From Sophie Duker to drag kings, this year’s celebration of theatre is back and just as queer as ever
BY IONE GILDROY, IMAGE BY SARAH HARRY-ISAACS,
As June comes to an end, it means it’s nearly time for everyone’s favourite arts festival, the Edinburgh Fringe, which will be returning to the Scottish capital from 2-26 August. As the largest performance art festival in the world, there truly is something for everyone. If you’ll be heading to Edinburgh for the Fringe, here are 16 of our favourite queer artists and shows to check out!
Alex Franklin: Gurl Code
Alex Franklin’s musical and apparently “chaotic” show covers everything from taking furniture on the tube (which makes us feel a bit stressed just thinking about it) to her experiences of starting HRT. Alex was nominated for the Best of Brighton Fringe Comedy Award and has previously been on Channel 4, HBO Max and BBC Radio 4.
The Telegraph called Alex “winningly weird” and so we are excited to see her show. Alex is at Underbelly on Cowgate from 1-25 August (not 12 August) at 8.25 pm.
Ania Magliano: Forgive Me, Father
After two sell-out Fringe runs, Ania Magliano returns to the Fringe with her new show. If her last shows are anything to go by, Forgive Me, Father is sure to be a hilarious exploration of Ania’s life and the things that happen to her. Her previous shows have included discussions of the difference between sleeping with men and with women and bisexual stereotypes.
Ania is at Pleasance Courtyard on 31 July – 25 August, at 6.40 pm.
Bi-Curious George: Queer Planet
Bi-Curious George is an award-winning drag king and is bringing Queer Planet to the Fringe after having successful runs at the Southbank Centre, Soho Theatre and Kew Gardens. By combining stand-up, parody and drag in an innovative cabaret, the show aims to break the heteronormative binaries through which we view the natural world.
Bi-Curious George: Queer Planet will be at Pleasance Dome 31 July – 26 August (not 12) at 4.15 pm.
Character Flaw
Winner of the Brighton Fringe Award for Excellence and shortlisted for the ADHD Comedy Award, Character Flaw is an exploration of ADHD and queerness. The show covers a range of topics and is funny and entertaining, while also being at times moving and educational.
Pip invites us to join her to see how she navigates the challenges and celebrates the highs of both her neurodiversity and her queer identity.
Character Flaw is at Underbelly in Bristo Square from 31 July – 26 August (not 12), at 2.25 pm.
Femme Fatigue
A new, hilarious queer comedy from Channel 4 writer Ella Evans, Femme Fatigue explores the story of Sascha, who is living with chronic fatigue. When Sascha moves home to rural Devon to recover, absurd scenes ensue. Femme Fatigue is a funny tribute to illness, recovery and queer love, and is a story of hope in the face of despair. It includes eccentric villagers, discussions of difficult family dynamics, and the queer classic, sexual and romantic yearning.
Femme Fatigue will be at Hoots at Potterrow from 14-25 August, at 7.55 pm.
Juliette Burton: Hopepunk
Juliette Burton returns to the Fringe after selling out shows in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2023 with two shows: Hopepunk and her work in progress Going Rogue. Both promise to be hilarious explorations of queer themes, activism, despair and joy.
In Hopepunk we join Juliette as she questions where hope ends and naivety begins. In Going Rogue we are invited to join her on a journey from cosplay to confidence.
Juliette Burton: Hopepunk is at Gilded Balloon Patter House from 31 July 31 – 16 August, at 7.40 pm. Juliette’s Work in Progress show Going Rogue is at Laughing Horse at The Counting House 19-25 August at 11.45 am.
Juniper And Jules
Juniper and Jules is a queer rom-com exploring figuring out your sexuality, polyamory and modern love. It follows the two women as they redefine and understand romance, as well as explore how to make your own way in the world. It promises to be a funny and heartfelt piece from award-winning playwright Stephanie Martin. We’re really excited to see this one!
Juniper and Jules will be at Pleasance Courtyard from July 31-August 26, at 1.45 pm.
Kemah Bob: Miss Fortunate
Kemah Bob heads to the Fringe with her must-see debut stand-up show Miss Fortunate. You’ve probably seen Kemah on QI or House Of Games, or you’ve maybe heard her on the Off Menu podcast or The Guilty Feminist. She’s also supported comedians Hannah Gadsby, Nish Kumar and Desiree Burch on tour. Kemah’s new show promises to be a great watch.
Kemah Bob: Miss Fortunate is at Pleasance Courtyard 31 July – 25 August (not 7, 14, 21) at 7.05 pm.
Lessons On Revolution
Lessons on Revolution is a five-star exciting piece of documentary theatre which explores the history of radical change, inequality and injustice and acts of protests through a look at both personal and global history. It promises to be both thought-provoking, engaging and entertaining. It also offers something a bit different to a lot of what we might see at the Fringe.
Lessons on Revolution will be at Summerhall from 1-26 August (not 12, 19) at 2.15 pm
Main Character Energy
Temi Wilkey, winner of Best Writer at Stage Debut Award 2020, brings her sassy and self-aware cocktail of comedy and cabaret to the Fringe. The show discusses her experience growing up as a Black girl, and how she often plays the side character in her own life. It promises to be a whole lot of fun.
Main Character Energy is at ROUNDABOUT at Summerhall, 1-26 August (not 6, 13, 20), at 9.40 pm.
Me For You
Me For You was longlisted for the Kenneth Branagh Award and now makes its way to the Fringe. It’s a fun and funny exploration of global warming, joining Extinction Rebellion and how we can struggle to make the right decisions. It’s also simply a play about love, as Holly and her girlfriend travel this road together.
Me For You will be at Pleasance Courtyard 1-25 August (not 7, 13) at 6.10 pm.
Mel & Sam: High Pony
Mel & Sam bring their “pussy-poppin’” chaotic hour of musical sketch to Edinburgh all the way from Australia. The show includes original songs and characters and promises to be completely hilarious. Mel & Sam have been described as a chart-topping parody pop duo in the making so this is an unmissable show to see this Fringe.
Mel & Sam is at Pleasance Courtyard 31 July – 25 August (not 12) at 9.50 pm.
plewds
plewds is a brilliant, surreal and darkly funny exploration of a queer relationship which blends clowning, drag and a different take on the classic solo show. plewds is about the things we’ll do to ignore what we should be able to see, and how we don’t see people for who they are. It includes a cocky gay clown in therapy, a clueless detective and an X-Factor sob story, and is described as a collision of pop culture and queer drama.
plewds is at Summerhall from 1-26 August (not 7, 12, 19), at 7.25 pm.
Sarah Keyworth: My Eyes Are Up Here
Melbourne International Comedy Festival award winner Sarah Keyworth returns to the Fringe with a joyous show about family, acceptance and loss. Sarah’s radio show Are You A Boy Or A Girl won best stand up at the BBC Audio Drama awards, so if their previous work is anything to go by, My Eyes Are Up Here is sure to be a hilarious and relatable show to catch this Fringe.
Sarah Keyworth: My Eyes Are Up Here will be at Monkey Barrel Comedy from 1-25 August (not 13-16) at 1.25pm.
Sophie Duker: But Daddy I Love Her
Taskmaster champion, Best Newcomer at the Fringe nominee and PinkNews Entertainer of the Year 2023, the brilliant Sophie Duker brings her new show to the Fringe. It promises to take a delusional and funny look at life and the world. Sophie has sold out every year since 2019, so book now to guarantee seeing her!
Sophie Duker: But Daddy I Love Her is at Pleasance Courtyard from 31 July – 25 August (not 14), at 7 pm.
Will Shea, Won’t Shea?
Join Shea as she designs the romantic comedy of her dreams, inspired by the classic will-they-won’t-they relationships of our times like Harry and Sally and Ross and Rachel. Shea thinks the best way to find love is to pine over your male friend for years, but she is eventually forced to confront the reasons that maybe she doesn’t want to date men at all. This promises to be a funny and relatable show, and we can’t wait to see it!
Will Shea, Won’t Shea? will be at C ARTS | C venues | C aurora 31 July – 25 August (not 13) at 2.15 pm.
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