Fringe 2025

If you’re after a performer with energy levels that could rival a toddler on a sugar rush, look no further than Mario the Maker Magician. This guy practically bounces across the stage, his enthusiasm radiating so strongly it’s downright contagious. Honestly, you leave the show feeling like you’ve had a double shot of espresso—except with a lot more glitter and giggles. Now, a little heads up: Mario talks fast. Like, really fast. At times, I found myself playing mental catch-u

Lei-LDN is one of those shows that knows roughly where it wants to take you but sometimes fumbles the map. The direction was mostly coherent, and for much of the performance the vision held together well—but at certain points, it lost its footing. A few scenes drifted in pacing, either lingering too long or rushing through beats that could have breathed a little more. Lighting design was generally fine, doing its job without stealing focus. But every so often a cue would feel

The Bush is a curious beast. It starts with a vision—semi-coherent, but definitely there—before occasionally losing its way like someone who’s sure they know the shortcut but ends up circling the block three times. The direction had moments of real promise, but it felt like the ideas didn’t always connect cleanly, leaving the show occasionally adrift. The set was a nice exercise in minimalism: simple, functional, and—most importantly—leaving enough space for the audience’s im

Some shows at the Fringe make you think you’re in the hands of a visionary. This one removes all doubt. From the moment the lights went down, it was clear the director knew exactly what they wanted and had the chutzpah to actually pull it off. Every beat, every transition, every calculated pause felt intentional. Were there tiny imperfections? Sure. But they were the kind of flaws you only notice because everything else is so good—like finding a smudge on the Mona Lisa and re

Me: Why don't you just start by telling. Just tell us a little bit about yourself.  Max: I am a comedian and ventriloquist and my debut Fringe this year. After having watched stuff at the Fringe for many, many years. I grew up just outside Edinburgh and so it's sort of. It's been a long time coming and it's been great so far. I know I've only done a week, but it's been really good so far.  Me: How does it feel for you, obviously, growing up near Edinburgh? How does it feel to

Aaron walks with a cane, and everyone asks 'what happened?'. Aaron answers the question twice, first with a story you've heard a thousand times, and then with one you've never heard before. Faced with a spinal-cord injury, follow Aaron's journey to understand this new body in the uncertain world of first loves, online dating and sex. The show untangles his own understanding of his body and the stories he tells himself. Falling is an uncomfortably sexy and hilariously vulnerab

Some shows gently pull you in. This one grabs you by the lapels, yanks you into its madness, and doesn’t let go for 60 minutes straight—and somehow, you’ll thank it for the ride. Switching between a multitude of roles with lightning speed, each actor breathes distinct life into their characters, making it incredibly easy to forget it’s the same few performers cycling through an entire population of oddballs. Their physicality, comic timing, and willingness to dive headfirst i

'My show is about hope. It's also about mental illness, good liars, bad ideas, Lorraine Kelly and a gang lord forcing me to hold a raw chicken. But it's mostly about hope. I live with a complex mental illness called borderline personality disorder (BPD) and I started writing this, about that, in January 2020. It's been a long 5 years, but I'm finally here. I hadn’t planned on seeing Joe’s show. In fact, I figuratively bumped into him earlier in the day, and after a quick chat

Stepping into a theatre to watch a one-man show can feel like a gamble—will it hold your attention, make you laugh, stir something in you? In this case, the answer is a resounding yes. This production, directed with clear affection and thoughtful vision, is a loving tribute to the legendary Charlie Chaplin, packed with humour, heart, and just the right amount of chaos. Let’s address the pacing up front: the first few minutes move a little slowly. It’s a gentle start, perhaps

Hold the Line' is a new comedy-drama inspired by the true stories of writer and actor Sam Macgregor, who has been working in a NHS 111 call centre for the last 5 years. The play centres on Gary. a health adviser who faces the shift from hell when a patient unexpectedly dies during a routine assessment over the phone. Who's to blame, what consequences will there be? Directed by Laura Killeen, this production is an undeniable showcase of confident, clear-sighted direction. From

Max is, hands down, the most technically skilled ventriloquist I’ve ever seen live. That alone is impressive—but pair it with his irresistible charm, razor-sharp wit, and that mischievous twinkle in his eye, and you’ve got a performer who has the audience eating out of the palm of his hand within minutes (well, maybe not literally—his hands are pretty full with puppets). "Full of Ham" is an ambitious, playful hour that mixes stand-up, puppetry, and a healthy dose of audience