The world’s biggest Fringe Festival is back for yet another year and the line up of acts is endless! Kicking off August 3, Edinburgh Festival is offering up a gigantic serving of arts and entertainment, and if you’re lucky enough to be making your way over you’re probably already scrambling to get your ‘Must See,’ list in order. With artists from all over the world in attendance there’s no shortage in choice, but to make your life a little easier we’ve found some home-grown talent to get you started. Here are four Aussie acts not to miss:
Rhys Nicholson: Seminal
Rhys Nicholson has had a busy couple of years- two solo stints at London’s Soho Theatre, appearing at Just For Laughs Montreal and Sydney, an ARIA nomination for Best Comedy Release for, ‘Rhys Nicholson Live at The Eternity Playhouse’ and several TV appearances on Channel 10 and SBS. Now returning to Edinburgh Festival with his 6th show, ‘Seminal,’ Nicholson brings his razor sharp, daring and outlandish brand of comedy to Underbelly’s new venue Jersey Room. Having campaigned for same-sex marriage since marrying fellow queer comedian Zoe Coombs Marr on stage during the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2016, you can expect to hear stories about his journey since marriage equality being legalised in Australia last year. Expect sharp satire, real talk and plenty of dicks jokes.
Dates: August 4-6
Venue: Underbelly Jersey Room- Bistro Square
Michael Griffiths: Songs By Kylie
Here to steal you heart and pay tribute to the queen of Australian pop, award winning cabaret star Michael Griffiths returns to Edinburgh after a two year hiatus with his new show, ‘Songs By Kylie.’ With his dazzling Broadway voice, Griffiths travels through Kylie Minogue’s humble beginnings in ‘Neighbours,’ to her rise to musical fame. Uniting with writer/director Dean Bryant and back by a four-piece band, ‘Songs By Kylie,’ will have you feeling all the motions. Expect to step back in time, hear all your favourite Kylie songs and have, ‘Locomotion,’ stuck in your head for days.
Dates: August 1-2
Venue: Assembly: The Bubble- George Square Gardens
Anya Anastasia: The Executioners
Award-winning musical comedy star Anya Anastasia brings her satirical wit to Edinburgh Festival in a performance that promises to dismember the perils of the modern world with an armoury of original songs. The multi-instrumentalist channels her inner Lady Gaga in this neo-cabaret that takes aim at the fabric of modern Western culture. Partnering with musical-partner-in-crime Gareth Chin, The Executioners promises interwoven soundscapes, dazzling visuals and plenty of laughs (and maybe even a fight scene!).
Dates: August 4-26
Venue: Gilded Balloon- Wine Bar
Hans: Like a German
Critically acclaimed around the world, Hans has delighted audiences with his all-singing, all dancing cabaret extravagance for over a decade. Now making his way to Edinburgh, the satirical creation of Australian media identity Matt Gilberston promises to bring the party with according-pumping, glittering blitzkrieg pizazz! Backed by his band The Ungrateful Bastards, Hans will deliver a little bit of Marlene, a little bit Madonna and a dash of Angela Merkle. Prepare to be bombarded with pop classics and energy!
Dates: August 4-19
Venue: The Red Room: Assembly Rooms- George Street
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Check out the full Edinburgh Fringe program here. The festival will be running from August 3-27.
