Every August, this little city in Scotland explodes into the biggest arts festival in the world. It’s where brand-new musicals are born, careers are launched, and audiences get to say, “I saw it before it was cool” while sipping gin in a pop-up bar.

It’s awesome.  It’s where shows like Six and Fleabag got their start.

Last year, I took my team across the pond to experience Fringe for the first time. (Click here to read all about it.) It was a trip we’ll remember for the rest of our careers lives! We met so many incredible theatermakers, saw so many different types of shows, and even stayed on a floating hotel thanks to Playbill.

If you’ve never been, imagine Times Square at rush hour . . . but instead of Elmos and Naked Cow Things, you’ve got jugglers, thespians, Shakespearean hip-hop artists, and one guy yelling “Free show!” while balancing on a unicycle.

And with all those options, it’s hard to figure out what to see.

So, in the spirit of making your Fringe experience less overwhelming and more “Oh-my-God-that-was-amazing,” my team and I have combed through and picked 10 shows you should have on your radar this year. 

From outrageous comedy musicals to intimate, award-winning dramas, these are the ones that made me sit up, lean forward, and say, “Get me a ticket to that.”

Here’s your must-see list for Edinburgh Fringe 2025 . . .

Operation: Destroy Beff Jezos

Aliens, incels, robots… in wigs? Join this top-secret mission to save the world! This musical comedy meets interactive video game (scheduled late enough to make sure Bezos’ lawyers are asleep) is unlike any live theatre you’ve seen before. This wild choose-your-own adventure show transports you through time and space, where you’ll play along on your phone to help our heroes survive every twist and turn. Are you ready? It may be up to you!
Dates: August 18-22, 2025
Time: 23:00
Venue: 45 – theSpace
Tickets: Click Here
*Full disclosure:  My associate producer Morgan Cavendish is lead producing this show – and I invested in it and in her.

David and Katie Get Re-Married 

You’re cordially invited to the second wedding of David and Katie: confidently codependent, deliriously devoted to a dangerous degree and fully qualified to flaunt a flawless approach to marriage; with music, exotic rituals and, a unity volcano. Bear witness as the world’s worst couple celebrates the (second) happiest day of their lives. Starring David Carl (Trump Lear, The Tender Bar) and Katie Hartman (Netflix’s The Week Of, The Other Two), David and Katie Get Re-Married is a glorious celebration of love, dysfunction and doing it all over again. This time it’s forever. For realz! Probably?!?
Dates: August 13-24, 2025
Time: 21:50
Venue: 302 – Friesian at Underbelly, Bristo Square
Tickets: Click Here

Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me but Banjos Saved My Life

‘Storytelling at its best!’ ***** (Playbill). This highly awarded, internationally toured, inspirational true story is about overcoming obstacles, pursuing passions, and the healing power of the arts and is told with warmth, humour and banjo music! This show has donated 100% of ticket sales to cancer and theatre charities totalling over $1,000,000 (CAD) since 2018 and all proceeds from this Edinburgh Fringe run will benefit Summerhall. Sold out run in 2023 and 2024. Mervyn Stutter’s Pick of the Fringe 2023! ‘A sold-out Fringe classic!’ (BritishTheatreGuide.info).
Dates: August 12-25, 2025
Time: 13:45
Venue: 26 – Red Lecture Theatre at Summerhall
Tickets: Click Here

A Letter to Lyndon B Johnson or God: Whoever Reads This First

Boyhood is all about spit-shakes, rope swings, and playing soldiers, but only the good guys of course. Whether it’s stories around the campfire, pranks on their superior, or a prayer to their favorite president, these two scouts just want their moms to see the big strong men they’ve become. From three-time consecutive 2022, 2023, and 2024 Fringe First Award-winners Xhloe and Natasha comes an absurdist two-hander about the idealized American childhood and the boys it left behind.
Dates: August 12-23, 2025
Time: Various times
Venue: 9 – Upper Theatre at theSpace @ Niddry St
Tickets: Click Here

World’s Greatest Lover – The New Musical

What is love? World premiere musical direct from New York sees literature’s most legendary lovers flirt and fight as they hunt for the truth about love. From conniving Casanova to unrequited Romeo, from the clandestine Cyrano de Bergerac to the dangerous Marquis de Sade, these renowned romantics reunite and battle through song. Wildly entertaining and as seductive as it is heartfelt. Directed and choreographed by Broadway’s Joshua Bergasse, Emmy Award winner for NBC’s Smash, now also a new Broadway musical. Written by Julien Salvia and Ludovic-Alexandre Vidal, credits include Luxembourg’s 2025 Eurovision
Dates: August 12-24, 2025
Time: 18:00
Venue: 33 – Pleasance One at Pleasance Courtyard
Tickets: Click Here

Why I Stuck a Flare Up My Arse for England

Back for a third and final year after sell-out runs and international acclaim, the multi award-winning bum flare play tells the story of ardent football fan Billy Kinley, who sticks a flare up his bum at Euro 2020 and goes viral. What follows is a funny, raw and honest look at identity, loyalty and belonging. Winner of Best Theatre Show at Adelaide Fringe 2025, this show has been a hit worldwide. Bold, sharp and unforgettable. Final Edinburgh Fringe run. One flare. One man. One bum… One story. Don’t miss it!
Dates: August 12-25, 2025
Time: 14:15
Venue: 302 – Cowbarn at Underbelly, Bristo Square
Tickets: Click Here

Nerds: The Bill Gates vs. Steve Jobs Comedy Musical

If South Park and the IT Crowd had an affair, Nerds would be the unapologetic lovechild they put up for adoption to avoid a scandal. Fast, funny and full of shit wit, experience the possibly doobie-induced highs and self-deprecating lows of tech titans Bill Gates and Steve Jobs as they face off in epic rap battles, ill-advised schemes and hilarious songs. Get your lightsabers at the ready for this laugh-out-loud musical comedy! ***** (FairyPoweredProductions.com). ***** (ElementalTheatre.com).
Dates: August 12-25, 2025
Time: 12:30
Venue: 302 – Cowbarn at Underbelly, Bristo Square
Tickets: Click Here

Hot Mess

Hot Mess: a new musical. After a billion years of bad dates, Earth’s finally found the one… Humanity. Sparks fly. Wheat is harvested. Technology flourishes. But what begins as a passionate love affair between the universe’s most iconic couple quickly descends into a Hot Mess. From the creative duo behind 42 Balloons comes a new pop musical about love, hope and the ultimate break up – with Danielle Steers (SIX The Musical) and Tobias Turley (MAMMA MIA!).
Dates: August 12-25, 2025
Time: Various times
Venue: 33 – Pleasance Two at Pleasance Courtyard
Tickets: Click Here

Arthur Hull’s FLOP: The Best Songs From The Worst Musicals Ever Written

Adelaide Fringe Emerging Artist Award 2025. A love letter to Broadway’s biggest misfires from a self-proclaimed musical theatre nerd who aims to prove that every show can be proud of at least one song! ‘What an absolute joy to spend an evening in the company of the scarily talented Arthur Hull – a brilliant premise for a show.’ ***** (List). ‘Phenomenal. In Hull’s hands it’s hard to believe these songs were not smash hits.’ ***** (Clothesline Arts Magazine). ‘A standout of the Fringe this season.’ ***** (Adelaide Diaries).
Dates: August 13-24, 2025
Time: 20:45
Venue: 140 – Braeburn at Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Tickets: Click Here

Footballers’ Wives: The Musical

A new British musical based on the iconic TV series following the fall and rise of captain’s wife Tanya Turner as she schemes to save her marriage and her husband’s career. Rewind to 2002 when Premier League football was the new rock’n’roll – with the money, glamour and bad behaviour to match. Spoiler alert: Contains scenes of an adult nature, drug-taking, noughties fashion, attempted murder, offensive language, outmoded attitudes, sexual impropriety, drama, heartbreak, comedy, singing, dancing – and absolutely no football! ‘Gloriously OTT sass with brains and heart’ (Musicals Magazine).
Dates: August 12-24, 2025
Time: 18:35
Venue: 20 – Music Hall at Assembly Rooms
Tickets: Click Here

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