Edinburgh Fringe top picks: three to see on day one

Sadly, I’m not able to attend the Edinburgh Festivals this year due to family commitments and logistical hurdles. While not dishing out the stars (there’ll be some lovely critics doing that very soon!), it still felt vital to use WhatsOnStage’s channels to platform exciting work that those frequenting the Fringe may be interested in.

Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence

The foul may be fair – or does it warrant a penalty? Australian creatives brought an excellent musical to UK shores in the form of Fangirls last year; and this time around, it’s Courtney McManus, Bec Price and Ana Ferreira Manhoso’s reimagined take on Shakespeare’s tragedy, set during a high school’s netball team. There’s always one breakout new musical at every Fringe – could this be 2025’s? If you want a flavour of the show, its concept album is available to stream now.

Assembly George Square (Studio One), to 25 August

Lost Lear

A stand-out hit of the Dublin Theatre Festival, Dan Colley’s Lost Lear reimagines King Lear through the tender, fractured lens of dementia. Joy, a former actor, lives inside a memory of rehearsing the play. Care home staff enact her reality, while her estranged son, cast as Cordelia, struggles to reach her across the emotional distance. Puppetry, projections, live video and more feature. Could be the stand-out in a fairly solid Traverse season.

Traverse Theatre, until 24 August

The Idiot’s Guide to Breaking Your Own Heart

When beloved teacher and Fringe stalwart Paul Perez died suddenly mid-rehearsal, his group of US teens could have abandoned their new musical. Instead, they finished The Idiot’s Guide to Breaking Your Own Heart as a heartfelt tribute. This sharp, funny pop-rock show follows Simon’s quest to figure out if he fits in – and if his life matters – amid the wild pressure cooker of teenage life. With honest songs and big questions, these young performers honour Perez’s passion for giving them a voice. They bring his final work to Edinburgh for a short run, proving the spirit of the Fringe is alive and well.

16 Greenside @ Riddles Court, 1 to 6 August

Check out our dedicated guide below for loads more Festival content.