Liam Rudden's Must See Fringe Shows
We're now well into rehearsals for the four Edinburgh Fringe productions I'm directing – full disclosure, they are Fallen Angel, a play inspired by the 500 year old supernatural story of the Faerie Boy of Leith, The Omega Factor – By The Pricking Of My Thumbs, a continuation of the cult BBC TV series filmed in Edinburgh in the 70s (it was about paranormal investigators and went on to inspire The X Files), Hingin' Oan For Googsie, a Scottish comedy starring River City's Jimmy Chisholm, and Revenge, a dark thriller that's on for just one night!
You'll find them all on www.edfringe.com and if you do come along, please say hello, I'll be the exhausted nervous wreck hiding at the back of the venue (Grand Lodge on George Street) each night.
Those aside, once again I've compiled my Five Must See shows in each category for this year's event – I know, the programme can be quite overwhelming, where do you start? Hopefully, these suggestions will help you have a great Fringe – there's even more on line at www.theedinburghreporter.co.uk as well as extensive coverage on www.mustseetheatre.com.
Just remember, most shows have days off during their run so do check when booking and, of course, dates, times and tickets for all these shows are available now on www.edfringe.com
Until next month,
Happy Fringe-going,
Liam
The cast of Hingin' Oan Fir Googsie – John McColl (Gadge, also writer), Amy Fraser (Plucky), Jimmy Chisholm (Ghillie) and Alan Ireby (Potter), photo credit Liam Rudden Media
FIVE PLAYS THAT WILL HAVE YOU APPLAUDING
The Insider – Pleasance Dome, 30 July-23 August, 1.30pm
I saw this in 2023. A five star show. I wrote: 'Unexpectedly gripping, brilliantly inventive and technically ground-breaking… an immersive masterpiece'. Don't miss this chance to see it again.
Baxter vs The Bookies – Gilded Balloon Patter House, 30 July-25 August, 1pm
Count Arthur Strong favourite Andy Linden recounts the fluctuating fortunes of an ageing horse-racing tipster adrift in the modern world of technology where, still, no one ever beats The Bookies.
Del Valle: A True Tale of Sex, Drugs, Rock and Roll… and Redemption – Underbelly Bristo, 6-25 August, 2.55pm
Meet a drug-addled actor locked up in prison on a journey of survival, sobriety and the power of art. Told by the man who was in Rm 100 of the Chelsea Hotel with Sid and Nancy… that night.
Monstering The Rocket Man by Henry Naylor – Pleasance Dome, 30 July-24 August, 4.10pm
Elton John vs The Sun – punch-ups, gangsters, bugged phone calls, a 10-million pound divorce suit and a pair of Devil Dogs. Will Elton remain standing? Or will The Sun go down on him?
Motorhome Marilyn – Gilded Balloon Patter House, 30 July-25 August, 5.30pm
Eastenders favourite Michelle Collins makes her Fringe debut in this dark comedy about an aspiring actress hoping to live up to her icon… but in 1980's, Hollywood her dreams are faltering.
The Insider
FIVE MUSICALS TO GET YOUR TOES TAPPING
World's Greatest Lover – Pleasance Courtyard, 31 July-24 August, 6.30pm
What is love? The conniving Casanova, star-crossed Romeo, clandestine Cyrano de Bergerac and deadly Marquis de Sade embark on a quest to discover the true meaning of love.
Falling In Love With Mister Dellamort – C aquila, 30 July-24 August, 7pm
Three lost souls receive mysterious New Year's Eve invitations. As secrets are revealed things take a sinister turn in this pop-Goth musical featuring the haunting tones of a theremin.
Dystopia – The Rock Opera, Braw Theatres @ Grand Lodge, 1-16 August, 5.20pm
Blistering musicality, razor sharp political satire and spectacular masks collide as a prison band of dictators and traitors take you on an exhilarating journey from tyranny to enlightenment.
Footballer's Wives The Musical – Assembly Rooms (30 July-24 August, 6.35pm.
Based on the ITV series of the same name, this sassy new musical comedy of waggish excess, features attempted murder, sexual impropriety, singing, dancing and absolutely no football.
1457, The Boy At Rest – Assembly George Square, 31 July-24 August, 2.45pm.
Poignant new musical brings to life the short and tragic story of Korea's youngest king. Crowned at just 12, dethroned at 15, and dead by 17 his is a life marked by love, betrayal, and sorrow.
FIVE FUNNIES TO MAKE YOU LAUGH
John Shuttleworth: Raise The Ooof – Pleasance Courtyard, 11-15 August, various times
The BBC Radio 4 favourite is back with more hilarious stories and songs performed on his trusty Yamaha organ as he celebrates 40 years in showbiz.
The Chief: Still No Apologies – Gilded Balloon Appleton, 1-17 August, 7pm
BAFTA award-winning Jack Docherty returns after a 2024 sell-out run. Favourite bits, classic bits, improvised bits and bits that aren't even really bits but are, nonetheless, still bits.
Rosie O'Donnell: Common Knowledge – Gilded Balloon Appleton, 1-10 August, 8.45pm
Eleven-time Emmy and Tony Award winner, brings her debut show to the Fringe. Expect her signature blend of heart, humour and honesty and unique reflection.
Larry Dean: Work In Progress – Monkey Barrel Comedy, 1-7 August, Noon
Join Larry as he tries out some new jokes. As seen and heard on Live at the Apollo, the Royal Variety Performance and Michael McIntyre's Big Show – Larry that is, not the new jokes.
A History Of Scotland In 6 Bad Ideas – Brewdog Lothian Road, 2-24 August, 1.25pm
Celebrate Scotland's long, proud history of blunders, errors, hysteria, greed, hysterical greed and batshit stupidity as Mark searches for Scotland's worst ever idea.
Filthy Tongues
FIVE GIGS TO GO TO
The Filthy Tongues – The Famous Spiegeltent, 13 August, 9.30pm
Spawned from the core of indie faves Goodbye Mr Mackenzie, led by the menacing presence of Martin Metcalfe, don't miss this band at the peak of their powers in this intimate gig.
ABBA Odyssey: The Live Concert – Greyfriars Hall, 9 & 24 August, various times
Another 2024 sell-out concert returns featuring all the hits you know and love, plus a few hidden gems for the most devoted ABBA fans.
Pete Doherty – La Belle Angele, 12 & 13 August, 7pm
Join the legendary co-frontman of The Libertines as he performs his brilliant new album, Felt Better Alive.
Pussy Riot: Riot Days – Summerhall, 12-23 August, 9.30pm
The Russian protest art collective merge punk, electronica, theatre, documentary footage and protest.
Leith Links: Blue Rose Code Presents New Roots – St James Church Leith, 6-9 August, 8pm
The finest Scottish folk and roots artists with support from different a guest artist each evening. Expect one-off collaborations between Blue Rose Code and the guests.
FIVE LOCAL FRINGE STALWARTS
Forth Children's Theatre – School of Rock, 2-9 August, Broughton High, various times
For their 44th Fringe, FCT present the stage adaptation of the hit movie. Join Dewey Finn, as he transforms his students into a rock band.
Leithheatre – Calendar Girls, 2-16 August, Inverleith St Serf's Centre, various times
When Annie's husband John dies, she and her best friend persuade four fellow WI members to pose nude for a charity calendar to raise funds for the local hospital.
Edinburgh People's Theatre – Hatches, Matches and Dispatches, 1-16 August, Newington Trinity Church Hall, various times
1947 – Rivalries between Leith and Edinburgh impact on the impending marriage of a young couple with hilarious results.
EGTG – The Children, 4-9 August, The Royal Scots Club, 8.30pm
In the aftermath of a nuclear meltdown two retired scientists move to a seaside cottage outside the contamination zone. Order is hope. And hope is life… until death comes to call.
Arkle Theatre Company – Nancy's Philosopher, 5-16 August, The Royal Scots Club, 3.30pm
In their final Fringe, Arkle look to the Enlightenment, where a scandalous rumour of David Hume's relationship with a much younger woman is doing the rounds, but what is Nancy's story.
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