Top five shows to look out for at the Fringe

With the Edinburgh Festival Fringe just around the corner, we take a look at some of the top shows not to miss

1.Jack Docherty in David Bowie and Me: Parallel Lives
2 – 27 August, 8.30pm. Gilded Balloon Teviot

Scotsquad PC Mckirdy and Singh. Credit: Alan Peebles

Any fans of BBC Scotland’s hit comedy Scot Squad should snap up tickets for Jack Docherty in David Bowie and Me: Parallel Lives as Chief Commissioner Cameron Miekelson himself debuts a brand new show. Jack Docherty, the BAFTA winning star of Scot Squad and Absolutely uses his time spent with David Bowie on Jack’s chat show back in 1997 as a jumping off point for an hour of comedy about everything from first love, families culture wars and why you should always meet your heroes.

2.The Slightly Annoying Elephant
2 – 28 August, 1pm. Gilded Balloon Teviot

For a Fringe day out for all of the family, check out The Slightly Annoying Elephant – a play based on bestselling author David Walliams illustrated children’s book. Adopting an elephant at the zoo turns out to be much more than main character Sam bargained for as a big, blue and bossy elephant turns up to live with him, uninvited! Brought to life by award-winning home of puppetry Little Angel Theatre, the play is sure to enchant kids and adults alike and is the perfect afternoon entertainment for kids between 3 and 8.

3.Let The Bodies Pile by Henry Naylor
2 – 28 August, 4pm. Gilded Balloon Teviot

Let the Bodies Pile by Henry Naylor, actress Emily Carding. Credit: Rosalind Furlong.

For some thrilling theatre, check out a highly-anticipated world premiere from British playwright, director and performer Henry Naylor with Let The Bodies Pile. Perhaps his most provocative play yet, the show is a tale of two killings seemingly unrelated 27 years apart – a diagnosis from infamous serial killer Harold Shipman in 1993 and a care home’s mass deaths from Covid in 2020. Directed by Artist Director of New York’s legendary SoHo Playhouse Darren Lee Cole and starring award-winning actor Emily Carding, Henry Naylor’s eighth play will be a must-see this Fringe. The playwright’s hit show Afghanistan Is Not Funny will also return for eight performances only, performed by Naylor himself, inspired by a true trip to the Afghan warzone.

4.Lynn Ferguson:Storyland
14 – 28 August, 3pm. Gilded Balloon Teviot

Scottish award-winning writer, performer and comedian Lynn Ferguson returns to the Fringe for Storyland, part stand-up and part confessional. Known for her performances as Mac in Chicken Run 1 and 2, Lynn takes the audience through a range of stories – from the dangers of too many cats to how it can often be tricky to tell Los Angeles and Grangemouth apart. Both harrowing and hilarious, Storyland explains how the casual tales we tell, show who we really are.

5.I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical
3 – 27 August, 8.50pm. Gilded Balloon at the Museum, National Museum of Scotland

A must see for any fan of musical theatre! I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical shines a light on the unseen world of musical theatre and the people who love it on both sides of the curtain. This musical and cabaret show will have you reliving all your favourite memories from being a musical theatre kid or loving modern-day musicals. Selling out fast in previous years, be sure to grab tickets for the month-long run of I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical and prepare to laugh and sing along.

For tickets visit –www.tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk

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