Contemporary circus is fast becoming one of the most popular artforms at the Fringe – and it's easy to see why. In a sea of talent, skill and bravery we pick ten of the shows we're most excited about seeing this year.

Casus: You and I
Australia's Casus circus company has brought some real Fringe goodies in the past, including Knee Deep and Driftwood. This new two-hander, starring Jesse Scot and Lachlan McAulay, uses acrobatics and trapeze to celebrate the love between two men.
Assembly Roxy, 2–26 (not 13, 20) Aug

Circolombia
In an increasingly busy market, this incredible circus company from Bogota emerged as the best in town (in our humble opinion) at the 2017 Fringe – so we're thrilled to see this show back for another viewing. Check out our five-star review last year.
Underbelly's Circus Hub in the Meadows, 3–25 (not 8, 13, 20) Aug

Circus Abyssinia: Ethiopian Dreams
The real-life story of two juggling brothers from Ethiopia, who rose to the top of the circus tree, is woven into some truly remarkable feats by the massively talented and hard-working Konjowoch Troupe.
Underbelly's Circus Hub in the Meadows, 4–25 (not 13, 20) Aug

Circus Abyssinia: Ethiopian Dreams
Cirque Berserk!
With talented artists hailing from across the world, this fast-paced show is packed
with wall-to-wall skill in acrobatics, juggling, aerial work and stunts – while the 'Globe
of Death' act at the end almost defies belief.

8 Songs
Nobody could have predicted how well juggling and movement go together, or how theatrical it can be – but the Gandini company has made an artform of it. After the success of Smashed and 4x4 Ephemeral Architectures, the juggling masters are back at the Fringe with two new shows.
Assembly Roxy, 1–27 (not 7–9, 15, 21) Aug

My Land
Following the hot and steamy Paris de Nuit last year, Budapest company Recirquel returns with this blend of graceful movement and top notch circus skills, exploring personal stories of tradition, freedom and love.
Assembly Roxy, 1–26 (not 8, 13, 20) Aug

Notorious Strumpet and Dangerous Girl
Trained at Melbourne's National Institute of Circus Arts, Jess Love has performed with some of the best: Circa, Circus Oz, La Clique. Now she's going it alone with this solo mix of dark storytelling, circus skills and brutal honesty set in an AA meeting.
Summerhall, 1–26 (not 2, 13, 20) Aug

Casus / credit: Shannon Vitali
Réversible
Montreal's 7 Fingers collective have built up a reputation on the circus scene for their mix of acrobatic skill and theatrical flair. This new show finds eight performers looking back at what life was like when their grandparents were young.
Assembly Rooms, 2–26 (not 8, 13, 20) Aug

Sediment
Inspired by Dostoyevsky's novella Notes from Underground, this three-hander from Australia's Company 2 is as far removed from the showy big top as possible, and it's got us intrigued.
Assembly Roxy, 2–26 (not 8, 13, 20) Aug

Tabarnak
We still haven't recovered from the 5-star brilliance of Canadian company Cirque Alfonse's 2015 hit, Barbu. So imagine our excitement when we heard they're back in Edinburgh with another helping of skill, live music and witty mayhem. Check out our preview of their new show.
Underbelly's Circus Hub in the Meadows, 4–25 (not 8, 13, 20) Aug

Universoul Circus: Hip Hop Under the Big Top
Circus and hip hop – what's not to like? The American company makes its UK debut with hire-wire artists, contortionists, fire dancers and, of course, a whole lot of hip hop.
Underbelly's Circus Hub in the Meadows, 4–25 Aug