The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is back for 2024, promising another year of groundbreaking performances, side-splitting comedy, and thought-provoking theatre. With thousands of shows to choose from, we’ve curated a list of twenty shows to see at Edinburgh Fringe 2024 that showcase the diversity and creativity of this year’s Fringe. From historical dramas to musical comedies, these shows represent the best of what the festival has to offer.
Twenty Shows to See at Edinburgh Fringe 2024 – Pick of the Fringe
A Singular Deception – The Royal Scots Club
This gripping historical drama tells the true story of Dr. James Barry, a pioneering surgeon who lived as a man in the 19th century. Exploring themes of gender, identity, and societal expectations, this production promises to be both enlightening and emotionally charged. The show is performed by EGTG and features compelling new writing by Hilary Spiers.
Book tickets for A Singular Deception
Shellshocked – An Explosive New Play – Pleasance Courtyard
From multi-award-winning playwright Philip Stokes comes a powerful exploration of the consequences of war. This hard-hitting drama delves into the psychological impact of conflict on those who serve, focusing on the character Wesley and his struggles with the madness he encounters beyond the battlefield.
Book tickets for Shellshocked – An Explosive New Play
The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return- Summerhall
From the winners of the 2022 Untapped Award, this high-energy production by Chalk Line Theatre blends physical theatre and storytelling to create a unique and unforgettable experience. Set against the backdrop of austerity-hit Luton, it’s a tapestry of violence and joy parading through a night of noughties bangers and gin shots.
Book tickets for The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return
Come Dine With Me: The Musical – Underbelly Bristo Square
Fans of the popular TV show will delight in this musical adaptation. Filled with catchy tunes and hilarious moments, this production brings the drama of dinner parties to the stage in spectacular fashion. Expect a mix of behind-the-scenes skulduggery, star-crossed love, and plenty of juicy arpeggios.
Book tickets for Come Dine With Me: The Musical
Gwyneth Goes Skiing – Pleasance Courtyard
This comedic take on the infamous ski slope incident involving Gwyneth Paltrow promises laughs and surprises. A perfect blend of celebrity culture and slapstick humor, the show features original songs by Leland and a special video appearance by Trixie Mattel.
Book tickets for Gwyneth Goes Skiing
A Show for Young Men – Assembly @ Dance Base
Tackling important issues facing young men today, this thought-provoking piece combines drama and discussion to create a unique theatrical experience. Directed by Eoin McKenzie, it features a collaboration between Robbie Synge and young performer Alfie, exploring masculinity and friendship.
Book tickets for A Show for Young Men
Through the Mud – Summerhall
Through the Mud is a larger scale reimagining of Fringe First Award Winner, performer and playwright, Apphia Campbell’s critically acclaimed show WOKE. It tells the story of two generations of women activists in the struggle for black liberation in America. One, notorious Black Panther, Assata Shakur, the other a college student at the beginning of the Black Lives Matter movement in Ferguson in 2014. The show explores what it takes to become a revolutionary. Set against a powerful soundtrack of original music and traditional gospel and blues sung live.
Through the mud is A Stellar Quines and Royal Lyceum Theatre co-production and part of Made in Scotland showcase
Book tickets for Through the Mud
Diva: Live from Hell – Underbelly Cowgate
Following a critically acclaimed, sell-out run at the Turbine Theatre, Luke Bayer gives a tour-de-force performance in this blood-stained love letter to Broadway – a solo musical about rivalry, vengeance, and killer ambition. As President of the Drama Club and star of every school show, Desmond Channing spent his short life in the spotlight, until a hotshot transfer student from NYC arrived to challenge his throne. Desmond responded as any diva would, with lethal force… Now stuck in the Seventh Circle, Hell’s most squalid cabaret venue, Desmond is forced to relive his disturbing tale of woe.
Book tickets for Diva: Live from Hell
Aidan Sadler: Melody – The Voodoo Rooms
Aidan Sadler returns to the Fringe with a new cabaret show celebrating the power of music and storytelling. Featuring 80s-inspired synth-wave hits, this show is a vivaciously vibrant, fervently funny, and fantastically frenzied experience.
Book tickets for Aidan Sadler: Melody
Òran – Pleasance Courtyard
This innovative production blends traditional Scottish music with contemporary storytelling, creating a unique celebration of Celtic culture. Òran’s journey to rescue his best friend from the Underworld is brought to life with a pulsating electronic live score.
I Sell Windows – Assembly George Square Studios
A comedic look at the world of sales, this one-person show offers insights into the highs and lows of the profession. It’s a Black woman’s exploration of what is birthed at the collision of grief, ambition, and sex, as she grapples with questions of identity and purpose.
Book tickets for I Sell Windows
Famehungry – Summerhall
Exploring the dark side of social media fame, this timely production offers a satirical take on influencer culture. Louise Orwin cosplays as a TikToker in a real-life experiment hunting for fame and fortune, fusing performance art with live TikTok experiences.
Galahad Takes a Bath – Zoo Southside
This whimsical reimagining of Arthurian legend brings humour and heart to the world of chivalry and quests. Sir Galahad the Pure takes a bath, leading to painful questions and a comedic exploration of sex, jobs, and the Holy Grail.
Book tickets for Galahad Takes a Bath
Mary, Queen of Rock – Assembly Rooms
History meets rock and roll in this electrifying musical about the life of Mary, Queen of Scots. Set in 1561, it imagines Mary as a rock star fighting against the Scottish Reformation’s ban on rock’n’roll.
Book tickets for Mary Queen of Rock
The Solve-It Squad – Assembly George Square Studios
A nostalgic and hilarious parody of children’s mystery shows, now with a grown-up twist. A group of former kid detectives returns to solve their greatest unsolved case: the murder of their talking dog, Cluebert.
Book tickets for The Solve-It Squad
Karen – Underbelly Cowgate
This biting satire explores the phenomenon of ‘Karens’ in modern society, offering laughs and social commentary in equal measure. Protagonist’s life takes an unexpected turn on her 30th birthday, leading to an ultimate office showdown.
Recirquel: Paradisum – Assembly Roxy
Prepare to be amazed by this breathtaking circus performance that pushes the boundaries of human ability and artistic expression. Paradisum explores the myth of regenesis following the silence of a perished world, using cirque dance to discuss humanity’s global concerns.
Book tickets for Recirquel: Paradisum
Carousel – Assembly George Square
Ivo Graham, who has watched this Mad Men clip approximately 100 times, steps away from the frivolity of his stand-up and invites you onto his own carousel: around and around, backwards and forwards, to the places he aches to go again. A searingly direct, exquisitely soundtracked story of a life, as workshopped last year in the Green. Good luck at your next meeting.
A Jaffa Cake Musical – Pleasance Courtyard
A sweet and silly musical celebration of one of Britain’s favorite snacks. Inspired by the 1991 tribunal which determined the true identity of a Jaffa Cake, this family-friendly show is filled with laugh-a-minute silliness and winning songs.
Book tickets for A Jaffa Cake Musical
Lessons on Revolution – Summerhall
This powerful piece of political theatre examines the nature of social change and the cost of standing up for one’s beliefs. Following a sold-out Soho Theatre run, it takes you on a journey through global and personal history, asking how the voices of the past can give us hope.
Book tickets for Lessons on Revolution
With such a diverse range of shows on offer, the Edinburgh Fringe 2024 promises to be an unforgettable celebration of theatre, comedy, and performance art. Whether you’re a Fringe veteran or a first-time attendee, these twenty shows to see at Edinburgh Fringe 2024 offer something for everyone. Book your tickets early to avoid disappointment and prepare for an extraordinary festival experience.
