FRINGE REVIEW 2025: Round-Up 2!
- Mix Up Theatre (Stewart)
- Aug 8
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 9
Here's a quick run-down of everything else we've caught at the festival so far...
The Greatest Magic Show
★★★★
Children's Shows (Magic, Comedy)
Age 3+
13:10 - Palais du Variete at Assembly George Square Gardens - until 25th August
Finn (Age 8) - ★★★★
"It was really funny. I really liked it. The best bit was when the underpants kept falling out of the bag! I would recommend the show to families because I went with my family and we all enjoyed it."
Fergus (Age 6) - ★★★★
"I really enjoyed it too and I especially liked the grand finale."
Nate Kitch: Something Different!!!!!
★★★
Comedy
Age 16+
17:00 - Snug at Gilded Balloon Patter House - until 25th August
Lorna - ★★★
"This fringe show certainly lives up to its name as I don’t think you’ll see anything else like it. Kitch has honed in on a niche style of comedy, allowing him to stand out in the hoards of stand up shows. Meta from the get go, with references to the lack of tech’s available and the involvement of passer-by’s in the hallway. It’s completely lack of a forth-wall makes it incredibly refreshing. It’s certainly not for everyone as a few audience members voted with their feet in the first 15 mins. Despite this, Kitch’s decisive nature is what makes his comedy unique and worth seeing. It perfectly embodies the fringe, and it’s anything goes themes, by being extremely unexpected and engaging. If you are wanting a break from the expected rules of comedy this is the show for you."
Out of the Box
★★★★★
Children's Shows
Age 5+
11:30 - Jersey at Underbelly, Bristo Square - until 25th August
Kai (Age 6) - ★★★★★
"5 stars! It was funny!"
Sofia (Age 9) - ★★★★★
'Brilliant! We loved it."
Shantify
★★★★
Musicals & Opera (Music, Pop)
Age 0+
16:35 - Palais du Variete at Assembly George Square Gardens - until 24th August
Archie (Age 12) - ★★★★
"Shantify is a story about six people who live by sea, struggling with their businesses, but they all play their sea shanties versions of famous songs at the bar at night. One of them dreams of leaving the town and being an actor.
It was interesting and funny to see popular songs turned into sea-shanties and see them be put into the story. I didn't know all the songs but I recognised 500 Miles, The Chain, Texas Hold’em, Livin’ on a Prayer, and Wannabe. It was clever how they changed the tunes for these songs and they all had incredible voices."
Black Blues Brothers: Let's Twist Again!
★★★★★
Dance, Physical Theatre & Circus
Age 5+
15:30 - McEwan Hall at Underbelly Bristo Square,
Sam (Age 12) - ★★★★★
"Looking like the Blues Brothers in their dark glasses and hats these five Kenyans perform extraordinary acrobatics mixed with comedic relief. Every time they did a new acrobatic feat the audience clapped louder than the last time. My hands were sore by the end."
Myles (Age 14) - ★★★1/2
"I liked The Black Blues Brothers. I liked how it payed tribute to the 1950s/60s, and the songs in it. Although I liked these parts of it, there were also parts I wasn’t so fond of, like, for example, I found it a bit too confusing at certain moments, where I didn’t really understand what was going on. I think a way to solve this would be to add dialogue, as I think this would make it clearer. Overall, I enjoyed it and give it 3.5 out of 5."
Archie (Age 12) - ★★★★★
"The show was mind-blowing acrobatics, flips and balancing themselves on top of each others shoulders and head. There included a story about love and they got an audience member on stage. There was also an impossible looking limbo with people jumping over or under each other. If I could I would give the show 6/5 stars! It was amazing. I would definitely recommend it."
PG Hits! The Best in Stand-Up Comedy Without the Rude Bits
★★★★
Comedy
Age 8+
17:50 - Just the Sub-Atomic Room at Just the Tonic Nucleus - until 24th August
Myles (Age 14) - ★★★★
"PG Hits is a comedy show featuring 4 comedian’s segments. The lineup changes every day. From the ones that I saw, my favourite and in my opinion, the funniest, was definitely Jeromaia Detto . I like the idea of having 4 different comedians every day, as it means you can go to the show multiple times, without knowing exactly what everyone is going to say. All the comedians have their own shows, and this is a good way to promote them, and might make people more likely to see their own shows, I enjoyed some styles, but not others. Overall, I had a good, fun time with PG Hits, and give it 4 stars out of 5."
Mario the Maker Magician
★★★★
Children's Shows
Age 3+
10:30 - Udderbelly at Underbelly, George Square - until 17th August
Ben (Age 7) - ★★★★★
"I liked the robot that was knocking the ball over and then he did some funny magic as well. 10/10"
Mix Up Junior (Age 6) - ★★★★★
"They had giant balloons at the end and he was really funny when he said "crying like a baby."
Stewart - ★★★
"The show definitely has some wonderful moments and Mario is a delightful host but there's a lot of filler and the venue is too big for the show. Boys were restless about half way through."
Norvil & Josephine: Rabbits Out of the Hat
★★★★★
Children's Shows
Age 5+
11:35 - King Dome at Pleasance Dome - until 24th August
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Georgie (Age 10) - ★★★★★
"I loved it, it was fantastic, The lady is right about wanting women's rights we should be the same as men but women are better She deserved to be in the show like him. The set was old fashioned like back in the day it reminded me a bit of Aladdin. I was shocked at the magic but I knew about the hanky from the work shop but I won't spoil it for people they will need to go see it. I loved that mum got picked to be part of the show and I kinda did as well with the banana trick. I liked his singing too and the pink shoes. But how did she levitate though how is that done? And the bit at the end where they swap it blew my mind. I really liked the show. I'm happy she remembered us from the work shop as well and the wee rabbit they made was nice too."
Messy Magic Adventure
★★★★★
Children's Shows
Age 3+
12:30 - Bijou at Assembly Rooms until 17th August
Ben (Age 7) - ★★★★★
"Very funny espcecially with the ladders. I give it a thousand billion stars."
Mix Up Junior (Age 6) - ★★★★★
"They had soaking water gun and even the man threw dirty boxers at my Dad. A hundred 85 thousand stars."
Stewart - ★★★★★
"Lots of of fun in this silly Saturday morning kids TV style show with two fantastic skilled performers. There's plenty of puns in there for the grown-ups as well. The boys absolutely loved it and so did I. Make sure you sit near the front so you can smell the front roses (which need watered)."
MASSAOKE: Sing the Musicals
★★★★★
Music
Age 3+
13:40 - Udderbelly at Underbelly, George Square
Olivia (Age 13) - ★★★★1/2
"Sing the Musical was so fun! All the band members were dressed up and put on a full show, the energy flowing throughout!
It was on for an hour but they said they had a two hour one which had way more songs (like phantom of the opera!)
They started with greatest showman and it was amazing, the lights and music were so stunning. They did some older musicals and more recent but they definitely covered as much as possible for the hour from ABBA to Frozen, it's perfect for all ages! There was toddlers to Elderly that attended and everyone left with a smile.
We got to meet the cast after and they were so so sweet they took a picture with me and signed my poster!
They do warn you at the start that it will be loud and they provide earplugs if needed but overall a terrific show, 4.5 stars (as I didn't get some of the songs!) But definitely a must see!"
Sketch Show Bingo!
★★★★★
Comedy
Age 8+
Various Times - Stephenson Theatre at The Space @Surgeon's Hall - until 23rd August
Olivia (Age 13) - ★★★★★
"Comedy sketch bingo is one of the funniest shows I have ever watched!
They had great audience participation, everyone got a bingo sheet to play along with at the start and Sandy actually won with a full house! They also had best audience member and I got to be in their Kings sketch!
They are so kind genuinely funny and the show is random every time! So you can go along as many times as you want and get a different show each time.
Their quick changes are very impressive especially if you get the hauntington sketch!
Their music was also amazing, they were playing Kylie Minogue when we went in and Spice Girls when we left! (Extra points from me for that 🤣)
This show is so incredibly funny and the girls are so talented this is perfect for if you want a laugh or day out. 5 stars!"
Make sure you've booked in for Mix Up Theatre DRAMA CLASSES!
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