FRINGE REVIEW 2025: Round-Up 4!
- Mix Up Theatre (Stewart)
- Aug 22
- 10 min read
Updated: Aug 26
Here's a quick run-down of everything else we've caught at the festival so far...
Lost Girls / At Bus Stops
★★★★★
Theatre
Age 16+
14:20 - The Box at Assembly George Square - until 24th
Sarah - ★★★★1/2
"Lost Girls tells the honest story of a young lesbian couple navigating dating, each other and life. A funny yet moving and raw story. Both actors giving a strong and dynamic performance with incredible comedic timing and making the audience feel a part of their story. Catch while you can!"
Macbeth
★★★★
Theatre
Age 12+
10:40 - Studio at ZOO Southside - until 24th
Archie (Age 12) - ★★★★
"This was a very interesting adaptation of Macbeth, where they use songs to tell the story. They used a very interesting lighting system to show different environments and to show different characters at different times. In this adaptation of Macbeth the witches cauldron is instead of drum and they’re not exactly witches. They are musicians."
Olivia (Age 13) - ★★★★1/2
"Macbeth was an amazing show! It was a little confusing and quite loud but it was also clear that the actors put all their energy into it, a lot of great expressions and the movement kept you wondering what was next! Great show, was a little inappropriate at times but they kept the pace throughout, the singing was immaculate, the instruments and vocals were breathtaking! 4.5 stars. It's a very good show for anyone interested in history or just needing a good laugh!"
Maddie (Age 11) - ★★★1/2
"I thought it was a very good show not really for me but I thought the live instruments and singing was very
If you like Shakespeare story you would enjoy it."
Max (Age 13) - ★★★
"The play started well, it was really engaging and the story was clearly told. Half way through I got a little bit lost as they broke into song and the songs seemed kind of irrelevant to the plot. The actors and singers were talented though."
Sandy (Age 12) - ★★★★.2
"It was good, and true to the original story. The casting was good and had its own twist. The only problem is it might have been a bit too long for me. Anyway, I do love the way they used popular music to fit into the play, and the creative stage work and the set in general. The casting was amazing, they each brought the original show to life. The singing was also amazing."
Mr Sleepybum's Dream Machine
★★★★★
Children's Shows
Age 3+
run ended
Mix Up Junior (Age 6) - ★★★★★
"It was soo funny when Mr Sleepybum threw his pants at the audince. I went on the stage and did some of the dreams and I was a dinosaur. It was great."
Snow White Rose Red Bear Brown
★★★★★
Children's Shows
Age 5+
run ended
Mix Up Junior (Age 6) - ★★★★★
"This was a good story and it had a bear and there's a secret about the bear but I won't give it away. Lots of brilliant puppets!"
Spy Movie: The Play!
★★★★★
Theatre (Comedy, Family-Friendly)
Age 12+
12:55 - Above at Pleasance Courtyard - until 25th
Archie (Age 12) - ★★★★★
"Is about a film that the actors have been wanting to produce for a long time and there is a producer watching their show in the audience so they try and show him the best spy movie ever. It was a hilarious performance from the actors with lots of indications to James Bond. It was incredibly silly and very fun to watch. The actors were very clever about the whole style of it being on budget using special frames to show windows and little puppets for the action scenes. I think that this show is very funny and I would definitely recommend if you want a laugh."
Olivia (Age 13) - ★★★★★
"Spy the movie is so so funny! We were all crying of laughter, the improv when things didn't go right, the Barbie dolls instead of stunts, the props were all so hilarious, the story was also very well written, the way it showed behind the scenes and the actual show within a show at the same time! It was quite inappropriate, (the authors name, the miscommunication and some of the comments made) especially for younger kids but we all had a good laugh. 5 stars! Definitely go see if you're at the fringe."
Maddie (Age 11) - ★★★★★
"I thought it was a great show. Lots of great humour action scenes and more.
There were lots of famous movies references. I think everyone should see it i highly recommend it."
Max (Age 13) - ★★★★★
"The play was really funny. They communicated with the audience which made it more engaging. It was performed like it was a movie which translated well, for example the opening ski chase cutting to small models to give perspective also this was hilarious and clever. I would recommend anyone of any age to go to this."
Nina (Age 13) - ★★★★★
"I loved spy movie the play!! It was so funny and it was such a nice show for the whole family!!! It was really funny at the start when they said “this show is exactly the same as the original movie except for the casting setting and plot but apart from that it’s exactly the same”. It is definitely worth seeing!!! If you’re planning on seeing one comedy in the fringe this has to be the one you see!!!"
Sandy (Age 12) - ★★★★★
"I loved spy movie the play!! It was so funny and it was such a nice show for the whole family!!! It was really funny at the start when they said “this show is exactly the same as the original movie except for the casting setting and plot but apart from that it’s exactly the same”. It is definitely worth seeing!!! If you’re planning on seeing one comedy in the fringe this has to be the one you see!!!"
Level Up!
★★★★★
Musicals and Opera (Satire, Comedy)
Age 8+
14:00 - Big Yin at Gilded Balloon Patter House - until 25th
Houston's Mum - ★★★★★
"It was brilliant. Highly recommend on the storyline, the acting, dancing and singing.
Very clever and poignant in this era.
It's about crypto/capitalism and the different types of people in the world. How to tackle kids who lock themselves in their bedroom on computers...
Easy watching for the children and very touching to parents.
Really cannot recommend enough as it hits on some many levels!"
Doktor Kaboom: Under Pressure!
★★★★★
Children's Shows (Comedy, Theatre)
Age 8+
13:40 - Beyond at Pleasance Courtyard - until 25th
Georgie (Age 10) - ★★★★★
"I really liked it, I like the name Doktor Kaboom and at first I never knew why he chose that name but soon realised. My favourite part was when he asked for a volunteer to try the home made hover boards, I'd like to make one as well. I'd give this 10 out of 10 Jah !!!
The Big Bite-Size Breakfast Show
★★★★★
Theatre
Age 12+
10:30 - Pleasance One at Pleasance Courtyard - until 25th
Olivia (Age 13) - ★★★★★
"The bite sized breakfast show was absolutely outstanding! From the moment you arrived at the venue to the moment you left it was a whole experience.
When we were in the queue a lady came around with beautiful red strawberries, then when we walked in there was coffee, tea and water options, and when you went upstairs there was giant, buttery crosiants that tasted out of this world, they were soft but crunchy and it took all my willpower to save it for the show and not eat it all as soon as I sat down! 🤣 Then again after the show the cast was handing out strawberries as we left and they were so so sweet (like the strawberries!)
There is 3 different menus meaning you get a different show depending on when you go, we got menu 3 and it consisted of 5-6 15 minute hilarious shows, there was a few strong topics but they handled it so well and there was always comedy involved. The way the cast could change outfits so quickly was astonishingly amazing and their chemistry was so great, at one point there was a scared character, a bold character and a sassy character but they made it all click wonderfully, going from feeling sympathy to crying of laughter in seconds.
This is definitely a 5 star show I would 100% recommend for anyone who likes comedy (or strawberries and crissounts!) or is just looking for a good show at the fringe."
Ah-Ma
★★★★★
Theatre (New Writing, Storytelling)
Age 12+
run ended
Archie (Age 13) - ★★★★★
"This was a very well directed play about the director’s granny and slowly losing her to dementia. It was very clever because it was done with one person, and limited set and props. There was only a chair and a flowery shirt, and they imaginatively used the flowery shirt as a baby, a veil and the granny’s arms cuddling her granddaughter. It was both a very sad story and a very happy one. In just 40 minutes you got the story of her life and love for her family, but also focused on how the granny had dementia and one day she would stop remembering her.
This was a very clever and moving show."
Out of the Blue
★★★★★
Music (A Cappella, Family-Friendly)
Age 0+
12:10 - Gordon Aikman Theatre at Assembly George Square - until 25th
Max (Age 13) - ★★★★★
"The show was well coordinated and covered various voice ranges really well. There were no instruments but they weren’t missed. The arrangements were clever and fresh for well known songs. Their voices were amazing and song choice were really good. The lighting was well done."
Kieran Hodgson: Voice of America
★★★★
Comedy
Age 14+
Various times - Pleasance Courtyard - until 24th
Stewart - ★★★★
"Hodgson provides a pointed, hilarious look into the appeal and horror of America which we're always drawn to. Done through the lens of the American presidents and Kieran's own foray into Hollywood (he has a small role in The Flash), it's a very clever and often quite poignant glimpse through the looking glass! Also Hodgson is as likeable as ever, has the audience on his side from the off with his energy and provides plenty of belly laughs. The impressions also, are perfection!"
The Truth About Trees
★★★★
Children's Shows
Age 5+
11:50 - The Crate at Assembly George Square - until 24th
Ana & Family - ★★★★
"I thoroughly enjoyed the staging of the play and the way the three talented actors brought every character to life. The story feels earnest and touching, and doesn't lack comedic moments. The shadow puppetry was lovely, and my two childen (8 and 11) were engaged throughout and really appreciated the little gift the audience receives at the end. The story is only let down a little by its ending, which to me felt somewhat simplistic."
The Box Show
★★★★★
Children's Shows
Age 5+
13:50 - Gordon Aikman Theatre at Assembly George Square - until 24th
Mix Up Junior (Age 6) - ★★★★★
"I loved it great music made me dance and clap and they had a recycle monster!"
Emmet (Age 8) - ★★★★★
"Really, really cool! Incredible synchronisation and we liked their made up language and comedy. I thought their characters are very reminscent of the Minions, in a good way. The drumming is not as repetitive as one might expect and very impressive throughout."
GO!
★★★★★
Children's Shows
Age 8+
run ended
Ana & Family - ★★★★★
"Two solid 5star ratings from my two boys, who love martial arts and anime. To quote: "Amazing karate and a nice story! "The lighting was very cool!" I don't think I can put it better myself. While the pace of the performance starts off slow, it soon surprises with humour, amazing choreograohy and stunning visuals. Physical theatre - and martial arts, I think, though I'm hardly an expert - at their finest."
Boiler Room Six: A Titanic Story
★★★★★
Theatre
Age 12+
run ended
Ana - ★★★★★
"One of my favourite things is to walk out of a one man show and feel as if I have seen a cast of half a dozen on stage. This is certainly the case in this play. A perfectly paced script shines as much as every one of the characters you see brought to life seamlessly. The ending in particular is very touching and full of emotional authenticity, and not for the reason you might think, given the setting of the story."
Fly, You Fools!
★★★★★
Theatre (Comedy, Film)
Age 8+
15:10 - Beyond at Pleasance Courtyard - until 25th
Ana & Family - ★★★★★
"I hesitate to call this show a parody of The Lord of the Rings because it is above all an homage to the first movie of the trilogy and every actor in it. Laugh-out-loud funny from start to finish, the creativity with which the movie is translated to the stage here is very impressive. Not to speak of the skills this group of actors demonstrates, vocally and physically. All generations in the audience, from my children (8 and 11) to the people who might have first read Tolkien in the 60s, were thoroughly entertained."
Hold on to Your Butts
★★★★★
Theatre (Comedy, Film)
Age 8+
12:30 - Forth at Pleasance Courtyard - until 25th
Stewart - ★★★★★
"This is an absolute riot (or a roar?) of a show! Two actors perform every character in Jurassic Park - yes including the dinosaurs - in a remake of the movie on stage - with a fabulous foley artist. The actors are absolutely hilarious and their Jeff Goldblum is something to be seen, I was in hysterics with every line he uttered - and sound. If you haven't seen JP recently you might be a little lost at the start as the characters are introduced - other than that this is just spot on hilarity with two (and 3 including those wonderful sounds!) of the funniest performances to be seen at the festival this year. It's just about to do a run in London so catch this amazing show before it becomes the phenomenon it deserves to be."
Other stuff that wasn't too great...
Mrs Roosevelt Flies to London - ★★
"A bit of a slog to sit through to be honest despite a wonderful performance from the actress."
100 Things You Are Overthinking - an Improv Stand-Up Comedy Game Show! - ★★
"Or 100 misfired attempts to find a punchline."
Make sure you've booked in for Mix Up Theatre DRAMA CLASSES!
Comments