Pride Month is drawing to a close but its rainbow-coloured tendrils will extend far and wide into Festival season. Amidst drag shows, comedy, musicals and theatre, the experiences of those in the LGBTQIA+ community fly high over the Festival, and we're rather excited about it.

So, in a change from our usual weekly round-up of fest-focused miscellany, we’ve collated some Fringe-flavoured news consisting entirely of individuals who are discussing LGBTQIA+ topics in their shows or else flying the flag for Queer people across the globe.

In this edition, we explore a theatre piece moving the dial on the trans narrative, welcome a bisexual and her boyfriend to Monkey Barrel, say ‘awwww’ to two performers getting hitched, and oodles more (that's right, ‘oodles’. Deal with it). 

Aidan Sadler to stage the ‘best ever’ LGBTQIA+ party at Edinburgh Fringe…

… giving audiences the chance to let down their hair during the Fringe’s busiest periods. The cabaret entertainer will be hosting the party at Just The Tonic At La Belle Angele from 11pm until 2am on Saturday 2 and Friday 15 August with the promise of a night that’s ‘queer, chic and outrageous’. Quicrageous, if you will (but probably shouldn't). 

Sadler said: ‘It’s big. It’s gay. It’s the afterparty! In these polarised times we as a community find so few cool, fun and friendly spaces to hang out in and I don’t take this opportunity lightly. Running the club last year I had so many important conversations with people about creating safe spaces for Queer audiences, performers and allies across the spectrum.

‘As always I’m infinitely grateful to be able to hold this space at Big Gay Afterparty for the festival. I want to create as inclusive a platform as possible for good vibes and the fact we have yet another jam packed line-up of rising stars and established Edinburgh, UK-wide and international names feels like a happy bonus. This year I’m also bringing Moonage Rhapsody, working alongside Fringe veteran Dusty Limits and Natasha Panas to hold a torch to the music industries biggest icons David Bowie and Freddie Mercury.’

Straights are allowed, of course, but only if you're cool. 

‘Positive trans narrative’ Rose+Bud hits the Fringe…

… for a British premiere that’s appearing in the wake of a growing toxicity around trans issues and a preponderance of repellent right-wing talking points in the media. Rose+Bud will be a welcome change to that. According to a press release, the show is about ‘coming to terms with who you were, who you are and who you want to be’ and follows a young student called Bud as they figure out they’d prefer to be called Rose. It’ll be taking place at Pleasance Courtyard from Wednesday 30 July – Sunday 24 August. 

Another trans performer on the Fringe bill is Jordan Gray, the award-winning musical comedy performer who’s bringing her new show Is That A Cock In Your Pocket, Or Are You Just Here To Kill Me? We reported on this one in last week’s Road, but it’s worth reiterating simply to write that phenomenal show title again. You can catch Gray's particular brand of abundant mayhem at Assembly George Square Gardens from Wednesday 30 July – Sunday 24 August.

Gwyneth Goes Skiing's stars are getting hitched…

…in what’s thought to be the first LGBTQIA+ wedding to be staged as part of the official Fringe programme. Linus Karp and Joseph Martin will be performing their new show The Fit Prince (Who Gets Switched On The Square In The Frosty Castle The Night Before (Insert Public Holiday Here) for the duration of the Fringe, but will also get married at the Pleasance Grand on Saturday 16 August. The event will be performed by a licensed officiant and feature guest performers from the Fringe (and a paying audience, of course). 

In a joint statement, Linus and Joseph said: ‘I do.’

Ania Magliano brings new podcast to Edinburgh…

… called A Bisexual And A Boyfriend. She hosts the podcast with her boyfriend (the comedian, actor and director Will Rowland) and together they explore the intersections and divergences of the queer and straight experience. If that all sounds a bit stone-faced, don’t worry; there’s jokes in it too. We’re big fans of Magliano, and awarded her four stars for last year’s Forgive Me, Father, writing, ‘Unlike plenty of other comics flooding the backrooms and basements of Edinburgh at this time of year, her story’s denouement comes not as a moment of disruption to her comedic timing but as a light-touch point of reflection that’s ultimately uplifting. With a tight structure, prodigious sense of flow and solid gag rate, Magliano is still breaking new ground.’ Read the full review here. 

A Bisexual And A Boyfriend will be performed at Monkey Barrel on Wednesday 6 August. 

Four stars or more 

Sam Lake is always a highlight of the Fringe, and he’ll be lighting up the Monkey Barrel again this year with You're Joking!? Not Another One! which is apparently ‘about the highs and lows of pursuing your lifelong passion and just loving a laugh.’ We were big fans of last year’s Esmerelda, awarding it four stars and writing, ‘A charismatic presence on stage, Lake always knows precisely when to cut the tension, just before the show starts getting a bit too heavy.’ Read the full review here. 

Catch You’re Joking!? Not Another One! at Monkey Barrel from Thursday 31 July – Sunday 24 August.