‘Doctor Who musical’ set for Fringe 2013

The Pleasance, one of the biggest promoters at the Fringe, will be playing host to the show, “I Need A Doctor.”

It is described by its producers, the Stormy Teacup Theatre Company, as an “unauthorised whosical parody”.

Promoters for the show are planning to use the design of an Edinburgh police box on their flyers to avoid copyright problems with the BBC.

It is one of hundreds of new Fringe shows which are to start selling tickets ahead of the official programme launch for the festival next month.

Classic 1930s Hollywood horror film King Kong is also inspiring a musical at the Fringe, which will be staged as part of the Space programme.

Comedians Ed Byrne, Daniel Sloss, Susan Calman, Sandi Toksvig, Phil Kay, Norman Lovett and Stephen K Amos will all be appearing at the Fringe this summer.

Blueflint, a rising Edinburgh-based duo who supported The Proclaimers last year, will be among the musical attractions, along with world music favourites Moishie’s Bagel. Other acts confirmed include folk singers Dick Gaughan and Rab Noakes.

There has been a growing trend for shows to be announced early in recent years and 2012 was the first time the Fringe had agreed to sell tickets in advance of the full programme being unveiled.

Kath Mainland, the Fringe’s chief executive, said: “After a successful pilot last year we have once again this year taken the decision to sell tickets for Fringe shows in advance of the programme launch.

“It started on a small scale with just a handful of shows going on sale over the last couple of months, but as more shows confirm their plans for August we are able to start selling their tickets.

“It goes without saying that by the time we launch the programme at the end of May we will be selling tickets for many more shows than are available today but what we have on sale now is a just a glimpse of what is to come.

“Our reason for this approach is two-fold, firstly research has shown that Fringe audiences often begin making plans in the early part of the year, and are keen to start getting a taste of what will be on offer; secondly these aren’t our shows, or our tickets, but belong to the wonderful, creative Fringe companies and venues who make up the festival.

“It’s our job to respond to their needs, and sell their tickets when they ask us to. And more and more of them are telling us they are ready to start selling before the full programme is launched at the end of May.”