The galaxy’s greatest genre magazine, STARBURST, has been covering the world’s first and best festival fringe since 2017. This means we’ve seen a fair few shows so far, and we’re always delighted when some of them come back for more, especially as it means even more of our amazing readers can go see them. Here is a list of shows we are delighted to see return to Scotland this year
The Hunger
We are big fans of Black Bright Theatre over at STARBURST, especially as they do some of the most interesting and exciting horror. The Hunger is a must-see for fans of horror drama. It’s a survival story about two women (mother and daughter) doing what they must to survive on a farm as the world ends. Horror-themed theatre at its finest.
Biff to the Future
We’re suckers for a pop-culture style remix of a beloved franchise. Biff to the Future tells the Back to the Future franchise from the point of view of everyone’s most loathed bully, Biff Tannen. A one-man show which uses a lot of wigs and some clever narrative devices, it’s a fun way to celebrate some classic 80’s sci-fi.
The Mothman Cometh
The Mothman has a bit of a cult following as an American Cryptid and tourist attraction, and it seems it has now made a habit of coming over to Scotland every year; presumably to visit Nessie. This one-man show happens mostly in darkness, and it’s a semi-improvised, audience-inspired show about The Mothman trying to find the light. Earnest yet silly, it’s one of those unique shows that makes the Edinburgh Festival Fringe so unique. A must for fans of the bizarre, and likely to delight fans of The Dark Room.
The Mr Thing Show
Fantastic and clever, The Mr Thing Show is your new favourite thing. A live variety show in the style of an old-school TV show, in the style of Noel’s House Party or The Big Breakfast, we join Tom, Owen and Steve on an hour’s worth of silly fun. Steve is, of course, a big purple puppet, and there’s likely to be all the fun of teatime telly, just on the stage.House of Life
Join the RaveRend in what on paper sounds like a cult-gathering but is actually just an excuse for a party. House of Life is an audience participation-heavy show that daubs you in glitter and hypes you up so you leave your cares behind for a short while. Part parody of self-help gurus and mostly a genuinely good time, this is a shared experience that is well worth seeking out.
Mythos: Ragnarök
Wrestling is a form of storytelling that rarely gets to show-off how powerful it can be as a format. Mythos: Ragnarök takes one of the classic stories, the Norse myth of Ragnarök, and retells it in a gloriously violent and sweaty way. It’s performance art with a satisfying thump, and we urge pretty much everyone to go see this show. If you don’t ‘get’ wrestling, this show will unlock everything you didn’t understand about the format. And if you already love this sort of thing, you should book your tickets right now.
Tartan Tabletop: A Dungeons & Dragons Comedy
We’ve been following the progress of Tartan Tabletop for a few years now; TTRPG improv is a hard to master beast, especially at the Fringe. Through a cunning combination of planning and improv, the Tartan team have nailed the fine art of making generic fantasy very funny. If you plan to see one fantasy themed show in Edinburgh this year, make it this one.
The Man Who Thought He Knew Too Much
Superb physical comedy with a spy-fi vibe, The Volloz Collective use incredible acrobatics to evoke a spectacle of James Bond-like high octane action. Unforgettable stuff.
Reuben Kaye
Wickedly funny and devastatingly good at what they do, Reuben is unmissable, and a highlight of every Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Sardonic and brilliant stand-up, of the sort that you simply haven’t seen on British TV.
Swamplesque
Fairy Tales are for everyone, and that simple fact probably explains why the movie Shrek continues to be so beloved. Swamplesque is the simple tale of magical creatures who really, really want to shake their booty. Combining Shrek with burlesque is a truly unforgettable move. This is an incredibly body-positive show that will have you smiling long after the show ends.
A Young Man Dressed As A Gorilla Dressed As An Old Man Sits Rocking In A Rocking Chair For Fifty-Six Minutes And Then Leaves
Does what it says on the tin. One of these days we’ll get an interview with the super-star ape. A fringe classic, and it will be well attended, so arrive early.
