Mix Up Theatre lists the Best Shows at the Festival this year!
Stuck for what to see? Don't worry we'll help!
The list will change every day based on reviews from Mix Up students, families & staff as well as published reviews from the press.
1. POLICE COPS: BADASS BE THY NAME ★★★★★
Comedy
Age: 14+
Venue: Assembly George Square Gardens
Dates: 16th - 29th
Hot off the back of sell-out runs at Edinburgh Fringe 2019, Soho Theatre London and San Fransisco Comedy Fest; multi-award-winning troupe Police Cops return with their latest comedy blockbuster. A gritty kitchen-sink drama turns into a vampire-slaying horror epic. Complete with a 90s rave soundtrack, supercharged physical comedy and more vampires that you can shake a stake at. Winner: Amused Moose Comedy Award. Winner: The Stage Award for Acting Excellence. ***** (EdFestMag.com). ***** (Stage). 'I paid £12, I would have paid £13' (Dara Ó Briain). 'Most brilliantly stupid comedy show of 2020' (Evening Standard).
Mix Up Theatre Reviews:
Cameron (Age 18) - ★★★★★
“Police Cops are a polished unpolished tidy mess. In a good way. A very chaotic masterpiece."
Press Reviews -
The List - ★★★★★
2. IS THIS A DAGGER? ★★★★★
Children's Shows (Storytelling, Theatre)
Age: 8+
Venue: The Scottish Storytelling Centre
Dates: Until 29th, 1:00pm
By the pricking of my thumb, something wicked this way comes. Andy Cannon returns to the Netherbow stage to tell Shakespeare’s classic, taking audiences on a thousand-year journey from fact to fiction and back again. 'A tale of sound and fury, signifying first-class theatre for everyone over eight' (Herald). 'Strikingly heartfelt and intelligent… immensely classy stuff' (Scotsman).
Mix Up Theatre Reviews:
Magnus (Age 11) - ★★★★★
“I really enjoyed Is this a Dagger at the Scottish Storytelling centre. It’s named after the line Macbeth said before he killed Duncan. I give it eleventeen stars out of five!"
Press Reviews -
The Scotsman - ★★★★★
Corr Blimey- ★★★★★
3. A RUBBISH MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM ★★★★★
Children's Show (Theatre, Comedy)
Age: 3+
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard
Dates: 25th - 29th
Fairies. Goblins. Donkeys... Super Soakers!? Four idiots wearing bed sheets for togas, attempt to stage Shakespeare's mischievous comedy, using only a box of pound-shop props, a camel onesie, some lightsabers and a ladder they found by the bins. The hilarious Rubbish Shakespeare Company returns with 2019's critically acclaimed, unique interpretation of The Dream. Perfect for ages 4-104! 'It's pure rubbish... and you'll love every minute' ***** (TheWeeReview.com). 'One of those rare pieces of theatre with something for everyone' ***** (FringeReview.co.uk). 'Like Horrible Histories but funnier' (Primary Times).
Mix Up Theatre Reviews:
Stewart - ★★★★★
“We do a theatre trip to see Rubbish Shakespeare Company every year and it's always hilarious! Every kid loves going to see them!”
4. MR. DILLY'S ALICE IN WONDERLAND ★★★★★
Children's Shows (Storyelling, Adaptation)
Age: 5+
Venue: Online
Dates: Until 30th
Join Mr Dilly and MacMillan Children’s Books on a joyous journey to the magical world of Wonderland, where nothing is as it seems! Celebrating 150 years of Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass, you’re invited to a unique first-person glimpse into Wonderland! Meet your favourite unforgettable characters as Mr Dilly brings to life the grinning Cheshire Cat, the anxious White Rabbit, the noble White Knight; and join an endless tea-party with the Mad Hatter himself! Rediscover the magic! Don’t be late: you’d be mad to miss it!. ‘Just brilliant!’ (ScoopTheMag.co.uk). ‘Absolutely fantastic!’ (BBC Radio Surrey).
Mix Up Theatre Reviews:
Callum (Age 9) - ★★★★★
“My favourite character was everyone."
Press Reviews -
The Edinburgh Reporter - ★★★★★
5. IT'S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE ★★★★★
Theatre (Verbatim, Science)
Nottingham New Theatre
Age: 12+
Venue: The Space @ Surgeons Hall
Dates: Until 28th
'It’s a man’s world' they say, looking at Earth. But beyond that, the vast expanse we call ‘space’, is largely unknown, unclaimed; a free for all. At least, it could be if my boss stopped calling me ‘sweetheart’. Eve always knew she belonged in the stars, but those on Earth keep bringing her down. Watch her grow up and grow wiser about how rocket science is the easy part, but being treated equally isn’t. This piece of verbatim theatre uses interviews from over 20 female aerospace professionals and presents their experiences navigating this male-dominated industry.
Mix Up Theatre Reviews:
Callie (Age 13) - ★★★★★
“It was very inspirational and brings to light the struggle of gender inequality."
Press Reviews -
Binge Fringe - ★★★★★
Broadway Baby- ★★★★★
Theatre Weekly- ★★★
6. MYRA'S STORY ★★★★★
Theatre (Drama)
Age: 14+
Venue: Assembly George Square Gardens
Dates: 6th - 29th
Myra, a middle-aged, homeless Dublin street drinker, is feisty, funny and tragic. Desperate for her first drink of the day, she begs from the passing city centre throngs. Between begging, she relives her back story. Playing all the characters and acting out all the incredible events that have led her to this pitiful existence, Myra takes us on a swirling, searing, at times hilarious, but ultimately heart-breaking journey. Winner of Best Tragedy award, United Solo Festival (New York, 2016). You'll laugh with Myra... you'll cry with Myra... what you'll never do, is forget her.
Mix Up Theatre Reviews:
Stewart - ★★★★
“Actress Fiona Hewitt-Twamley gives an unforgettable performance in this melancholy tale of Myra, a Dublin homeless woman who tells the story of her life to the audience. Written and directed by Derry playwright Brian Foster this finds the right balance between full on belly laugh humour and the more tragic side of Myra's story. Hewitt-Twamley is great fun but equally heartbreaking in the role and has fantastic moments where she plays all the characters in Myra's life."
Other Reviews -
Broadway Baby - ★★★★★
British Theatre Guide - ★★★★★
One4Review - ★★★★★
EdFringe Reviews - ★★★★★
Corr Blimey - ★★★★★
The Edinburgh Reporter - ★★★★
EdFringe Reviews - ★★★★
TheStudent - ★★★★
The Scotsman - ★★★★
7. SHOOK ★★★★
Theatre (Drama, Modern)
New Celts Productions and Twisted Corners
Age: 16+
Venue: The Space Triplex
Dates: Until 28th, 1:10pm
For Cain, Ryan and Jonjo life as young offenders is tough. Each there for different reasons, they are forced to spend their sentences together, killing time by exchanging sweets, banter and truths, sharing one thing in common – awaiting fatherhood. With their responsibilities as parents impending, Grace must help them turn from boys to men before they are forever lost to the system that failed them as children. This new and exciting piece of writing is a must-see for its honesty, timely themes and persistent comedy, guaranteed to make audiences leave laughing and with something to think about.
Reviews -
The Edinburgh Reporter - ★★★★★
Edinburgh Capital News - ★★★★★
AllEdinburghTheatre.com - ★★★★
Culture Fix - ★★★★
My Theatre Mates - ★★★★
8. BROMANCE ★★★★
Dance, Physical Theatre, Circus
Age: 3+
Venue: Assembly George Square Gardens
Dates: 5th-29th
International award-winning smash-hit Bromance is back! Five-star circus about camaraderie and affection. Audacious, touching, exhilarating tour de force of physical heroics where handshakes become handstands and backslaps become backflips. Among the UK's hottest circus companies, Barely Methodical Troupe are at the forefront of a new kind of physical performance, creating highly entertaining shows that mix the show-stopping acrobatics of circus with the emotional punch of theatre. Winners of 2013 Circus Maximus Award; 2014 Total Theatre and Jackson's Lane Award for Circus. 'Astonishing' **** (Time Out). 'A wonder to behold' **** (Metro). 'Jaw-droppingly magnificent show...' (Stage).
Mix Up Theatre Reviews:
Eugene (Age 16) - ★★★★★
“Inspiring, impressive, and oddly hilarious."
Other Reviews -
On the Mic - ★★★★★
Broadway Baby - ★★★★★
Broadway World - ★★★★
Culture Fix - ★★★★
The Wee Review - ★★★★
Binge Fringe - ★★★
9. MEET ASTRID LINGREN'S PIPPI LONGSTOCKING ★★★★
Children's Show (Storytelling)
Age: 4-10
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard
Dates: until 29th August, 11:15am
Nine-year-old Pippi Longstocking is strong, brave and fearless. When she comes to live in her new home with her monkey and horse but with no parents and no rules, she brings chaos and confusion to the folk of this ordinary town. What else would you expect from the daughter of a swashbuckling pirate captain? Olivier Award-nominated Wizard Presents has created a playful and quirky solo show performed by storyteller Sofie Miller. Expect mischief, laughter and audience interaction!
Mix Up Theatre Reviews:
Georgie (Age 6) - ★★★★★
“I loved all of it. My favourite bit was Pippi snoring and helping to pick the fruit. The DIY necklace was a nice surprise, [although it didn't last long as a necklace and soon became a headband - dad]”
Press Reviews -
10. POLICE COPS ★★★★★
Comedy
Age: 12+
Venue: Online
Dates: 6th-30th
1976: Rookie Police Cop Jimmy Johnson is out to avenge his brother's death. Teamed up with a disgraced, renegade named Harrison, the pair begin to unearth the secrets that the case holds. Police Cops is a cinematic joyride, speeding down Adventure Avenue in a souped-up squad car. Returning from sell-out runs at the Soho Theatre London and San Francisco Comedy Fest; critically-acclaimed Police Cops bring you their multi-award-winning comedy blockbuster – an action-packed hour of adrenaline-fuelled physical comedy, cinematic style and uncompromising facial hair. Winner: Amused Moose Comedy Award.
Mix Up Theatre Reviews:
Annika (Age 13) - ★★★★★
“It was a great production and the transitions, tones of the people's voices was cool."
11. LOUD POETS ★★★★
Spoken Word (Poetry, Compilation)
Age: 14+
Venue: Scottish Storytelling Centre
Dates: 6th, 13th, 20th, 27-28th
Showcasing the top spoken word talent the festival has to offer – from the laugh-out-loud funny, through the wonderfully surreal, to the thoughtful and emotional – Loud Poets continue to prove that spoken word has something for everyone. Each night features a unique line-up and Loud Poets’ classic fist-thumping, pint-drinking, side-tickling, heart-wrenching style of spoken word! This is poetry for the masses!
Mix Up Theatre Reviews:
Stewart - ★★★★★
“A showcase that really gets you thinking and laughing. Loud Poets always have a great line-up!"
Press Reviews -
EdFringe Reviews- ★★★★
12. ON YOUR BIKE ★★★★
Musical (New Writing)
Cambridge University Musical Theatre Society
Age: 12+
Venue: The Space @ Surgeon's Hall
Dates: Until 28th, 5:25pm
Delivering food you don’t get to eat is hungry work. Outside a chicken shop, a group of delivery riders wait for orders, trying to figure out life and love while they do. Threatened by nosy landlords, angry exes and even their own employer, Eatsaroo, they realise they have to group together and take the battle to the bosses. But fighting a billion-dollar algorithm isn’t that easy. From the award-winning company who brought you SiX and Rust comes this toe-tapping new musical about love, labour and leftover pizza.
Reviews -
Musical Theatre Review - ★★★★★
Theatre Weekly - ★★★★★
Binge Fringe - ★★★★★
The Edinburgh Reporter - ★★★★
The Wee Review- ★★★★
Broadway Baby - ★★★★
EdinburghGuide.com- ★★★
13. PAUL CURRIE: TEET ★★★★
Comedy (Absurist, Clown)
Age: 16+
Venue: The Hive
Dates: Until 29th August, 7:00pm
Come immerse yourself in the steamy hot waters of TEET as Paul Currie dissolves, froths and fizzes all around you. Scratching and burrowing into the cotton cuticles of human empathy in an attempt to expose how we are all still sucking and biting on the TEET of Mother Nature. It's time we woke up and punched a hole through the shit blanket of mediocrity that we have all personally hand stitched and draped over ourselves. An absurdist stand-up comedy show for fans of Andy Kaufman, Samuel Beckett and The Muppet Show.
Reviews -
On the Mic - ★★★★★
The Crumb - ★★★★★
Chortle - ★★★★
One4Review - ★★★★
The Violet Curtain - ★★★★
14. LEO KEARSE - CANCEL CULTURE ★★★★
Comedy (Stand-Up, Political)
Age: 14+
Venue: The Free Sisters
Dates: Until 29th, 6:00pm
Stand-up show about comedy triggering the wrath of woke mobs. My comedy has led to accusations of transphobia (despite writing the offending material with a transgender woman I was dating), racism (which led to me getting blacklisted by clubs), sexism (fair dos) and ableism. I’ve also been criticised by climate activists, socialists and vegans and I’ve had fat activists demonstrate against my shows. Am I really a bad person? Can comedy survive under the constant threat of cancellation? 'Genuinely thought-provoking... hugely entertaining…. a warm and personal show' **** (Scotsman). 'A triumphant hour' (Recommend Show, Comedy.co.uk).
Mix Up Theatre Reviews:
Stewart - ★★★★★
“Could be the funniest stand-up show at the festival. Non-stop laughs whilst also holding up a mirror to society and pointing a finger at some of the most ridiculous things going on at the moment with a particular pointed view at Cancel/Woke culture. You might not agree with Kearse's politics but you can't disagree with just how funny this show is!"
Other Reviews -
The Edinburgh Reporter - ★★★★
Three Weeks Edinburgh - ★★★
15. BLIZZARD ★★★★
Dance, Physical Theatre, Circus - acrobatics
Age: 5+
Venue: Online
Dates: 6th-30th
What if winter has taken over? With Blizzard, FLIP Fabrique takes you on a crazy, poetic and gentle journey in the dead of winter and invites you to lose yourself in a moment of complete wonder. With performers at the peak of their art and outstanding visual poetry, Blizzard promises to blow away everything in its path.
Mix Up Theatre Reviews:
Sophie (Age 8) - ★★★★★
“It is a good one. It shows you all the things you can do in a blizzard, the fun things you can do in the snow and how to keep warm. My favourite part was when one of the men got put in all these costumes: scarfs, boots, about 10 pairs of leggings and 13 pairs of socks on and jumpers! He almost fell over into the audience! I like all the amazing, flips and turns, they must be very strong. I recommend it to anyone who likes circuses, dancing, acrobatics, who like blizzards and who like snow."
16. AMAZING PRIZE FAMILY BINGO
Children's Shows (event, comedy)
Age: 5+
Venue: Lauriston Halls
Dates: Until 29th August, 1:30pm, 4:30pm
It's bingo with loads and loads of prizes. You get two bingo tickets as part of your entry. If you bring a wrapped prize, you get another ticket. Take your seats, get your dobber ready and let the winning begin. Jes is your game show host. He has crazy bingo variations like you've never seen before. Let's take the excitement through the roof! Oh, did I mention that there are loads of prizes? Just saying, because there are loads of prizes.
Mix Up Theatre Reviews:
Stewart - ★★★★
“Just a fun family friendly hour with plenty of chances to win some prizes!"
17. SOMETHING IN THE WATER - FOR KIDS ★★★★
Children's Show (Puppetry, Clown)
Scantily Glad Theatre
Age: 8+
Venue: Online
Dates: until 29th August
Grumms doesn't see themselves in the Barbies or GI Joes they play with. Instead, they find solace in their superhero comic books. But when Grumms transforms into a horrible squid monster (think Creature from the Black Lagoon meets The Muppets) they must hide their secret identity and disguise as a 'normal, human woman'. Superhero or horrible monster? You decide. 'Inventive, unpredictable and seriously wacky, ripped from the pages of a superhero cartoon comic book' (Advertiser). Winner: Best Theatre, Adelaide Fringe, 2021.
Mix Up Theatre Reviews:
Stewart - ★★★★
“A really cool idea with a great performer, some neat shadow puppetry tricks and a chance to see a squid butt. The audio on our screening wasn't great so it may have been a bit hard to follow for some kids - but then the story was pretty out there as well. A fun show though, watch it at home!"
18. OPEN ★★★★
Theatre (LGBT, Magic)
Age: 14+
Venue: Online
Dates: 6th-30th
An LGBTQ love story. A woman called The Magician presents a myriad of tricks for our entertainment, yet is attempting something more impossible than illusion – rescuing her girlfriend from death. 'Open brings attention to a pair of downtown’s most bracing talents... 'Wonderful; critics pick' (New York Times). 'The show transforms into an exploration of how romance opens you up and leaves you both stronger and more vulnerable' (TDF Stages). Features Megan Hill, directed by Fringe favorite Jessi D Hill. From the geek girl mind of Crystal Skillman, a playwright with 'downtown renown / midtown polish (New York Times).
Mix Up Theatre Reviews:
Stewart - ★★★
“A very unusual one woman show that is great to see available on Fringe Player - for free! Hill gives an intense performance which is hard to connect with emotionally but the skill on show is impossible to dismiss."
Other Reviews -
EdFringeReview - ★★★★★
LouReviews - ★★★★
19. CRAIG HILL: PUMPED! ★★★★
Comedy (Stand-Up)
Age: 16+
Venue: Edinburgh Corn Exchange
Dates: until 26th August
Get pumped and party this Fringe! ‘Class. Risque, rib-tickling and absolutely screaming from the rafters… Hill actually has to wait until the audience stops laughing before he can start again. It’s absolutely hilarious’ (Edinburgh Evening News). ‘Riotously funny… he is that rare thing, a naturally funny comedian’ (Independent). ‘High-octane… whip-cracking wit so sharp it whistles through his hapless victims… a laugh-out-loud performance from beginning to end’ **** (List). ‘Hilarious… delightfully fizzy tone and sharp observational jokes… brilliant!’ (Daily Record). ‘Flat-out hilarious... I’ve not heard a room laugh so long and hard… genuinely funny’ ***** (Mirror). @mrcraighill
Mix Up Theatre Reviews:
Stewart - ★★★★
"Rude, crude and downright hilarious. Hill's not really changed his routine in years but he doesn't need to - it's non-stop laughs all the way as he rips his way through the audience. A riot."
20. SWEET F.A. ★★★★
Theatre (Historical, Drama)
Age: 8+
Venue: Tynecastle Park
Dates: until 30th August, 3:00pm, 7:30pm
1916. Women’s football is fast becoming the most popular game in the land. One Edinburgh factory team fights for their right to play the beautiful game. From the producers of the five-star, sell-out A War of Two Halves – audiences can expect a similar blend of history, humour, passion and poignancy with even more live music and song. Performed in the open air on a specially-built stage within the main stand at Tynecastle Park – the play dramatises the little known truth about what happened to the women's game...
Press Reviews -
Musical Theatre Review - ★★★★
AllEdinburghTheatre.com - ★★★★
The Stage - ★★★★
The Edinburgh Reporter - ★★★★
Financial Times - ★★★★
The Guardian - ★★★
Other good stuff!...
MY LEFT NUT BY MICHAEL PATRICK AND OISIN KEARNEY ★★★★
Theatre (Comedy, Drama)
Age: 12+
Venue: Online
Dates: until 29th August
400 milliliters. That's how much liquid was drained from Michael's left testicle when he was a teenager. That's more than a can of coke. He should have told someone sooner, but who could he turn to? His dad died ten years ago, and besides, school is full of rumours about what the giant bulge in his trousers actually is. Who wants to stop that? The true story of a Belfast boy growing up with no father to guide him through and a giant ball.
Mix Up Theatre Reviews:
Cameron - ★★★★
“Very impressive as there was only one person on camera. As a comedy it managed to convey important ideas as well."
Other Reviews -
Broadway World - ★★★★
North West End UK - ★★★★
JAY LAFFERTY: BLETHER
★★★★
Comedy (Stand-Up, Solo Show)
Age: 14+
Venue: Gilded Balloon Teviot
Dates: 5th-29th
Jay switches off Zoom, changes out of her loungewear and prepares to say something more than 'cheers, Amazon man'. It's been a year and half and we all have some catching up to do. After the stunning success of 2019's show Jammy (now a BBC Radio Scotland series) Lafferty returns. 'A sophisticated take on life, delivered exceptionally by a matriarch of the comedy scene' ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). 'Engages her audience with such playfulness and genuine curiosity we have no choice but to cling to her every word' ***** (EdFestMag.com).
Reviews -
Broadway Baby - ★★★★★
The Scotsman - ★★★
Chortle - ★★★
Adult (18+) Shows worth catching...
Mix Up Theatre Reviews - Stewart - ★★★★
"The best thing about a best of show is that it is consistently funny. So if you've not seen Davies yet, now would be a good time!"
Tropicana - CultureFix - ★★★★★
Shows we loved that have finished their run!...
Hyenas!
You Choose
And the rest...
Timmy's World (Online) - ★★★
Very funny but Fringe Player seems like an odd place for this, it's more like a pilot for a TV show.
Doctor Faustus (Online) - ★★
St Andrews University students have put together this take on the classic Christopher Marlowe play. Cast are fine but it's very dry and not particularly well filmed for viewing at home.
Alex Kovatas - Something is Missing - ★
Yup, something is missing - a show! A car crash of a magic show. At least it's free!
Not My Audeince! - ★
You would think it might be funny to have 4 comedians talk about random topics chosen by the audience. It wasn't.
See anything good at the festival this year? Let us know about it!
Want to review for us? E-mail us at info@mixuptheatre.com
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