EDINBURGH — The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is now underway, with more than 2,500 shows and 24,000 performers providing a diverse range of theater, comedy, dance, and music. The festival is the biggest cultural event in the world, and choosing from the line-up is an overwhelming task. Here are ARTINFO’s five top picks.
1. “Three Lions”
This play is that rare delight — a near perfect production. The subject matter is a hilarious dramatization of the fateful trip to Switzerland by David Beckham, Prince William, and Prime Minister David Cameron as they sought to win the bid to host the football 2018 World Cup. William Gaminara’s script is tight and well-observed, the direction seamless, and the acting faultless and compelling. A must-see, and likely to be a big hitt long beyond the Fringe.
Runs at The Pleasance until August 26
2. “A Bic For Her”
Bridget Christie’s comedy show should be required viewing for all men and women — not just for its incisive arguments and compelling views on feminism, but because she is a master of the art of stand-up. Taking on everyone from Stirling Moss and Beyonce to Margaret Thatcher and lads’ magazines, the show is non-stop laughs, yet Christie leaves you with a moving and inspiring message.
Runs at The Stand Comedy Club until August 25
3. “Anna”
This dark, serious show looks at the life of the late Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya. Set in an underground corridor, it explores her investigations, the people she helped, the threats she received, and her assassination. It is designed to be uncomfortable viewing — both physically and mentally – and it works. Powerful and unsettling with a stand-out performance from Marnie Baxter as Anna.
Runs at Summerhall until August 25
4. “Making News”
With work, this show could be brilliant. As it stands, it’s an interesting, reasonably entertaining insight into the world of BBC politics with moments of comedic genius and a strong conclusion. But two performances make it worth seeing — Dan Starkey, a joy to watch in anything, and the brilliant comic Hal Cruttenden.
Runs at The Pleasance until August 25
5. “The Events”
The pre-festival controversy around David Greig’s new play — which looks at what happens in the aftermath of a massacre — made it one of the most highly anticipated shows at Edinburgh this season. Happily, it lives up the hype, with a powerful script and clever staging.
Runs at The Traverse until August 25