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Three Shows With Something Different

By Caro Moses | Published on Wednesday 3 August 2022

Three shows with something different at Edinburgh Festival 2022…

Work.txt | Summerhall | 3-28 Aug
It really wouldn’t be the Fringe if you didn’t try to make sure and see something that goes a little beyond the more standard realms of performance, and thankfully, there is plenty of it. So this is another section where it is hard to decide what to pick from what’s on offer. We’ve had a go, though, because we like a challenge, and this first one is something we’ve had our eye on for a while, given its recent success in old London town. And I suspect once we describe it, you’ll be as intrigued as we are: it’s a show about the gig economy, financial instability and bullshit jobs, and it’s performed entirely by the audience. See, I told you you’d want to find out more. Click here for info and tickets.

Megalith | Zoo Southside | 5-28 Aug (pictured)
So here’s another interesting one, especially for those of you who like loud and violent stuff. Yes, I know you are out there. Every performance of this show from 2018 Herald Angel winners MECHANIMAL involves smashing up to 250kg of rocks – and the production was developed in collaboration with researchers from Bristol University and the Natural History Museum. And for why, all this rock bashing? Well, it’s a show that offers a journey to the Neolithic origins of mining – courtesy of a silent physical performer and a digital sound artist – and explores the way that copper has been at the cutting edge of technological development for thousands of years, and its role in our ongoing ecological crises. Click here for info and tickets.

The Twenty Sided Tavern | Pleasance Dome | 3-28 Aug
You might not be new to the idea of the “choose your own adventure” concept, but this show will provide you with an exciting and interesting version of that idea. It’s inspired by the gameplay of Dungeons & Dragons (and I know there’ll be D&D fans out there who will appreciate that) and each show’s direction is steered by the audience, who will access a website via their smartphones and make choices that inform the performance of the actors on stage. Like I said, a given for D&D fans, but it promises to be a funny immersive theatre experience that’s suitable for all fringe-goers over the age of eight – so it might be a good one to add to your list of family friendly shows. Click here for info and tickets.