As the dust begins to settle on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for 2026, Binge Fringe writers have now covered over 300 shows across August. We sat down with a number of them to ask – if you had to go back and recommend just one show to audiences from EdFringe this year, what would it be? Spoiler: some of them couldn’t keep it to just one (Editorial staff included). From theatre to stand-up, clowning and interactive shows to musical theatre, this round-up shows the pure diversity that was on offer at this year’s edition of the world’s largest arts festival.
Binge Fringe has a busy calendar for late 2026 – in the next few months we’ll be visiting Dundee Fringe, the brand-new Inverness Fringe, and heading out of Scotland and across Europe for Thessaloniki Fringe in October. If you’re headed there to, be sure to get in touch.
Salvador Kent says: Gameplay from Carmen Collective
“What a Fringe it’s been for me! I was most recently thrilled by Ontroend Goed’s play experiment Handle With Care which thrust us into the role of performers. Gutter revealed itself to be the premier place to introduce yourself to the Fringe Clown scene and exit strategy’s How to Win a Gameshow was a form bending romp from the most exciting debutants on my radar.”
“But my pick of the Fringe has to be Carmen Collective’s feverish, mesmerising Gameplay – it is a deeply personal redefinition of the theatrical act in a time of profound uncertainty. Sam Rees and AJ Turner have crafted a haunting thing of beauty there.”
Salvador Kent is an aspiring Director and Playwright based in Edinburgh. He is English-Peruvian, and both their languages and cultures are integral to his practice. He is a co-producer of Edinburgh experimental performance night @theatrelaboratory. Specific interests include Clown, Surreal, Political and Ritual theatres, especially when formally playful. His favourite drink is a Cuba Libre, because he finds the ideological implications of the name funny.
Festivals: Prague Fringe (2026), EdFringe (2026)
Pronouns: He/Him
Contact: salvador@bingefringe.com
Hannah Hamilton says: Lady Bolognese: Class War
“I’d highly recommend anyone to see Lady Bolognese: Class War, especially if you’ve always loved dinner ladies. It’s a deliciously freaky show, and you will belly-laugh the whole way through.”
In their review, Hannah said:
“Should you wish to be completely baffled and still have a great time, this is the show for you. It is a show that feels as though it can reach out and grab you (and occasionally does), as these clowns bully and mock the ‘students’, much to the audience’s delight. With elements of bouffon in these characters, it is best to experience it close up and open minded, but don’t be deterred!”
Hannah Hamilton is a writer, a comic, and a poet. They were born in Edinburgh, made in Dundee, and utterly in love with fringe performance and the unusual in all disciplines. They drink either a pint of cider or a tequila, soda, lime depending on how much of a ~girly~ they are feeling that day.
Festivals: EdFringe (2026)
Pronouns: They/Them
Contact: hannah@bingefringe.com
Roe McDonnell says: Mortal Sin from Benjamin Reilly
“Mortal Sin – incredible Irish coming of age story of finding your people. This is one that will leave you sobbing at the end and laughing all the way through. Go Raibh Maith agat Benjamin and Isolde!”
In their review, Roe said:
“Fenton and Riley’s chemistry is palpable. Their timing, playing over ten different combinations of characters, including the terrifying Sister Assumpta herself, renders Mortal Sin faultless. While protest does not become the key theme until later on, watching the play as the story develops makes it both heartwarming and heartbreaking.”
Our Access Co-Ordinator. Roe is a Neurodivergent and Disabled Access Coordinator, Writer and Researcher from Coventry currently studying BA (hons) British Sign Language (Deaf Studies) at University of Wolverhampton. Their research focuses on all forms of media with disability and LGBTQ representation, especially in local theatre where they are the Youngest Rep for the Little Theatre Guild.
Festivals: Coventry Springboard (2023-26), EdFringe (2025-2026)
Pronouns: They/He
Contact: roe@bingefringe.com
Tom Clayton says: Andrew White: What a Life!
“I’d recommend Andrew White’s What a Life!, it was funny, caring and a lovely all round show.”
In their review, Tom said:
“What a Life! is a charming, funny and brilliant love letter to those around you, urging you not to waste a second with them. This show will leave you walking away smiling with a tear in your eye.”
Tom lives and works in Edinburgh, and is a big fan of live performance. Always enjoying stand up comedy, and more recently anything from theatre to musicals to clowns. Their drink of choice tends to come from a local brewery, preferably a pale ale.
Festivals: EdFringe (2025-26)
Pronouns: He/They
Contact: tom@bingefringe.com
Issy Cory says Nuns! from Dog Complex Theatre
“Bog Witch is one of those shows that ticks all the fringe-y boxes. Ever since I saw I’m a Phoenix Bitch in 2019 I’ve been craving Bryony Kimmings and this was just the satisfaction I needed.”
“Dog Complex Theatre’s Nuns! was a comedic triumph. Who doesn’t love spitting out their lager watch a naked monk do a dance on roller-skates?”
In her review, Issy said:
“A diamond in the rough, Nuns! is one of those that, once you see it, you will want to keep tabs on everything this company does for the rest of all time. Dog Complex Theatre, we thank you.”
Our Deputy Editor. Issy is the Co-Founder of Tatty Pants Theatre Company, works full-time as a Theatre Administrator and Production Manager at a theatre in Suffolk, and has reviewed theatre for over 3 years. She loves original writing, femme-revenge, queer stories, new takes on classic tales and daring physical theatre. She likes comedy (not stand-up, sorry), but only the quirky, off-the-wall kind. Her favourite drink is a nice cold lager (especially after a long day reviewing!)
Festivals: EdFringe (2024-26)
Pronouns: She/Her
Contact: issy@bingefringe.com
Shay Mace says The Late Utopians from COGGIA
“I’m going to use my time to shine a spotlight on New Writing – which I felt was a sorely underrepresented category at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe. In previous years, it felt like we saw breakout, hard-hitting drama with moments of levity as a staple of the festival, yet as a genre it seemed to find a more difficult season over this August. Some of the shows massively deserving that spotlight include The Pitch, Philip Catherwood’s timely and resonant exploration of football, GAA, Irish politics and East Belfast through the eyes of three firmly three-dimensional young people.”
“We also handed our Queer New Writing Award to Tom Quackenbush’s The Body I Left in Susquehanna National Forest, an unflinching and stirring dark comedy allegory for queerness that broke theatrical form and rebuilt it from the ground-up with glee.”
“But for me, there’s one script that topped them all in its meticulous depth, striking exploration of modern America, and vivid retelling of a delve into Brooklyn’s rave scene. Alfie Jones’ unparalleled thriller The Late Utopians is fervent proof that COGGIA are a company of the future, taking solo drama to the next level in this powerful piece.”
In their review, Shay said:
“Nearly at the halfway point at the festival, I don’t hesitate to say this will be a highlight of the Fringe’s new writing offerings for 2026. Jones elucidates a world that feels equal parts distant and tangible, brought to life in formidable form through Walker’s sensational performance. This is drama at its fullest form – graphic, vulnerable, and salient.”
Our Lead Editor. Shay has worked as a grassroots journalist, performer, and theatre producer since 2017. Working regularly across the UK, Czechia, Italy, Ireland and beyond, their focus is to highlight work from marginalised creatives – especially queered futures, politics, clown, new writing, and anything in the abstract form. They froth for a Hazy IPA, where available.
Festivals: EdFringe (2018-2026), Brighton Fringe (2019), VAULT Festival (2023), Prague Fringe (2023-26), Dundee Fringe (2023-25), Catania OFF Fringe (2024-25)
Pronouns: They/Them
Contact: editor@bingefringe.com
Eve Miller
Frankie Finsbury
