The Best Theatre at Edinburgh Fringe 2025

[Updated Tue 19 Aug, 10.30am] So close! The 2025 Edinburgh festivals are nearly at an end, and as we head through the final week, this page is home to the reviews of our favourite shows from across the theatre programmes at the Edinburgh festivals. For more of the same, our festival-focused friends at Fest have pulled together their own 'Best Shows of the Festivals' list.

Five-star ★★★★★ reviews

Nowhere @ Traverse Theatre

Khalid Abdalla brings a production brimming with bite, sensitivity, and radical optimism to the Traverse. Traverse Theatre (Traverse 1), until 24 Aug, various times, £17.50-25

Triptych Redux @ ZOO Southside

Lewis Major's Triptych Redux is a visceral dance performance characterised by a hypnotic blend of light, sound, and precision. ZOO Southside (Main House), until 24 Aug, 9.30pm, £17-18 

She's Behind You @ Traverse Theatre

Johnny McKnight's love letter to pantomime is an incisive, warts and all look at the art form. Traverse Theatre (Traverse One), until 24 Aug, various times

DYKE Systems Ltd @ Pleasance Courtyard

Razor-sharp cabaret duo Fag Packet captivate in a hysterically funny satire of pinkwashing, capitalist greed and corporate absurdity. Pleasance Courtyard (Cellar), until 25 Aug, 3pm

RIFT @ Traverse Theatre

Gabriel Jason Dean's new play is ostensibly about two brothers, one of whom is incarcerated. But it's actually about everything – brotherhood, fatherhood, systemic abuse, money, betrayal, and the space between reality and fiction. Traverse Theatre (Traverse Two), until 24 Aug (not Mon), times vary

Four-star ★★★★ reviews

The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave @ Summerhall

The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave is an artful rejection of the stylised image of the underground party scene. Summerhall (Main Hall), until 25 Aug, 6.05pm, £10-17

Cecilia Gentili's Red Ink @ Underbelly Bristo Square

A theatrical tribute to the late Argentinian trans activist based on her autobiography, Cecilia Gentili's Red Ink is a loud and proud celebration. Underbelly Bristo Square (Jersey), until 25 Aug, 2.30pm, £13-14 

In The Land of Eagles @ Pleasance Courtyard

Alex Reynolds takes audiences to Albania in her debut show about memory, heritage and regret. Pleasance Courtyard (Baby Grand), until 25 Aug, 3pm, £14-15

FATAL FLOWER @ Summerhall

Valentina Tóth presents a surreal, musically rich, and boldly theatrical ode to the 'hysterical woman'. Summerhall (Main Hall), until 25 Aug, 9.05pm, £14.50-17 

Lucky Tonight! @ Traverse Theatre

Afreena Islam-Wright's interactive pub quiz pla is a unique and engaging form to explore cultural identity and belonging. Traverse Theatre (Traverse Two), until 24 Aug, 9pm, £17.50-25

Mythos: Ragnarök @ Underbelly Circus Hub

Bringing together the worlds of contemporary theatre, Norse mythology and pro wrestling, Mythos: Ragnarok is a joyful night out. Underbelly's Circus Hub on the Meadows, until 23 Aug, 8.40pm, £18.50-20.50

Don't Tell Dad About Diana @ Underbelly Cowgate

Hannah Power and Conor Murray soar in this fresh-faced gem: a love letter to friendship, 90s Dublin and Princess Diana. Underbelly Cowgate (Belly Dancer), until 24 Aug, 12.50pm, £13-14 

Cheese and Guava or Romeo and Juliet @ Summerhall

Brazilian theatre collective Cênica's delicious spin on the Shakespeare classic is grounded in lived experiences. Summerhall (Main Hall), until 25 Aug, 10.35am, £10-17 

The Beautiful Future Is Coming @ Traverse Theatre

Flora Wilson Brown's ambitious play chronicles real and imagined narratives of climate change. Traverse Theatre (Traverse 1), until 24 Aug, various times

Stampin' in the Graveyard @ Summerhall

Set in a post-apocalyptic theatre, Stampin' in the Graveyard blends poetry, soundscapes and movement to offer a surprising and hopeful message about loss. Summerhall (Red Lecture Theatre), until 25 Aug (not 11, 18), 12.15pm

Red Like Fruit @ Traverse Theatre

Set against a post #MeToo backdrop, Hannah Moscovitch's minimal play – in which a woman hands over the telling of her story to a male counterpart – is quietly radical. Traverse Theatre (Traverse 2), until 24 Aug (not Mon), various times, £17.50-25 

Mushroomification (Legs Legs Legs) @ The Mash House

Up-and-coming Edinburgh theatre collective Heads on Crooked have propogated a whip-smart fungal show that's much more than the sum of its DIY parts. It finishes tomorrow (Tue 5 Aug); get your tickets now or forever hold your peace. Just the Tonic @ The Mash House (Bottle Room), run ended

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The Best Comedy at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe

If you want more laughs, check out our hub page for the comedy offerings at this year's festivals – you'll find some early highlights to watch out for, and a batch of interviews with some of the acts we're most excited to see this Fringe.  

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For all the latest from across the Edinburgh Fringe, follow us at @theskinnymag on Twitter, Bluesky and Instagram, and join our Instagram channel to get some of our very best Fringe *stuff* straight to your inbox  

For a dedicated guide to the Edinburgh Festivals, check out Fest – their team are all over this year's festival season with reviews, interviews and more. Fest's preview issue is out now, with review issues dropping throughout August at venues across the city.