What to see at Edinburgh Fringe
A host of Jewish performers are heading to the Fringe and if you are too here’s our pick of what to see
I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical
Composer/lyricist Alexander S. Bermange’s comedic musical revue reveals everything you could want to know about being a musical theatre performer plus the devotees, detractors and disruptors they perform to, lifting the lid on awful auditions, debilitating dance routines, mid-performance mishaps, backstage backstabbings and those magical moments that make it all worthwhile. Auditorium at Gilded Balloon 31 July – 24 August (not Wednesdays) at 5.45pm
Meg & Marge
Meg, a picture-perfect tradwife with thousands of followers, is haunted by the restless spirit of 15th-century mystic Margery of Kempe. As their worlds collide, Meg’s flawless façade shatters. Written and performed by Cosima Gardey and Fiona Tarses, this darkly comic show explores the dangerous allure of performative perfection, from medieval confessions to TikTok trends. ZOO Playground 1 1 – 25 August at 3.15pm.
The Poetess
From director Laura Wohlwend comes The Poetess, blending storytelling, poetry and audience interaction. The show follows Viola, a modern-day poet finding purpose through writing poems for strangers. Inspired by real requests, the play explores grief, womanhood and queer friendship. Each performance ends with a poem gifted to every audience member — to pass on to someone else. Pleasance Dome 30 July – 25 August at 11.55am
Tall Girl Energy
It’s hard to smash the glass ceiling when you can’t reach it, but Leslie Gold takes a leap at the challenges of being a small woman in a world built for the average man. The result is a funny, thoughtful show, finding laughs in surprising places – including the ladies’ loo. Counting House Attic 31 July – 24 August (not Tuesdays) at 1.30pm
Niusia
Niusia was a Holocaust survivor, and 80 years on from the liberation of Auschwitz there are nearly no survivors of the Holocaust left. Through this performance, her grandaughter Beth weaves together memories, handed-down stories and interviews to examine the precarity of identity, and the haphazard cultural legacy second, third and fourth generation immigrants are handed. Summerhall 31 July – 25 August (not 11 and 18) at 1.20pm.
9/11 Birds and the Bees
Where were you on 9/11? Sofia May was running from the dust and debris as the World Trade Centre toppled next to her school in Manhattan. As an adult, she’s processed the trauma, in this stand-up show she takes the audience on a comedic journey of her experience as a tween survivor of 9/11. West Port Oracle Flight Club 31 July – 24 August (not Tuesdays) at 7.30pm
The Strongest Girl in the World
Truly Siskind-Weiss wrote and performs in this bittersweet solo comedy about a girl’s attempt to stay strong after the death of her father. Set to summer camp songs and storytelling magic, it unpacks grief with warmth, wit and Girl Guide badges. She brings to life a cast of vivid characters and memories in a love letter to her dad. Gilded Balloon Patter House (The Snug )30 July – Monday 25 August (not 12/19) at 2.20pm
Nice Try
As she packs up her childhood bedroom Lily Blumkin introduces us to nine zany characters such as a well-meaning dad, a self-indulgent rabbi, and an inanimate clump of hair. An honest look at how we use the past to make sense of our present. Gilded Balloon Patter House (Blether) 1 – 25 August (not 14) at 5.40pm
Life Lessons from a Jewish Grandfather (Zaida)
Liverpool born comedian Henry Churniavsky’s solo show is about how he brought up twins (with a bit of help from the wife) and now he is bringing his life lessons to his grandson. His parenting skills are still valid but his daughter thinks differently. Learn how a sexagenarian deals with eating out, social media, lockdown, old age and his medical procedures. The Space @ Surgeons Hall (53) 18–23 August at 7pm
Excel Comedy and Mathem-antics
Stand-up comedy for spreadsheet experts and casual users alike, performed by a true piece of sheet. Sprinkled amongst the jokes you’ll learn a few Excel tricks from pun-loving Excel YouTuber and Jewish math addict David Benaim, who advises Microsoft on future directions for Excel. The Caves 31 July to 24 August except 2, 9, 12, 16, 23 at 1.30pm
Millwall Jew / I Should Have Listened to Ivor Dembina
Ivor Dembina presents two hilarious shows including his bitingly funny account of why he now supports south London’s most notorious football club, Millwall FC. Laughing Horse @ Bar50 (Venue 151) 31 July until 24 August (not Tuesdays) at 2.15pm and 6pm
Jeremy Sassoon’s MOJO (Unplugged)
Singer pianist Jeremy’s MOJO (Musicians Of Jewish Origin) is a barn-storming celebration of the most iconic Jewish popular songwriters, from Gershwin to Winehouse and Bacharach to Dylan. The Drawing Room Assembly Rooms 31 July – 17 August at 6.35pm
Accordion Ryan’s Pop Bangers
Britain’s Got Talent star Accordion Ryan will sing and play your favourite songs like you’ve never heard them before plus a few of his own hilarious tunes. Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower (Eve) 30 July – 24 August (not 6, 12, 19) at 10.20pm
LOLyamorous
Sick of swiping? James Regal’s unpredictable night of on-stage speed dating. Put your name down for the chance to enjoy a one-minute date on stage with a mystery match from the audience (or just watch from the crowd). James also has a solo show called People Pleaser. Coco Boho 1- 25 August (not Mondays) at 7.45pm and The Snug at Bar 50 at 12pm
PSA: Pelvic Service Announcement
When know-it-all NYC comedian Amy Veltman seeks help for diffuse midsection issues, she quickly learns how little she knows about her body’s most basic functions – in spite of her OB/GYN father. She shares it all in this extravaganza featuring unhinged characters, music, videos, and a medically unsanctioned chart. The Space @Surgeons Hall – Haldane 1-16 Aug at 10:50am (no show 10 Aug); 18-23 August at 11.50am
Don’t Panic!
Kate Pinchuck’s parents are psychologists and for her, mental illness isn’t a buzzword – it’s a way of life. She’s trying to get better but fixing yourself is hard when being unwell is kind of your thing. Kate’s obsession with fixing herself spills over into trying to solve her audience’s problems too. ADHD? BPD? OCD? She’ll help you catch ‘em all! Brass Monkey: The Games Room 31 July – 24 August at 12.45pm
Edie
Never underestimate the power of a lesbian in love. Jessica Toltzis plays Edie, a woman inspired by the fabulous life of Edith Windsor and her sexy and tumultuous relationship with Thea Spyer. Edie sues the United States of America and convinces the Supreme Court to recognise the love that she and Thea share, changing the very definition of marriage. The Annexe at Paradise in The Vault (Venue 29) 1-16 August (not 9) at 9.10pm
Tickets for all shows at edfringe.com
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