We’re one week into this year's Fringe Festival, and what a week it’s been. From side-splitting stand-up to hair-raising drama, the acts at this year’s festival have put on some unforgettable shows. To help you separate the wheat from the one-star chaff, here’s every five and four star show we’ve reviewed so far. 

Five stars

Marjolein Robertson: Marj

(Comedy)

‘You’ll hear a lot of call-backs at the Edinburgh Fringe, but probably not that many calling back to the comic’s 2022 show. Such is the confidence and sheer chutzpah of Marjolein Robertson’s Marj, a phenomenal 60 minutes of accomplished stand-up with an important message to share. Great writing and solid construction are at the heart of this show’s success and Robertson’s forensic attention to detail essentially allows her to bring three different acts, with three different arcs, to one single stage. ‘ Read the full review

Stuntman

(Dance)

‘Circus and dance performer Sadiq Ali (creator of 2022’s brilliant The Chosen Haram) pairs up with former MMA fighter and parkour practitioner David Banks to explore the relationship between masculinity and violence in this thoroughly original piece of dance theatre from company Superfan. What starts out as horseplay ends up pulling no punches.’ Read the full review.

Blue

(Drama)

‘There are pros and cons to performing in one of the smallest venues the Edinburgh Fringe has to offer. On the downside, The Box at Assembly George Square holds a much smaller audience than this compelling new play deserves. But in its favour, we’re gifted an opportunity to watch two masterful actors at close proximity. With a clutch of TV and film appearances between them, June Carryl and John Colella have honed their craft, and every single word spoken is delivered with complete conviction.’ Read the full review. 

RECIRQUEL: IMA

(Dance)

‘Hungarian dance-circus company Recirquel’s latest piece IMA (or Pray) sets a new bar for what can be achieved by solo aerial performances. Set in a black-out dome inside Murrayfield Ice Rink, this immersive and physically altering show uses sophisticated lighting design, an original score and wildly talented circus and ballet professionals to achieve something otherworldly.’ Read the full review.

Four stars

No Love Songs 

(Musical Theatre)

‘The sentence ‘Kyle Falconer from The View has co-written a musical about post-natal depression’ may feel like the product of a fever dream for those more aware of his career as an indie-rock tearaway. But the result is a charming story of young love which is insightful and deeply human, and which incisively charts unspoken truths about the difficulties many women face after pregnancy.’ Read the full review.

Anna Piper Scott: Such An Inspiration 

(Comedy)

‘As the show starts, Anna Piper Scott is already in the room, perched on the edge of her stage amiably chatting to folk as they arrive. It’s a sign of things to come as the Aussie stand-up is exceptionally personable. She’s keen to prep us for what is to come, worried that it will get a bit dark or a touch ‘spicy’. For hers is a difficult story to tell; one of mental ill-health, abuse and finding her place in the world as a trans woman.’ Read the full review.

Hello Kitty Must Die 

(Musical Theatre)

‘The kicky, catchy soundtrack to Hello Kitty Must Die powers us through a tale of sex, murder and feminism. The opening track compares the stereotype of Asian women to Hello Kitty (demure, innocent and silent) and then presents us with protagonist Fiona Yu who is a million miles from all of that. One belter of a tune sees Yu singing an ode to dildoes and her monologues to the audience are filled with eyerolls at the patriarchal expectations imposed upon her by a Chinese father.’ Read the full review. 

Jon And Ollie: Strictly Barking 

(Kids)

‘Slapstick, Strictly and satsumas all play a part in this story of an unlikely friendship between an elderly man and his canine companion. Hogarth befriends stray dog Easy Peeler (citrus fruits take up a much bigger space in the show than you’d expect, but it works) as they enter a ballroom dancing competition in their town of Barking. Jon and Ollie’s energy is enough to keep wee ones fixated for the full hour, as the characters’ clownish antics carry us along in a heartwarming tale of an ‘opposites-attract’ friendship. Expect bouncy balls, water pistols and some seriously high-energy dance routines (notably the Charleston).’ Read the full review. 

Lorna Rose Treen: Skin Pigeon 

(Comedy)

‘A two-time Funny Women comedy award-winner with over two million likes on TikTok, Lorna Rose Treen has made her way onto many ‘names to watch’ lists this Fringe. In her first full hour, Skin Pigeon, Treen performs a roster of original characters that showcase her wide range of comedic talents, from razor-sharp writing to more physical clowning and intricate prop work. Book-ended by a raspy-voiced Girl Guide from Birmingham who is preoccupied by acquiring new badges and hating her stepfather, this debut show is dynamic and playful, constantly straddling the line between sharp witted and outright silly.’ Read the full review. 

Pierre Novellie: Why Are You Laughing? 

(Comedy)

‘Pierre Novellie is a man of contradictions. Opening his set with the declaration that he will not discuss his background, he ends up spending a chunk of time doing just that. He fully acknowledges the problems with British culture but chose to live here, nonetheless; most notably, he is a stand-up who may make you question the very morality of watching stand-ups.’ Read the full review. 

Mythos: Ragnarok

(Theatre)

‘‘We’ve sold out 80% of our run already,’ announces wrestling pro Ed Gamester amid a sea of applause at the end of Mythos: Ragnarok, an early success story at this year’s festival. Last year, this wrestling/Norse mythology mash-up slowly gathered an audience through word of mouth, but 2023’s edition has hit Edinburgh riding a wave of plaudits for its fast-paced slobberknockers and excitable approach to ancient stories.’ Read the full review. 

Are You There Margaret? It’s Me, Gahd

(Cabaret)

‘Uma Gahd’s childhood best friend Margaret has stood her up on a date. Luckily she has a whole audience on hand to help her pass the time, which she does by recounting her life story, interspersed with tangents about dating and some killer lip-synched musical numbers. Drag is such a polymath art, comprising stand-up, dance, fashion and generally holding a room, and Gahd is particularly gifted at the latter.’ Read the full review.

Looking For Giants

(Theatre)

‘Looking for meaning in the transitory connections with people we’re attracted to may seem an utterly foolish exercise. Looking For Giants is convinced that this act of self-searching is less about the outcome and more about the experience. Cesca Echlin’s debut play is a trifecta of monologues performed by Abby McCann, each built around a nameless character’s perception of men who excite, frustrate and compel her.’ Read the full review. 

Laser Kiwi: Rise of the Olive

(Comedy)

‘Did you know that Laser Kiwi are the world’s only surreal comedy sketch circus? If you didn’t, don’t worry, they’ll tell you. This trio of New Zealanders take their audience on a meticulously planned yet completely chaotic journey of comedy carnage. Grab your 3D glasses and sketch-by-sketch programme for the evening and prepare to become an olive.’ Read the full review.