August is fast approaching which means it’s time to scour the Edinbugh Festival Fringe programme for the best shows to see.
The physical programme was launched last month, with 3,352 show across 265 venues, and some are already selling out - with others still being added to the bill.
It can be a fairly daunting prospect to narrow those down when organising your Fringe.
While seeing something new is very much part of the Fringe experience, sometimes it’s nice to go and see something that’s already been successful.
Luckily there are plenty of returning shows that have previously wowed sold out Edinburgh audiences, along with those that arrive in Scotland’s Capital on a wave of award winning success.
Here are 18 that caught our eye. You can book them all at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe website.
9. Dirty Work
The various prizes presented at the Melbourne Comedy Award are a fairly decent indication of shows that may well do well in Edinburgh. This year saw the Best Newcomer Award go to Dirty Work, a mixture of song dance and clowning by Jessica Barton in character as 'perfect nanny' Mary Floppins. It's on at the Underbelly from July 31 until August 24. | Contributed
10. Kate Dolan: The Critic
Another winner in Melbourne, Kate Dolan's show 'The Critic' landed the Golden Gibbo - a prize given to local independent shows. It's billed as "a rare sighting into a sleepless comedian's mind, unravelling, in real time, for all to hear." You can catch it at Assembly George Square from July 30 to August 24. | Contributed
11. A Gambler's Guide To Dying
Much-loved Scottish playwright Gary McNair hit Fringe gold back in 2015 with his funny and poignant show 'A Gambler's Guide To Dying'. It tells the story of a grandad who won a fortune betting on the 1966 World Cup and, when diagnosed with cancer, gambles it all on living to see the year 2000. It has toured the world and won multiple awards since. Now it's back home at the Traverse for a special run of shows to mark its 10th anniversary from August 1-24. | Contributed
12. Josh Glanc: Family Man
Aussie comedian Josh Glanc's infectiously silly show 'Family Man' was a huge crowdpleaser at last year's Fringe and ended up bagging a nomination for the Edinburgh Comedy Award. If you missed the sold-out run in 2024 (or just fancy seeing it again and singing the theme tune) then he's back at the Monkey Barrel with it from August 1-10. And if you enjoy it you can also check out his Work in Progress, also at the Monkey Barrel, from August 15-19. | Contributed