Francesca Moody, a producer known for identifying unconventional successes like “Fleabag” and “Baby Reindeer,” presents her latest project, a play by Hannah Reilly from Australia. This production revolves around a feminist podcaster who embraces the role of an online “slutfluencer” to secure quick financial gains, though she encounters significant consequences. The performance is scheduled at Summerhall from August 6 to 31.
Andrew O’Hagan’s novel about youth in the 1980s is transformed into a site-specific performance by Edinburgh’s Grid Iron, taking place in a former metalworks that serves as a Manchester concert venue. The adaptation and direction are handled by Ben Harrison, with performances running from August 7 to 30 at Brown’s of Leith.
Katie Posner directs “The Last of the Little Kings,” an ambitious drama by Morna Young, which delves into family secrets revealed during an actor’s 80th birthday celebration. This darkly humorous exploration of personal freedom and life-altering decisions will continue post-festival at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, from August 6 to 30 at the Traverse Theatre.
Letícia Rodrigues embarks on a unique performance where she aims to lose 116 grams during each show, offering a satirical take on the beauty industry. As part of this year’s São Paulo Showcase, the piece addresses societal pressure to meet unrealistic body standards and the psychological toll of fatphobia, showing from August 7 to 30 at Zoo Southside.
In line with the Edinburgh International Festival’s U.S. theme, Ivo van Hove revives Tony Kushner’s extensive work, a “gay fantasia on national themes,” lasting five hours. Originally staged in 2008, this rendition features a minimalist approach and includes songs by David Bowie, showing at the King’s Theatre from August 15 to 20.
Elaine C. Smith, known for her roles in “Two Doors Down” and “Rab C. Nesbitt,” takes the lead in a poignant yet humorous portrayal of a widow confronting Christmas alone for the first time. Written and directed by Eilidh Loan, whose debut play “Moorcoft” was a hit, this show will run at the Traverse Theatre from July 31 to August 30.
John Dinneen’s play, inspired by a pub’s name, follows two teenagers from East London as they navigate the pull of extreme political ideologies. The cast features Alex Hill, recognized for his fringe success with “Why I Stuck a Flare Up My Arse for England,” alongside Jonny Khan from “The Shitheads” at London’s Royal Court, performing at the Underbelly from August 5 to 31.
Jack MacGregor, a prominent young Scottish playwright, explores themes of faith and power in their new work set in a small British territory in the South Pacific, where a burgeoning religious group faces scrutiny. This psychological thriller runs from August 5 to 31 at Assembly Roxy.
In 1849, Henry “Box” Brown made a daring escape from slavery by mailing himself to Philadelphia in a wooden crate. Rickerby Hinds narrates this remarkable story through a blend of magic, hip-hop, and poetry. The show will be available at the Underbelly from August 5 to 30.
Performers Xhloe and Natasha have a quintessential fringe narrative, arriving in New York in 2022 with a unique performance art piece that garnered them a devoted following and a Fringe First award. After a successful trilogy, they return with a show centered on conspiracy theories and misdirection, showing at Summerhall from August 6 to 30.
Musician KT Tunstall contributes music and lyrics to a unique gig theatre piece about a deaf artist who expresses music through sign language and bodily sensations. Cora Bissett’s production draws inspiration from her short film of the same name, running at the Traverse Theatre from August 4 to 30.
In a brief immersive experience, Ciaran Frame’s show allows audience members to virtually join the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra using VR goggles, spatial audio, and 3D imaging. Participants can “perform” Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 on a fictional instrument, regardless of their musical background, at Summerhall from August 6 to 31.
Playwright and director Zora Howard presents a powerful commentary on racial violence in America. The performance features three Black men suspended in space, symbolizing the historical and ongoing dehumanization faced by marginalized communities. This impactful piece will be shown at the Royal Lyceum from August 20 to 23.
Wagner Moura, famous for his role as Pablo Escobar in “Narcos,” stars in a contemporary adaptation of Ibsen’s “An Enemy of the People,” set in modern Brazil, where a jury’s decision could impact an environmental whistleblower’s fate. Directed by Christiane Jatahy, this production will take place at the Royal Lyceum from August 7 to 10.
After transitioning from stand-up to physical theatre, Adam Riches commemorates the achievement of Matthew Webb, the first person to swim the English Channel in 1875. Alongside this tribute, Riches humorously critiques reviewers in “The Critic’s Way,” with performances scheduled at Summerhall from August 6 to 31.
Zinnie Harris’s latest play, rooted in Greek mythology, tells the story of a woman grappling with a family curse reminiscent of the House of Atreus. As those around her dismiss her plight, the boundaries between reality and illusion begin to blur in this production directed by the playwright at the Traverse Theatre, running from July 31 to August 30.
Sohrab Haghverdi, an Iranian asylum seeker in the U.S., risks everything in a performance that involves drinking his own urine. This provocative piece, titled “Foriegner” (an intentional misspelling), explores themes of immigration, identity, and politics, and will be staged at Summerhall from August 6 to 31.
Geoff Sobelle previously constructed a two-storey house live on stage in “Home” and transformed a theatre into a banquet hall in “Food.” In his latest work, he uses a clown troupe to symbolize the struggles of maintaining a failing circus in contemporary America, with performances at the King’s Theatre from August 27 to 30.
American cabaret performer Salty Brine creatively blends classic albums and literary works in his “Living Record Collection,” having previously tackled names like Annie Lennox and Pink Floyd. This time, he aims to merge the low-fi charms of “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea” with Anne Frank’s “The Diary of a Young Girl,” showing at Summerhall from August 6 to 30.
As the world’s most popular boyband announces their breakup, audiences will have the chance to witness their final concert. Bridie Connell’s drag comedy also serves as a humorous critique of contemporary dating culture, offering a lively end to the show.
