Theatre Bubble Members' Must See Shows of 2019

We asked our Theatre Bubble Facebook Group members to tell us what their absolute must see shows were from this years fringe – and the results are in! Offering a wonderfully eclectic selection of shows cutting across the genres we have children’s shows, physical theatre, new writing, comedy and musicals, and don’t forget if you want to see what our reviewers think check out all our fringe coverage here.

Must See Shows of Edinburgh 2019

Bobby and Amy @ Pleasance Courtyard

A new dark comedy about foot-and-mouth disease by Fringe First award winner Emily Jenkins. It’s the late 90s: Take That, Tamagotchis and Pog swaps. When Bobby and Amy meet, hundreds of cows dot across the fields and the sun always shines. But when the cows begin to burn, Bobby and Amy’s sleepy Cotswold town faces a catastrophe that will change their home forever. Bobby & Amy explores friendship and what happens when our way of life is threatened by those who don’t understand it. ***** (EdFringeReview.com). ***** (FringeGuru). **** (Scotsman) – reviews for previous Jenkins plays.

Desiree Burch @ the Hive

Have you ever been caught in a loop? Does every revision require a friggin’ revolution? Does pushing too hard only get you right back to the beginning? What if everything really is just the same thing forever? At a time when progress has given way to authoritarianism and disintegration, comedian and storyteller Desiree Burch (Netflix, Live at the Apollo, Radio 4) embarks on a soul-searching journey of mythically ridiculous proportions in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, to learn something deeper about how she, and all of us, have gotten here. Directed by Sarah Chew.

The Incident Room @ Pleasance courtyard

It’s 1975. The Millgarth Incident Room is the epicentre of the biggest manhunt in British police history. Follow Sergeant Megan Winterburn as she joins hundreds of officers working around the clock to find the man known as the Yorkshire Ripper. With public pressure mounting, the investigation resorts to increasingly audacious attempts to catch one of Britain’s most notorious serial killers. From the award-winning creators of Secret Life of Humans and Down and Out in Paris and London, New Diorama go behind the scenes and investigate the case that broke the British police force.

Square Go @ Summerhall

The unmissable, Fringe First Award-winning show from Kieran Hurley and Gary McNair. Max spends his days daydreaming and hanging out with his weird wee pal Stevie. But when Max is called for his first Square Go – a fight by the school gates – it’s his own demons he must wrestle with first. A raucous play about playground violence, myths of masculinity and the challenge to step up or run. Starring Game of Thrones’ Daniel Portman and River City’s Gavin Jon Wright and featuring original music by members of Frightened Rabbit. ‘Riotously entertaining’ (Independent). ‘Brilliant brilliant fun’ (Stage).

Joyce @ Roxy Assembly Central

Return to a world where childhood imagination sparks unending curiosity. In this hilarious and heart-warming tale, a father and the family hamster venture into a foreign yet familiar land of a children’s storybook. On their way, they meet a slew of characters, including a stick of dynamite who could explode at any moment, a hard-headed futuristic spacewoman, a daydreaming medieval prince and a giant that yearns to be small. Complete with puppetry, music and live magic this innovative and imaginative new play is sure to dazzle the whole family!

Cruel Intentions Musical @ Assembly George Square Gardens

Enter the manipulative world of Manhattan’s most dangerous liaisons: Sebastian Valmont and Kathryn Merteuil. Seduced by revenge and fuelled by passion, the step-siblings bet on destroying an innocent girl. As they weave a web of secrets and temptation, they become entangled in the cruellest game of all: love. The cult movie you love laced with ’90s classics including Britney, Christina, *NSYNC and REM, all performed live. ‘Fun, sexy, seductive. It’s a great time!’ (Huffington Post). ‘Funny… nostalgia-fuelled. The choice lines and inspired soundtrack hits are all there… the best of the ’90s!’ (New York Times).

After the success of 2 Become 1, Swipe Right present their deliciously dark musical Scream Phone – directed by Pappy’s Tom Parry! The girls are having a sleepover and you’re like, totally invited! Pillow fights in their underwear, singing into hairbrushes, and gossiping about their crushes, what could possibly go wrong? As long as they don’t answer the oversized pink phone… dun dun duuun! Based on the retro game Dream Phone, they’ll take you on a killer journey back to the 80s with an infectious original soundtrack. Scream meets Clueless in this hilarious spoof horror musical!

Islander @ Summerhall

Eilidh stares out to sea and dreams of a new life beyond her lonely island. Myth and reality collide when the tide washes a mysterious stranger onto her beach, changing her life forever. Epic storytelling, intimately staged with a contemporary Scottish folk-inspired score. The cast live-record and layer their voices to create an ethereal adventure for the ears and imagination. ‘Superb’ (Herald). ‘Lush, harmonic voices’ (List). ‘A real treat of a production’ (AllEdinburghTheatre.com). Originally developed in association with Comar. Part of the Made in Scotland 2019 showcase. www.madeinscotlandshowcase.com

Birth @ Pleasance Courtyard

Following a sell-out run at London International Mime Festival 2019, Theatre Re presents a powerful, poignant and uplifting visual theatre piece with live music exploring the bond between three generations of women, their shared loss and the strength they discover in each other. Emily is eight months pregnant when she reads her grandmother’s journal. As she delves into her family history, her sense of reality shifts, unveiling a legacy of unspoken tragedies and unconditional love. ‘Sensitive, adept, absorbing’ (Donald Hutera). Previous productions by Theatre Re include The Nature of Forgetting and Blind Man’s Song.

Neal Portenza @ Heroes Boteco

Please note: this is not a comedy show. This is a seminar on how to sell bilge pumps accidentally booked during the Fringe. If you want to learn how to be the best bilge pump salesman or salesmanwoman, then this is the show for you. If you want to laugh at silly comedy, please go see one of those TV-based comedians everyone keeps talking about. I say again. This is not a comedy show; it’s a seminar on how to sell bilge pumps. Winner Golden Gibbo Award, Melbourne.

Didn’t see the shows you were expecting? Do you have a Must See recommendation we’ve missed? Just leave all your suggestions in the comments below.