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Edinburgh Fringe 2025 Reviews – Mr Jones, It’s Gonna Blow, Elon Musk: Lost in Space, Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares, The Black Hole, and Ali Woods: Basher

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Mr Jones, Greenside @ George Street.Next year it will be 60 years since the Aberfan disaster, when a coal tip slip engulfed the village of Aberfan, trapping the village’s children in the school and taking 144 lives including 116 children. I am too young to remember it, but my parents, and all the adults of my childhood memory, would talk of it in hushed, sad tones and grim sadness. Liam Holmes’ brilliant new play, Mr Jones, tells the story of the disaster but from a different angle; that of a survivor coming to terms with the loss of a brother. The play offers us three different ways of dealing with the grief; escaping from the community, retreating into a silent shell, and bravely trying to continue as best one can. Immaculately written, with a genuine feel for the love of a small community, and superbly acted by Mabil Gwynne as Angharad and Liam Holmes himself as Stephen, this stunning play is truly emotional but superbly structured to allow for regular opportunities to reflect and celebrate the humour in everyday life. Mrs Chrisparkle was in tears at the end – and she wasn’t the only one. A must-see highlight of the Fringe. 5 stars.

It’s Gonna Blow, Pleasance Dome.4-starsPompeii, 79 AD. We’re queueing up to get into the citizens’ meeting to air our grievances and seek the Gods’ blessings – or if not the Gods’, then at least the Mayor’s. With rumours flying around that Herculaneum is being destroyed by fire and earthquake, it’s so regrettable that the mayor is a conspiracy theorist and a climate change denier. Still, when you’ve still got a bottle of Vesuvio Noir, there’s always hope. Once again, Fishing4Chips bring a historical event to life with a cast of four playing dozens of quirky characters – and plenty of audience participation too! Extremely funny and delightfully inventive, this farce is performed at breakneck speed, by the brilliant Yasmine Meaden, Elinor Solly, Sean Wareing and Freddie Walker, who set up a terrific rapport with the audience. Tremendous fun. 4 stars.

Elon Musk: Lost in Space, The Space at Surgeons Hall.3-starsEveryone loves Elon Musk, right? Just listen to the cheers of the crowd as he ascends into outer space! He’s on a mission to Mars, accompanied only by his specially programmed super computer robot, who will keep him on course and in touch with Ground Control. Basking in his global superiority, he’s only too happy to keep the President of the United States waiting; after all, Trump’s only in charge of his little part of the world for four years, but Musk – he’s the world leader for evermore! Still, even the best systems aren’t infallible, and sometimes those robots grow just a little too big for their boots… David Morley’s Elon Musk: Lost in Space is a fun concept and has some great lines; at its best, it’s very funny. However, it’s also remarkably weird, with some anachronistic contributions, including from Sir Patrick Moore (a regrettably poor vocal impersonation), who died in 2012, long before Musk became a household name. Ben Whitehead nicely recreates Musk’s boorish behaviour with a very good physical performance, and Sarah Lawrie is excellent as the robot; even so, listening to a robotic voice, no matter how well delivered, does get tedious over the course of an hour. Some good ideas, and some funny passages, but overall, the rocket never quite touches down. 3 stars.

Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares, Underbelly Bristo Square.Is it really bad of me never to have come across the wit and voice of Laura Benanti before? Self-proclaimed one-time Tony award winner, four-time Tony award loser, she brings heaps of personality to her one-woman show, named in honour of her plain-talking older daughter. On her third marriage (this one sounds like a keeper), she has some great stories about making it on Broadway, and how being a people pleaser can take you to places you really shouldn’t go. And don’t mention the perimenopause! With a raft of witty and moving songs, accompanied by her three musicians, Laura brings immense style and sophistication – as well as masses of laughter – to her hour of comedy and music. A perfect comedy cabaret. 5 stars.

The Black Hole, The Space at Venue 45.3-starsAh, those carefree early days of young love, how blissfully enchanting they can be! Two young people, apparently in the early stages of a relationship, are exploring each other’s personalities, as well as their bodies, finding out what each other likes and what they don’t like. They clearly both like whisky – and fortunately, he has brought an extra bottle along. But as the explorations delve deeper, the truth can become hard to take. This is a very intense piece of writing, which could perhaps have benefited from a little more light and shade, but it holds the audience’s attention throughout, and Rosalind Jackson Roe and Vkinn Vats, who also wrote and directed it, give strong, unsettling performances. 3 stars.

Ali Woods: Basher, Underbelly Bristo Square.4-starsAli Woods doesn’t want to boast, but his life is going pretty well at the moment. When you reach the perilous age of 31, and all your friends are getting engaged, there’s a lot of pressure to do the same. This is the sparking point for an hour of terrific comedy reminiscences, including nights on the town with the lads when you’re 18, his strangely intimate relationship with his dad, the sad degeneration of a t-shirt to a pyjama top, and generationally different attitudes to social media. Ali is a lively and energetic figure on stage, with a swift and sure delivery of his meticulously well-planned material. Very likeable and very funny, he quickly gains a confident rapport with the crowd, and his set went down a storm. 4 stars.

Edinburgh Fringe 2025 Reviews – Going, #CHARLOTTESVILLE – The play that Trump does not want you to see!, Swan?, Will & Noah: Too Much Time on Their Phones, Girlz, and Oblivion Boys with Gayle Tuesday

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Going, The Space at Niddry Street.4-starsWe’ve all been there – a hot train, a travelling hobo with a guitar who’s not afraid to use it, and an uptight passenger who looks daggers at anyone who comes near. If that isn’t already a recipe for a journey from hell, it only gets worse when the train comes to a sudden halt due to an incident on the line. Studio B Productions’ finely structured and smartly written Going, inspired by the works of Chekhov, gradually reveals each character’s reasons for going where they’re going; and it develops into a fascinating debate on action versus inaction, and to what extent one should be prepared to make sacrifices for a cause. Two superb performances from Nissryne Dib and James Trewin make this a very engrossing and rewarding production. It does rely on a rather massive coincidence, but you forgive it for the dramatic opportunities it allows! 4 stars.

#CHARLOTTESVILLE – The play that Trump does not want you to see! Pleasance Courtyard.In 2017 Priyanka Shetty moved from India to Charlottesville, Virginia, to embark on a drama course at the University of Virginia, with hope in her heart and an expectation of living the American dream. But something is wrong. Fellow student Trent makes jokes about her race, and when she complains to the Head of Department, she is asked not to rock the boat but instead to develop a sense of humour. But Trent is just a small part of a wider problem. On 11th and 12th August 2017, members of several Alt Right groups marched through the city on the Unite the Right rally, torching and terrifying anyone who wasn’t a member of their group. One activist, James Alex Fields Jr, ploughed his car into the crowds and caused the death of a woman named Heather Heyer. Priyanka Shetty has created this astounding play from interviews with Charlottesville citizens and students, as well as from her own experiences at that fateful time, so as never to forget those dreadful events. She also takes us through various scenes from the Court Case, and the whole project helps maintain opposition to the insidious rise of the Far Right. An immensely powerful and extremely important play, Priyanka brings marvellous characterisations to the inhabitants of the town that became a hashtag. A must-see; if, like me, you knew nothing of this event, this show will plug a vital gap in your education. 5 stars.

Swan? Underbelly Cowgate.`3-starsThey say a swan is all serenity above the water, but its little feet are going nineteen to the dozen under the surface. Here’s a swan that’s ostensibly a graceful creature, at home on her private lake, not alone because she has a few cigarette butts for company, as well as her current cigarette, Timothy. If only she could find her own Prince Siegfried she’d be the happiest swan ever. But she does have some demanding criteria that any potential Prince must meet to be considered eligible for that prestigious position. Will she ever find contentment? This playful fantasia on Swan Lake examines the backstory of Odette and makes you confront her plight – how would you cope with the constraints that dictate her life? Both funny and sad, Lauren Brady gives an entrancing portrayal as the swan; a complex character desperate for love and acceptance, it’s an unpredictable and very enjoyable mix of comedy, ballet and clown. There’s also quite a bit of good-natured audience participation! 3 stars.

Will & Noah: Too Much Time on Their Phones, Underbelly, Bristo Square.Spending too much time on their phones is a smart concept on which to base a sketch show, and this is Will BF’s and Noah Geelan’s first stab at writing and performing a sketch show for themselves. They both have great comedic skills, bags of energy and plenty of confidence, which keeps the show moving at a great pace. As is always the case with a sketch show, the proof of the pudding is the number of sketches you find funny. Although there were some very funny sketches – I particularly liked the Uber sketch and the Where’s Wally sketch – unfortunately there were too many sketches that only provoked a wry smile at best. But they’re very likeable on stage, and if they can get some sharper material under their belt they will be a force to reckon with. 2 stars.

Girlz, Greenside @ George Street.Every so often, a new girl band hits the big time, from the soul groups of the 60s, to Bananarama in the 80s, The Spice Girls in the 90s, and now – Girlz! Five wannabe stars made it through the rigorous selection procedure to be part of impresario Colin Cashman’s new pop confection; but, as he makes clear, it will be hard work and they’ll have to do what they’re told, because just as easily as he created them, he could dissolve them. Daf Hughes’ exciting and lively new musical tells the story of the Girlz as they come to terms with fame, relationships, addiction, success and tragedy, and dealing with that wretched manager. This is a fantastic production with evocative lighting and costumes, a superb backing track throughout, credible songs, and a remarkable opening dance sequence choreographed by Monique Salle. Some terrific performances, including Meggie Hughes as Nicky and Daniella Mirels as Alex; and the whole show oozes that girl group vibe. 5 stars.

Oblivion Boys with Gayle Tuesday, Gilded Balloon Patter House.Nostalgia – that’s doubtless the reason we chose to see the Oblivion Boys (Stephen Frost and Mark Arden) together in a double-act for the first time in decades. They always had a touch of the surreal about their material, and they knew how to use precision timing in their frequently nonsensical exchanges. However, I’m afraid their act hasn’t aged well. There’s a lot of hitting each other – and not particularly playfully – which now comes across as barely suppressed toxic masculinity. And that pinpoint precision of delivery is now sadly absent as they mumble and stagger through a few routines. Things brightened up enormously when they introduced as their guest artiste Gayle Tuesday, legendary Page 3 stunnah, who’s shagged dozens of footballers and brings new depths to the art of shallow. A fine comic creation by Brenda Gilhooly, it’s been way too long since we’ve seen Gayle, and although her material was not quite as good as it could be, you can’t help but love the essential kindness and simplicity of the character. So it was a delight to see Gayle, but, alas, the Oblivion Boys didn’t work at all. 2 stars.

Edinburgh Fringe 2025 Reviews – Holly Street, A Covert Affair, I Was a German, Piano Smashers, Motorhome Marilyn, Matt Forde: Defying Calamity, and Kieran Hodgson: Voice of America

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Holly Street, The Space on The Mile.It’s the 35th anniversary of much-loved soap Holly Street, and the writing team gather to flex their creative muscles. Arthur, the leader of the team, has even procured a brand-new whiteboard on which to flesh out their ideas. They’re an ill-matched group, with their own powerplays, bickering, and bullying that both helps and hinders their efforts. However, it soon becomes clear that today is no ordinary script meeting, as the outside world starts to impinge on their office in extremely surreal ways… Lewis McLauchlan’s Holly Street has a clever central concept rooted in fantasy/sci-fi, plays many meta cards making it an unpredictable experience, and he has created some over-the-top characters who are given appropriately over-the-top performances. However, sometimes less is more, and this would have benefited from a calmer, less manic approach. 2 stars.

A Covert Affair, The Space on The Mile.3-starsA male British agent and a female Russian agent meet on an assignment – each has to get as much information as possible about what the other knows to satisfy their demanding superiors. She has no qualms about trapping him in a sexual relationship if that is what it takes to get the job done; he has no problems with being sexually approached. Are they double-crossing each other, or is this love? Some neat writing intriguingly develops the story and the characters, although I found the prurience of the British boss hard to believe. One of the actors is too softly spoken, making it hard to hear everything said, but it’s still an enjoyable tale, entertainingly told. 3 stars.

I Was a German, Zoo Southside.4-starsClare Fraenkel’s grandfather was at the cinema in Berlin in 1933 when a stranger whispered to him that the Gestapo were waiting for him at his flat and that he should escape to Paris while he could. Clearly not easily fazed, this didn’t stop him from attending the party to which he had been invited; but then, when the party was over, he got on a train to Paris and never looked back. Ninety years later, Clare is at the German embassy claiming German citizenship. It’s as though the family has come full circle. But what has brought her to this place, and what made him reject his homeland even after it was safe to go back? This fascinating dramatic analysis of national identity and the differences between then and now brings the brave and resilient Heinz to life and poses some difficult questions about Britain and Europe today. Is the UK the same welcoming country it always has been? At what point do you know that it’s time to abandon your country? Clare is a dynamic and authoritative communicator, and you leave the theatre better informed but uncertain of the future. 4 stars.

Piano Smashers, The Space at Surgeon’s Hall.3-starsOur host Rob Thompson has his pride and joy – a Parker piano that occupies his living room – except that he’s already moved it to a recording studio so he can preserve the sound of his playing it for eternity. But when you tie up all your love and affection into one item, what happens if it should accidentally get damaged? A gentle, reflective play that seeks to find a solution to those inherited items or behavioural patterns that drag us down and prevent us from growing or developing. For Sam and Jo, it’s the problem of what to do with their parents’ piano – but it could be anything for anyone. With some fun audience participation – yours truly ended up playing the part of Jo and masterminding the delivery of the piano onto the stage – something from this play will resonate in your own life and might help you see things from a different perspective. Also: no pianos were smashed during our performance! 3 stars.

Motorhome Marilyn, Gilded Balloon Patter House.4-starsDenise Jarvis is more than just a Marilyn Monroe impersonator, she’s an obsessive. Living in a motorhome, she nevertheless covers her walls and furniture with images of her hero; and she’s not alone because she has her pet snake, Bobby, to keep her company. But Denise has a secret to keep, and when a police detective refuses to leave her alone, she decides to take matters into her own hands. Michelle Collins makes her Edinburgh debut in this absorbing play by Ben Weatherill and the late Stewart Permutt and gives a convincing portrayal of Denise, trying to cling on to her chosen way of life despite the pressures from outside. Fully booked for the entire run, but an extra performance has gone on sale for 23rd August. 4 stars.

Matt Forde: Defying Calamity, Pleasance Courtyard.A classic fifty minutes of extremely funny political stand-up with Matt Forde, whose remarkable vocal impersonations are enhanced by his terrific facial expressions; Keir Starmer, Donald Trump, Angela Rayner, Ed Milliband – even the King all get their turns with Mr Forde’s tremendous political gags and observations. He also doesn’t shy away from his own brush with mortality, with a truly hilarious sequence about one of the more regrettable side effects of his treatment. I didn’t stop laughing the entire time. 5 stars.

Kieran Hodgson: Voice of America, Pleasance Courtyard.4-starsFor as long as he can remember, Kieran Hodgson has been entranced by the thought of America. He loved the movies, he loved the inspirational speeches of JFK, he loved the idea of the bright lights and the notion of the Land of the Free. And he loved the accents, which gave him extra confidence when he won the role of Sandwich Man in the movie The Flash. Voice of America is his exploration of what it means to be American, what he feels about the America of his youth and the America of today, and how America influences the rest of the world. Kieran Hodgson has a smart but relaxed comic delivery, and an engaging, confiding style; and although the structure of the show feels effortless, you can bet that every word he says has been deliberately chosen for its impact. What feels like a comedy tribute to America ends by becoming surprisingly subversive. Very intelligent comedy. 4 stars.

Edinburgh Fringe 2025 Reviews – FLUSH, and God Is Dead and I Killed Him.

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FLUSH, Pleasance Courtyard.Who knows the secrets that get revealed in the women’s toilets at a busy noisy nightclub? A hiding place from a lousy date, a sneaky spot to top up on ketamine, somewhere to cry your eyes out, and somewhere to overhear others talking about you. Friendships are built and destroyed, reputations lost and won, bullies get their comeuppance, and scandals get written on the wall. Launch Box Productions’ FLUSH, written by April Hope Miller, is a superbly structured, stunningly written series of vignettes in the loos which piece together to tell the story of a night out that no one will forget – some because it was fantastic fun, and others because it was a personal disaster. The play demonstrates how sometimes the kindness of strangers is all you need to get you through the tough times – Blanche Dubois knew what she was talking about. Compelling ensemble acting from Ayesha Griffiths, Jazz Jenkins, Miya Ocego, Joanna Strafford as well as writer April Hope Miller, this is a fast moving, extremely funny but also touchingly sad tale of one night in the cubicles. 5 stars.

God Is Dead and I Killed Him, Pleasance Courtyard.4-starsOn a bare stage, with just his guitar in hand, Callum Patrick Hughes invites us to hear the story of his life, from his childhood with an actor father and a teacher mother, both of whom were determined he should join neither the acting nor teaching professions, to his school years where he and his sister found God, through to his adult years when God’s help had kind of run its course, and he and He parted company. Full of enjoyable side stories and characterisations, and some beautiful songs, Callum draws us into his world of family Sundays and school bullies, pub pals and refusing to accept he’s a witch. I’m no music critic, but when Callum sings plaintively to his guitar, he reminded me of the early Cat Stevens. A warm and supportive hour of gifted storytelling. 4 stars.

Edinburgh Fringe 2025 Reviews – Supermarket 86, NIUISA, Baby in the Mirror, Clean Slate, and Anthem for Dissatisfaction

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Supermarket 86, The Space @ Surgeons Hall.4-starsRose serves behind the counter in Ithaca’s Supermarket 86. It’s just another day until a blizzard drives four young women into the shop to take shelter. When the weather makes it impossible for them to leave, the five of them while away the time by playing Truth or Dare – which inevitably leads to unexpected revelations, forgotten relationships and the tying up of loose ends. Company Dream House’s production features a smartly written and well-structured script and an ensemble of five superb actors, each bringing their characters to life with a lovely balance of comedy and bleakness. The story does rather rely heavily on coincidence, but nevertheless, it’s and enjoyable watch and very well acted. 4 stars.

NIUISA, Summerhall4-starsBeth remembers her grandmother as being an angry, difficult woman. But she knows that Grandmother Niusia had an extraordinary life with an important tale to tell. Born in 1922, a Polish Jew, she not only survived the Holocaust, but she also helped others to survive it. Through recorded conversations and memories with her mother Susie, Beth assembles a picture of what this incredible woman represented, achieved and thought. Whilst some of the material is hard-hitting and distressing, it’s also infused with humour and humanity, and Beth Paterson comes across as a very caring and responsible performer and conduit for her grandmother’s voice, directly addressing the audience to share in her love and respect for Niusia and also to think about and prize those who have gone before in our own families. A strongly delivered but sensitive piece, this personal memoir seizes your attention and holds you long after the show is over. 4 stars.

Baby in the Mirror, Summerhall.3-starsLena and Joey are moving into a new place and all their possessions are in boxes. They’re also planning a baby, with Lena’s best friend Ollie doing the honours with his own contribution (the sperm), and they’re planning a party to celebrate. But tensions are running high; Ollie isn’t coming to visit as planned, Lena’s mother is pestering her daughter about the party catering, and when Lena gets it in her head that Joey isn’t as committed to the baby as she thought they were…. It’s not conducive to a party atmosphere. Having three potential parents could always lead to conflict, but when Ollie gets caught between the arguments of his two friends, is every aspect of their relationships at risk? Second Adolescence’s production provides an interesting slant on the subject of sperm donation, and there’s no shortage of talent on stage, with powerful performance from all three cast members. However, the play itself is stodgy, with some unnecessary padding (the sheet and duvet scene appears tacked on purely for laughs), and the selfish bully Lena is so unlikeable throughout, that it makes it hard for the audience to care about her plight. The awkward confrontation scene between all three characters works well, but there’s a lot of faffing around that gets in the way. 3 stars.

Clean Slate, Summerhall.Weaponised incompetence; have you ever heard of it? It’s when someone feigns incompetence deliberately in order to relieve them from the burden of doing something they don’t want to do. It’s not just quirky behaviour though, it can be a serious impediment in relationships. Just ask Louisa Marshall, who plays the central character in this innovative and hilarious production, battling her way to always look on the positive side in her relationship with someone who swept her off her feet and never swept anything again. Boldly staged in traverse, you enter the Gents Locker Room at Summerhall to the strains of Alesha Dixon’s The Boy Does Nothing, setting the scene for this story of a nice chap who never follows through on any promises, and never does anything around the home, from ignoring an Ikea flat-pack project to not remembering where the dishwasher is. What’s different about the ingenious presentation of Clean Slate is how the production relies heavily on audience participation, with almost everyone in the audience representing the boyfriend from Hell at some point. Powerful, thought-provoking and delightfully original, this is Fringe at its best! 5 stars.

Anthem for Dissatisfaction, Summerhall.3-starsThey say we never forget or fall out of love with the soundtrack of our youth; for siblings Sarah and Jamie that means a joint love of Oasis, the Manic Street Preachers, Fleetwood Mac, and more. Anthem for Dissatisfaction traces the family upbringing of Jamie and Sarah, through the poverty their family faced as the breadwinners lost their jobs and couldn’t get others, through their school lives and on to hopes for university – happy, just as long as they had access to the latest edition of New Musical Express. It’s a heartwarming show rooted in the siblings’ shared love for music, and what their chosen bands mean to them. Written by Gina Donnelly, who also appears as Sarah alongside Simon Sweeney’s Jamie, this is a feelgood show that examines our identities and our relationship with the songs we grew up with. 3 stars.

Edinburgh Fringe 2025 Reviews – How Not to Fund a Honeymoon, A Small Town Northern Tale, Alright Sunshine, Colours Run, The Sculpture, and Accordion Ryan’s Pop Bangers

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How Not to Fund a Honeymoon, The Space Triplex.Gwendoline and Charlotte are a bit short for cash, and there’s a honeymoon in the Maldives to pay for. However, Gwen’s Aunt Robyn is on holiday in Corfu, and Charlotte knows exactly where she keeps her safe in the kitchen. What’s a little breaking and entering between relatives? How Not to Fund a Honeymoon starts so promisingly with two cracking scenes showing the ghastly uncaring Robyn and the delightfully inept wannabe thieves – and it’s a fun concept and it’s an ingenious plot. However, there’s a cringeworthy questioning scene including an incompetent comedy PC Plod straight out of the pages of Enid Blyton, and the final scene is ruined by a lot of shouting. A shame, because this is a good idea that gets let down by the script. 2 stars.

A Small Town Northern Tale, Underbelly Cowgate.4-starsYoung David was happy in his early years, brought up as an inner-city kid with a loving mum and grandfather, and even a brother he got on with – unfortunately, his father was not so loving, but everyone has their cross to bear. But when David’s mother decides enough is enough, they move out to a small northern town, where David – as a mixed-race kid, the only one in the district – finds it hard to fit in. But he does have one friend, Lee, and together they become teenagers and occasionally David has doors of opportunity open up, only to have them slammed in his face again. This remarkable tale of David’s formative years – inspired by real life events – is told with energy and passion by Nathan Jonathan, who brilliantly expresses all that teenage goofiness, uncertainty and awkwardness, as he grows into a young man who can stand on his own two feet and fight his own battles. Engrossing from the very start, and full of atmosphere and incident, Nathan Jonathan is a fantastic storyteller and this is a riveting hour to which everyone can relate. 4 stars.

Alright Sunshine, Pleasance Dome.4-starsIt’s one thing to take pride in your work; it’s another thing to take it to extremes. Nicky is a police officer patrolling The Meadows in Edinburgh – as she points out, it’s only a circus venue for us soft Fringey types, but for the other eleven months of the year it’s a busy, action-packed patch of land used by anyone and everyone. Any time of day or night she might be there, watching, waiting, trying to keep one step ahead of whatever criminality might be lurking. The Meadows are her patch; she lives to keep it safe, even if that’s to the detriment of her own family life. It’s so easy just to overstep the mark when you’re a police officer, as Molly Geddes’ superb performance in Isla Cowen’s constantly surprising play demonstrates. Beautiful writing – the descriptions of daily life on The Meadows are almost poetic in the way they conjure up the atmosphere – and terrific acting make this a tense and exciting drama. 4 stars.

Colours Run, Summerhall.Brothers Pongo and Pete support Hibernian; Pete loves to wear the scarf and hat, and as for Pongo, he likes to express his football interests in another way. In an examination of toxic masculinity that’s both disturbing and gut-wrenchingly unpleasant, Pongo bullies his brother – who clearly has some form of learning disability – and deprives him of freedom and choice. That abuse started when they were young – and goes further than either of them can dare express in words. When Pongo discovers that Pete has somehow managed to connect to the Internet, what retribution will he take? Two very good performances from Ruaraidh Murray as Pongo and Sean Langtree as Pete, but in a play that’s truly hard to watch; repetitive, and with a constant threat of violence just around the corner. There’s a quiz interlude that I think is meant to lighten the mood of the play but just comes across as irrelevant padding. As a play about an irredeemably bad man, it’s a bold subject for a dark comedy, and indeed it is not very funny. I admire the attempt to convey something different and they certainly conjure up a threat of menace, but personally I found it too unpleasant to enjoy. 2 stars.

The Sculpture, Just the Tonic at the Caves.3-starsHave you ever heard of Molly O’Day? I certainly hadn’t, but Northern Lights Theatre are here to plug your education gap with this surprisingly emotional musical play by Jack Hewitt about the Hollywood star of the 1920s and 30s who shot to fame at the age of 16 in the film The Patent Leather Kid, but who couldn’t keep her initial stardom because she wasn’t as slim as the movie industry and the hard-nosed journos demanded. The script emphasises how the criticism of her weight and the newspaper tittle-tattle affected her mentally. Engagingly performed by an ensemble of seven actors, including a terrific performance by Lucy Bytheway as Molly. Informative and thought-provoking, as well as entertaining. 3 stars.

Accordion Ryan’s Pop Bangers, Gilded Balloon @Appleton Tower.An hour in the company of Accordion Ryan is a musical treat quite unlike any other. Cheekily grinning from under his flowing locks, Ryan oomphs up the energy by getting his crowd singing and clapping along, sometimes to an accordion version of a pop classic, sometimes to his own compositions – which are either charming and wistful, or, more likely, comical and quirky. He makes you feel completely at ease, and – be warned – there is quite a bit of audience participation (always good natured) and you may well get wet! Come with an open mind, a warm heart and a voice in good tune and you’ll have a whale of a time! His Scottish medley is a particular highlight – no spoilers, but the Bay City Rollers played on the accordion? Genius! 5 stars.

Edinburgh Fringe 2025 Reviews – The Birthday Party: A Theatrical Catastrophe, Miss Brexit, Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence, LEI – LDN, and Rusk

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The Birthday Party: A Theatrical Catastrophe, The Space at Surgeons’ Hall.4-starsLos Angeles-based British actor Nick Ullett reminisces about the time he got a job in the Geffen Playhouse production of Harold Pinter’s The Birthday Party in 2014. This would be a dream job as he’s always wanted to appear in this play, which would be directed by legendary film director William Friedkin. What could possibly go wrong? Quite a lot actually! Nick’s funny and informative talk is full of wonderful anecdotes and insights into some of theatre’s bigwigs coming to grips with Pinter’s landmark play. They say the show must go on – but Nick’s story tests that theory to the limit! A thoroughly entertaining and personal narration. 4 stars.

Miss Brexit, Underbelly Bristo Square.Do you remember a certain referendum from 2016? Created by David Cameron to shut up the anti-Europe faction of the Conservative Party? The one that was only ever meant to be purely advisory? Watching the projections of news headlines at the time of the Brexit vote on the screen before the show started, I thought I was going to sit angrily all through the show. But within a minute of its starting, I was in hysterics. Miss Brexit is the most hilarious and inventive satire of a political act that I thought was beyond satire. Four wannabe Brits, from Spain, Catalonia, Switzerland and Portugal, compete for the title of Miss Brexit, which will give them the right to remain in the UK; the other three will be summarily deported. But this is not just a campy fun excuse for a beauty parade, it emphasises the plight that overseas workers face in the UK, with exploitation, inadequate housing and xenophobia. The MC puts our contestants through some humiliating experiences in an attempt to win the crown, with a truly witty script, some extremely funny songs and five stunning performances by Alba Villaitodo, George Berry, Maxence Marmy, Ricardo Ferreira and Shivone Dominguez Blascikova. Mr Berry’s quick-thinking ad-libs with the crowd and Ms Villaitodo’s tremendous physical comedy are extra highlights. You laugh all the way through, even if you hate yourself for doing so. 5 stars.

Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence, Assembly George Square Studios.What I know about netball can be written on the back of sports shirt, but fortunately, we’re in the company of the Dunsinane Hellhounds, with Coach Duncan trying her hardest to choose the best captain to lead the team for the first game in the season. When she chooses Chloe Macduff, Mac Beth is not best pleased. Will she take this rejection lying down? What do you think?! Courtney McManus, Ana Ferreira Manhoso and Bec Price have written a very funny and engaging musical that not only conveys the sense of being part of a sports team but also is a very clever parody of Macbeth, with so many Shakespearean references sneaking in throughout the whole show. Energetically and powerfully performed, with some great characterisations – from loyal Summer Banquo to thick Brooke Ross, and Mia Porter, Macduff’s cousin, brought in from their arch enemy, the Birnam Owls. An excellent opportunity to see Macbeth from another direction. Great fun, and it received a huge reception from the very full house. A palpable hit! (Oops, wrong Shakespeare). 5 stars.

LEI – LDN, Pleasance Courtyard.4-stars From NY to LA? Not quite! Na-Keisha Pebody tells the vibrant story of 17 year old Chardaye, growing up half Jamaican and half English in Wigston, Leicester, and the journey that takes her from LEI to LDN, in other words from the Highcross Shopping Centre to the Westfield Shopping Centre Stratford. With a much-loved father who took care of her, a distant mother with whom she was never close and a well-meaning but strict aunt, she’s never alone but nevertheless has to learn to fend for herself. She also needs to discover her own identity and become comfortable who she is. Na-Keisha gives a lively, exciting, unpredictable performance, involving the audience in many unexpected ways in this very well-written and structured show that showcases her tremendous talents. Enormous fun and thought-provoking, you may even get to dance with her! 4 stars.

Rusk, Greenside @ George Street.3-starsTo most Brits, a Farley’s rusk is one of those things you give babies on which to try out their first teeth – softish, slightly biscuity, and delicious. Once a Farleyman, always a Farleyman, as the advert used to go. Nik Narain’s Rusk is not only the title of his show but the biscotti-type snack that you dunk in your tea. Is it a biscuit, or is it a cake – or is it somewhere between the two? Comedy with a science background and from a queer angle, Nik tells us about his journey that has brought him to where he is today, as a Rusk-like Indian trans man living in North Carolina. On the way, there are several comedy highlights including running the closet for the LGBTQ+ department at university, the link between the Edinburgh Fringe and Costco, and the possibility of bisexual cows. Nik has a very warm and friendly style that welcomes you and puts you at ease as he delivers his clever material with confidence and fluidity. There were a few American references that went over my head, but there were also several Americans in the audience who found them very funny – so that must be a good sign! An enjoyable and entertaining hour. 3 stars.

Edinburgh Fringe 2025 Reviews – Ah-Ma, Trust Me, I’m from Essex, Rachel Morton-Young: Dutch Courage, Some Masterchef Sh*t, Nick It for Munich, Jason Thurston’s Acting MasterClass with Jason Thurston, and Cody and Beau: A Wild West Story

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Ah-Ma, The Space at Niddry Street.What defines us as a person? Is it the name on our birth certificate, or the fingerprints on our hands? And when someone slowly falls into dementia, does that reduce who they are, or does the true person live on in the memories and genes of their relatives? Cathy Lam’s intensely moving and powerful play about her long-lasting bond with her grandmother, both as a child who could not bear to be separated from her, and as an adult now living the United States but always keeping touch, is a finely and delicately written piece, given a stunningly eloquent performance by Kasen Tsui. An elegant account of coming to terms with separation and dementia. Take your tissues, it’s an emotional experience! 5 stars.

Trust Me, I’m from Essex, Greenside @ George Street.4-starsAhhh, Sarfend-on-Sea, the stuff that dreams are made on. Everyone’s got their own opinion of what an Essex girl is like – and sometimes the stereotype fits. But Lindsay Lucas-Bartlett is no ordinary Essex girl. She takes us on a journey from her childhood, with an abusive father and being bullied at school, to University in London, with its dubious night life, through a series of personal tragedies but eventual happiness, not in Shoeburyness but in Los Angeles. Trust Me I’m From Essex is a smartly written, endlessly fascinating story full of great characterisations and witty songs. Complemented by effective and amusing screen projections, Lindsay is an engaging performer who draws you into her life, loves and laughs, while never obscuring life’s darker side. A very satisfying show! 4 stars.

Rachel Morton-Young: Dutch Courage, Laughing Horse at the Raging Bull.4-starsDespite being born and raised in England, Rachel Morton-Young has lived for the past twenty-six years in the Netherlands. Her grandmother lived there until she came to England with a British soldier at the end of the Second World War. Now Rachel sees herself as living out the life her grandmother could have had, if she had stayed! It’s so refreshing to watch a comedy show that’s devoted to one particular subject – a comparison of the way of life between the UK and the Netherlands – because all Rachel’s material has the benefit of being totally original. And the differences between the two countries are surprisingly substantial, from the methods of making tea to the ins and outs of sex education; from the way you wrap a present to the Santa Claus/Sinterklaas rituals. Rachel is a very engaging and warm presence on stage, who puts you at ease and sets up a superb rapport with the audience. She is also a master storyteller of all her hilarious anecdotes. Extremely funny and well worth prioritising in your afternoon Fringe plans! 4 stars.

Some Masterchef Sh*t, Greenside @ George Street.4-starsAdam and Luke meet up at a café. Adam seems confident, Luke seems tongue-tied; this must be a tentative first date, right? However, as their meeting develops, we realise something stranger is being proposed – something that could have far-reaching consequences for both. An extremely inventive and original concept for the play, Some Masterchef Sh*t leads you up several garden paths before finally revealing its truth. Smart and witty writing by Liam High matched by two excellent performances from George Miller and Harry Freeman. If you want to see a play with a very different kind of plot twist, this is the one for you! 4 stars.

Nick It for Munich, Greenside @ George Street.4-starsJamie’s big dream is to attend the opening match of the 2024 Euros – Scotland versus Germany in Munich. His dad had promised that the whole family would go to the Euros the next time Scotland qualified. But the timing isn’t good – his mum is in hospital and she’s not doing well. Nevertheless, there must be a way to realise his dream… Aric Hanscomb-Ryrie has written a heartwarming boys’ own adventure of football-mad Jamie’s attempt to get there for the match, and he gives an energetic and endearing performance, full of physicality and humour. You desperately want Jamie to succeed with his quest – and also get home safely! An escapist and engrossing production that’s great fun. 4 stars.

Jason Thurston’s Acting MasterClass with Jason Thurston, The Space at Niddry Street.We gather as an audience hungry for insights and tips from master actor Jason Thurston; however, Jason himself turns out to be one of the most inept actors and useless teachers you’ll ever encounter. Fortunately, he has assistance from actor Kia Quinn-Cortez and film director Francis Marpoon, as well as his super-agent Alan Hawkspebble. It’s a fun idea and there are several very funny sequences – my favourite was the flamboyantly vain Marpoon directing Jason and Kia in a love scene from the audience seats, when Jason cannot follow any of his direction. Sadly, though, the show never quite takes off. I realise Thurston is meant to be a hopeless character, but I felt they could make him even more extreme; Hawkspebble also comes across as a rather bland character. Thurston’s teaching segments are (deliberately) lame drivel, but each little scene goes nowhere and rarely produces a big laugh. We were a small audience and I am sure it would go down better with a larger crowd, but, despite some good performances, this didn’t really work. 2 stars.

Cody and Beau: A Wild West Story, The Space on The Mile.Cody plays with his toy Cowboys and Indians while Beau panics that it’s 9:45pm and he isn’t ready for curtain up – setting a delightfully meta tone in this extraordinarily inventive play. The two best pals in Gonzales, Texas, get so carried away with their love for Wild West Heroes that they plan to escape from home and find Billy The Kid. There’s a magical childish pleasure in seeing them make their devious plan, including breaking into a house to steal a map, and acquiring all the food and supplies for their perilous quest; and as they run away, the lines between reality and fantasy become blurred as Cody and Beau face the real challenges of the Wild West. Dylan Kaeuper and Will Grice have created a truly exciting and escapist fantasy that takes us back to when we were kids, and portray their young adventurers with affection, courage and a genuine sense of those unbreakable bonds we develop with our childhood best friends. I was blown away with the magic of it all. One of this Fringe’s must-see shows. 5 stars.

Edinburgh Fringe 2025 Reviews – Big Little Sister, Don’t Tell Dad About Diana, Odds Are, Ross Leslie: Now Is The Time, Max Fulham: Full of Ham, and Sauna Boy

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Big Little Sister, Zoo Playground.4-starsI’d never heard of the concept of the Glass Child; it’s when a child in a family is completely overlooked because they have a sibling with much greater needs, and who takes all the attention. Holly Gifford’s older brother Patrick has cerebral palsy and learning disabilities and, in this deeply personal account, she shares the multi-layered coping strategies that both child Holly and adult Holly adopted to deal with this situation. Cleverly structured and powerfully written, Big Little Sister is a welcome insight into living with disabilities when you yourself are not the disabled one. An excellent show that packs a punch. 4 stars.

Don’t Tell Dad About Diana, Underbelly Cowgate.Best friends Conor and Hannah have grown up together in Dublin, always promising to tell each other everything, and with one big thing in common – the People’s Princess, Diana. They adore her. They even have a shrine to her. Hannah has been designing dresses for Conor’s appearance as Diana in the Alternative Miss Ireland competition; he’s going to win it hands down. However, something unexpected scuppers their plans… A brilliantly funny examination of friendship and fandom, ambition and honesty, performed with great panache by Hannah Power and Conor Murray. Peppered with comical insights into Dublin life and several laugh out loud moments, this is just one of those rare crazy Fringe shows that simply works on every level. 5 stars.

Odds Are, Assembly Roxy.Smita Russell’s profoundly personal memoir of her own experience of suffering the grief of multiple miscarriages sounds like it could be a recipe for an hour of total sadness. But her brightly imaginative narrative engages us from the start as she approaches the subject from a surprisingly innovative angle; the scientific and mathematical probability that any particular sequence of events could happen. Smita is a superb storyteller who brings out the joy of her story just as much as its sorrow, and the hour in her company flies by. Whilst there are necessary trigger warnings about the show’s content, it could also make it easier for people to talk more freely about this common but still taboo subject. 5 stars.

Ross Leslie: Now Is The Time, Laughing Horse at West Port Oracle.3-stars<Ross Leslie cuts an avuncular figure on stage, with a relaxed, confident delivery and a set full of original material, such as the exposure of a big family secret, his elaborate plans to commit murder* and the ins and outs of sex robotry. Originally, the show was to have a unifying theme, but that has now merged into the rest of his material, much of which stems from his home life, to create a warm hour of funny domestic and familial observations. *I’m sure he doesn’t really intend to commit murder. 3 stars.

Max Fulham: Full of Ham, Pleasance Courtyard.Max Fulham breathes fresh life into the revered and ancient art of ventriloquism by pushing its boundaries beyond using just traditional puppets; he also has a talking tin box that opens up with his intrusive thoughts, an imaginary supermarket sales assistant and – as the title of his show suggests – a piece of ham. We also meet his first ever puppet, have an informal audience with Jesus, and yes – everyone’s favourite – Grandad makes an appearance, embarrassing everyone with his hilariously inappropriate behaviour. Max Fulham is an extremely funny man who invests his characters with endless wit, energy, and total unpredictability. He’s also a crackingly good ventriloquist! A tremendously fun show. 5 stars.

Sauna Boy, The Space at Surgeons’ Hall.4-starsIt’s never been my fortune to visit a gay sauna and I suspect I never will, so it’s fascinating to hear Dan Ireland-Reeves’ semi-autobiographical account of what life is really like behind those locked doors. As Dan takes us through his usual jobs of cleaner, receptionist and his masterplan to develop the business, we meet the boss – “Mother” – his colleagues, and his clients; those he likes and those he doesn’t. With funny and imaginative storytelling, Dan leads us through plenty of escapades that make us laugh, shudder and cringe, all with a skilful lightness of touch and marvellous comic timing. Probably not suited to Great Grandma, although she’s probably seen a thing or two in her day. Extremely entertaining and surprisingly informative too! 4 stars.

Edinburgh Fringe 2025 Reviews – Find Me, Homo(sapien), Brainsluts, How To Kill Your Landlord, and Robin Grainger People Pleaser

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Find Me, The Space on the Mile.3-starsOlwen Wymark’s riveting play was first performed in 1977 and is still sadly relevant today. It tells the true story of Verity Taylor, sent to Broadmoor at the age of 19 for setting light to a chair worth £6 – but that act alone doesn’t come close to illustrating all Verity’s problems, and how the medical and social service professions failed to provide her the necessary help because she fell between the cracks. Performed by the Parker and Snell Company, it boasts some good performances, especially from the actors playing Verity and her father. A tough watch in many respects, it’s important to keep this timeless play alive. 3 stars.

Homo(sapien), Assembly Roxy.4-starsFantastic first play by Conor O’Dwyer, telling the story of “Bad Gay” Joey. He’s bad for several reasons, primarily – in his eyes – because he still hasn’t had sex yet, despite countless opportunities to put that right. Conor creates a colourful cast of easily recognisable characters who all play a part in his tale. Beautifully written, with some terrific plot twists, performed by Conor O’Dwyer himself with charm and wonderful comic timing. Engrossing from beginning to end. 4 stars.

Brainsluts, Pleasance Courtyard.4-starsFour participants meet every Sunday for five weeks as guinea pigs in a clinical drugs trial, or brainsluts, as these participants are sometimes called. They must report any side effects from the drugs they are given each time. £2000 for five days’ work – not bad at all, if you need the money, and it’s a significant feature of today’s gig economy. But do they all need the money? Do they all tell the truth about themselves? Do they genuinely feel any side effects? And what motivates the supervising doctor? A hilarious script by Dan Bishop encourages great performances from all five actors. A slightly inconclusive ending – but then again, you wouldn’t know the outcomes of any drugs trial in which you were involved, so that’s only to be expected! Lovely observational comedy of these characters, each carrying their own individual private stresses. 4 stars.

How To Kill Your Landlord, Bedlam Theatre.3-starsArchie bought Joq’s Grandma’s flat when she died and he’s been a miserable old b*stard of a landlord ever since. Joq, Burke and Harriet, his unfortunate tenants, are desperate for revenge, whether driven by political ideology, love for the local foxes, or just loyalty to Grandma. But be careful what you wish for – the best laid plans of mice and men gang aft agley. The Young Ones meets Blithe Spirit in Meade Conway’s crazy, farcical comedy, energetically performed by its talented cast members, Frankie Weatherby, Robbie Fletcher-Hill, Elijah Khan and John Gregor. Plenty of well-executed physical comedy, and if I were to say that no landlords were harmed during this play, that would be a lie. 3 stars.

Robin Grainger People Pleaser, The Stand Comedy Club.Robin Grainger is a people pleaser. He’d give you his work lunch if you wanted it. At school, he’d aim to make the other kids laugh, even if it got him into trouble. Not that they appreciated it. People Pleaser is not the show he had planned on performing this year, but life has a way of making you change your mind, and he had Quite A Year. I won’t say more about the nature of his material, because he can tell it so much better. A Robin Grainger show is always a special event; where most other comedians deliver a recognisable standard-packaged comedy product, Mr G’s material cannot be categorised so simply. It always comes straight from the heart and from his own unique perspective. Don’t get me wrong – People Pleaser has you guffawing from start to finish with some blissfully funny sequences, such as the estate agent and the cat, or the audition from hell, all told with his unmatched timing and deliciously chosen words. He fully deserves his place amongst the top echelons of current comedians. 5 stars.