FESTIVALS
Edinburgh Fringe
3 - 27 August 2018
The Fringe Festival bursts into Edinburgh every August, bringing with it an almighty buzz. Navigating the shows can be a challenge, so plan ahead with our guide to the best of the Fringe:
SHOWS TO BOOK
Di & Viv & Rose
Image: Guy Bell
Three women rollercoaster their way through life, encountering sex, loss and all kinds of love. This is a courageous look at the enduring bond of friendship which will make you laugh and cry. Handmade Theatre’s condensed 1-hour version of this critically acclaimed play by Amelia Bullmore is their Edinburgh debut, after performing in Somerset House and Tea House Theatre in London. Find them at C Cubed main space this year. tickets.edfringe.com
Songlines
Featuring live music from the TRILLS, this brand new play by Tallulah Brown celebrates the awkwardness of teenage love in all its glory. Running for the whole month of August at the Pleasance Courtyard, the play is produced by the celebrated DugOut, the same team behind the brilliant one-woman play Hunch by Kate Kennedy. Neither are to be missed. tickets.edfringe.com
(Even) Hotter
Mary Higgins and Elle Potter’s verbatim show is a crusade against embarrassment. A funny and totally original play based on interviews of women and trans people of all ages. Find them at Bedlam Theatre. tickets.edfringe.com
First Snow/ Premiere Neige
Presented by the National Theatre Scotland this world premiere is written and performed by artists from Scotland and Québec. It is the moving story of a women returning to her ancestral home and questioning whether reflecting on our past can shed any light on the future – a pertinent thought for current times. tickets.edfringe.com
Sitting
Written by the brilliant Katherine Parkinson (IT crowd), this play follows three people sitting for their portraits, as they reveal intimate tales of loss and longing. Backed by the BBC as part of a new initiative to support artists who are debut writers, this is sure to be as hilarious as it is moving. tickets.edfringe.com
RESTAURANTS TO BOOK
Hawksmoor Edinburgh
Scran and Scallie
A smart gastro-pub where you’ll find hearty fare like fish pie and ham, egg and chips on the menu. But it’s all done upscale of course, as you’d expect from two of Scotland’s top chefs, Tom Kitchen and Dominic Jack. Book ahead for breakfast, lunch and dinner. scranandscallie.com
The Gardener’s Cottage
For super seasonal food in an informal setting, the Gardener’s Cottage is a little piece of heaven. The brunch and lunch are especially good – stop in and get your energy up before you hit the festival proper. In the evening’s it’s a set seven-course meal. thegardenerscottage.co
Written for A Little Bird by Allegra Marland.