Elisabeth Flett
From Supreme Court rights rollbacks to right-wing rhetoric, 2025 is proving to be a year where queer rights are under attack both here in Scotland and across the world. In these difficult times, platforming and supporting LGBTQ+ artists is more important than ever and it’s encouraging to see venues like Summerhall do exactly that. We hope to get along to see as many of this exciting shows as possible, and we hope to see you there.
Happy Fringe, Binge Fringers!
SHITBAG
Why is it easier to talk about a bowel disease than mental illness? Darkly comedic and life-affirming, this one-person play reveals the reality of living with chronic mental and physical health conditions. We follow a young genderqueer person through a Crohn’s Disease diagnosis, hypo-manic episode, colostomy bag fears, queer sex, group sex, morality, mortality, blood, shit, laughter and tears. Hayley Edwards brings their multi award-winning debut play to Summerhall with the Edinburgh Touring Award after two highly acclaimed, sold-out, extended seasons in Melbourne. Think Fleabag but with more queer shit (literally).
Binge Fringe is looking forward to: disability representation, queer jokes, hard hitting autobiography and hopefully not being covered in actual faeces during the performance (it’s the Fringe, you never know…)
Shitbag – Anatomy Lecture Theatre @ Summerhall, Jul 31st, Aug 1-3, 5-10, 12-17, 19-25. Tickets are available through the EdFringe Box Office.
DELUSIONAL – I KILLED A MAN
A contemporary circus solo that embarks on a trans woman’s journey. The show explores the haunting feeling of having murdered one’s former self, a common experience for many trans people when leaving their assigned gender behind.
Through a multidisciplinary repertoire such as aerials, dance, singing and physical theatre, Diana Salles invites us to reflect on the physical and emotional strength it takes to honour one’s truth. The combination of aerial silks, beautiful images and mesmerising music makes you want to hug the artist. A heart-stopping circus show that unravels the beauty of self-discovery.
Binge Fringe is looking forward to: gorgeous costumes, powerful storytelling, and breath-taking aerial silk choreography.
Delusional- I Killed a Man – Main Hall @ Summerhall, Red Lecture Theatre @ Summerhall (2 venues), Jul 31st, Aug 1-5, 7-11, 13-18, 20-24. Tickets are available through the EdFringe Box Office.
NO APOLOGIES
Was Kurt Cobain trans? Was Kurt Cobain a trans woman? What if? No Apologies delves deep into internet discourse and classical mythology – radically mis-remembering Nirvana’s iconic 1993 MTV Unplugged concert. It fights back against the pressure to mould ourselves into images that are acceptable to society and the danger that lies when we are not able to live as our full, vibrant selves.
Binge Fringe is looking forward to: a chance to come together and collectively share queer anger, acknowledge queer grief…and ask ourselves some very unusual questions about Kurt Cobain.
No Apologies – Anatomy Lecture Theatre @ Summerhall, Dissection Room @ Summerhall (2 venues), Jul 31st, Aug 1-4, 6-10, 12-17, 19-24. Tickets are available through the EdFringe Box Office.
JONNY WOO: SUBURBIA
Suburbia is Jonny Woo’s most personal show to date. A return to his spoken word, story-telling and performance art roots, Suburbia is a poetic memoir about his life from childhood in the Medway Towns, to discovering ecstasy in the 90s, the clubs of New York and a queer community in London.
Now in his fifties, Woo is more reflective and honest about the secrets he harboured and the lessons he learnt. Woo’s wit is as sharp as ever and his desire to shock and surprise is evident throughout. Suburbia is everything but suburban.
Binge Fringe is looking forward to: a show full of smutty jokes, big laughs, heartfelt moments and eyebrow-raising true stories.
Jonny Woo: Suburbia – Main Hall @ Summerhall, Jul 31st, Aug 1-11, 13-18, 20-25. Tickets available through the EdFringe Box Office.
PUSSY RIOT: RIOT DAYS
Image removed per artist’s request.
Pussy Riot need little introduction – the Russian protest art collective have one of the most important voices of the last 10 years, whose lyrical themes include feminism, LGBT rights and opposition to Vladimir Putin. They gained global notoriety in 2012 when three members, Maria Alyokhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Yekaterina Samutsevich were imprisoned for ‘hooliganism motivated by religious hatred’ for their performance inside Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.
The accompanying piece to Alyokhina’s memoir of the same name (Penguin Books), the touring play Riot Days (Revolution) merges punk, electronica, theatre, documentary footage and protest.
Binge Fringe is looking forward to: multi-media performance, live music, and unapologetic protest. This is a unique chance to see this iconic punk trio perform live in Scotland, and it’s not to be missed.
Pussy Riot: Riot Days – Dissection Room @ Summerhall, Aug 12-17, 19-23. Tickets are available through the EdFringe Box Office.
Jake Mace
