The world comes to Edinburgh in August and it's a fantastic time to come and visit, but it can be pretty overwhelming.  As a local, I love the opportunity to experience so many incredible performances and watch as our small city is transformed into the largest arts festival in the world.

With tens of thousands of shows, its very easy not to know where to start!  So here are a few personal recommendations.  I've seen some of these shows, others I've heard about on the grapevine. 

Comedy:

Ania Magliano - A brilliant comic whose tightly written sets are a joy to behold.  This year you can see her perform her Work In Progress at the Monkey Barrel. 

Olga Koch - Another young female comic, I saw her last year and she was brilliant. 

Rob Auton - Surrealist storytelling with incredible reviews.  

David O'Doherty - Needs no introduction, see him and his keyboard at the Assembly Rooms in George Square.

Tim Key - Has just released a week of extra shows after initially selling out.  Check his Loganberry show out at the Pleasance Dome

Welcome to the Fringe Palestine:

Portobello Town Hall is hosting a week of events showcasing 16 exceptional artist from Palestine and the Palestinian diaspora.

I'm excited to see:

Fadi Murad:
Flux in this Forgotten Farm

Sami Abu Wardeh:
the rockstar voice of the Palestinian diaspora

dance double bill:
AMIR SABRA & NUR GARABLI

Theatre:

Make it Happen - A week long run as part of the International Festival.  Brian Cox (yes, from Succession) stars as Adam Smith haunting Fred (the Shred) Goodwin of RBS. Much funnier than it sounds!

Ohio - Produced by the famous Francesca Moody (she put on Baby Reindeer and Fleabag back in the day) this show is about to sell out!

Consumed - Heard brilliant things about this on the grapevine.  Book here

Ordinary Decent Criminal - Comedian Mark Thomas is a recovering addict in this dystopian satire.

Juliet & Romeo - A short run of fresh take on Shakespeare's classic love story by Edinburgh Youth Theatre.  Not to be missed!

And last, but not least: 

Wellness

For the first time this year the Underbelly Circus Hub in the Meadows is hosting wellness events!

Two excellent Portobello based businesses are up there representing:

Move to Feel - A mindful movement practice which invites you to move, dance, sense, play and connect. Pop on a silent disco headset and let Ailsa guide you to breathe, ground, and reconnect amidst the festival buzz.

Soul Water Sauna - Our collaborators are running a pop-up sauna in the. Book now and you can even treat yourself to a dook face mask at the same time

Go for it and book both a Move To Feel session and a Sauna - plunge into cold water then melt into the wood-fired heat of SWS’s Little Bear sauna before or after your Move To Feel boogie – you might groove alongside an acrobat or steam with a comedian.

 

Whatever you go to see, enjoy!  And do let me know if you have any recommendations.