Five to see at the Edinburgh Fringe

It can often be an overwhelming experience, with the sheer amount of choice making selecting what to see often appear a lottery.

Here’s our choice of five shows sure to delight, challenge and entertain - and there’s not a big-name television comedian to be seen!

The Events (Traverse)

The latest play from Scot David Greig sets a gunman running amok to the unlikely background of choral music. Greig hasn’t put a foot wrong during his career to date and this, written while he worked on the West End smash ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, seems set to continue his run.

Holes (Assembly)

Written by Tom Basden and featuring an impressive cast including Daniel Rigby (Black Mirror), Katy Wix (Torchwood) and Bebe Cave (The Audience), this play promises an immersive experience. The audience will be whisked off to a mystery location to witness the tale of three conference organisers stranded on a remote tropical island.

Claudia O’Doherty: Pioneer (Pleasance)

O’Doherty is a unique comic talent whose performance last year blurred the lines between standup and theatre - earning her an Edinburgh Comedy Award Shortlist nomination. This year she promises an “annual spectacle that so far none of you have attended”. Expect the unexpected.

Nick Helm: One Man Mega Myth (Pleasance)

Few deliver the promise of comedy being the new rock ‘n’ roll with as much relish as Helm. His new show threatens to “change your DNA forever” and “entertain you until it kills him”. For several years he’s delivered visceral thrills to those in the know, without ever becoming as successful as he clearly thinks he should be! Fingers crossed there will be electric guitar, angry rants and lots of dreaded audience participation.

Baconface (The Stand)

Little is certain about this “Canadian standup from the 198os”, other than his penchant for performing with bacon on his face and his oft-repeated catchprase “it’s all bacon”. What we do know is that he has been selected by popular comedy curmudgeon Stewart Lee to produce the latest series of his ‘Comedy Vehicle’ on BBC2. It’s fair to say that there may be more to this act than meets the eye. The only way to find out is to book a ticket for the tiny Stand 2 venue and see for yourself.

To book your tickets for the Fringe just go and log on at www.edfringe.com