It’s an exceptional year for queer theater ad performance at Edinburgh Festival Fringe . As well as celebrating the entire spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community, it also makes for a great space for audiences to encounter the unfettered uniqueness and authenticity of those who might be different from them.
We recently published our Top Ten List of Must-See Shows (see HERE) ….. but are beginning to appreciate that barely touches the surface, so here’s another
SIX (more) QUEER SHOWS WE ARE HAPPY TO RECOMMEND
The Ballad of Truman Capote, From three-time Booker-nominated author Andrew O’Hagan (Mayflies), a cautionary tale of literary life, a hilarious brilliant new play starring Patrick Moy. New York’s Plaza Hotel, 1966: the American writer Truman Capote throws the party of the century. As A-list guests arrive, Capote retires to his suite to drink martinis and gossip with himself about celebrity life and the meaning of self-invention. In a bantering oral ballad, he focuses on his Alabama childhood and creates a new kind of art form with In Cold Blood.
theSpace @ Niddry St - Upper Theatre (Round) 18:00 Aug 8-12, 14-26
BUFF: After a bad break-up from a six-year relationship, a plus-sized, gay, primary school teacher decides to sublet his flat to a buff Instagram model. Funny yet poignant, this solo-performed play tackles body image pressures, social media jealousy, and one man’s journey to self-acceptance whilst navigating the toxic world of online dating.
Starring Dublin-born actor and comedian Pearse Egan, its fresh from its five-star, award-nominated run at VAULT Festival, Buff is a hilarious yet timely story about being plus-sized in the gay community
Pleasance Courtyard Pleasance Below 13:50 : 2nd Aug - 28th Aug
OSCAR at The Crown is a queer musical/nightclub experience inspired by Oscar Wilde. The theatrical experience comes from the minds of the queer performance collective The Neon Coven’s three co-founders: creator and star Mark Mauriello, composer and choreographer Andrew Barret Cox, and director Shira Milikowsky.
Oscar at the Crown is set far in a dystopian future, where little has survived save for sequins, reality TV, and the complete works of Oscar Wilde. The show aims to challenge social media-obsessed sensibilities of today and push attendees to dance in the face of fascism.
Assembly George Square Gardens, Spiegeltent Palais Du Variete Aug 2nd – 27th
Jacob Storms’ Tennessee Rising: The Dawn of Tennessee Williams. What led a young, unknown writer named Tom to become known to the world as the legendary playwright, Tennessee Williams? Tennessee Rising brings these unexplored years (1939-1945) center stage as the audience plays the role of kind stranger to a young Williams, whilst he experiences the unexpected highs and devastating lows of his early life and career, wherein his most iconic character emerges, himself. Written and performed by United Solo Award winner Jacob Storms and originally directed for the stage by Alan Cumming.
Assembly Rooms (The Front Room) August 3rd – 27th (not 14th & 27th)
BLOWHOLE: Meet Him. He’s gay, twenty-something, and aspiring to be Billie Piper circa 1999. For now, though, he’s still single, still horny, and still perfecting the bum-hole selfie in the work toilets. Rock bottom’s never been so fabulous. Blowhole is a screengrab of the pitfalls of swipe-right culture, ‘an outrageously raw, brazenly queer new comedy depicting life and love in your twenties’ ***** (Bakchormeeboy.com). ‘Imaginative storytelling and magical – theatre does not come any better than this’ ***** (Boyz Magazine). ‘Side-splittingly hilarious, a celebration of bringing queer stories to the forefront’ (TheatreAndOtherThings, Instagram).
Pleasance Dome - AceDome 14:50 Aug 8-15, 17-28
SCAREDY FAT Scaredy’s working the late shift at the cinema. Tonight’s schedule? Horror movie sexual awakenings of yesteryear. Lost in steamy recollections of Jesse Walsh dancing, Carrie and Tommy at the prom and the sinful duo of Ryan Philippe and Freddie Prinze Jr., Scaredy should be in ecstasy but evil horror host Count Calories keeps cutting in on the fun. It’s finally time for Scaredy to face their fears and stop being such a big Scaredy Fat.
Come to the movies with Scaredy as they poke fun at fat and queer representation in the horror genre, asking what it means to love a genre that doesn’t love you back. Written and Performed by Colm McCready
Pleasance Dome - JackDome 16:05 Aug 8-13, 15-20, 22-28
Labels: 2023, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, must see, queer theatre, Top Picks
