An A to Z of Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026

Grace O’Keefe’s comedy musical takes her mum’s 1980s book on dating into an unapologetic how-to guide about today’s dating scene.

An A to Z Guide to Dating features original music as O’Keefe plays her mother, unpacking relationships, romance and living life to the fullest. It runs at Underbelly (Buttercup) from 5 to 31 August at 17:15.

Here is O’Keefe’s guide to the Edinburgh Fringe experience (and shows she’s excited about), as she returns to the festival for the first time in a solo show.

A: An A to Z Guide to Dating (please come see my show (Underbelly Buttercup from 5 to 31 August at 17:15))

B: Bighead Comedy – I was an assistant producer for Bighead last year and loved their shows. Charlie has great taste. Particularly excited for Bebe Cave’s Swoon, I have seen the first two in this silly trilogy of historical women and loved them both, so I cannot wait to see the third!

C: Cricket and The Freebugs – funky kids musical featuring 70s music and anthropomorphic bugs.

D: Dancing to release tension.

E: Edinburgh Labs Shows. I have loved doing Soho Theatre’s labs this year, and I can’t wait to see everyone’s shows!

F: Finding out something new about oneself as an artist or as a person.

G: Gianmarco Soresi. Gotta love a Theatre Adult!

H: Haggis, it’s actually yummy. Try vegan haggis if you’re scared and/or veggie.

I: I Bought a Flip Phone – I saw this as a work in progress a couple of years ago and loved it!

J: Just the Tonic (Caves) on a hot day.

K: Kissing Sessions. Just kidding, that’s actually advice in my mum’s book… but also, you do you!

L: Lidl.

M: Meadows, the.

N: Nature, other than the Meadows

O: Operotica – sexy opera, need I say more? Actually, I will say more, I know one half, Dani, and I can confirm they’ve got a gorgeous voice and are very sexy.

P: Pho and Roll, or find a Vietnamese (or your own favourite cuisine) place near your accommodation. This one’s by me!

Q: Quests

R: Roberts, Sarah – too many S’s to choose but I loved Sarah’s last show, Silkworm and Scary Movie 7 (more S’s) seems straight up my street.

S: Smut – I saw a video of Bryn Woznicki’s sexy solo show and adored it. Cannot wait to see it live this year, as I love the intersection of mediums like burlesque and theatre.

T: Trans People are Awful – I have not seen Ros Watt’s solo show yet because the previews are constantly selling out, but I can’t wait to. We share a dramaturg and assistant director, the wickedly talented Jordana Belaiche.

U: Underbelly shows – I am biased, but Underbelly has always been my favourite venue because I love the programming. Pink Rabbit, Jellyfish, Justin Elizabeth Sayre is a 40-Year-Old Woman, are a few I know from Soho’s Edinburgh Lab that I’m looking forward to.

V: Vintage, I think my favourite store may have shut. So send suggestions!

W: Witchcraft! I always stock up on spells at Black Moon Botanica.

X: Xanax (only if prescribed).

Y: Yelling, screaming, singing, smoking, etc (you do you) until you’re hoarse after your last show.

Z: Zoo, or another non-theatre attraction. I’ve yet to do this five plus years in, maybe this is my year *fingers crossed* (if not Zoo Playground will have to do).