Edinburgh Napier University

The final preparations are being made for this year’s Edinburgh Festivals with the city set to once again burst into life across the month of August.

As always, our talented students, alumni, staff members and friends are involved in a number of shows throughout the month of August.

Feeling overwhelmed with the choice on offer? Want to start planning those days off? Let our helpful guide of all things ENU provide you with a little bit of festival inspiration.

Read on for more!

Student shows at this year’s Fringe

All at Venue 39 – Space 3 @theSpace on the Mile

2-22 August

Sex, Drugs and...?

Sex, Drugs and...? An exclusive interview sheds light on the formative years of Scotland's biggest punk, alternative (fictional) band, revealing how their drug addiction and musical passion clashed together to give way to sobering success. Tackling issues of the pressures of modern life, three addict punks recount how their love of music and creative passion saved them from a pitfall of coke and broken dreams, allowing them the worldwide success they have today. A powerful new piece of writing about celebrating creativity and fighting for your friends, written by Samara Telford and directed by Andrew Nimmo.

You Have Failed Me for the Last Time

Supervillain Friedrich von Fittervach dreams of ruling the world from his remote volcano base. If only his workforce, his right-hand man or his restrictive board of investors shared the vision of his five-year plan. To make matters worse, a suave and cunning MI6 intruder, Agent Blonde, has breached the security of the island compound and sparked revolution among the corporation’s ranks. Will the vertically-challenged supposed evil genius be able to rise up and regain complete control, or will the company fall into the slimy, inexperienced hands of the proletariat scum?

The Big Day

Glasgow holds a music festival – The Big Day. The problem? You and your pals can’t see it, because you’re in a holding cell. The Girls have been best pals for ages. But recently, changes drive them apart. The girls watch Sheena, but when she debuts an American accent, Fiona throws a glow stick at the stage and the group is arrested. They meet Louise who was thrown in the cell earlier. The forced proximity allows the group to open up, help each other face their dilemmas and hatch an escape plan.

Screaming Into the Void

Put a finger down if one day you looked at the world around you and said there has to be another way – a better way. Welcome to the void, a pure pristine world of divine minimalism. We love the void, we worship the void, in the void everything is exactly as it should be. Our three disciples will guide you through your day from the moment you wake until you scroll away: you need them! And they need you. Kira Mason’s new absurdist piece Screaming Into the Void explores the internet’s relentless grip on womanhood.

Confessions of a Lunatic

Waking up having witnessed a brutal murder – by his own hand, incapable of stopping the madness, he stood and watched. Dr Seward plunges himself into work, feasting on the madness of his prized prisoner, following his rejection by Lucy. Whilst in his confinement, Renfield grows closer to Lucy, and Dracula sets eyes on her new prey. They say you make a deal with the devil – but have you ever made a deal with Dracula? An adaptation of Dracula set in 1890s Scotland – is anyone safe from the darkness in these walls?

3-23 August

Holly Street

A new play set in the mixing pot of a writer’s room. With the anniversary of the beloved soap opera Holly Street on the horizon, how will the writing team craft a story worthy of the green light? What happens when given a wacky whiteboard that seems to bring ideas to life? Follow them through a bizarre brainstorming session that leads them into the heat of the action. Will the wayward team of writers combine their two braincells to piece together the beat sheet? Or will their differences prove too much for even the soaps?

Cornermen

When Mickey, Joey and Drew realise they’re in financial dire straits, they hatch a plan to find the next big thing in boxing. At an amateur night, they find a promising young boxer called Sid. Taking him under their wings, his success leads to a life of glitz and glamour. But is success and a winning streak the best thing for the young boxer? Do the coaches really have his best interests at heart? Join us for a show packed with charm, comedy and thought-provoking moments that are sure to have you laughing, and thinking.

Romance on Repeat

Romance on Repeat: Lizzie has always dreamed of a whirlwind romance like in the movies. Her dream comes true when she is sucked into her TV set to be the star of her own romcom. Everything is perfect: falling for the hometown hunk, denying her big-city boyfriend and reconnecting with her childhood best friend. In fact, it’s too perfect. Is this everything Lizzie really wanted? Will she find true happiness? Or will she break under the control of the omnipotent TV god? Turn on, tune in and glitch out.

Good For You

'I knew this place would ruin my life, I just didn’t see it happening like this.' When a law firm is rocked by a sexual misconduct scandal, the office’s most coveted personal injury case is up for grabs. A decision made in the "spirit of equality" pits Jeanie, Zara, and Summer, three qualified women attorneys, against each other, causing them to plot, scheme and strategise about how to triumph over the others. Can they look past their insecurities and work towards progress? A fast-paced drama about office politics and women who think they hate other women.

Life’s a Drag

Three troubled queers walk into a dressing room: a seasoned veteran of the drag runway, a jaded queen cursed to always play second-fiddle and a newbie on the scene with a bold, confrontational attitude... What could go wrong? As these three queens clash whilst preparing for the finale of a popular drag reality TV competition, their producer tries desperately to get them runway ready. Will they be able to confront their traumas in time for their show stopping performance? It’s the most important night of their careers, and shit’s about to hit the fan. 

Napier University Drama Society

Venue 236 – Greenside @ George Street – Ivy Studio

Werewolf – The Game: The Show!

The town of Stubbins is plagued by a beast, one that roams at night, tearing through livestock, howling to the skies – a werewolf... aka Derek, an awkward, loveable 16-year-old. Derek doesn’t want to be a werewolf. He’s been sneaking into the woods to transform in secret. No one’s been harmed, but unless Derek finds a cure, it’s only a matter of time. Time which he doesn’t have. With a monster hunter arriving in town, Derek must find help before he’s discovered, or worse, someone is killed. But is the “help” all that seems? 18-23 August.

The Provocateurs

Various shows with Edinburgh Napier researchers

All at Venue 12 – The Stand Comedy Club

Everyday Gaslighting / Get in the Zone!

Hosted by comedian Susan Morrison. Dr Michael Stirrat (Edinburgh Napier University) explores what we actually know about the psychology of gaslighting in relationships. Dr Shama Rahman (The University of Edinburgh) journeys through the brain’s most creative mental states in a quest for flow. 1 August.

Gender Fears / Haunted Mouths

Hosted by comedian Susan Morrison. Dr Roberto Kulpa (Edinburgh Napier University) discusses why people who reject gender equalities turn to homophobic, transphobic and anti-feminist fearmongers. Dr Daphne Loads (The University of Edinburgh) explores the histories of words and discovers some disturbing truths about the things we say. She asks, is your mouth haunted? 1 August.

Disrupted Conversations / Knocks to the Head

Hosted by comedian Susan Morrison. Dr Bryony Buck (Edinburgh Napier University and University of Dundee) navigates non-verbal communications to support hearing loss. Dr Michael Leavitt (Edinburgh Napier University) uncovers the costs of repeated head injuries in young athletes. 3 August.

A Grumpy Robot / Joyful Singing

Hosted by comedian Susan Morrison. Edinburgh Napier University researchers introduce Euclid the cantankerous robot with strong views on AI. Dr Kat Lord (Queen Margaret University) and Stephen Deazley (Love Music) explore how inclusive singing in education creates joyful wellbeing. 7 August.

Robot Romance / Everyday Gaslighting

Hosted by comedian Susan Morrison. Franziska Heck (Edinburgh Napier University) explores the ethics and absurdity of artificial love and addictive chatbot relationships. Dr Michael Stirrat (Edinburgh Napier University) explores what we actually know about the psychology of gaslighting in relationships. 9 August.

Forensic Jewellery / Don’t Read the Classics!

Hosted by comedian Susan Morrison. Dr Maria Maclennan (The University of Edinburgh) follows the trail from jewellery to justice as the world’s first forensic jeweller. Dr Andrew Frayn (Edinburgh Napier University) asks what makes classic literature and what focusing on those books makes us ignore. 11 August.

Voices of Hope / No Location, No Location, No Location!

Hosted by comedian Susan Morrison. Roseminu Varghese (Edinburgh Napier University) finds power in familiar voices for coma patients. Nicola Osborne (The University of Edinburgh) imagines what stories we'll be watching as TV and film made with virtual production technologies make almost anything possible without ever leaving a studio! 13 August.

Compassion During Birth / Screw Up or Breakthrough?

Hosted by comedian Susan Morrison. Professor Yvonne Kuipers (Edinburgh Napier University) asks why women giving birth are shown so little compassion, surrounded by strangers and treated like they're on a conveyor belt in a baby factory. Dr Lucy Remnant (The University of Edinburgh) shares the scientific breakthroughs that followed seemingly catastrophic mistakes. 14 August.

War Monsters / Don’t Read the Classics!

Hosted by comedian Jojo Sutherland. Dr Lucy Hall (Heriot-Watt University and the Open University) explores ideas of monstrosity in World War II Britain to discover if we are really so different from the monsters we create. Dr Andrew Frayn (Edinburgh Napier University) asks what makes classic literature and what focusing on those books makes us ignore. 15 August.

Bad Therapy / It All Went Wrong At Legs!

Hosted by comedian Jay Lafferty. Clinical psychologist Dr Edel McGlanaghy (Edinburgh Napier University and NHS) and asks what’s gone wrong with psychological therapy and hopes the answer isn’t because therapists are weird. Dr Cameron Wyatt (The University of Edinburgh) is convinced that zebrafish are superior to humans with amazing abilities that we lack – despite sharing 86% of our genes! 16 August.

Learn with Your Body / Knocks to the Head

Hosted by comedian Jay Lafferty. Chris Purcell (Heriot-Watt University) reveals how learning can be achieved through movement rather than sitting at a desk. Dr Michael Leavitt (Edinburgh Napier University) uncovers the costs of repeated head injuries in young athletes. 18 August.

Cervical Smears / AI Economics

Hosted by comedian Ria Lina. Dr Karissa Patton (The University of Edinburgh) explores medical and local histories of cervical health. Dr Elena Papagiannaki (Edinburgh Napier University) unpacks how economists get AI wrong and the real impacts on work, capitalism and society. 19 August.

Power Cuts / Robot Romance

Hosted by comedian Susan Morrison. Dr Lars Schewe (The University of Edinburgh) is applying maths to prevent power cuts – by switching off powerlines. He also wants to close roads to alleviate traffic jams and turn off pipes to improve gas and water supplies! Franziska Heck (Edinburgh Napier University) explores the ethics and absurdity of artificial love and addictive chatbot relationships. 20 August.

Compassion During Birth / A Grumpy Robot

Hosted by comedian Sarah-Jane Judge. Professor Yvonne Kuipers (Edinburgh Napier University) asks why women giving birth are shown so little compassion, surrounded by strangers and treated like they're on a conveyor belt in a baby factory. Edinburgh Napier University researchers introduce Euclid the cantankerous robot with strong views on AI. 22 August.

Women in Iranian Cinema / AI Economics

Hosted by comedian Susan Morrison. Professor Nacim Pak Shiraz (The University of Edinburgh) explores how women resist restrictions and reshape their world through the lens of Iranian cinema. Dr Elena Papagiannaki (Edinburgh Napier University) unpacks how economists get AI wrong and the real impacts on work, capitalism and society. 23 August.

Bad Therapy / Other People

Hosted by comedian Susan Morrison. Clinical psychologist Dr Edel McGlanaghy (Edinburgh Napier University and NHS) and asks what’s gone wrong with psychological therapy and hopes the answer isn’t because therapists are weird. Dr Mhairi Bowe (Heriot-Watt University) asks if other people are slowly killing you or the secret to long and happy lives? 24 August.

Other Edinburgh Napier shows

Fresh Words: Jenny Brown Debut Writers Over 50

It's lunchtime, and (hallelujah!) there's no need to doomscroll over a sad desk salad. Be the first to discover the literary stars of the future, instead. In partnership with Scottish Book Trust and other leading talent spotters across the UK, this lively lunchtime event showcases electrifying new voices, so grab your seat before everyone else does. Today, we partner with the Jenny Brown Associates Debut Writers Over 50 Award and are joined by Susan Kemp, Margherita Still (MA Creative Writing at Edinburgh Napier), Caroline Grebbell (MA Creative Writing at Edinburgh Napier), Jade Mitchell and Robbie MacLeòid. 13 August.

Digital Siblings

Farmingdale State College and Edinburgh Napier University

In this exhibition students of Farmingdale State College (SUNY) and Edinburgh Napier University showcase their explorations into mixed reality and visitor attractions. Digital siblings are a range of interactive applications and products that create remote experiences with real spaces. For this edition, the student interns have been exploring Jupiter Artland and considering what it would mean to digitally bring Fringe visitors closer to the sculpture park. Expect to see novel prototypes and uses of interactive technology for bringing people and places together. Join us for this one-night-only exhibition at our Merchiston Campus. 15 August.

Edinburgh Magic Circle Presents…

The Edinburgh Magic Circle is proud to present an evening of astonishing illusions, close-up miracles and magical mysteries! Performed to you by some of the city's most talented magicians including our very own Head of Communications, Ross Burns. 11 August.

Holst’s The Planets

The London Philharmonic Orchestra takes you on the ultimate cosmic journey.

Under the baton of principal conductor Edward Gardner, the London Philharmonic Orchestra returns to the Festival for the first time in a decade with a stunning programme.

The concert commences with Judith Weir’s Forest, an enchanting work with a fairytale character. Then, the prodigiously gifted pianist Beatrice Rana performs Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, a dazzling reimagining of Niccolò Paganini’s Caprice No. 24 for piano and orchestra.

Ending with a big bang, Gustav Holst’s The Planets takes you on the ultimate cosmic journey to explore our place in the universe. Inspired by his love of astrology, Holst transformed each planet into a mythological character – from the fierce god of war, Mars, to the serene goddess of love, Venus.

This event is supported by Dunard Fund and Edinburgh Napier University, with additional support from the Consulate General of Italy and the Italian Institute of Culture in Edinburgh. 5 August.

Goose's Quizzes Elimination Game

Scotland's premiere quiz company, founded by ENU alumnus Andrew Wildgoose, triumphantly returns with the Elimination Game: Round Three!

Through a series of make-or-break questions that pit you against your fellow audience members, test your knowledge – and your luck – to see if you will face elimination, or be crowned champion!

Atlas of Scotland at West End Fair

Alumnus and illustrator Andrew Barr is exhibiting at the West End Fair this summer. Scotland's premier craft, art & design fair and will run from 28 July - 24 August in the grounds of St John's Kirk, Princes Street. Andrew will present his work, including hand-drawn maps and illustrations and his Atlas of Scotland book.

Got a show that you think should be in our guide? Let us know by emailing social@napier.ac.uk!