Fringe top 15: Our pick of the shows

LOOKING for a good Fringe show this weekend? With so many shows to choose from, where do you start? Well here are the shows the Evening News has awarded four and five stars. Check them out.

1 MUSIC: TUBULAR BELLS FOR TWO @ Assembly, George Square 
Rating: *****

Two virtuoso musicians, a stage full of instruments, and Mike Oldfield’s seminal work. A must see and hear.

2 THEATRE: KEMBLE’S RIOT @ Pleasance Dome, Bristo Square

Rating: *****

THE year is 1809 and the action unfolds over 66 days of rioting, centring on the figure of celebrated actor John Kemble, who has raised ticket prices at his theatre, but this is no dry history lesson. Lots of audience interaction.

3 MUSICAL: RE-ANIMATOR THE MUSICAL @ Assembly, George Square

Rating: *****

HORROR cinema meets musical camp in Re-Animator The Musical, the stage version of the cult movie starring George Wendt.

4 KIDS: THE SCOTTISH FALSETTO SOCK PUPPET THEATRE - CHUNKY WOOLLEN NITS @ Gilded Balloon, Teviot

Rating: *****

Songs, sketches, socks and violence for ages 7+

5 DRAMA: PIERREPOINT - THE HANGMAN’S TALE @ Sweet, Grassmarket

Rating: *****

There’s just a hint of macabre delight in Martin Oldfield’s brilliant portrayal of Albert Pierrepoint, Britain’s last hangman, at the Apex Hotel, on the Grassmarket.

6 COMEDY: Paul Foot @ Underbelly, Cowgate

Rating: *****

Meaningless comedy from a very funny man.

7 PERFORMANCE: Daniel Kitson - This Show Has No Title @ Traverse, Cambridge Street

Rating: ****

Expect the unexpected as Kitson delivers three scripts in one.

8 THEATRE: JIGSY @ Assembly Rooms, George Street

Rating: ****

Les Dennis give a masterclass in comedy timing in this bitter sweet play about an old school comic.

9 CLASSIC: EDUCATING RITA @ Assembly, George Square

Rating: ****

WILLY Russell’s classic tale of learning starring Matthew Kelly and Claire Sweeney, pictured below.

10 MUSICAL: ACTIVE VIRGIN @ C Venues, Chambers Street

Rating: ****

New writing from the home-grown Kielty brothers.

11 THEATRE: HINGE PRESENTS DORIAN @ Hill Street Theatre, Hill Street

Rating: ****

OSCAR Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray sets the gold standard for chroniclers of decadence.

12 DRAMA: THE IDIOT AT THE WALL @ Bedlam Theatre

Rating: ****

YOU don’t have to like Gaelic, let alone understand it, to appreciate this heart-rending tale based on a harrowing Western Isles ballad.

13 COMEDY: CASABLANCA - THE GIN JOINT CUT @ Gilded Balloon, Teviot

Rating: ****

“ONCE more into the breeks dear friends,” declares Jimmy Chisholm, as the cast prepare to launch into their performance of highlight scenes from Casablanca.

14 KIDS: A LITTLE PRINCESS @ C Nova, Victoria Street

Rating: ****

Be transported back in time to a Victorian school room, where the story begins.

15 I, TOMMY @ Gilded Balloon, Teviot

Rating: ****

All the world’s a stage... the Tommy Sheridan extravaganza brought to life on the stage.

Tickets and show details for all productions are in the Fringe Programme or by visiting edfringe.com.