what to see at the Edinburgh Fringe | my 2022 critic's picks + top tips!

[@annacalstone610]

Firstly yes so many Edinburgh locals despise the fringe, hence quite a few actually relocate and rent out their flats during the fringe (friend does it every year and makes her next 3 months mortgage payments in 1 month) Clothing wise prepare for 4 seasons in a day as weather turns so quickly. Can go from rain and gales to crack the pavement sunshine in an hour. If you can go a little way off the busy streets you find right gems for food (amazing little cafés) Free fringe is amazing. Just watch for scam people trying to sell you tickets for a show that's actually part of the free fringe, seen that happen before. Always buy tickets from a reputable source not random person on the street. Also you haven't been to Scotland if you don't have either haggis or a deep fried marsbar washed down with irn bru, such a stero type but honestly has to be done. Also if anywhere sells pizza crunch, yes that is deep fried pizza. Finally this year watch out for the trains, they are a right mess between strikes and ScotRail just being incompetent. Check, check again and triple check plus make a back up plan if your train isn't running cause its not pretty at the moment.

[@holliemorrison]

I recommend 2 shows, both by Goya Theatre - Firstly "Sex with Friends (and other tiny catastrophies)" at the Pleasance Courtyard - it's a new queer musical about a group of friends in their early twenties, fresh out of uni and it takes place over the course of a year and i'm completely obsessed with this show and have seen it many times so far. Secondly "Don't say Macbeth" at Zoo Playground 2 - A company is putting on their version of Macbeth and it may or may not go wrong - its also a musical with play that goes wrong vibes if you like mischief theatre. Its absolutely hilarious and I did not stop laughing the entire time - I highly recommend both of these shows!!

[@darrinda]

Love the Fringe! I have attended three times and even directed a production! Can't wait to go again as you always find incredible works like "Wolfboy" which still haunts me to this day!

[@JC-gu3tj]

Love the first week - cheap ticket days so you can see the always good shows for less. Also make a spreadsheet if you really want to max out your time. Food takes ages at lunchtime so feel free to pack something for the day

[@walterrobinson5919]

Managed to see 17 shows in the 4 days I was there, highly recommend: ‘The Intervention’, ‘Broke Her’, ‘The Dark Room’ and ‘Notflix’

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Great stuff. You should take a trip Down Under and come to the Adelaide Fringe, which is held in February and March. It’s the biggest fringe festival after Edinburgh. 🤩

[@maeveh8019]

There's also an immense number of Aussie shows, particularly this year apparently! I'm there with Poles: the Science of Magnetic Attraction which got 5/4.5 star reviews at Adelaide Fringe and just got longlisted for the Popcorn Group/BBC Writers New Writing Awards - so check us out, we're vetted haha. But outside of the self promotion- anything Casus Circus or A Good Catch Circus do is gold!

[@lizzieceinwyn]

Watching this to help get me ready for the 2024 fringe, will be my first time going ☺️

[@sherryji1745]

She Wolf by Isla Cowan is absolutely amazing. I’m a very frequent theatre goer and this is definitely UNMISSABLE!

[@glrreid96]

As an Edinburgh local I admit we all slightly hate it but it's also great! My commute to work is now particularly awful but I can go and see shows all the time and walk home. My finest achievement was seeing Six the first year it came because it sounded interesting and then realising how great it was and seeing the glow up it had the next year it came and now it's everywhere!

[@OccyDaBoss]

all of the mischief stuff is just SO good and i'm so glad i saw all of them!

[@Amy-dm7zl]

Hello, I’m a big fan of the channel, fist time commenting. It was great to see an Edinburgh Festival Fringe video - lots of good tips! Shame you didn’t include much by Scotland based companies and artists (I think just Sweet FA). I’m based in Glasgow and currently work in Edinburgh, here’s my quick show recommendations that I think you would like: Wilf by James Ley (at the Traverse), The Strange Undoing prudencia hart (at Edinburgh Lyceum Theatre) and Twa by Annie George (at summerhall). My other big recommendation is to come to the pop-up bookshop at the Traverse, which I run. We sell plays by Scotland’s playwrights, plays from across the world and reference books on theatre. We’re a not for profit charity that supports Scotland’s playwrights. Also, I’m a super theatre geeks who is happy to discuss why it’s called the “Edinburgh Festival Fringe” and not “Edinburgh Fringe”, and how to correctly pronounce “traverse theatre” ( TrAverse), as well as its history as a long running venue at the fringe and at other points of the year (the original building was once a brothel). Bookshop open 11am to 6pm (expect Mondays). All said with love and respect!

[@personinthepalace]

Mischief fans should also check out Boris III which stars Harry Kershaw (best known from Mischief Movie Night In for Delta von Tassel, Trousers in the Cabinet, and mainly being the person Oscar picks on during the shows). Also you should check out Starship Improvise which features actors from Mischief, Showstopper, and Austentatious. From the Mischief side, Dave Hearn, Henry Shields, and Henry Lewis are in the show

[@filmsociety1311]

I must be one of the few Edinburgh residents who looks forward to the Fringe every year. I counted 115 shows that I attended this year, predominantly stand up comedy and a few plays.

[@olliveen]

one show playing at the fringe that I cannot reccommend enough is Lizard Boy! It's a 3 person musical about a superhero origin story, the music is incredible and it is an LGBTQ story. I saw it this past October when they were in California and it was literally life changing. pls see it if you have a chance!

[@megangroen2855]

Went to a preview of The Mind Manger, as always it was absolutely stellar!

[@itshayleymaybe]

All of your top picks sound so interesting, can't wait to hear about everything you get a chance to see! A dear friend has a hand in producing "X:1969" which tells the story of the Mason family cult through Fleetwood Mac music and I wish I could go and support her. I hope it's a lovely experience for them :)

[@YnaTresvalles]

I’ve just seen this and I second it! Each performer was sooo amazing and I couldn’t recommend it enough!

[@ellb-w5076]

Looking forward to the vlogs! Boomtown is performing at the fringe this year, they did a concert performance at the Theatre cafe earlier this summer and have heard really good things!

[@kfigeroid]

I loved the Fringe Festival. We took a show there several years back and had a great time. We were in the Greenside.

[@sylvialuisa]

Hope you have a wonderful time in our pretty city! I'd recommend Big Band Does Broadway if you're here before Sunday, it's been getting incredible reviews! 8 singers and a huge big band performing new arrangements of Musical Theatre songs! Enjoy! X

[@grahamb8994]

LIZARD BOY is amazing, American show with a three person company who play all the instruments while performing, lgbt superhero storyline. Got to see it 3 times while it was in manchester for a pre fringe run.

[@Mori-wy8my]

Just wanted to browse through the program and watch one of your videos on the side when I saw this came out, right at the perfect time to fully watch it and now be in my seat for Mischief Movie Night! Thank you for the recommendation!

[@erinsmith4416]

Oh to be young again. My record is I think 9 a day. I'm now on about 4 max and need planned rest days. I'm 17 shows down so great to hear someone else's take on it all. Also top tip: pack layers, snacks and a hand fan cos those venues are hot!

[@Erni3K]

Costumed a StarWars burlesque for the Free Fringe, and while I didn't get to go to Edinburgh with it, it was quite the baptism in theater fire for the cast/crew. Do chips count as breakfast, lunch and dinner? yes.

[@twilightsquire]

I'm going for the first time, my sister and I are going to see all the Mischief Theatre shows because we're big fans of theirs 😊

[@bob123654100]

I'd went to see Mark Glentworth's solo show: Seven and a Half Years at The Fringe yesterday and it was ace! Here was my review of the show - I'd definitely recommend going along if you are able to make it. This was an amazing show with such a personal and beautiful story. The music was perfect for telling the story and you could feel the raw emotion in Mark's singing. Touches on some topics such as mental health, that are too frequently dismissed in today's society. Beautiful story & performance. 10/10

[@ac2275]

You should absolutely see Lizard Boy! Queer superhero origin musical from a Marvel writer, playing for the first time outside of the US🦎

[@oliviahamilton8654]

Lizard Boy is fantastic! stunning score and script

[@annieleverton6647]

The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart is just great and well worth a ticket! Saw a preview, was so so good.

[@rosieevans4153]

I am going for the first time and cannot wait! 4 shows in 24h :-)

[@cameronclarkhull]

Thank you :) Going next week... Got tickets for the Mischief Comedy shows and some comedians :)

[@AthynVixen]

LOVE Maimuna and she's a lovely girl too. I wish I could see her perform this show. Saw her first in Lazarus. Such talent

[@hyweljones5221]

You should all definitely watch Aquapella. 11:30am at the gilded balloon patter hoose until 27th

[@pienmusic]

Come and see our Royal Conservatoire of Scotland show of Little Women or Godspell!

[@Fatal_Envy]

Been dying to go to the Fringe for years (and nearly booked an impulse ticket for 1 show but trains would have ruined me). My 2 picks are; Muff Said by Your Aunt Fanny (amazing comedy troupe, worked with a couple of them a few years back and saw them a few times before, absolute hoot) and Nick Helm's What Have We Become? (the near impulse purchase). One of my fav standup comics, and I'm gutted his tour isn't coming to my city either. Saw him twice and met him, he's darkly hilarious and a complete gem

[@nowrockyourheartout]

My top tips would be to bring clothing for all seasons (raincoat, hoodie, and sunglasses!) as the weather really does shift quickly. Also comfortable shoes. And if you’re not sure what to see, just walk up the royal mile! You’ll get handed flyers for shows and can chat to the people flyering about what they’d recommend. I’m surprised you’re not seeing Sh*tfaced showtime Mickey - it’s a musical where one of the actors is drunk and chaos ensues! I’m seeing 17 shoes in three days - excited!

[@sammc324]

Just back from 4 days at the fringe and Happy Meal was beautiful, Brown Boys Swim was another fantastic play though I believe it is now sold out. Musicals wise, Prejudice and Pride was a lovely piece of new writing with folk music and a really talented cast of actor musicians and just felt really wholesome, Sex With Friends had a nice score and it was worth seeing for that. The conservatoire of Scotland are doing a production of Godspell that I could have watched for 3 or 4 more hours it was so slick, the cast and direction were so good, I will not be surprised to see some of them being big names in MT in the next few years. I wish I had more time there as the reviews come in. I’ll be waiting patiently for your reviews to come in!

[@anniefraz2874]

Don't wear hibs clothes or green/white for the tynecastle gigs haha

[@medeathemusical8451]

Such a great roundup of shows 😍 We’re a brand new musical heading up to Fringe this year, filled with catchy songs and dark humour! It’s a rock concert in a courtroom and we’d love you to come along - playing from 15th-28th August!! 🥰 We’ve got a few songs on our channel if you’d like a taster ✨

[@sharonalexander4052]

I was given a free ticket to a one man show, Candy. Was very impressed!

[@arthurbell251]

Agreed with all of your critics picks!Airborne theatre's Bye Bye Baby is so good if you get a chance to have a look and watch it, it's in the space UK Venue 36!

[@emilybampton2629]

I saw Brown Boys Swim and it was excellent!! It's coming to Soho Theatre in the Autumn

[@colleenbenedetto5440]

Love your videos would love to know your take on The Door McAllen church’s version of Hamilton. It is a crazy story on so many levels!!

[@kithale316]

I am from Edinburgh and have lived nearly all my life in the city centre. Top tips from a resident: don't eat anywhere on or near the Royal Mile - rip off Avoid Leith Walk as we still have tramworks going in and roads are closed. In the old town, Mile Castle areas pickpocks are rife so do not dress like a tourist. No Edinburgh T Shirts or tartan, we just don't do that. Weather can be terrible, take wet weather gear. It's windy so umbrellas do not work. Cobbles everywhere so comfortable shoes. Stay out of the dark "closes" at night - not safe. Don't just go to shows. The wonderful museums are mostly free and the buildings in the Edinburgh New Town are beautiful. Go to Stockbridge. It's where I'm from. It's boho, fabulous atmostphere and great places to eat at normal prices. Visit Rose Street pubs in the new town. Parking is AWFUL and expensive, use buses from LRT. Have a wonderful time in my home city. 💓

[@YanaBana79]

Great tips! I would love to see you comment on the Door McAllen Hamilton ;p.

[@carolinechapman]

I saw I wish my life was like a musical today at the fringe and it was great! It’s a humourous look at the world of being in the musical theatre business as an actor but all told through song and dance by four amazing performers. Highly recommend - it’s at gilded balloon Patter Hoose.

[@ashleyj97]

We have a fringe festival in my city. Each show only gets 3 performances, and it's not as highly promoted, so it's much easier to make a profit

[@barbarabradley457]

Edinburgh local here! Very excited to see Assassins this week and Shit-Faced Shakespeare which is always good fun! Also food recommendations in the city centre: Mosque Kitchen (really good curry for cheap), the Auld Hoose (near pleasance), Italian on the Mound (good for a quick sandwich and cannoli), and Mash Bar on bank street if you want to try haggis

[@thekirstybarnesshow]

I'm so excited i'm headed off to my first fringe this year to see my friends new musical that they're taking up - Plague! at THESPACETRIPLEX- I can't wait! I crewed the show the first time round in Leeds and it's honestly really funny, amazingly talented cast, and really good songs. I know I'm biased but I would recommend checking them out! (Second plug there are some original cast recordings on their youtube and the demo album is on spotify and apple music - Plague by Sidgwick and Sanders) Also there were so many helpful tips in this video for me and my tendency to overplan! ☺

[@cedgson91]

Think the first week was previews I stayed in a hostel last time Assembly festival and underbelly are 2 big venues that cover a lot of shows. Also pleasance & guilded balloon. There might be some free comedy gigs. Usually in smaller venues. Keep an eye out for people handing out flyers

[@mumplaysthesims8396]

Wow that sounds incredible!! Once the kids get older I'll defo be going

[@dannirayner7444]

If you love musicals you should also go and check out some musical comedy! I'm biased because she's a very dear friend but head over to House of Oz to check out Gabbi Bolt's debut at the fringe - I Hope My Keyboard Doesn't Break. Beautiful voice, hilarious songs and such a great time.

[@larrycippola7506]

Thanks!

[@beckydownes8541]

Got to see Nyctophilia, up and coming company with a lot of hype around them!

[@MissFiono]

I’ve reviewed Mind Mangler, Charlie Russell Aims to Please and Hungry so far along others, all recommended!

[@MissFiono]

And re: weather, I’ve done four days so far and didn’t need to wear my cagoul once 😉

[@cedgson91]

Last time I went was 2019 For this year would highly recommend watching Jess Robinson Legacy and Briefs factory Bite club - saw their previews, both brilliant!

[@evieradmore2669]

Hey mickey I saw you in Disneyland today x was too nervous to say hi 👋

[@amymay7032]

First weekend done - top shows Troye Hawke, Showstopper (a Biggy but I can’t get the improv songs out of my head!) and Rob Madge was beaut. Thankfully I own a flat in Edinburgh so have never had to worry about accom but it’s very easy to spend an absolute fortune. Top tip: the first weekend is always cheaper with many venues offering discounted shows. I went to see Abandoman and Foil arms and hog for £5.

[@amymay7032]

Oh also…I blooming miss the app!! Nothing better than the “what’s on now” feature.

[@amymay7032]

Ooh one final thing…every show started late. By 10-25 mins. Make sure you have plenty time either side to run to the next venue between shows.

[@theotherlauren]

My friends at Time and Again Theatre Company are doing an original play called Earwig which is about (D)deafness in a 1920s setting and it looks like a lot of fun so if that sounds intriguing you should definitely check it out :) Also yes, Scottish weather is so fickle. Bring layers 😂😂😂

[@popmd11]

My uni is doing a new musical called 'The Vampyre' at TheSpace which I'm performing in, it's a dark gothic musical based on the story of Carmilla

[@kathyrose8750]

Ive lived in Edinburgh for 4 years and have always avoided the Fringe as that’s what all my local friends suggested, but this year I’m actually going for the first time! It is funny how much most local people say to go away for the whole of August. It does make it impossible to get anywhere in the city!

[@amymay7032]

It took me 4 years too 😂. Thankfully I’m north Edinburgh so the fringe doesn’t impact my day to day life too much.

[@stephpiano2908]

i highly recommend seeing michelle brasier’s show average bear!!

[@jonchurch7773]

Interesting that you mentioned Electrolyte, one of my favourites shows ever in a decade of fringe-going. I guess you won't be going to Shannon Matthews the musical!

[@CosmikOnline]

I cannot recommend highly enough "Fruit Flies Like A Banana" which is musical and theatrical but not "musical theatre" but IS incredibly entertaining and wildly inventive and not to be missed.

[@josephlaufer4154]

MickeyJo . . . again, you give the total picture. I am in the US and have always wanted to go. We have Philadelphia Fringe & it's awesome, but Edinburgh is the BEST by far! . . . from JoJo in Phila. (seriously)

[@beltingtokra]

I popped up for a day in 2019 and say about 5 different FREE shows and it was awesome, top tip: wear comfy shoes

[@Ryandunbar1996]

There's a show about the story of before Stan laurel and Charlie Chaplin were famous the name of it escapes me but I recommend that and of course the big one...the royal Edinburgh military tattoo

[@nunziapilato5075]

Mio figlio è ad Edimburgo per il festival ,e lavora in uno dei tanti teatri come sound designer ed è entusiasta

[@donaldabint725]

Apphia Campbell's "Black is the Color of my Voice" about the life of Nina Simone is back at the Fringe and has got great write ups. Are you going to see that? Or have you even seen it before? Enjoy Embra, Mickey!

[@donaldabint725]

Oh, and the Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre is always hilarious? Not sure they are doing the whole of August mind.

[@albagasco1319]

I'm performing this week at Edinburgh Fringe, come and watch Anthem: Movie Musicals, venue 111 :D

[@ruthcorris4273]

Fallen Rose by Buzzbox Theatre is also definitely one worth catching. In Greenside venue at Nicholson Square, it's a queer physical theatre piece about the right to protest. As The Stage described it, "Provocative political theatre that references a youth movement of the past" Only two shows left! Catch us while you can!

[@BrownsBacker]

My daughter attended a performing arts magnet high school in Orlando, FL....her group performed at Fringe in Edinburgh 12-13 yrs ago....great experience for her. Orlando has it's own Fringe festival that has become well known in this country (unfortunately suspended for past two years because of COVID) Not sure if it's returning this year.

[@scribbly2983]

She went to Dr. Phillips? Cool! It looks like they're going again this year. Such a fun school.

[@HeleenvdD]

Truly recommend: "Transhumance", part of the free fringe, a beautiful clown piece about moving beyond the gender binary! Very fringe in a tiny back room somewhere, but you'll forget where you are in no time!

[@nemccann]

Hi Mickey Jo! How do I give you a super thanks? I’m probably missing something very obvious but just can’t figure it out. Hope you have a gorgeous time at the fringe!

[@ScarlettH05]

Go and see This is not a show about Hong Kong, I worked on it at a smaller theatre and its really Interesting, it's very contemporary and there's not much dialogue in english, but thought provoking

[@JB-qf5ep]

My bag is packed and ready to go but can't find anywhere to stay 😭

[@HelenRosemarySmith]

Any Jane Austen fans you might like "Prejudice & Pride" - it's a folk musical story of Pride and Prejudice set in modern day Tennessee with gender swapped characters! I really enjoyed it. The company have come over from Kansas to perform it!

[@RealJustinCrow]

Hi Mikey Jo, hopefully you're still in town when you see this. "The Importance of Being Earnest by 3 f * * king Queens and a duck" is playing the SpaceUK Niddry St (venue 9) until the 20th (not Sundays). If you are on the Mile between Noon and 3 daily you'll see the boys in their Bracknell Black dresses and wigs. 3 bitchy Queens try to stage Wilde's classic but catty infighting and a venue that keeps reducing its time means the performance is a rushed fiasco. Absolutely hilarious! Sold out its 2014 and 2018 run and Out Cast Theatre also sold out other productions they have brought over from Oz. Highly recommended, I think you would like it. Plus the same room is hosting an am dram production of Legally blonde right after lol.

[@ryangibb18]

Just to let anyone know that there a bus if you staying in Glasgow there a 24 hour’s bus Citylink bus 900

[@radjadjaprod9198]

One play that EVERYBODY should watch this year is HART at Greenside (Infirmary Street). It's a short play about Alan L. Hart, a transgender doctor who made major breakthrough on tuberculosis. But the show is about SO MUCH more than that, it's a story that navigates brilliantly through subjects like love, betrayal and lgbtia+ life in the roaring 20's in America. Do not miss it!!

[@andrewhamilton8158]

Unfortunate is amazing, love it so much. Also been to see I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical which is really funny and really insightful into the life of a musical theatre performer (songs on things like auditions, understudies, stunt casting), directed and choreographed by Joanna Goodwin

[@HeleenvdD]

Yes! Went to see it yesterday, highly recommend!!!

[@mattbellcomedy]

If you can - go and see Michelle Brasier’s Average Bear at Assembly. She’s an Aussie who’s trained in musical theatre (with a tour de force of a voice) and writes her own musical comedy shows which are phenomenal. Especially the one that’s in Edinburgh this year - and her new show Reform which I hope she’ll take to Edinburgh next year.

[@lattetown]

Map, Guide, Hotel...that took 10 minutes, My tip skip ahead to hear about the shows.

[@YouFoundMoo]

If you fancy some riotous feminist theatre about bodies, eating disorders, and toilet disasters - please come and see NASTY: big girls being gross mean and sexy at The Space Triplex, 22nd - 27th Aug!! Great video Mickey, super helpful 🕺🕺🕺

[@stephenoswald352]

It would be more interesting if you had actually seen these shows.

[@thephantomfantasia]

Fantastically great women was not in your list

[@thequeensofcups]

Hiya! Our show Bad Teacher is a one-woman comedy on at Underbelly. We’ve sold out for the past few days, but would absolutely love to have you (or anyone else reading this) there. We’re at @thequeensofcups across social media!

[@thequeensofcups]

Big fan of the channel btw it’s one of my comfort viewings (the fact that I’m watching a video on Edinburgh while I’m trying to decompress from Edinburgh says it all)