All reviews written by Lizzy Treacy unless stated otherwise.
Assembly Hall
A high energy celebration of West African dance, acrobatic tumbling skills, music and life.
This incredible spectacular suits teens more than younger kids with it’s loud drums, frenetic movement and polished, vibrant dance moves. A quality show, geared to an adult audience won’t engage all children, but the pace and movement generally entertains. In places it delighted our tweens who loved the acrobatics, music and joyful bouncing dance. The occasional audience participation was also well received by the kids. Lovely to see big, genuine smiles on the performers as they showcased aspects of their culture.
A great introduction to the vibes of West Africa.
Our mini-reviewers said : ‘ ..it was exciting..and breath-taking…there were crazy backbends too…’
Underbelly
There is something about fringe shows that return year after year that have the power to delight even the most seasoned and weary festival-goers. Having joined my 9 year old daughter to see the Amazing Bubble Man (Louis Pearl) for the first time this week we can both say with confidence that the ingredients of this engaging show for family audiences do not disappoint. How is it that a performance based around what happens when we mix fairy liquid and water (plus a secret ingredient or two) together can be so captivating? Louis expertly mixes his laconic, dry humour with the genuinely interesting science and artistry of bubble making, and a good dose of (mostly) willing audience participation. Throw in a tiny sprinkle of jokes that will float over the kids heads and we are treated to something that is magical and fun in its low-tech simplicity.
Louis creates a quirky visual feast of bubbles in various forms, shapes and sizes, taking us first back to the 80s when a tiny wand that produced the tiniest of bubbles inspired him to create a life (and a whole show) around how big, bold and crazy they could possibly become. McEwen Hall’s family audience are treated to a breath-taking manipulation of various bubble making tricks to make snowmen, caterpillars, rockets and helium infused bubbles within bubbles within bubbles.
Especially fun to watch is the cheeky use of all manner of every day items to show his captivated audience what bubbles can be made of…who ever knew that a tennis racquet or a croc could be put to such good use! ‘It’s so cool and epic!’ said my 9 year old, and apart from some audience participation that perhaps doesn’t quite go to plan on this particular day, she is entirely spot on.
(Written by Steph Turner)
Assembly George Square Gardens
This fringe favourite is back, and shows us the joy of embracing the unknown, where literally anything can happen….
We were treated to both the opening and closing night of the musical ‘Shrek’s Got Talent’, which was all kinds of weird and wonderful ! The Baby Wants Candy cast are incredibly quick witted and skilled at keeping the energy and flow of this improvised musical going even when is veers off in some rather strange directions ! It was great to see different characters from Shrek popping up during the hour and the songs and choreography had us in stitches. The energy coming off stage is infectious and its clear to see why this show is loved so much…The live band on stage are brilliant too !
The best thing about it ? You can go again and it will be completely different every time !
My mini-reviewer said : “…I loved the bit with the talent show and gymnastics and the donkey was hilarious….”
Assembly
There’s hardly time to look away during this incredible show- your eyes are drawn to the fantastic skills, amazing flips and tricks and the hilarious comedic moments interspersed throughout…a favourite of ours being the scene with the dancing janitors !
Beginning with a competitive ballet versus hip hop dance off, it then moves into a upbeat, fun medley of different dance styles and scenes. Alongside the skilled dance performances, we saw body percussion, singing and trash can drums. Each routine includes a variety of different outfits that range from traditional ballet tutus to camouflage and cargoes, but our favourite was the LED enhanced skirts and shoes. We especially loved the moonwalking ballerina and the everlasting spinning break-dancer.
We all enjoyed meeting the cast afterwards-they were super lovely. It was extra fun that the show also incorporated songs we knew and could sing along to..
We said : ‘..I really enjoyed all of the lit up costumes and shoes’ …‘I really liked the guy who kept on popping up throughout the show to do street-dance’
‘Beats on pointe is a very innovative and upbeat show, I loved how colourful and energetic it was.’
(Written by Tilly, Isla and Maya)
Pleasance Dome
Breathe was the first show I saw this fringe and I can already tell it is going to be one of my top picks!
This show is stunning on so many levels. The story is beautifully executed through a range of different mediums- puppets, music, magical set design, media and poetry. It taught me and my son so much about how the woodland talks to each other and changes throughout the seasons and took us all on a journey of discovery with a little acorn friend by our side. The puppetry itself was more innovative than anything I have seen before and the story captured the hearts and imagination of everyone there.
I was surprised that there were so few children in the audience, but the performance really isn’t just a show for children and appeals to all ages. Breathe is billed for ages 5 plus which I think is spot on. My 6 year old was transfixed the entire time and we even ended up buying the book and listening to the soundtrack the whole way home. It is a very gentle show though (broken up with some very catching thumping music at times) and so children any younger than 5 may find it a little long.
Escape the craziness of the fringe and just Breathe by adding this delightful show to your list!
My mini-reviewer said : “I loved the acorn and my favourite bit was when he flew on a leaf through the audience. The show made me feel happy. There was one sad bit about a leaf, but that’s just nature”
(Written by Emma May)
Assembly
This Japanese comedy duo hit the nail on the head when it comes to the perfect combination between hilarious clowning, and circus entertainment. Their unicycling acrobatic skills were like nothing I have seen before, and left the whole audience aghast on many occasions.
The show takes place in the beautiful piccolo tent, and at several points these captivating clowns had the whole audience on their feet cheering as they performed one impressive stunt after another.
Cartoooon!! is a show full of laughs for both young and old, and is situated in the lovely assembly George square gardens, so you can easily spend half a day just hanging out there with the kids.
My mini reviewer said : “My favourite part was when the man rode on the giant unicycle with 5 wheels, and I loved the lady’s funny voice and funny faces. They were so funny”
Assembly
A daring and loveable acrobatic duo – ‘Kylie and Jason’, take you on a hilarious journey in this family clowning and acrobatic madcap hour of fun, and of course stinkiness !
From the moment of being seated, we are already giggling at random feet and balloons sticking out of the set, and we don’t stop laughing. Children are Stinky is a wacky and playful cocktail of jokes, hijinx, physical comedy and impressive acrobatics ! Kylie and Jason lead us through a fluid and fast-paced hour with some brilliant balancing, hypnotic hula hooping and a smattering of stinky jokes all set to a great 90s soundtrack, sure to keep the audience moving! Their belief is that children are lazy, unintelligent, unimaginative and above all stinky and it’s up to the audience to prove them wrong which promises for plenty of interaction and participation.
Coming to the conclusion that children are infact awesome and perhaps just a little bit smelly too, this is one show not to be missed- grab your tickets and prepare for a stinky, silly, superb adventure……
My mini reviewers said : ” I just liked them climbing up on chairs. It was big grown -ups doing that !”
Underbelly
This is a high energy, bellyful of circus entertainment complete with clown, juggler, acrobat and magician. The ringmaster holds everything together with skilful banter and the help of his astounding moustache!
There’s a series of impressive and varied performances to delight and impress, and it’s well pitched for both children and adults to enjoy. The bumbling and hilarious clown stole the show for us, but we were suitably wowed by all of the other daring and technical feats.
The age suitability recommendation is 5+ but my 4 year old thoroughly enjoyed it. There’s enough going on to keep them engaged and entertained. But with just one performer taking centre stage at a time it’s not overwhelming for the little ones and they can focus on what’s going on properly.
My mini reviewer said, “I like the clown, but was he happy or sad?!” and, “Can I get a sparkly gold outfit like that?”
(Written by Charlotte Steel)
Assembly George Square Gardens
This show is a great Introduction to a “grown up” comedy club with a compère, supporting and headline acts. The compere described to the kids what he would do at an actual comedy club and got the crowd going and all the acts did a great job in getting the kids involved (including the hecklers in training!). We were lucky enough to be there when the Listies were headlining.- These guys have so much hilarious material it didn’t distract from us seeing their stand alone show the next (a must see).
The best kids comedy has both the adults and kids in stitches and I’m not sure which one of us enjoyed it most.
My mini reviewer said: “It was a really hilarious show I laughed so much I needed to wee”
(Written by Sophie Hug)
LifeCare Centre
Parents and children are invited to sit on a mat for the show and plus-one adults and less mobile can remain seated on the sides.
As the lights dim, children are introduced to a mystical dragon and each child is given a selection of props to stimulate the senses and follow along on an immersive experience.
Other members of the audience get an opportunity to raise the sky, shine bright and be a star. The stage and puppets are illuminated in different colours and we are fully entertained with catchy songs ..’flap your wings and wiggles your toes’ at the Dragon Show.
Good lighting, cast, props and venue – nothing could be improved for the smaller audience…
(Written by Kieren Gearney)
The Space – Niddry Street
Honk! Fun was certainly on the loose at The Space on Saturday morning for our first dedicated children’s show of The Fringe 2024.
Goose, loosely based on the much-loved Goose & Friends books by Laura Wall is a two-person show featuring a fun-loving but lonely girl Sophie, and her new friend Goose (a goose).
In a fun-packed 45 minutes, Sophie and Goose visit a farm, splash in puddles and tackle the complexity of friendships. As with the best children’s shows, there are catchy songs, some lovely cartoons to help keep the story moving and some knowing acting that kept the parents chuckling. Participation was encouraged, but in a very relaxed way, so suitable for all levels of confidence. A special mention too for the Goose puppet, a very impressive Jim Henson-esque creation that the children were equally enthralled with, and a little bit scared by at first.
A full crowd was engaged and involved throughout, and we all left humming/singing the earworm “Duck, Duck, Goose” song, a sure sign of a successful show.
I’d highly recommend this for everyone looking for a fast, fun show for their children that you’ll enjoy equally yourselves. Bravo honk!
Our mini-reviewer was too young to offer a comment, but she enjoyed it very much indeed…
How a Jellyfish Saved the World
Pleasance
It’s not easy to deliver an entertaining show for very young children that also gets across a serious message. ‘How a Jellyfish Saved the World’ does just that. Through the story of Clyde the jellyfish, and his quest to find a friend, we go on a journey via puppetry, song and dance that transports us along ocean currents, into rock pools and deep under the waves. On the way we discover colourful creatures and catchy tunes, and follow the hapless and lonely Clyde as he falls in love with a dazzling plastic bag called ‘Bubbles’!
As Clyde discovers the truth about Bubbles, and the damage that plastic is doing to his ocean home, we follow as despair turns to hope and Clyde realises that Bubbles can have a useful new life as recycled marine plastic.
The age recommendation is 3+ and my 4 year old found it hard to grasp all the nuances of the story. It’s quite complex and is probably better suited to slightly older children to understand everything that is going on. That said, the puppets and set, complete with twinkly lights, plus the songs and moments for the audience to participate, offer plenty for a younger crowd to enjoy.
My mini reviewer said, “Plastic on the beach is bad!” and, “Is Bubbles a real jellyfish?”
(Written by Charlotte Steel)
We absolutely loved this heart-warming tale of friendship, community, the love of books, problems of contemporary urban planning AND of righting the historic wrongs!
Beautifully told through puppetry and song by a very talented young cast, this show delivers important messages and valuable lessons in an utterly accessible and most enjoyable manner.
My five year old was fully immersed for the duration of it, turning around to me at the very end saying: ‘Well mum, that was just super!’ (‘Mama, to je bilo super!!’)
(Written by Saska Haramina)
Assembly
They may be flying by the seats of their collective pants, but the cast in this improvised whodunnit murder were absolutely fantastic…
United in our mission to solve the case of the two-legged frog at the sheep-shearing competition, we were soon pointing the finger of suspicion at quite literally anyone ! As the story hilariously unfolded in the vague geographic location of general Yorkshire, more specifically Pietown, we were whisked expertly along by our detective for the day and their willing(?) assistant Jerkins. Our murder mystery involved an array of frogs, beauty pageants, French fruits and a rather amazing cape. After the sad demise of Trevor Sorbet, the intrigue increased as we saw each remaining character’s motive for murder evolve before our eyes. This is a slickly moving improvised show, keeping the energy, plot and audience engagement flowing…seriously impressive stuff.
A flurried finale featuring the re-enactment of the death scene perfectly wrapped this case up, and you don’t need any detective skills to see why this is a much loved fringe favourite, it’s definitely just become one of ours…
My (older) mini-reviewer said : ‘I really liked using my finger of suspicion (!)..and how the audience felt involved in the mystery.’ ‘David Red embracing the cape was hilarious !’
Assembly Roxy
A beautiful blend of juggling, acrobatics, imaginative storytelling and slapstick clowning, NoVa is a story of hope and love.
This show does not contain any dialogue, but these talented performers do not need words to take us on their magical journey of discovery. There was lots of laughter from children in the audience, and many wow moments, without the (sometimes uncomfortable) audience participation often found in clowning shows.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this show to kids 5 plus, and my 6 year old was engaged and giggling throughout.
My mini reviewer said : “I loved the clowns and they had so many skills. They were able to make really funny faces too and that made me laugh”
(Written by Emma May)
Shamilton! The Improvised Hip-Hop Musical
Assembly
We’re back in the room where it happens ….and tonight’s incredible improvised musical had it all ! Inspired by Hamilton, the performers ask the audience to provide a celebrity or cultural figure to become the protagonist of the hip hop musical – tonight it was the rather divisive choice of Taylor Swift (our mini-reviewer was delighted, especially as they’ll be seeing the pop queen next week in Wembley !) I am curious as to how the Alec Baldwin one would have played out though…
Taking some wild and wonderful plot twist turns, which saw Taylor, the daughter of a Christmas tree farmer pursue her singing career and smash the patriarchy – with the strangest of mentors in the form of Elizabeth Taylor (and her dead husband Richard Burton)..this was a hilarious, quick witted and joyful hour ! The performers impressively peppered Taylor Swift lyrics and song titles throughout the show and their talent in creating songs and choreography is astounding…the live band seemed to be immensely enjoying themselves keeping up with the chaos of it all !
Only slightly Hamilton-esque, with the feel of the music and death scene, we were not left disappointed – and the best bit ? Every night will be different, so you can go again and again !
Our mini-reviewer said : ‘ I liked how they brought Elizabeth Taylor into the story – she was really funny… and how there were Taylor Swift song titles all through the show.’
Alternatively, succinctly titled: ‘a Legally Blonde Pretty Woman Dirty Danced on the Beaches while writing a Notebook on the Titanic’…this is a fast paced, hilarious, quick witted and feminist show – offering commentary on some of the ridiculous situations in these films and their own political critique in a way that adds depth and narrative to this comedy.
KK Apple and Kerry Ipema expertly re-enact each of the six movies, with incredible facial expressions, some clever choreography and songs. Our (older) mini-reviewer hadn’t seen all of the films, but that didn’t distract from their enjoyment atall, and they were giggling away consistently. A dirty dancing finale is utterly amazing, with full dedication to learning the entire routine ….
A surprise extra film was squeezed in with much hilarity, and we were left to walk home with cheeks aching from laughter and a desire to re-watch some of the classic films featured. An ideal show for older children and teens, with its combination of accessible humour, relatable content, fully modest sex scenes (!) and particularly the observations and discussions about inaccuracies and myths portrayed which leaves much food for thought and further consideration of the depiction of women in this genre….and who is writing the films.
Hopefully they’ll return next year with a whole host of new films for us to enjoy as much as we did this time !
Our (older) mini-reviewer said: ‘ I loved all the references to the door size from Titanic and the Mickey and Sylvia song from Dirty Dancing was absolutely hilarious..’
Summerhall
Having adored everything Trick of the Light Theatre have made and brought to Edinburgh over the years since I first saw The Bookbinder in 2016, this performance is no exception…I loved, loved, loved this ! An evocative, eerie tale that is once again pure escapism …
On arrival into the theatre we see a pile of battered suitcases, one lying open to reveal a record player and soon meet the intriguing traveller, who reveals that they did not pack this luggage themselves, and that it is not lost luggage, but rather, the luggage of the lost…and so we are taken through a set of compelling stories as each case is opened to reveal a miniature world or landscape, imaginatively presented through lights, shadows, overhead projectors and hands.
We learn that ‘there is always a catch’ as the macabre tales all blend into one and the creepiness sets in with a surprising twist. Again, Trick of the light have created something which feels so intimate in it’s presentation and storytelling, we are completely gripped, only slightly offset with the intermittent reminders from the routine border control officer, ensuring every case is opened and checked off.
With such clever use of light, shadows, sound and suitcases, this atmospheric performance is as haunting as it is beautiful.
Assembly
There was a definite air of anticipation in the queue of people waiting to see The Bubble Man on Sunday morning at The Assembly. The children were extremely excited at the idea of seeing lots of bubbles, the adults, for the most part, seemed to be less excited, many carrying the look of people who had stayed out for one or two drinks more than planned the night before.
So, could a one-person show revolving solely around the production of bubbles satisfy the children’s excitement and revive the ever-so-slightly hungover adults? The short answer is – yes, it could.
It turns out that the Highland Joker is no ordinary Bubble Man, he is a Guinness World Record Holding bubble-smith, capable of jaw-dropping things with a hoop and some Fairy Liquid (I’m sure the bubble-mixture is more complicated than that).
The show took us on a bubble journey, we had teeny-tiny bubbles, square bubbles, giant bubbles, animal shaped bubbles, bubble art, smoke-filled bubbles, and everything in between. Our expert guide through all of this, The Bubble Man, took us on his journey, from ex-soldier to master bubble maker, a tale containing an uplifting narrative around following our dreams that resonated with audience members both young and old.
One measure of a good children’s show is the response to requests for audience participation, and against this The Bubble Man was a huge hit. There was consistent participation throughout, and every request was met with a sea of eagerly raised hands.
At an hour in length, the show tested the patience of the very youngest audience members, but that’s one very small criticism of what was a wonderful morning’s entertainment. This is a fantastic show and I’d thoroughly recommend it.
Pleasance
‘It’s fun to have fun, but you have to know how’….and we certainly had tons of fun watching this zany production of Dr Seuss’s much loved tale…
Sally and her brother are somewhat bored at home, before their day is turned upside down and into a madcap adventure with the arrival of a rather camp cat, wearing a very tall hat! A beautifully simple set evocatively recreates the original feel and illustrations of the book. Audiences are immersed in the show, with bubbles filling the air to introduce us to fish, and his exasperation with the siblings and ensuing chaos within the home….when thing one and thing two enter into the fray, things get even wilder ! Our little ones particularly enjoyed the bedlam of the giant balls and getting to play along with the double trouble of thing one and thing two…
A fast paced, slick production, sure to brighten anyone’s morning…smattered with lines from the book and some cute choreography….
Our mini-reviewers said : ‘ I loved playing with the huge bouncy balls and chatting to Thing Two – they were very silly’
Assembly
The Greatest Magic Show is well set in a Spiegel tent giving it a classic feel supported by the excellent Basil Fawlty inspired Ringmaster. More slapstick than magic show it none the less contains some impressive stunts and was an enjoyable hour all round.
The comedic dialogue is slick and well rehearsed, leaving some space for improvisation and is well targeted towards children. With plenty of audience participation and encouragement my 8-year-old companions were shouting and giggling throughout.
Plenty of physicality set to a decent soundtrack and an abundance of silliness makes its lesson in self-belief an easy one to learn.
(Written by Katch Holmes)
Assembly – Studio One
Yaaaaayyyy….the Listies are back, and this time they are tackling bedtime. As you may imagine, bedtime becomes something a little more chaotic, hilarious and extremely silly with these two at the helm….
Insightfully conveying the tension that occurs at bedtime, when children suddenly have a million and one things to do before going to sleep. We see an exasperated (and highly relatable) Rich attempting to get Matt into bed, but Matt has hundreds of reasons to delay bedtime including tidying up, singing lullabies, brushing teeth, obviously making a wild and wonderful list and finally regaling us with an extraordinary version of Jack and the Beans-talk !
The Listies have perfected kidult humour, and the room is filled with giggling from start to finish, with a hour once again feeling waaaayyy too short….with the opportunity to meet the Listies after and get all the ‘smelfies’ you like – if you snooze you lose- this is one bedtime extravaganza not to be missed !
My mini reviewers said : ‘I liked the shark….and the crocodile…that was funny’
‘….the beans talking bit and the farts were the best…and the tidying up…’
Pleasance Dome
Welcome to Tomland ! – the brand new amusement park, featuring all the usual thrills and attractions – carnival games, a gift shop and most excitingly, a 4D ride for which we start queuing for in true theme park style…
Tom Brace’s new show is a brilliant meld of magic, jokes and entertainment, set within the theme park walls. Audience participation is of course included, and the pure delight on one such young participant’s face was infectious ! We were left wowed, and immensely confused after the ghost train and awestruck with the grand finale…it’s the sign of a great magic show when the children are intensely discussing the tricks involved all the way home !!
With a sprinkling of 4D magic, mind reading and sleight of hand ….this is a roller coaster of a show, leaving all riders exhilarated.
My mini-reviewers said : ‘ The ring at the end was amazing !’
‘The bit where the cards came out the screen and he caught one on the umbrella was my favourite – how did he do that ? ‘..
We are HUGE fans of the Dummies, and are delighted General Waste and this show are back in town !!
The trio of loveable and very very funny clowns whisk us through an hour of some very silly adventures featuring the mundane wheelie bin ! There are a seemingly inexhaustible number of tricks featuring these bins, including impressive drumming sequences, hilarious hide and seek scenes, nerve wracking bomb disposal and a plethora of jumping, crashing, balancing and rolling all over them….More innovative and creative moments include clever slow motion, an impressive cyr wheel sequence, piano ladders and some awesome juggling!
The performers obviously have incredible skills, but its the moments of humorous physicality that make this show extra special – they really really know how to entertain and engage the audience so that it appeals to all ages. Who knew tidying up could be so fun ??
My mini-reviewers said : ”….I liked the ball fight and getting to chuck the balls…”
..” I liked the slow motion bits and all the amazing acrobatics..”
(Review from 2023)
Underbelly
This was the most bonkers show we have seen at the fringe- we arrived 10 minutes late due to a previous show overrunning but quickly caught up with the plot- Tweedy is trying everything to save his circus and put on a wonderful old fashioned circus show. This loveable clown soon has the whole audience rooting for him and with the help of his friends- and some incredible stunts fashioned out of household objects he succeeds.
This show is refreshingly original, like nothing we have seen at the fringe before. Expect daredevil stunts, plate smashing, incredible tricks and a LOT of laughs for children of all ages and adults too.
Tip: we sat in the raised booths and had an amazing view especially for smaller kids.
Our mini reviewers said : “It was very funny! I’ve never seen a flying toilet before”
(Written by Sophie Hug Williams)
Ventriloquist Queen: A True African Queen
Assembly
Queen Angelique-Monet of Eti-oni, Osun state Nigeria is an unbelievably talented ventriloquist- she sings, raps and can hold a three way conversation with two puppets. She will transport you to the annual coca festival in Erin-Oni and if you are lucky your kids may be invited on stage to become the Cocoa Prince or Princess. She will have you clapping along and dancing in the aisles. This show is a delight that will entertain your kids and you will all learn something new about this fascinating region.
You may even be lucky enough to sample some of the delicious chocolate afterwards!
My mini reviewers said: ” this was my favourite show at the fringe! I learnt a lot and I would love to see it again’
(Written by Sophie Hug-Williams)
Assembly George Square Gardens
Yuck Yeah !!! These strong, skilled, funny and fearsome women were AWESOME !
Such a refreshing hour of circus, that doesn’t take itself too seriously, whilst managing to offer social commentary on toxic masculinity and negative traits we could all do without in society just now…One for the older children out there, and managing to portray all of these topics in such a fun, playful way. We loved the body positivity on stage, with the all-female cast in their signature simple black underwear, celebrating a diversity of bodies with muscles and strength and pride ! There is tons of physical comedy too, with a clown bringing proper belly laughs and an absurd musical interlude… And this is all without mentioning the circus skills on show, adding their own unique touch to each talent, we see aerial, skipping, hooping and acrobatics in this intimate and immersive venue….being up close and personal really works for this show (except that one moment meaning I will never look at a nail in the same way !)….
Inspired and buzzing after the high energy created within the tent – it’s clear Yuck have a large place in our hearts and we look forward to seeing them again next year….
My mini-reviewer said : ” …I LOVED it…they were amazing…the bit with the nail was unbelievable and icky…so much fun !”….
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