This time last year, I wrote a review on the best five shows I saw of the Edinburgh Fringe of 2024. This year, when I went again, I realised it would only be right to write another review on another top five. As my thirst for knowledge cannot be quenched, this time I saw an absolutely insane 36 shows over one week. Good gravy.
Eulogy (4.5 stars)
I happened to see two shows by Darkfield last year, so when I learned they had another on display, I raced over to the venue to experience it. Darkfield’s shows have a very specific flavour – every show is an experience taking place in complete darkness, designed to fully immerse you, encourage your fear, suspend your belief and keep you on the edge of your seat – and Eulogy did just this. This particular show took place in a hotel, seating everyone in laundry carts. What was interesting about this show is that the headphones had microphones – you could answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to questions posed to you. I won’t divulge too many details; it’s always best to be kept in the dark with these experiences. Hehehe. Kept in the dark.
Vacuum Girl (5 stars)
Vacuum Girl is a very interesting use of storytelling methods… about an interesting use of storytelling methods. The story itself follows a woman struggling with derealisation and dissociation trying to navigate her life through the jumps in genre and time period. She wakes in 1920’s France, walks through modern day NYC, and works in colonial-era America. Think of it like Undone’s cool older cousin. But, of course, that can’t be the only unique thing. Instead of using actors, audio, puppets, or anything else – Erica Bitton explains it all to you with nothing but a soundboard and an LED frame. It’s hard to make a woman telling you her idea for a tv show for an hour sound appealing, but she managed to make it one of the best shows I saw. Her vocabulary and storytelling was immersive and entertaining, and her methods perfectly emulated the jumpy, confusing feelings of the protagonist. Truly, I want so desperately for a producer to give her the time of day and fully realise her vision for a tv series.
Dangerous Goods (6 stars)
If you approached me a few months ago and told me about feminist circus and cabaret, I would be… sceptical. That’s what blew me away about Dangerous Goods. Featuring acts like fire-swallowers, aerial straps, and strongwomen with drag-inspired costuming, Polytoxic creates an intense, entertaining show with a powerful, compelling message. A testimonial for the show described it as ‘empowering, hot-as-hell cabaret’, which I think sums it up perfectly. It radiated danger and sizzled with energy from the talented performers, poking fun at body standards and pollution of the Earth. Originating from Australia, there was a large emphasis on the colonisation of Oceana, including Lisa Fa’alafi’s Polynesian Barbie performance on the fetishisation of Polynesian culture. I should mention, though, that this certainly isn’t a show for younger readers, and should be kept to the ages of 16 and up.
Beff Jezos (5 stars)
Beff Jezos is everything I want in a show – interactive, subversive, musical, funny, and with a good touch of politics. The sci-fi show combines video games with musical comedy, providing the audience with a website to provide their own input in the show. Members voted on certain events, played minigames to aid the characters and could even schedule dance breaks. The story itself concerned a comical gang of sci-fi heroes: a cheerful British robot, a nonchalant alien girl and a quick-on-his-feet hacker trying to save an alternate Earth from its overlord: Beff Jezos. This was one of those rare Fringe gems – too alternative to be noticed by most, too funny not to be.
Knickers Cabaret (5 stars)
Knickers Cabaret was the perfect show to end the night on a silly note. A midnight cabaret from London featuring new acts every night, MC’d by Verity Sharpe, Knickers showcases three fantastically funny acts in just one hour. The show begins with Sharpe presenting her textiles masterpiece (a bum wearing a pair of frilly knickers) and reading the Knickers traditional poem (on bums, of course), before introducing the acts of the evening. I enjoyed this show so much I attended twice. I got to see character comedians, drag kings, clowns, musicians, and of course plenty of standup. Knickers also regularly hosts in London, so you don’t need to wait till July to see some of this delightfully queer, absurdist comedy.
