WEBF Rachel’s round-up of EDINBURGH FRINGE 2023
Well Besties, what can I say? It's been a busy month, 109 shows reviewed by myself alone and over 130 by the West End Best Friend team! It's been incredible and so, so hard to put together my top ten, but here they are (in no particular order) ....
Photo credit: Alex Brenner
The Ice Hole: A Cardboard Comedy
The Ice Hole takes us on a journey from the fjords of Iceland to the Spanish desert via Scotland, England, Paris and a whole lot of sea. Cursed by a mermaid, that he accidentally caught whilst fishing, a great actor recounts his story in a language no one is quite sure of and with the help of one fellow performer (who works endlessly throughout the performance!)
Lachlan Werner: Voices of Evil
In Voices of Evil, Lachy is a poof and also a virgin, apparently. Brew is a witch, a small one, and she has chosen this night to sacrifice him - to help with his self esteem, obviously! An occult ritual where demonic voices are heard from every corner and everyone is at risk of being puppeted by evil.
Photo credit: Geraint Lewis
Adapted by Harry Gibson from the novel by Irvine Welsh, Trainspotting Live is an immersive production. Tracking the misadventures of a group of young men in Edinburgh, trying to find their way out of drug addiction, joblessness and dead end relationships. If you've seen the film then beware, you're about to become part of the infamous 'worst toilet in Scotland' scene!
A gender neutral public toilet. Not your usual place to set a musical but wow, does it work! Four strangers find themselves trapped with an hour to kill before maintenance arrive to get them out. They find themselves navigating pungent opinions, some seriously sticky conversations and some unexpected challenges. Created by queer-led theatre collective Stroud & Notes, Public - The Musical explores stories of identity, mental health, toxic masculinity, and compassion.
Photo credit: Harry Elletson
Kate Butch and Crudi Dench are jetting off to Transylvania as UK finalists in the Eurovision Song Contest, but their trip becomes a bloody nightmare when their Airbnb host Dracula drives a wedge between them, threatening not only their lives, but also their chance of stardom.
Kathy and Stella Solve A Murder
BFFs Kathy and Stella are Hull's least successful true crime podcasters. When their favourite author is killed, they are thrust into a thrilling whodunnit of their own! Can they crack the case (and become global podcast superstars) before the killer strikes again...?
Luke Kempner in Gritty Police Drama: A One Man Musical
Star of Spitting Image (Britbox) and Steph's Packed Lunch (Channel 4), impressionist Luke Kempner brings his one-man British Police Drama to Edinburgh. It's Line of Duty meets Happy Valley meets Clarkson's Farm meets Match of the Day meets King Charles meets the Traitors. With 60 impressions in 60 minutes, no-one is safe!
A kid's party...but for adults, this is Soho Theatre's smash-hit musical comedy about two rival children's entertainers. Think Amadeus meets Flight of the Conchords meets Dizzee Rascal; this is one party you won't want to miss!
Photo credit: Anne Koerber
The Quality of Mercy: Concerning the Life and Crimes of Dr Harold Frederick Shipman
From his cell in the dead of night, Dr Harold Shipman records a confessional tape, setting the record straight about his background and his actions as he prepares to end his life. Patiently making a noose, he reflects on the choices, compulsions and fascinations that earned him the nickname Dr Death, and a reputation as one of the most prolific serial killers in history.
The winner of Drag Race hits the Fringe as part of their debut solo tour! Join Danny as they take to the stage with their live band in a show which promises to be bigger, better and more camp than ever before.
That’s WEBF over and out at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, see you next year!
If you would like to join the WEBF reviewers team at Edinburgh in 2024, please email us at westendbestfriend@gmail.com.