FRINGE REVIEW 2025: Round-Up 3!

Mix Up Theatre (Stewart)
6 days ago
5 min read

Here's a quick run-down of everything else we've caught at the festival so far...

Taiwan Season: Trace of Belief

★★★★

Dance, Physical Theatre & Circus

Age 5+

20:30 - DB1 at Assembly @ Dance Base - until 24th August

WEBSITE

Sam (Age 12) - ★★★★

"This was the first time I had been to a dance performance, so I didn't know what to expect. It began with a small group of dancers swaying to the sound of water hitting the ground. At one point a dancer enters the stage with another balanced on top – together they look imposing and godlike. Depending on your mindset you can interpret the dance in virtually anyway that you want. For me it beautifully represents what I believe to be the evolution of life (but it also made me think of Mario-Kart – don’t ask me how). There wasn’t a single step of uncertainty in their rhythmic dance which almost makes you get mesmerised by it."

Mojo and Jimmy: The Totally Awesome Magic Show

★★★★

Children's Shows (Magic, Comedy)

Age 5+

20:30 - DB1 at Assembly @ Dance Base - until 24th August

WEBSITE

Mix Up Theatre Junior (Age 6) - ★★★★★

"I give this show 500 stars because I went on the stage to do a magic trick and then they gave me a magic bag to keep. Cool tricks."

Stewart - ★★★

"There was some fun moments and impressive magic on show here however the energy of the performers made the show strangely falt. Maybe just having an off day on the day we were along."

Ian Stone is Looking for the Wow

★★★★

Comedy

Age 16+

16:00 - The Ballroom at Laughing Horse @ The Counting House

WEBSITE

Stewart - ★★★★

"A nice laid back hour of very pointed and hilarious comedy from Ian Stone. Highlights include delving into the positive aspects of the Daily Mail and exploring the ins and outs of the mess of these political parties. It was a packed house for this one so get there early for a great comedy to start an evening at the fringe."

Yes-Ya-Yebo!

★★★★★

Cabaret and Variety

Age 3+

16:30 - Just the Big Room at Just the Tonic at The Caves - until 24th August

WEBSITE

Stewart - ★★★★★

"So here's where the party's at!!!!! The Imibala Trust are back at the festival this year with a super talented group of young people who transport the audience to South Africa. A joyful, beautiful experience, wonderful music, singing dancing and a lovely poem in the mix. Yes-Ya-Yebo is just about to move to their new venue for the second half of their run at the festival so it's the perfect time to catch the show!"

CADEL: Lungs on Legs

★★★★★

Theatre (Solo Show, New Writing)

Age 12+

13:00 - Belly Laughs at Underbelly, Cowgate

WEBSITE

Archie (Age 12) - ★★★★★

"I absolutely loved the show especially Connor's performance. I particularly like how they used lights for different settings such as press interviews (which Cadel hated) and the Hard Rock Cafe in Paris."

Archie's Mum - ★★★★★

"A debut play which playing to sold out audiences. Cadel:lungs on legs is an extraordinary one person show! It tells the story of Cadel Evans who won the Tour de France in 2011 and was the first Australian to do so. It told his story from a child to Tour de France victory.

Incredibly Connor Delves cycles through most of the performance or uses the bike as a prop such as using the wheels as windows! Lots of real footage and commentary is used.

It's in a small theatre so a very intimate experience. We left feeling that we had seen something special!

The play is a real insight into the drama of elite sport, how the Tour de France operates and the real human and personal impact including injury and a difficult coach who pushed him too much.

It's an incredibly captivating performance. We spoke to Connor afterwards. He did train for the performance but primarily is a runner and triathlete. His parents (who we also met) run a cycle shop. Connor started in youth theatre so was pleased to hear about mix up.

We have attached some photos of the performance including the speed on the bike! Connor and Archie are posing with the real bike that Cadel won the Tour de France on!"

Raise the Barre

★★★★★

Dance, Physical Theatre & Circus (Ballet, Contemporary)

Age 5+

15:20 - Music Hall at Assembly Rooms - until 24th August

WEBSITE

Archie (Age 12) - ★★★★★

"It’s a fringe show of multiple different styles of dancing and it tells the story of a dance school exam. Lots of the dancers were energetic and have a lot of of effort put into them.

There was one of them had very impressive twist and twirling dancing. All the performers had their characters and the entire show was done with no dialogue except for the teacher at the start explaining the exam, so all of them showed their character through clothes and actions."

Ben (Age 11) - ★★★★

"Amazing dancing, brilliant break dancing, sensational synchronicity. Shame they didn't do much with the drum kit or instruments."

Nina (Age 13) - ★★★★★

"What a bunch of talented dancers. It was good to see a mix of dance types. The guys were brilliant at breakdancing and head spinning, and the girls had incredible flexibility. The dances went extremely well with the songs and the costumes were amazing and the whole vibe was excellent."

Children Are Stinky

★★★★★

Children's Shows (Circus, Comedy)

Age 3+

11:35 - Palais du Variete at Assembly George Square Gardens - until 25th August

WEBSITE

Archie (Age 12) - ★★★★★

"Children Are Stinky is a children’s comedy circus show with performers behaving very much like children, and who have a list of why children are so bad. They perform lots of acrobatics like a very impressive swing performance, standing on each other’s heads, and handstands on top of a big stack of carefully balanced chairs. They got lots of children from the audience up on the stage to join in with the tricks, and help to prove that children are none of these bad things on the list after all. It’s very funny, incredible circus tricks and a huge amount of fart jokes!"

Maddie (Age 11) - ★★★★★

"I loved it. It’s a show we keep coming back to over the years. The acrobatics were amazing and the jokes were very witty. I think it’s the perfect show for families. I highly recommend it."