The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is now well under way, with some shows already having come and gone from the city.
With more than 3,000 shows included in this year’s programme of events, it can be hard to decide which to see. From theatre and comedy to dance, musicals and more, there is a huge range of entertainment on offer.
But which shows have really stood out from the rest during the 2025 Fringe?
The Scotsman’s critics have reviewed more than 350 shows so far this year and while there are a good number of 4-star reviews only a handful of performances have earned themselves 5-stars.
Here are all of the 5-star shows on at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe.
13. Comedy – Paul Campbell: The Lost Tapes of Somerfield
A show which chronicles Paul Campbell’s love affair with Somerfield Supermarkets, The Lost Tapes of Somerfield received a 5-star review from The Scotsman for his ability to take audiences “through the five stages of Supermarket Grief”. At Hoots @ Potterrow until August 25 our critic promises that “you will not find a more personal, passionate show in Edinburgh”. | Contributed
14. Theatre – Hairy B*stard
“Honestly, this girl deserves her own public health TV show,” was the consensus of The Scotsman’s critic who reviewed Molly Farquhar’s semi-autobiographical solo show Hairy Bastard. Shaped by her experience with hirsutism and PCOS, as Magenta Farquhar proves herself a “powerhouse performer” as she flips from oversharing about her sex life and the pink tax to more educational elements. Hairy Bastard was on at Haldane Theatre at theSpace @ Surgeons' Hall until August 23. | Contributed
15. Theatre – BITCH
A 5-star piece of theatre which earned 5-stars from our critic, BITCH is “a work of rage, fear and compassion”. Starring Marty Breen who plays two characters, the true story at the heart of the play only reveals itself when the narratives of domestic violence begin to overlap. “Breen makes a craft of the cusp, the punchline is her tightrope, and each scene is suspended over a gap in the world only we seem to see or understand,” our reviewer wrote. BITCH is on until August 25 at Jack Dome, Pleasance Dome. | Contributed