What to see at Edinburgh Fringe: EdFest.com curates itineraries to help you make the most of festival shows
The joy of the festival is the unexpected – it’s why it remains one of the most popular and exciting ones in the world, full of surprises and quality performances by up and coming artists, and why big names like Frankie Boyle come back to the festival where it all began.
Fringe can leave the most organised person, dashing around and scratching their heads wondering if they’ve time to get from one show to the next – planning a route and getting the timings right can be daunting. So if it’s all leaving you feeling you don’t know where to start then relax, help is at hand with EdFest – a ticketing platform that acts as a one-stop-shop to a range of some of the best shows at city centre venues. It also offers incredible discounts helping you make the most of the experience for a fraction of the cost.
We asked the team at EdFest to curate some suggested itineraries for our readers just for fun. They’ve split them into different categories suitable for families, young children or adults.
Circus
Roll up roll up, for circus performances like nothing you’ve ever seen. This is physical theatre at its best with shows to leave you breathless – and not the dashing round from venue to venue! These three selections can be seen in an afternoon – leaving the morning free to take in the sights, grab a leisurely brunch or check out other shows at Fringe
Tourist at ZOO (14.40 to 15.40 at Southside) between the 4th and 12th; then Angel Monster (at Assembly 18.10 to 19.10 (Checkpoint) between the 2nd and 27th and finish with The 7 Fingers at Underbelly 20.30 to 21.30(Circus Hub), which runs from the 4th to the 26th.
Children
Fringe is for families. Young audiences will love the humour and creativity of these performances, which have all been devised with the younger audiences in mind. But don’t worry – they’re a treat for the kid inside all of us adults too! This selection will take you from 10am until 4pm – leaving time for lunch in the middle and ending ready for a early family dinner before getting the little ones off to bed tired and happy.
Begin with Adventure Bubble Show with Milkshake at theSpaceUK at 10am – 11am (Space Triplex) between 4th and 20th; then Olaf Falafel’s Super Stupid Show at Pleasance at 11.40 to 12.40 (Courtyard) which runs from the 2nd to the 27th and finish by seeing Marcel Lucont: Les Enfants Terribles ) at Assembly at 14.55 to 15.55 (Piccolo) between 2nd and 21st.
Comedy
Let the laughter flow! These shows will keep you giggling all day long. Some of the brightest stars in the comedy circuit have honed their skills at Fringe events – you could be seeing the next BIG thing! This selection takes you from afternoon until after midnight and should have you chortling all the way.
Biscuit Barrel at Gilded at 15.40 to 16.40 (Teviot) which runs from the 2nd to the 28th; moving on to see Craig Hill at Just the Tonic at 19.30 to 20.30(Nucleus) which runs from 3rd to 27th and finish the day with Edinburgh Comedy Allstars at Underbelly at 23.15 to 00.15 (Udderbelly), which runs from the 4th to the 26th.
Drag and Cabaret
Glamour, glitz and giggles are definitely on the cards for these three shows featuring some top drag and cabaret acts. Dress up, dress down, or just come as you are but prepare to be entertained in style. This selection of shows is definitely one for the night owls and will take you right through the evening until the midnight bells chime.
Start the night with The Kinsey Sicks at Gilded in the Museum (19.20 – 20.20 which runs from 2nd to the 27th, then onto Oscar at the Crown brought to you by Assembly (21.40 - 22.40) in George Square (it runs 2nd to 27th) and finish with Late Night Magic from Pleasance at Dome (23.00 - midnight) which runs from the 3rd to 26th.
Create your own itinerary
So, you could take your cue from EdFest and follow these suggestions or curate your own. Booking through the EdFest site means all your tickets and information will be in one place – no fumbling for confirmation emails and wondering where you booked them - and you’ll enjoy lots of discounts too.
EdFest.com has been set up exclusively by a number of major venues at the Fringe. This is its second year it has run and has details, information and full-price tickets to shows at seven of the biggest venues across the city – plus exclusive ticket offers for its members.
Free to join
It’s absolutely free to become an EdFest Member and once you sign up you’ll have access to all the information on the site as well as all the members-only offers, which change all the time – like 2-4-1 deals, flash sales and discounts of up to 50 per cent.
Central venues
Geographically they cover most of the city – from George Square to George Street – you’ll usually be within 100m of a venue wherever you are in central Edinburgh.
The venues are: Assembly; Gilded Balloon; Just the Tonic; Pleasance; theSpaceUK; Underbelly and ZOO.
Sign up now
Head to the website and sign up now.