New musicals to see at the Edinburgh Fringe 2025

With each passing year, the Edinburgh Fringe becomes an increasingly important hotbed for new musicals – spawning cutting edge shows that can often have vibrant and exciting lives. What might be the big hit this year? To emphasise – we’re only including brand new shows – rather than musicals like How to Win Against History or Pop Off, Michelangelo! that have already had runs at the Fringe before.

1457: The Boy at Rest

A poignant Korean musical blending modern melodies with traditional percussion and folk rhythms. It tells the true story of King Danjong, overthrown and poisoned by his uncle, and the loyal followers who preserved his memory. Expect a haunting, humorous, and heartfelt requiem of love, loss, and legacy. 31 July to 24 August (not 11th), Assembly George Square Studios (Studio One)

All Fired Up: An 80s Mixtape Musical

We all love a bit of nostalgia! After the success of last year’s KC and the Sunshine Band musical, we now head back to the 1980s for this show. It follows Tammy Tooth, who is catapulted to 1987 by a forgotten mixtape, confronting her teenage self in a glittery, spandex-filled celebration of second chances and ’80s bangers. 30 July to 25 August (not 12th, 19th), Assembly George Square Studios (Studio One)

Driving in Circles

A solo show that fuses confessional monologue, stand-up comedy, and rock concert. According to the press material, the show is part Nanette and part Hedwig and the Angry Inch, which is a lofty claim. 30 July to 24 August (not 5th, 12th, 19th), Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower (McIntosh)

Falling in Love With Mr Dellamort

The only show on this list that features the use of a Theremin, this new musical is heavily tipped to be London-bound after its Edinburgh season and has a rather fantastic cast attached. You can find out more here. 30 July to 24 August (not 11th), C Arts, C aquila

Footballers’ Wives: The Musical

Long in development, the musical comedy is based on the iconic ITV series. It follows one Tanya Turner, who schemes to save her marriage and her husband’s career in a world of scandal, hen nights, and high drama. Think Dangerous Liaisons with added showtunes – and the occasional reference to the offside rule. The squad behind it has some familiar names for West End fans. 30 July to 24 August (not 13th), Assembly Rooms (Music Hall) 

Hole!

Stay with us on this one, the show is an apocalyptic musical comedy set after “The Great Sucking,” where a Nebraskan religious sect survives thanks to their… unconventional beliefs. Well, if it works for Bat Out of Hell…  31 July to 24 August, (not 11th), Belly Button at Underbelly, Cowgate

Hot Mess

We’re incredibly excited about this one: Earth and Humanity fall in love in this cosmic romantic comedy musical that comes from the creators of 42 Balloons. A sturdy two-hander, the casting is also pretty strong – and composer Jack Godfrey has an ear for a great tune. 30 July to 25 August (not 6th, 11th, 18th), Pleasance Courtyard

Jackie!!!

We all love musicals about historical figures (especially iconic wives of famed heads of state) so this new show about Jacqueline Kennedy – exploring her life, legacy, and the Kennedy curse – should be an appetising option for Fringe-goers. 30 July to 25 August (not 11th), Gilded Balloon Patter House (Big Yin) 

Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence

Shakespeare meets high school netball in this fierce, electro-pop musical about ambition, betrayal, and girl power. The cast is fairly strong – you can find out more about it here, as a special EP has been released to give a small glimpse into what’s on offer! 30 July to 25 August (not 6th, 13th, 20th), Assembly George Square (Studio One)

Level Up 

The worlds of gaming and musicals are always on a fun collision course (Be More Chill has done pretty well, after all) so we have high hopes of this sci-fi musical bonanza that leaps from themes of crypto, climate, to quick wins. The Edinburgh Fringe has quirk at its core, and these guys understood the assignment. 31 July to 25 August (not 11th), Gilded Balloon Patter House (Big Yin)

Little Squirt

This heartfelt one-man musical comedy is all about sperm donation, queer parenthood, and existential crisis. It sees Darby James navigate IVF ads, genetic forms, and moral dilemmas – so expect something pertinent. 30 July to 24 August (not 6th, 18th), Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower (Bramley)

Midnight at the Palace

The show is billed as a glitter-drenched, radical joyride through the story of The Cockettes – gender-bending hippies and drag queens who shook 1969 San Francisco. It boasts a pretty decent cast as well. 30 July to 24 August (not 12th, 19th), Gilded Balloon Patter House (Big Yin)

Nerds

A musical comedy about the tech titans who changed the world, it’s been in development on the other side of the Atlantic for some time. Follow Bill Gates and Steve Jobs from garage geeks to global icons, the cast has some familiar faces for West End regulars. Are you a Mac or a PC? 30 July to 25 August (not 6th, 11th, 18th), Pleasance at EICC – Pentland Theatre

Potty! The Plant Musical

You’d probably not think there was space for another darkly comic musical about sentient flora, but the team behind Potty! beg to differ with what might be an excellent new show. They describe it as “Little Shop of Horrors meets Succession”, which personally sounds fantastic (imagine it – could there be lyric like “Suddenly Shiv Roy / Has double-crossed me…”) 30 July to 24 August (not 12 August), Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower (Braeburn)

Song Society

Another solo musical for the list, Song Society is set in an archive full of stored memories, where a “Songkeeper” faces an unusual obstacle. With a folk-pop score, there’s something existential and intriguing on offer to new musical fans. 30 July to 25 August (not 12th), Assembly George Square Studios – Studio Two

The Queen is Mad

Lady Macbeth, Jacqueline Kennedy – stories about tragic heads of state are a recurring theme on this list. Next up is Joanna of Castile – branded “mad” by history – fights to tell her own story. The show’s marketing uses the alliterative description of “Six meets Sondheim”, which is a bold claim, with ambition hopefully matched by execution! 1 to 24 August, Assembly George Square Studios – Studio One

The Uncrackable Case

If Into the Woods can turn folk tales into a twisted reflection on reality, why can’t the same be true of nursery rhymes? Here, Humpty Dumpty is dead. Was it murder? This courtroom musical mystery features fairy-tale suspects, tabloid drama, and more. 30 July to 25 August, Pleasance Courtyard – Forth

Vagabond Skies: The Van Gogh Musical

A sung-through biographical musical exploring Van Gogh’s final years, the casting for this show is pretty decent, so will probably satisfying those wanting to get a glimpse at a new musical in its early stages. 30 July to 21 August, Gilded Balloon at the Museum (Auditorium)

World’s Greatest Lover: The New Musical

This one really does turn Six’s central concept on its head: Casanova, Romeo, Cyrano, and the Marquis de Sade battle it out in song to prove who truly understands love. 31 July to 24 August, Pleasance One, Pleasance Courtyard