Glasgow 2024, A Worldcon For Our Futures, has an excellent selection of arts and theatre-related content, including John Robertson’s The Dark Room, The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre, and Emily Carding’s Quintessence. One of the things all of these shows have in common is that they’ve all been part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world’s longest-running and largest performing arts festival.
Just a short trip from Glasgow, the Festival Fringe has a lot to offer. With almost four thousand separate shows on at the festival, it can be tough to choose a handful of shows to go and see, so we’ve helpfully created a list of performances that may appeal. Glasgow 2024 will also run a panel called Edinburgh Fringe Survival Guide on Monday, 12th of August in Hall 1 at 13:00, just in case you need more tips from Fringe veterans.
Let’s take a look at some recommendations for shows. Please check the listing for dates and times before booking.
10 Songs for Geeks – Jollyboat – Liquid Room
Worldcon members will love Jollyboat; their show takes well-known songs and tunes and then rewrites the lyrics to make them relevant to sci-fi and fantasy fans. These lovely super geeks have been spreading the joy of filk (or something close to it) across the world for the last fourteen years and are a must-see if you’re in Edinburgh this August.
1984– Summerhall – Old Lab
Turning George Orwell’s dense novel into a piece of physical theatre is a remarkable endeavour and easily the sort of thing the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is about. This version of 1984 brings together professional actors from Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia to tell the story of Winston Smith and Big Brother’s totalitarian rule through expressive movement and visceral choreography.
Garry Starr: Classic Penguins – Pleasance Courtyard
It’s fair to say that if you’re going to Worldcon, you probably have one or two Penguin Classic novels on your shelf. And you may sometimes wonder if these books are endangered. Don’t worry because Garry Starr is here to save every Penguin Classic novel ever written through his brilliant performances. Somehow. Garry Starr (aka Damien Warren-Smith) is a world-class physical comedian, and his very silly show is a delight. This literature-themed piece of clowning is worth your time, but be aware that there may be nudity.
Fanboy – Pleasance Dome
There have been many one-person shows over the years that explore the twin themes of childhood and fandom, often descending into a sort of maudlin nostalgia. Joe Sellman-Leava’s Fanboy bucks this trend by being a joyous (and poignant) exploration of growing up geeky. Brilliantly staged and superbly performed, Fanboy is an incredible journey into the future (and past) of one man’s love of science fiction.
Non-Player Character: Live Virtual Reality Musical – Yotel
If you enjoyed Worldcon panels such as Beyond Dream Park and Evolution of Immersive Experience, you’ll love Brendan Bradley’s state-of-the-art interactive musical.
The Magic of Terry Pratchett – Assembly George Square
Marc Burrow’s tribute to the life and work of Terry Pratchett is simply sublime. Part lecture, part slideshow, and part stand-up routine, Marc captures the very essence of Terry’s story. This show takes us through Pratchett’s life story, from his early days as a journalist to his untimely death in 2015. Along the way, we explore the cultural impact of the Discworld and examine why Pratchett will be remembered for many years to come.
Mythos: Ragnorok – Assembly George Square
Combining the physical theatre that is professional wrestling with Norse myth, Mythos Ragnorok is a unique and brilliant show. If the idea of going to a wrestling show doesn’t appeal, think of it more like high-impact ballet or energetic theatrical fighting. The storytelling is excellent, and it’s an unforgettable night out that just happens to feature some of the world’s most remarkable men and women in the world of wrestling.
Character Building Experience – Bedlam Theatre
Dungeons and Dragons as a stage performance has become a regular thing in recent years, thanks in part to shows such as Dimension 20 and Critical Role. Sasha Ellen is one of the most entertaining, skilled (and sadly underrated) dungeon masters in the business. Every show is different as she invites professional comedians to her gaming table and then draws inspiration from the audience to create something memorable and hilarious.
Tartan Tabletop – Gilded Balloon Patter House
Another D&D improv show, but slightly less anarchic, The Tartan Tabletop has toured the world, honing their skills at rolling twenty-sided dice to produce a tight yet silly fantasy gaming experience.
John Robertson: The Human Hurricane – Laughing Horse @ The Counting House
John Robertson is one of the most energetic and sharpest comedians on the scene, and you’ll likely know his work from The Dark Room, which you can see as part of Worldcon. His new stand-up show, Human Hurricane, takes his previous work to the next level. If you loved The Dark Room, you’ll be delighted by this.
Tom Crosbie: I Came, I Saw, I Conq-Nerd – Gilded Balloon Patter House
Tom Crosbie is one of the finest nerds in all the land, and is rather handy with a Rubix cube. He wows audiences through incredible acts of memory and what some would call mentalism. This charming, mesmerising one-hour show is a balm for the mind and soul, and perfect if you’ve had a hectic Worldcon.
They are many more shows of course, but those are our top tips. Remember to book in advance if you can, check the map so you know where the venue is, and drink plenty of liquids. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is a marathon not a sprint, so don’t forget to pace yourself and enjoy the shows you can get to see (as you’ll never be able to seem them all). Starburst does a good guide to pacing yourself here.
Don’t forget to check out the PBH Free Fringe, especially if you’re on a budget, and remember to pack your good shoes; Edinburgh is mostly uphill. Above all else, though, have fun and enjoy the world’s busiest, weirdest, and largest arts festival.