I love hearing about your #EdFringe shows, and you're welcome to tell me about them here. I can't reply to every tweet, but I promise I do read them all, and I often review shows I first learned of here. Just so you know, I mostly cover theatre.

And my first 5* of this year, Woman In The Arena at @GreensideVenue. A stunningly candid production in the style of a TED talk, exploring the courage it takes to find your true self. At George St till the end of the month.

At @ScotStoryCentre, Flora Macdonald And Zombies - the tale of Bonnie Prince Charlie's flight as you've never heard it before. Shamelessly silly, consistently funny, yet played with a completely straight face. Check the programme - it's on alternate dates.

Also closing this week - just two more chances! - A Murder In Motley at @GreensideVenue. A Shakespeare-adjacent murder mystery which poses fascinatingly deep questions about the roles we play. Well-conceived and well-delivered by a large and talented cast.

Here till Sunday only, Sins of the Mother at Bedlam is an interesting spin on a Faustian tale. It's 2025, the Devil's a woman and it seems there are depths of evil even she abhors. A clever thriller which maintains the suspense till the end.

I'm overdue a round-up of recent reviews. First time I've done one this year, so just to let you know, I normally only tweet the 4*+ ones. You can find them all here:

RT @DebsCa: Thank you so much to legendary @FringeGuru and @theweereview for this absolutely lovely 4 star review for Flora Macdonald and Z….

Ugh, just had my first "the show I planned to review isn't actually on today" moment of the festival. I really, really, really should plan further ahead. But then again - where would be the fun in that?.

Unfortunately I think they’d evacuate the venue. But in principle, I agree, it would be the Best Power Cut Ever.

Credit where credit’s due, they’re sorting this. The banner in the photo is firmly fixed again, and there’s a man walking round in their distinctively luminous orange who appears to be on patrol.

Uh-oh. Not the only one experiencing this failure mode.

Also recommended without delay - because it's only here for a week's run - Locusts, 16:05 at @theSpaceUK Triplex. A powerful but nuanced look at the long-term damage caused by so-called gay conversion therapy. Review from 2023:

Based on last year's experience, this show will sell out days in advance once it gets momentum going - so if you're interested in seeing it, I'd take the opportunity now. Review for 2024:

We finish with I Was A Teenage She-Devil, a rock opera. Someone ends up in a wheelie bin. It makes an impact. And we’re done with the showcase! Now out to the courtyard to be flyered.

A confidently stripped-back performance now from Lexi Wolfe as Hamlet, a scene from the show After Shakespeare. The monologue is an ironic reflection on the poor choices Hamlet makes, humorous and intelligent. The theatre highlight of the showcase for me.

Tell Me Where Home Is (I’m Starting To Forget) uses the Wizard of Oz as a jumping-off point, to explore how those on the cusp of adulthood are pressured to conceal their sexuality. Narrated by a man dressed as Dorothy, it’s whimsical and funny but effective. I’d see more.

Daddy, Tomorrow Will I Be A Man? is a musical about squash, the sport. The song we hear is about the pressures of success and expectation, accompanied by the swooshing of a racquet. Classic Fringe.

A scene from Supermarket 86 now, which sees five strangers stranded in a store during a snowstorm, find unexpected connections. The extract we see sets up some interesting dynamics, would be interested to see where it goes.

I am not quite getting Dance Dance Involution. There is a debating competition, a bit of self-referential comedy, and no dance. I strongly suspect a cultural reference and/or internet meme has passed me by.

Next, a New York comedian strums a guitar as she sings about her pelvic floor. This is PSA: Pelvic Service Announcement, which describes itself as “raw, ridiculous and personal”. Low-key, almost conspiratorial in its style.

Jack, a rock musical, is giving voice to five of the Ripper’s victims through the medium of song. Suffers a little through the lack of mics at this one-off event, but the music is exciting and the choreography dynamic. An important story and a promising telling of it.