The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has launched the official 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme.
This year’s programme features work across 3317 shows, with themes tackling some of the most topical issues in the world today. From politics and current affairs to the environment; AI and technology to sport; LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse-led work to capitalism and the female experience; this year's festival brings together performers from across the world, from homegrown Scottish talent to international artists travelling from near and far.
The Fringe is recognised as one of the most important cultural events on the planet, with performers from 58 countries appearing in Edinburgh this August.
Launching the 2024 Fringe programme, Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: ‘Revealing the programme is such an exciting moment for everyone involved in the Fringe, and we encourage audiences to jump right in, book some things that you know you will love, and take a chance on something new.’
‘The Fringe programme is bursting with every kind of performance, so whether you’re excited for theatre or cabaret, or the best of comedy, music, dance, children’s shows, magic or circus; get ready to unleash your Fringe this August and experience the creativity, excitement and passion artists bring to Edinburgh every year.’
‘Thank you to everyone who has a hand in making the Fringe happen. To artists, venues, workers, producers, technicians, promoters and support staff, we appreciate you and hope you have a fantastic Fringe. Thank you to Edinburgh’s local business community for your support; to Scotland’s residents who come out in their thousands, and to all audiences who keep the Fringe buzz alive by coming to see work. Bring on August!’
As ever, the Fringe mixes new talent with famous faces. Here is a selection of some of the bigger names coming to the Fringe.
Miriam Margolyes visits Edinburgh with her new show Margolyes & Dickens: The Best Bits (Pleasance at EICC p 306) performing Charles Dickens' most iconic characters. Adam Kay: Undoctored (Edinburgh Playhouse p 51), the ‘bestselling show of 2023’, returns for one night only.
‘In this election year, only one comedian can kill the mood even further’ in this work-in-progress Nish Kumar: Nish, Don't Kill My Vibe (Work-in-Progress) (Monkey Barrel Comedy p 133). Joanne McNally (pictured) is back in Edinburgh with Joanne McNally: Work in Progress (Assembly George Square Studios p 106) after her ‘sold-out global tour with of Prosecco Express.’
‘Fumbling a flute on Would I Lie to You, combusting over a Cork accent on Radio 5 Live, scaring the Traitors' Diane with a T-shirt of her face’, join Ivo for more at Ivo Graham: Grand Designs (Pleasance Courtyard p 102). Paul Merton and Suki Webster's Improv Show (Pleasance Courtyard p 138) is an ‘hour of fast, fabulously funny improvised games, scenes, stories and laugh-out-loud surrealism from two masters of comedy improvisation and special guests.’
David O'Doherty: Ready, Steady, David O'Doherty (Assembly George Square p 81) has ‘written a new megaconcert of talking and songs’ while Dara Ó Briain: My Entire Life is a Work In Progress (Work in Progress) (Assembly Rooms p 80) has his ‘first Edinburgh run since 2005, as he prepares for his next global tour.’
Hannah Gadsby is back at the Fringe ‘for the first time since 2017, when they won the Edinburgh Comedy Award (and an Emmy)’ with Hannah Gadsby: Woof! (Underbelly, Bristo Square p 95). ‘After getting a dog, and her dog coming on heat, a series of strange events started to happen in Grace's life’, leading to Grace Campbell Is On Heat (Gilded Balloon at the Museum p 94).
‘Flippant and fabulous’, ‘wicked sharp and delightfully silly’, ‘gender non-conforming and genre non-conforming', ALOK makes a return to the Fringe with ALOK (Underbelly, Bristo Square p 56). As seen on I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, Shrill, and The Lost City, Patti Harrison returns to Edinburgh with Patti Harrison: My Huge Tits Huge Because They Are Infected NOT FAKE (Pleasance Courtyard p 136).
After a sold-out run at the Fringe in 2023, Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK’s Lawrence Chaney’s back with Lawrence Chaney – From Holyrood to Hollywood (Saint Stephen's Theatre p 116). As seen on RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under, Taskmaster Australia and Netflix, Rhys Nicholson brings a ‘brand-new, hour-long, stand-up comedy concert’ with Rhys Nicholson: Huge Big Party Congratulations! (Underbelly, Bristo Square p 144).
Lucy Porter: No Regrets (Just the Tonic at The Caves p 119) is ‘a well-known TV face (Live at the Apollo, QI), a much-loved radio voice and Celebrity Mastermind Champion of Champions.' Nina Conti: Whose Face Is It Anyway? (Pleasance Courtyard p 133) ‘delves deep into who we are, hijacking faces to spark a hysterical reality warp.’
Join comedian Sara Pascoe at Sara Pascoe: I Am A Strange Gloop (WIP) (Monkey Barrel Comedy p 148) as she ‘reconsiders and reconstructs herself after having two babies and very little sleep’ or join Rosie Jones as she ‘ponders whether she is a national treasure, a little prick, or somewhere in between’ at Rosie Jones: Triple Threat (Pleasance Courtyard p 147). At Sue Perkins: A Piece of Work in Progress (Pleasance Courtyard p 159), Sue tells us she ‘is a mess, but because she wears glasses and uses adverbs, people are fooled into thinking she’s together.’
Live podcasts at the Fringe this year include Nish Kumar’s and Coco Khan’s ‘weekly political podcast’ Pod Save the UK – Live! (Monkey Barrel Comedy p 140), No Such Thing As A Fish (Edinburgh Playhouse p 134) celebrating 10 years of podcasting, the live comedy podcasting phenomenon The Guilty Feminist (Gilded Balloon at the Museum p 95) and The Political Party With Matt Forde (Gilded Balloon at the Museum p 141).
The 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe will run from 02 – 26 August.
See the Fringe programme online here.
Find out where you can get a printed version of the programme here.
