EDINBURGH FRINGE 2025: Shows To Look Out For

As the Edinburgh Festival Fringe approaches, whilst there will always be far too many shows for one to be able to see everything, with an average of 3700 - 3800 different productions playing over the course of late July and through the entirety of August every year, so here is a roundup of just a taster of the various plays, musicals and more that are catching the eye so far for the 2025 festival.

HOT MESS, 30.07 - 25.08

Pleasance Two at Pleasance Courtyard

We kick things off with the most recently announced production from 42 Balloons writers Ellie Coote and Jack Godfrey, Hot Mess tells the story of a love story between the personification of earth and humanity, starting with the initial meeting, going through millennia of history, technological advancement, and the descent into turmoil that brings us to the present day. This production is brought to the Fringe by Birmingham Hippodrome in association with Vicky Graham Productions.

Content warnings:

Strong language

Distressing or potentially triggering themes.

Age suitability:

12+

SHOWSTOPPER! THE IMPROVISED MUSICAL, 30.07 - 24.08

Grand at Pleasance Courtyard

Having become something of a Fringe mainstay, the Olivier-winning improv musical troupe are back for another run of made-up musical madness. Every day they make up a brand new musical off the top of their heads, making use of suggestions from whomever turns up on the day, so you can guarantee that no two performances will ever be the same. Showstopper! have been delighting audiences since 2008, and have absolutely no intention of letting up.

Content warnings:

Due to the improvised nature of this show, there may be infrequent mild language.

Age suitability:

12+ (guidance)

SHANTIFY, 30.07 - 24.08

Palais du Variété at Assembly George Square Gardens

One of the most talked about productions at Fringe 2024, this self confessed "nautical musical adventure" is performed by a lineup of west end performers weaving sea shanties based on well known pop and rock anthems into a new story that will put you in the best mood. With spine tingling harmonies and rib tickling humour, get ready for this Jo Parsons penned piece to take you to sea in the best way possible.

Content warnings:

None

Age suitability:

All ages, babes in arms permitted

A LETTER TO LYNDON B JOHNSON OR GOD: WHOEVER READS THIS FIRST

02.08 - 23.08

Upper Theatre at theSpace @ Niddry St

Three-time Fringe First Award-winners Xhloe and Natasha bring their coming-of-age play about the simple joys of boyhood, seeking acceptance, and praying to a favourite president, back to the Edinburgh Fringe following shining reviews from the likes of the Guardian, Playbill and Skinny; the show has since had runs at SoHo Playhouse in Manhattan, and London's Soho Theatre on Dean Street, both to huge critical acclaim.

Content warnings:

Distressing or potentially triggering themes

Scenes of violence

Strobe lighting

Age suitability:

12+ (guidance)

MARY QUEEN OF ROCK, 31.07 - 24.08

Cowbarn at Underbelly, Bristo Square

She's a 16th century Stuart queen, and she's...a rock and roll superstar? Mary Queen of Rock returns to the Fringe after a hugely successful debut in 2025, again to a world that has banned rock 'n' roll music, that even she, the queen, can't overturn. This wacky, one-act musical, written by the joint efforts of Cal Ferguson, Mhairi McCall, and Lewis Lauder, is sure to rock your world this summer.

Content warnings:

None

Age suitability:

12+ (guidance)

COME FROM AWAY, 12.08 - 24.08

Bijou at Assembly Rooms

The UK tour may have concluded, but the spirit of Canada never dies, as we see this David Hein and Irene Sankoff musical, following a series of events surrounding 9/11 in tiny Newfoundland town Gander, make its debut at the Edinburgh Fringe, in a production by Captivate Theatre, a company also staging a handful of other shows such as Sweeney Todd, Bugsy Malone, and Jason Robert Brown musical 13.

Content warning:

Strong language

Age suitability:

12+ (guidance)

SHAMILTON: THE IMPROVISED HIP-HOP MUSICAL, 30.07 - 24.08

Studio One at Assembly George Square Studios

Another return from last year's festival, everyone's favourite parody of Lin-Manuel Miranda is back for another run, following hugely successful stints in 2022, 2023 and 2024. "Shamilton" is the best known work of comedy troupe Baby Wants Candy, where they improvise a musical based on a historical figure or celebrity suggested by the audience, which could be anyone from Kim Jong-Il to Kim Kardashian.

Content warning:

Strong language, Audience participation

Age suitability:

14+ (guidance)

SH!T-FACED SHAKESPEARE®: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, 30.07 - 24.08

McEwan Hall at Underbelly

"The five-star, multi-sellout fringe phenomenon is back!" This year our favourite drunken exponents of Shakespeare's work return to give us his fantastical, whimsical comedy "A Midsummer Night's Dream". With a different cast member genuinely completely off their t!ts every night, you are guaranteed that no two performances will ever be the same.

Content warnings:

There is a real live drunk in the show.

Strong Language, Scenes of a Sexual Nature, Nudity and Audience Participation may be included.

Age suitability:

16+ (guidance)

MARGOLYES AND DICKENS: MORE BEST BITS, 09.08 - 24.08

Pentland Theatre at Pleasance at EICC

Having asked the question "please sir, I want some more", the Edinburgh fringe has obliged, as we see a return to the festival for Miriam Margolyes, as she brings us more best bits of the renowned Victorian writer. At 84 years old, Margolyes is still as energetic and witty as she's ever been, and you can expect plenty of laughs, and maybe you'll even learn a thing or two.

Content warnings:

Strong language

Scenes of a sexual nature

Age suitability:

16+ (guidance)

TRAINSPOTTING LIVE, 31/07 - 24/08

Cromdale Tunnel at Pleasance at EICC

Yet another production returning from the previous year's Fringe, this is an immersive live retelling of Irvine Welsh's classic 1993 novel. Following three sell-out runs, this gritty, raw and unabridged story of heroin addiction and similarly self-destructive actions taking place in Leith, Edinburgh in the 1980s is back for a fourth stint in the city where it began life over 30 years ago.

Content warnings:

Strobe lighting, audience participation, nudity, violence, sexual violence, strong language and triggering themes.

Age suitability:

16+ (guidance)

Tickets for all of these events and more can be found at the Edinburgh Fringe website.