It’s almost time for that magical month in Edinburgh as the city’s Festivals return once again.
This year is no different for Edinburgh Napier, with a host of students, staff and alumni taking to the stage to perform throughout August.
If you’re looking to plan your itinerary for the upcoming shows and don’t quite know where to start – you’re in luck, as we’ve crafted a helpful guide for those looking for a bit of festival inspiration.
Student shows at this year’s Fringe
Prick
The Scottish witch hunts – sanctioned by the state, fuelled by the Church, fed by hysteria, and buried by history. The threat of the devil loomed and women bore the brunt of the terror. Prick reclaims a piece of the story of those 'strangled to the death and burnt to ashes.' Inspired by the Witches of Scotland campaign to remember the folk who were victims of this terrible miscarriage of justice, Prick traverses magic and memory, fact and fiction, past and present. Evocative. Poetic. Satirical. Shows throughout August.
Twenty People a Minute
Set not too far in the future, Twenty People a Minute follows four refugees of tomorrow on a perilous journey across the earth. Over one hour we meet their dangers and the everyday angels who keep them alive. Twenty People A Minute is a play exploring the impact of global social, political, and environmental crisis on the individual, exploring what it could be like if you were forced to leave your home. Shows throughout August.
Jane/Norma
Roe vs Wade is synonymous with the debate around abortion rights. But behind this landmark ruling – which liberated women across America – lay a women whose story was told by many but known by few. Jane/Norma presents an unflinching look at the real Jane Roe and Norma McCorvey. Shows throughout August.
Strays
A year into the zombie apocalypse and Logan and his fellow survivors are doing just fine. Really. But when supplies go missing from their store and a mysterious stranger threatens the group’s safety, suspicions grow and allegiances crumble. Shows throughout August.
Graveyard of the Outcast Dead
An actor-musician piece inspired by Frank Turner’s song and the story of the Winchester Geese / Crossbones Graveyard in Southwark, London. Prepare yourself for a journey between worlds as we experience a Christmas like no other. A merging of medieval, modern, and everything in between. Observe an intimate evening within the graveyard/pub filled with stories, riddles, and live music. Shows throughout August.
Things to do in Mull
Janusz is embarking on a trip to Mull, where he hopes to leave behind all his distractions. A would-be historian of 17th century Poland, Janusz needs to get away from WhatsApp, TikTok and his mother. So the trip is planned! The train is booked! And then... he meets a girl. Seeking advice from Jasper the dog and Dima the cat, Janusz sets forth to change his life forever. Shows throughout August.
Happier Daze
Struggling to cope with the loss of their drummer, Happier Daze are desperate to make their first big break. Even with their inspired music and catchy riffs, they don’t seem to be able to make it big. Battling the trials and tribulations of young-adult life, the five members of Happier Daze evade grief, test friendships, loyalties, morals and passion in hopes of discovering not only who they are as a band but as individuals. Packed with witty one-liners and original live music, Happier Daze will have you questioning what it means to be young, confused and alive. Shows throughout August.
Constellations
“One drink. And if you never want to see me again you never have to see me again.” A quantum physicist and a beekeeper meet at a barbecue. They hit it off, or maybe they don’t. They go home together, or maybe they go their separate ways forever. When it comes to the multiverse; when they have every possible future ahead of them – then perhaps a love of honey could make all the difference in the world. Follow Roland and Marianne as they explore free will and friendship while exploring the quantum multiverse theory, love and honey. Shows throughout August.
The Rejects
If there’s one thing that makes a hard worker, it’s desperation. Five strangers drown their sorrows after being interviewed for the same dead-end job. As the night progresses, the beers flow, a pub quiz commences and harsh truths are revealed. Join the candidates as they try to keep their composure in the heat of the competition. A new comedy about being a slave to capitalism and trying to not crumble in the face of rejection. Shows throughout August.
Kingdom
Set 28 years in the future, Kingdom is a comedy which imagines a dystopia where Scotland has become independent but subsequently divided, women have finally risen up against years of inequality. Men have been exiled to the kingdom of Fife and without female company have developed a close relationship with freshly baked pastries. Arguments, negotiations and secret murder plots result in strained relations between the two genders. Can the new leaders of Scotland reunite the country or will it be torn apart forever? Shows throughout August.
Edinburgh Napier supported events
David Eustace – Thereafter
For the first time in Scotland, former Edinburgh Napier chancellor David Eustace will exhibit his sculpture work including works in acrylic, steel and granite, as well as a print portfolio of 24 unseen images, in a collective body of work, entitled ‘Thereafter’ at the Signet Library in Edinburgh.
The exhibition is produced in collaboration with the Fine Art Society, media partners, The Times and academic partners, Edinburgh Napier University We are grateful for the support from sponsors Vialex, Midton and Balblair Whisky.
The exhibition is open to all, with free admission, 10 am – 4 pm each day, offering the chance for visitors from around the world to experience the beauty of the Signet Library’s interiors and David’s striking work. Shows 31 July - 13 August.
From Page To Screen: Mayflies
Andrew O’Hagan’s Mayflies is an achingly moving account of friendship and loss – and now a celebrated screen adaptation. O’Hagan is joined by two members of the production team: screenwriter Andrea Gibb and executive producer of Synchronicity Films, Claire Mundell, to talk about the creative journey of adapting the novel. Chaired by Hannah Griffiths, head of literary acquisitions at All3Media.
This event is in partnership with Edinburgh TV Festival and Publishing Scotland and is supported by The School of Arts and Creative Industries at Edinburgh Napier. Shows 22 August.
Cabaret of Dangerous Ideas
Hearing Aids Don’t Work!
Especially in noisy places. They make sounds louder. It’s hard to pick out one person’s voice. Join Dr Dorothy Hardy to find out how cameras or radar could select what you want to hear. What will it feel like to wear devices that watch mouths move? Would it work for you in tricky hearing situations? Would you feel like a spy? See what it takes to get clear speech across a busy room without it being lost amongst noise. 9 August and 14 August.
Social Media and Teen Girls’ Wellbeing
Teenage girls are excessively using social media, scrolling through tonnes of content marketing, taking filtered selfies and videos, and following latest trends. These activities are centred around teen girls constantly comparing themselves against others, using special effects to alter and ‘perfect’ their image on their socials. There are growing concerns as to what extent these practices are affecting their wellbeing, body image and general self-worth. Dr Kat Rezai discusses the consequences of excessive use of social media on teenage girls’ wellbeing, and why social media literacy workshops are essential. 4 August and 6 August.
Badass Spinsters
What are the gendered rules of coupledom and motherhood? Should we reject them? Dr Phiona Stanley asks: what happens when women go alone, find new ways of connecting, and start channelling our inner witches? How can we take apart language, starting with the word ‘spinster’ (as opposed to ‘bachelor'); and what's up with 'crazy cat lady' as a gendered insult? What is ‘couplewashing’ when coupledom is everywhere, from advertising to taxes to gym memberships? If you’re a single, childfree woman —or you know one— come and meet other badass spinsters! 6 August and 8 August.
Fact Checking Fact Checks
Fake news spreads fast and plenty these days and is the focus of many a ‘doom scroll’. A surprising amount of people seem to remember the events reported by fake news, despite attempts by social media sites to correct fake articles with fact-checks or content warnings. Ted Carlson Webster highlights what we can do to combat false memories for fake news. Does fact-checking help us in a post-truth world, or is it just another falsehood? 12 August and 19 August.
Musical Moments
Edinburgh Music Theatre's Does Pop and New Generation Musical Hits
EMT Does Pop: In its 40th performing year and 20 years since we've been performing musical revues at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Edinburgh Music Theatre takes a little bit of a departure into the world of pop. You'll be delighted and enthralled by an evening of anthemic pop songs performed by one of Edinburgh's best musical theatre companies, adding our own style and, as always, our incredible performance quality. You'll be delighted by stunning solos and stirring ensemble numbers that will send you away with a grin on your face and a lift in your heart.
New Generation Musical Hits: Edinburgh Music Theatre is delighted to present a selection of wonderful songs from newer and lesser-known musicals that have broken out and broken new ground within the last two decades. EMT's incredibly talented company and live band will take you through a journey of the new hits you love, latest musicals you've been dying to see, or will be putting on your must-see list after you see this show. Celebrating their 40th performing year and regularly receiving outstanding reviews and standing ovations, EMT is a company you won't want to miss.
The two shows run one after the other. A combo deal is available to see them both on the same evening for less. Shows 9,10, 11 & 12 August.
Alumni
The Beatles Were A Boyband
The cosy, safe world of three flatmates is rocked by a woman's murder. Now Violet's scared walking home from her late shift. Daisy's become an accidental activist drawing unwanted attention from the manosphere. And Heather just wants to get on with her life. After all, who really needs to change to make women safer? This unforgettable play by MFA Playwriting graduate Rachel O'Regan and feminist theatre company F-Bomb returns to Gilded Balloon, having won a Scotsman Fringe First Award and the Sit Up Award for social impact in 2022. Shows 18-27 August.
Salamander
Cal Ferguson and the Pretty Knickers Theatre Company (BA HONS Acting & English) are bringing back their highly successful show Salamander, following a successful run in London. Inspired by the unsolved murder of a sex worker in Leith, 1983, Salamander celebrates the underrepresented through original poetry and song, posing the question – has anything improved 40 years on? Shows 2-16 August.
The Chocolate Scot
Wait till you get a taste of The Chocolate Scot! Cyrus McQueen – husband of Edinburgh Napier alumnus and our NYC Chapter champion Leanne McQueen - cooks up comedy gold in this gut-busting hour. Audiences can't get enough of his rich, dark and wildly delicious takes on race and identity. His marriage to a Scottish woman, and the pressures of being black in an America that's lost the plot have created a true gem for the 2023 Fringe. Shows 3-13 August and 15-27 August.
The Rotting Hart
Written and performed by BA Acting and English graduate Daniel Perez Orejon, The Rotting Hart is a new queer horror exploring the history of homophobia in Spain and the ways ignorance and hate can transform men into wild beasts.
Orejon's performance is captivating…’ **** (TheReviewsHub.com) ‘...a stunning piece of storytelling…’ **** (Stagey Chaos). Shows 3-13 August.
Divas: From Stage to Screen
Join a live band and cast of fierce beltresses to celebrate music, movies and musical theatre. From Carole King to Cher, Lady Gaga to Liza Minnelli, and Miley Cyrus to Madonna, we can guarantee there will be something for everyone in this high-energy, fast-paced celebration of the greatest Divas of all time. Featuring Acting and English graduate Sarah Innes. Shows 2-27 August.
John Sampson
Graduate John A Sampson is an Edinburgh-based professional musician, composer and actor. John is a busy man at this year's Festivals, with numerous performances throughout the month of August.
As part of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, he returns to perform with former poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy. The pair will discuss a curated collection of Duffy’s favourite political poems including the titular ‘Politics’, her debut work as Waterstones Poet Laureate that lambasted the MPs' expenses scandal. Shows 17 August. 
John will also perform as part of Brass Tracks, an engaging and wonderfully entertaining quintet which returns to the Fringe with exciting new arrangements of the finest film soundtracks. Many of the tunes will be familiar with some new and a few old favourites presented to create a showcase of the power, subtlety and range best heard by brass. Shows 7 August.
John, along with performer Pete Baynes will also be debuting their new take on the ancient Border ballad of Thomas the Rhymer. The story is written and narrated by award-winning actor Julia Munrow and features bronze sculptures created by artist Anna Caro. Shows 14-19 August.
Goose’s Quizzes Elimination Game
ENU alumnus Andrew Wildgoose is bringing Goose’s Quizzes back to the Festival Fringe for the first time since 2019 - promising an epic trivia battle royale with the all-new Elimination Game.
Hosted by Goose himself, a fixture of the Edinburgh quiz scene for over a decade, this unique format gets everyone on their feet, but only one person per round can claim the crown. Each question is make-or-break - will you move to the right zone and therefore through to the next round, or get it wrong and face elimination? In a brand new show every night, audience members will have their knowledge tested on everything from straight up pub quiz fare to celebrities’ Instagram follow counts.