34 h. ago ‘It felt like a scene from The Handmaid’s Tale’: US comics on the dangers of political satire

As Jena Friedman, Michelle Wolf and Sam Jay perform at the fringe, they discuss the threats to freedom of speech in the era of Donald Trump In April, comedian Jena Friedman had a strange encounter in Vancouver airport. She had just performed a Ted talk about the future of comedy and was heading home to the US, when someone she thought worked for airport security quizzed her about her visit.Thinking he was probing for visa infringements, “I just said I was doing comedy. Then he asked: ‘What do you joke about?’ Stupidly, I lightly flirted with him, and was like: ‘Everything other than airport security!’ He didn’t react at all. Then I realised he was US border control. He asked again: ‘What do you joke about?’” Continue reading...

Politics

36 h. ago The Three Graces censored as Fringe show uncovers the truth of explicit art in Japan

Japanese theatre companies Theatre Group Gumbo and Book of Shadowz have “censored” Antonio Canova’s The Three Graces housed at National Galleries Scotland: National, by covering the Neoclassical sculpture with black modesty panels in a tongue-in-cheek jab at prudishness in Japan. The playful and pointed stunt was a bold teaser for their outrageous Fringe show Shunga Alert, performing at Underbelly Cowgate until August 24.

Sport

39 h. ago Theatre company set up on Scottish refugee ship to perform at Fringe

The show will be performed for one night at the EICC in Edinburgh

Events

44 h. ago Prize aiming to 'rewrite rules of breaking into theatre' to see winner's play performed at next year's Fringe

The winner will have their play produced for next year’s Fringe

Politics

45 h. ago ‘It’s a brigade of old gits!’ Miriam Margolyes, Andy Linden and the older performers storming Edinburgh

At a festival so often dominated by bold young talent, it’s veteran performers stealing the spotlight this year. We meet them – from household names to octogenarian newcomersMiriam Margolyes is ensconced in the garden room of a fancy Edinburgh hotel, framed by tasteful greenery and smiling for a fan who wants a selfie. Apple-cheeked and foul-mouthed, she is gracious with the passing stranger, though she warns me later: “If somebody pisses me off, I’ll say: ‘Now listen to me, I’m 84!’” She pauses. “But I don’t see why they should!” she adds with a laugh.Margolyes is returning to Edinburgh for the second year running with an upgraded version of her acclaimed showcase based on the characters of Charles Dickens, her favourite author. “Same old cunt, even older,” reads the flyer. “It could be the last time, but don’t bank on it!” Continue reading...

Events

62 h. ago Edinburgh Fringe luvvies claim 'Oasis effect' is 'catastrophic' as influx of fans sends hotel prices surging... and some moan they've been forced to live in their cars

Performers at the Fringe -which draws millions of people each year - say the impact of the band's tour has been 'diabolical, while hotel and accommodation prices have skyrocketed to unprecedented levels

Society

5 d. ago Edinburgh Fringe 2025: Watch the surprise moment performer proposes live on stage at the Edinburgh Fringe

The couple’s award-winning musical comedy is the first show they’ve put on together

Politics

6 d. ago AI on stage: The rise of AI characters at Edinburgh Fringe 2025

From digital landscapes to improvisational humanoid comedians, artists in Fringe 2025 are weaving AI into performance in wildly imaginative and emotionally rich ways - not to replace human expression, but to expand its boundaries.

Politics

6 d. ago Edinburgh Fringe performer in tears after 'third of audience walk out'

Nicole Nadler was performing her one woman show, Exposure Therapy, when she says "a third of her audience walked out 15 minutes early".

Events

6 d. ago Betty Grumble on why radical performance artists are vital to the Fringe

‘Fringe recalibrates the binaries of high and low art,’ writes Australian performance artist Betty Grumble. Here the self-styled ‘sex clown’ explains why risk-taking artists at the Fringe are necessary for challenging the status-quo. By Betty Grumble

Politics

6 d. ago Glasgow comedian reveals the reality of £7,000 Edinburgh Festival Fringe 'slog'

Performers have warned of the rising costs of the Fringe

Economics

6 d. ago Pussy Riot on their raucous Fringe return: ‘In times of crisis, silence becomes complicity’

The world has become even more volatile since Pussy Riot first performed at the Fringe in 2018. But the Russian activist collective are still determined to make their protests heard with a raucous updated show. By Fiona Shepherd

Events

6 d. ago Enzo Maresca: Chelsea manager reveals the one big unknown quantity for Blues this season

Conference League winners will play two games in just three days

Politics

7 d. ago Meet the Edinburgh Fringe comedians who are also carers: 'Making light in dark moments is important'

Among an estimated 5.4 million carers in the UK, some are also comedians. Jay Richardson speaks to several performers bringing shows to the Fringe shaped by their experience of looking after sick or disabled family members

Politics

7 d. ago World media reacts as Rangers leave Viktoria Plzen 'burning' and praying for Champions League miracle

Russell Martin's big changes paid off as the Light Blues ran out 3-0 winners to take a huge stride towards the play-off round

Sport

7 d. ago The moment a Fringe performer discovered he had made US talent show while walking on Salisbury Crags

Chris Turner is the first freestyle rapper to appear on America’s Got Talent

Politics

8 d. ago Five Edinburgh Fringe performers on the true life stories behind their shows

Each year the Fringe is full of powerful and deeply personal true life tales. We asked five performers to share theirs.

Politics

8 d. ago Four Edinburgh Fringe performers on the incredible true life stories behind their shows

Each year the Fringe is full of powerful and deeply personal true life tales. We asked four performers to share theirs.

Politics

8 d. ago Edinburgh Festival Fringe to revive childcare for performers

The scheme last ran at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2019.

Politics

9 d. ago Moment man 'knocked out' on packed Royal Mile as tourists looked on

Footage shows the brawl erupting beside a performance at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Politics