Best shows to see at the Fringe and Edinburgh International Festival 2021 – from comedy to opera

The world’s largest arts festival has, understandably, returned on a much smaller scale after a year of lockdown. But there’s still plenty to see in Edinburgh this August.

Here are our top recommendations, from a Tony-winning Cabaret star to a horror-themed Elvis singalong, via a new play where Domhnall Gleeson faces up against a giant lobster.

Comedy

Josie Long

Long’s last show, Tender, featured one of the funniest accounts of childbirth I’ve ever heard. The much-loved Fringe veteran is now pregnant again – which should provide plenty of material for this work-in-progress show, which promises her usual mix of personal warmth, political nous and irrepressible optimism.

Monkey Barrel (monkeybarrelcomedy.com), Aug 23-29

The Elvis Dead

The underground hit of the 2017 Fringe returns. Black Country comic Rob Kemp re-enacts the plot of horror classic Evil Dead II – complete with chainsaw! – via the music of the King, changing the odd lyric here and there. (Elvis Presley’s “hunk of burning love” becomes a “hunk of burning skull”.) It’s a bonkers idea, but one carried out with utter conviction.

Monkey Barrel (monkeybarrelcomedy.com), Aug 23-29

Alex Kealy

In his stand-up hour, Alex Kealy tackles Silicon Valley, advertising, addiction and monopolies in a work-in-progress show about connection after a year without it.

Monkey Barrel (monkeybarrelcomedy.com), Aug 24-26

Sam Lake

Sam Lake, who has starred in the likes of All4’s The Joy of Missing Out & Dave’s The Comedy Guide to Life, presents one hour of stand-up on his goals - and how he copes with succeeding and (more often) failing at them.

Monkey Barrel (monkeybarrelcomedy.com), Aug 27

Theatre and Spoken Word

Medicine

Domhnall Gleeson (Ex Machina, Harry Potter) plays a man in hospital whose surprising visitors include a giant lobster and a jazz percussionist, in this new absurdist drama about mental health from Irish playwright Enda Walsh. Tickets disappeared quickly, but keep an eye out for returns.

Traverse Theatre (eif.co.uk), until Aug 29

Alan Cumming is Not Acting his Age

An evening of song and storytelling from the Tony-winning Cabaret star, whose 2016 Edinburgh show Alan Cumming Sings Happy Songs was praised by the Telegraph as “life-affirming”. His show will delve into the subject of aging, as he looks back over a varied career.

Old College Quad (eif.co.uk), Aug 28-29

A Toast to the People

Five nights of spoken word performances from a rotating line-up of acclaimed poets including Jay Bernard, Inua Ellams, Safiya Sinclair and Hollie McNish. Each show features a new brand-poem inspired by Gil Scott-Heron’s line “a toast to the people”.

Old College Quad (eif.co.uk), Aug 23-27

Lament for Sheku Bayoh

Writer and Director Hannah Lavery leads an artistic yet grief-filled response to the 2015 death in Scottish police custody of Sheku Bayoh.

The Lyceum, (eif.co.uk), Aug 25-28

Music and Opera

Gringolts Quartet

The group, led by international violin soloist Ilya Gringolts, made its acclaimed International Festival debut in 2017 and are back to perform a da zzling concert with pieces ranging from melancholic to euphoric.

Old College Quad (eif.co.uk), Aug 26

Fatoumata Diawara

Born in the Ivory Coast, actress, musician and activist Fatoumata Diawara boldly flies the flag for modern African music. Since her 2011 debut album, Fatou, she has collaborated with Mulatu Astatke, Gorillaz, Bobby Womack and Herbie Hancock, honouring her traditional roots while exploring contemporary styles.

Edinburgh Park (eif.co.uk), Aug 27

Scottish Chamber Orchestra

The final orchestral concert of the Festival is set to be a magical performance of works from Japan, France and Russia, conducted by French maestro Lionel Bringuier.

Edinburgh Academy Junior School (eif.co.uk), Aug 28