In a world full of fear and worry, we all need a reminder that there’s still hope. Luckily, in The Man Who Planted Trees at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, two storytellers and their puppets are here to give us just that.
‘Simple yet well executed’: PINK HOUSE – Edinburgh Fringe ★★★
Exploring grief and the impact of trauma on memory and family relationships, Paradigm Lab’s Pink House by Madison Pollack at PQA Venues is somewhat heartbreaking and completely honest.
‘Likeable & informative’: THUNDERSTRUCK – Edinburgh Fringe ★★★
Thunderstruck by David Colvin at Assembly Checkpoint is a deeply felt and human tale, whose relationship with its source and inspiration nevertheless makes for some uncertain moments.
‘Worth any number of over-literal, full cast adaptations’: OF MICE AND MEN – Edinburgh Fringe ★★★★
Of Mice and Men, in the Gilded Balloon Teviot Wine Bar for the full fringe, benefits from one fine performance and one exceptional one.
‘Every moment is memorable & engaging’: A GAME OF DEATH & CHANCE – Edinburgh Fringe ★★★★
In A Game of Death and Chance, the National Trust for Scotland’s first ever Fringe show, four characters from the 17th century – and death himself – have occupied an old Edinburgh tenement to tell stories of Scotland’s past.
Musicals made in Edinburgh
There’s a whopping 27 different offerings made in Edinburgh in this year’s musicals and opera section of the fringe programme.
‘Delivered with slickness & a certain panache’: DOWN IT FRESHER! – Edinburgh Fringe ★★★
Sassy, rude and distinctly scuzzy round the edges, the Anonymous Badger Creative’s production of Down It Fresher! in the Free Fringe is a case of writing what you know about.
Edinburgh’s professional theatre companies at the Fringe 2019
As the fringe continues to grow, so does the input from Edinburgh-based companies. This year there are an unprecedented 93 different productions in the theatre section of the Fringe programme alone.
‘Sort of treat which gives musical theatre a good name’: AMELIE THE MUSICAL – Touring ★★★★
Amelie is a slick, clever and hugely appealing production which reveals the heart of the original in a way which the initial Broadway production did not, if the clips of the latter are to be believed.
‘Feels remarkably relevant’: THE SIDESHOW – Edinburgh ★★★
In the week when moves to regulate Airbnb failed and it was decided to curtain Princess Street Gardens off during commercial gigs, Active Inquiry’s The Sideshow feels remarkably relevant.
‘It soars in its second half’: HAIR THE MUSICAL – Touring ★★★★
Over 50 years on and the Age of Aquarius is still providing a relevant, controversial (in parts) and – eventually – thunderously entertaining piece of musical theatre in Hair.
‘The heart & soul is caught with sometimes burning intensity’: CAPTAIN CORELLI’S MANDOLIN – Touring ★★★★
This touring production of Captain’s Corelli’s Mandolin allows aching heartbreak to overcome any nods to cloying sentimentality.
‘Fun, entertaining & feelgood’: CLUB TROPICANA – Touring ★★★★
Passports at the ready! It’s time to jet off to the Club Tropicana Hotel in this brand new jukebox musical which is touring the country.
‘Makes us think while making us laugh’: AVENUE Q – Touring ★★★★
Hilariously insightful, touchingly funny, tunefully sharp and filthily charming, Avenue Q is the street where you laugh.
‘Should you go & see it? I have a strong suspicion that you should’: THE MOUSETRAP – Touring ★★★
The world’s longest-running stage production The Mousetrap returns to Edinburgh to thrill a whole new audience in this classic murder mystery tale at the Playhouse
‘Hard to beat’: THE DUCHESS [OF MALFI] – Edinburgh ★★★★
The blood-soaked events of The Duchess [of Malfi], a co-production between the Lyceum and the Citizens Theatre, are almost unwatchably intense at times. As a depiction of timeless and timely considerations, however, this production is hard to beat.
‘There is no denying the skill of the performers’: THE COMEDY ABOUT A BANK ROBBERY – Touring
There are plenty of laughs to be had in the touring Comedy About A Bank Robbery at the King’s. There are also a couple of gasp-inducing coups de theatre.
‘Startling piece of work’: SMALL WONDERS – Edinburgh ★★★★★
World renowned immersive theatre company Punchdrunk makes its first ever foray to Scotland with a comprehensively startling piece of work, Small Wonders, as part of the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival.
‘Even non-sports fans will love it’: THE RED LION – Touring ★★★★★
Rapture Theatre shoots, and scores, in Red Lion, a soccer drama by Patrick Marber that even non-sports fans will love.
‘High-octane, clever & extremely enjoyable’: THE WORST WITCH – Touring ★★★★
The touring production of The Worst Witch is high-octane, clever and extremely enjoyable.