Hallelujah! After a rather bonkers hiatus in 2020 and a ‘needs-must’ stripped back version of celebrations in 2021, this year the Edinburgh Fringe Festival returned to Edinburgh in all its glory, and team YOURGB couldn’t have been more delighted.
Read on to let us dip your toe into ‘fringey’ waters by joining us on a whistlestop tour of the shows that YOURGB thought really characterised the flavour of Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2022!
Jason Byrne: Unblocked – “This well-loved Irish comedian had us laughing so hard our sides hurt. Some audience participation and treacherous tales meant this show was recommended to your neighbours’ pal’s dug. I mean when Mr Byrne asked, ‘so who else has got heart stents fitted?’ You know you are in for a wild ride”. – Olivia Bird, Digital Communications Coordinator
Queenz – The Show With BALLS! – “We could not help but sing along to this finger snapping, shimmying, sassy, sparkly show. ICONIC. The Spice Girls better watch out”. – Jenny Gibson Event Manager – Flora Munro Event and Communications Manager
Nina Conti: The Dating Show – “A witty take on the perils of modern dating that is not afraid to poke fun at unsuspecting couples in the audience. Ventriloquism at it’s best that chops and changes between Nina’s monkey sidekick and the mouths that she places on her participants who are brave enough to get on stage and share just how cringe dating is in current times”.
Trainspotting Live – “Top notch Immersive theatre, it gave us 90s nostalgia combined with hard hitting social issues. We’re glad we didn’t get stuck at the seat next to the toilet!“ – Linsey Nicol, Event Manager
Kevin Quantum: Dark Matter – “Fireworks, feather boas and all the freaky magic. Thanks Kevin, we were well and truly spellbound.” – Katie Bevan, Event Coordinator
Bianca Del Rio: Unsanitized – “Savage. Intoxicating. Shocking. This performance will stay with me for a long time!” – Hollie Jaques, Senior Content and Events Producer
Karen from Finance is Out of Office – “Meet Karen, Karen finally takes a day off and boy does she go completely off the rails. This drag queen takes the audience on a descent into office shenanigans featuring her trusty Clippy from Microsoft. This comedy show packed a punch combined with colourful orange suit goals!! Karen from finance – it’s official you’re our new favourite former contestant on Ru Paul’s Drag Race Australia”. – Linsey Nicol, Event Manager
YOURGB Take To The Stage
YOURGB didn’t just attend the Fringe as guests, our Creative Coordinator Finlay performed in his very own show! Finlay, what it is like to be part of the Fringe from an insider’s perspective?
“I wrote, produced, and acted in my show Living a Little at Underbelly Cowgate. This year saw an overall 25% slump in ticket sales across the Fringe but even with this issue we were very grateful to the fantastic audiences that took the time to come and see the show.
The month was a full-on endeavour with some points that didn’t feel amazing (flyering in the drizzle with weary eyes and a tired voices) but other points that felt phenomenal (performing to 80+ people and receiving standing ovations)”.
★★★★ – The List – ‘The pace is fast, and there’s plenty of comedy in Rob’s creative swearing, Paul’s perfect slapstick moments and Penelope’s needle-sharp retorts’.
★★★★★ – Fringe Biscuit – ‘A zombie apocalypse tale with biting humour & surprising tenderness… Hilarious & heartbreaking’.
★★★★★ – Theatre Weekly – ‘Foul language, outrageous characters and a well-crafted script, make Living a Little an absolute triumph’.
★★★★★ – The Recs – ‘Living a Little is an energetic, hilarious and, ultimately, poignant experience that fully deserves to find a large audience’.
★★★★★ – A Young(ish) Perspective – ‘They are sublime… it’s unique, creative, human and realistic’.
★★★★★ – Mix Up Theatre ‘The cast are great together and the jokes fly fast and the show breathes new life into a genre that’s starting to get a little stale elsewhere’.
Phew! It’s clear that YOURGB certainly made it their mission to get fully absorbed in Fringe goodness, and my word, August in Edinburgh is something else! It doesn’t go noticed how lucky we are as a team to be based in Edinburgh (we know, we know, bless our cotton socks and all that) and we’re super lucky to be surrounded by lots of other creatives in this wonderful city!
If 2022 showed us anything, it indicated how much potential Fringe 2023 has. Yup we are very much looking forward to next year – let the countdown begin.
In the meantime, if you are looking to jazz up your life and you have an event or activation coming up, why not get in touch with YOURGB and we can bring a bit of Edinburgh sparkle to make your dreams a reality!
