – Don’t Tell Dad About Diana – Underbelly
Written and performed by Conor Murray and Hannah Power, Don’t Tell Dad About Diana is a vibrant and witty celebration of queer identity and friendship. Set in 1990s Dublin, the play follows two teenage best friends as they prepare a drag tribute to Princess Diana for the Alternative Miss Ireland competition. With minimal props and maximal heart, the show blends humour, nostalgia and political undertones, touching on themes of adolescence, nationalism and celebrity worship. The chemistry between the performers and their ability to shift between dialogue and vivid narration make this a standout piece of LGBTQ+ theatre that’s as wild and funny as it is touching.
Best Use of Multimedia – The Insider – The Pleasance
Teater Katapult’s The Insider transforms a complex financial crime into a gripping theatrical experience through masterful use of multimedia. Exploring the Cum-Ex dividend fraud scheme, the production places its audience inside the mind of an arrogant bank lawyer using headphones to amplify every sound and dialogue, creating an immersive sonic landscape. The action unfolds within a glass box, enhanced by evocative video projections that blur the lines between office and prison. Though the narrative leaves some moral questions unresolved, the technical execution is bold and innovative, making The Insider a standout example of multimedia storytelling at the Fringe.
Best Direction – Blaze FM – The Pleasance
Directed by Maggie Norris, Blaze FM is a thunderous debut from The Big House that pulses with political urgency and musical vitality. Set in a Hackney council flat, the production follows a pirate radio crew broadcasting grime, drill and jungle music while resisting police crackdowns and housing insecurity. Norris’s direction expertly balances high-octane energy with emotional nuance, guiding a cast that delivers uniformly excellent performances. Scenic projections, lighting and sound design are seamlessly integrated, but it’s the clarity and cohesion of Norris’s vision that makes Blaze FM a triumph of direction, amplifying marginalised voices with authenticity and power.
Best Design (Set/Costume/Lighting) – Scatter – Underbelly
Patrick McPherson’s Scatter is a chilling dive into psychological horror, elevated by its exceptional technical design. Set in a remote Welsh village, the story unfolds in the claustrophobic Iron Belly space, where Jonny Harvey’s direction and the design team’s artistry create an atmosphere thick with dread. Sarah Spencer’s sound design and Will Hayman’s lighting are masterfully synchronised, using bursts of noise, eerie silences and strobe effects to trap the audience in Tom’s fractured reality. These elements don’t just support the narrative — they become part of it, making Scatter a triumph of storytelling and stagecraft.
Best Fringe Debut – Mimi Martin for Youth in Flames – Zoo Venues
Written and performed by Mimi Martin, Youth in Flames is an electrifying solo debut that burns with emotional intensity and political urgency. Inspired by Martin’s experiences during the 2019 Hong Kong protests, the play follows Millie, a British-Hong Kong teenager navigating identity, privilege and resistance. Martin’s performance is magnetic, shifting seamlessly between humour and heartbreak, while the lighting design evokes the chaos and danger of protest. Refusing to simplify its themes, the production challenges audiences to confront uncomfortable truths about activism and complicity. Youth in Flames is a blazing triumph of new talent and storytelling.
Most Thought-Provoking Show – Kinder – Underbelly
Ryan Stewart’s Kinder is a whip-smart, chaotic and deeply reflective piece that blends drag, comedy and theatre to explore queerness, censorship and childhood. Performed by Stewart as drag-clown Goody Prostate, the show begins with a comedic misunderstanding and spirals into a poignant interrogation of memory, identity and protest. Under Tiah Bullock’s direction, Stewart’s performance balances outrageous humour with sincere philosophical musings, using dance, innuendo and storytelling to challenge reactionary politics.
Hidden Gem – Ta Bamm – Braw Venues
Ta Bamm! by Wooden Impact is a wordless wonder that blends tap dance and marimba into an hour of pure joy. Performed by Daniel Borak and Manuel Leuenberger, the show is a masterclass in rhythm, clowning and musical improvisation. From body percussion to biscuit tins, every moment is inventive and mesmerising. The duo’s chemistry and virtuosity captivate audiences of all ages, earning standing ovations and heartfelt applause. With its playful spirit and technical brilliance, Ta Bamm! is a delightful surprise that proves you don’t need words to make unforgettable theatre.
Best Show of the Fringe- Cadel: Lungs on Legs – Underbelly
CADEL: Lungs on Legs is a breathtaking one-man show that brings the story of Tour de France champion Cadel Evans to life with astonishing physical and emotional intensity. Co-written and performed by Connor Delves, the production sees Delves cycling live on stage while delivering a deeply personal monologue, seamlessly blending athleticism with storytelling. Dressed in authentic kit and supported by race footage, Delves embodies Evans’ journey from shy underdog to world-class athlete, exploring themes of endurance, identity and mentorship. With its innovative staging and heartfelt delivery, Cadel: Lungs on Legs is a true tour de force and a deserving winner of Best Show of the Fringe.
