Well, it’s that time of year again – Edinburgh Fringe is upon us. As the beautiful city of Edinburgh becomes home to thousands of artists and audiences, we want to celebrate OSD Alumni participating in the 76th Edinburgh Festival. Here are seven fab shows that should be on your Edinburgh Fringe watch list.
OSD at Edinburgh Fringe 2024
Shakespeare For Breakfast
A fringe institution – back for its 33rd Fringe! Starring 2022 One Year Graduate Flora Ashton as Miranda/Stephano.
Show Bio – The Bardic Breakfasters are back for our 33rd Fringe, with a brand-new show, breakfast included! The Tempest meets 10 Things I Hate About You and High School Musical in a teen rom-com-romp. A pleasing plethora of pentameter, puns and pastry. Sensational Shakespearience, perfect for hardened fans and blank verse virgins alike. ‘A bouncy and boisterous take on Willie’s work’ (List). ‘Well worth getting out of bed for’ (Independent). ‘No holds Bard’ (FringeGuru.com). ‘Irreverent humour… clever’ (Stage). ‘Side-splitting… glorious’ (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘Full of fun’ (RemoteGoat.com). ‘Sizzling’ (Scottish Daily Express). Free coffee and croissants! Fringe favourite since 1992. Book early.
When – 10am, 31st July – 25th August
Where – C Arts, C Aurora
Booking Link – https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/shakespeare-for-breakfast
The Wind in The Willows
A family favourite starring 2022 One Year Graduate Flora Ashton, in her second show of the Fringe as Rat.
Show Bio – Embark on an adventure with Mole, Rat, Badger, and the impulsive Mr Toad. From the tranquility of the riverbank to the perilous depths of the Wild Wood, follow their escapades as they try to keep Toad out of trouble and protect his family home from the nefarious Chief Weasel and his band of miscreants. A heart-warming and humorous adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s children’s classic from Fringe regulars C theatre: ‘Highly recommended’ (PrimaryTimes.co.uk). ‘Hidden gem’ (FringeReview.co.uk). ‘Capturing the emotional heart’ **** (List).
When – 12:40pm, 31st July – 25th August
Where – C Arts, C Aurora
Booking Link – https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/wind-in-the-willows
Juniper and Jules
A new production of the award-winning play, starring 2019 Three Year Graduate Megan Louise Wilson as Juniper.
Show Bio – Jules has just discovered she likes girls. Juniper has always known – a queer romcom exploring polyamory, shifting sexualities and modern love. Written by award-winning playwright Stephanie Martin. Follow two women redefining romance and exploring what it means not just to survive without a template, but how we can carve our own.
When – 3:45pm, July 31st – August 26th
Where – Pleasance Courtyard, Bunker Two
Booking Link – www.pleasance.co.uk/event/juniper-and-jules
Revenge: After The Levoyah
A new comedy starring 2017 One Year Course graduate Gemma Barnett as Lauren.
Show Bio -Nick Cassenbaum’s two-hander comedy heist, directed by Emma Jude Harris, romps through 2018 Jewish Essex. Through madcap comedy and biting satire, this explosive tale blows the roof off what it means to be Jewish in the UK. Twins Dan and Lauren meet ex-gangster Malcolm Spivak at their grandfather’s funeral. Malcolm, who’s ‘had enough’, enlists the siblings in a ragtag Yiddishe plot to kidnap then-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. REVENGE: After the Levoyah examines antisemitism in the diaspora, the dangers of collective hysteria, and how far one nonagenarian can throw a jar of chraine from a moving vehicle.
When – 3pm, August 1st-26th
Where – Summerhall, Anatomy Lecture Theatre
Booking Link – www.tickets.summerhall.co.uk/event/26:6398/
Burning Down the Horse
An immersive comedy starring 2020 Three Year Course graduate Molly Keogh.
Show Bio – After a five-star sell-out run in 2023, Burning Down the Horse is back! This immersive comedy epic drops you into the heart of the most iconic wooden animal in history – the Trojan Horse. Become part of this ‘infectiously funny’ (FringeReview.co.uk) tale as you contend with heroic egos, class clashes and sword supply issues. There’s only one rule: Odysseus’ word is law. And for the love of gods – no naked flames! Join us for an ‘entertaining slice of lunchtime laughs’ (Scotsman) and experience what really went on inside the belly of the beast..
When – 1pm, August 1st-25th
Where –Pleasance Dome, Queen Dome
Booking Link – https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/burning-down-horse
This Side Of The House
Set in the 80s, starring 2022 Foundation Course Graduate Nathan Golo as Gideon Mellor.
Show Bio – It’s the early 80s at Cambridge. Geoffrey Cormick is up against his arch nemesis, Gideon Mellor, to become the next president of the Union Society, with the final vote cast by the audience. Lance Anisfeld’s debut play, directed by his daughter 36 years later, uncovers the dark side of relationships, professional and personal; there will be liars, cheaters, posh tarts and dimwits, as well as lovers, loyal friends and sprinklings of politically incorrect humour we’ve all pretended doesn’t exist anymore. To say it ends well would be too sweet.
When – 2:55pm, 19th – 24th August
Where – theSpace Triplex
Booking Link – www.thespaceuk.com/shows/2024/this-side-of-the-house
Refugee!
An immersive experience starring 2023 Three Year Course Graduate Sara Diab.
Show Bio – Set on an ancient burial ground where the UK is now a crime scene, Refugee! tells the story of four characters in search of belonging. Under the rubble they find evidence of hope and humanity, as well as traces of violence and despair, and our own government’s complicity in war crimes. A live, immersive and community-based experience, with comedy, dance and music. This will be an archive for future generations; to collect, to document, we are all here as witnesses.
When – Various times, 22nd – 25th August
Where – Roundabout @ Summerhall
Booking Link – www.festival24.summerhall.co.uk/events/refugee/
The Edinburgh Fringe is a legendary institution. It was founded in 1947 by eight trailblazing theatre companies who showed up at the Edinburgh International Festival without an invitation. They intended to take advantage of the large crowds to display their alternative theatre productions. Now, 77 years later, the Fringe is thriving as an internationally renowned Festival.
You never know what show could be the next Baby Reindeer or Fleabag, but the Fringe is about more than that. It’s about coming together as an arts community to celebrate one another. The Fringe is full of talented and hardworking artists who are all worthy of your time. You can explore all the Fringe has to offer here.
If you’re visiting Edinburgh, be sure to watch as much as you possibly can, and if you’re performing at the Fringe, OSD Alumni or otherwise, we wish you all the very best! It will be the experience of a lifetime.
