The best of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2013

What not to miss at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival

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I'm with the band

By Tim Price Venue: Traverse Theatre; Traverse 1 Running from 2nd August -25th August 2013

Olivier-nominated Tim Price has penned what looks set to be a popular show at this year's fringe. His new play, I'm with the band, is about the break up of an indie rock band, comprised of an Englishman, a Northern Irishman, a Scotsman and a Welshman, after financial disaster hits.

The play that goes wrong Mischief Theatre Venue: Pleasance Courtyard Running from 31st July - 26th August 2013

Mischief Theatre has just had a run in the West End of their new comedy, The play that goes wrong, and the hype around this fringe entrant is about as big as it can get before the festival has even started. The Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society attempt to put on a 1920s murder mystery but, as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong...does. Along the lines of Michael Frayn's hugely successful Noises Off, this new comedy is not one to miss.

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Chalk Farm By Kieran Hurley and AJ Taudevin ThickSkin Venue: Underbelly, Cowgate Running from 1st August - 25th August 2013

This new play from award-winning playwrights Kieran Hurley and AJ Taudevin is an honest and vivid portrayal of the aftermath of the 2011 London riots focusing on Jamie, a young boy, and his mother, and examining the politics of love and blame. A reminder of that chaotic period and thought-provoking as well as heartbreaking, Chalk Farm should be on your list.

Making News

By Robert Khan and Tom Salinsky Spontaneity Shop/The Pleasance Venue: Pleasance Courtyard Running from 31st July - 25th August 2013

Making News is a satire that looks likely to make news (sorry, it had to be done) as it is about what happens when a newly appointed Head of News at the BBC has to handle a crisis that involves the corporation itself. Starring Phill Jupitus and Suki Webster, this play will no doubt provoke some debate.

The List

By Jennifer Tremblay Stellar Quines Venue: Summerhall Running from 3rd August - 25th August 2013

Stellar Quines' production of The List is back for the Edinburgh Fringe 2013 having won a Best Production award at the festival last year. It centres around a woman who, struggling to adjust to rural life, retains order by making lists. Her obsessive list-making starts to become a matter of life and death as she becomes increasingly isolated and cracks appear in her marriage. A hit last year, this is likely to be even bigger this year.

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Katy Birchall
Katy is the proud owner of four labradors in varying colours and is also the author of the young-adult fiction series ‘The It Girl’ published by Egmont. The first novel in the series came out in May and two sequels will follow in 2016. The rights have been sold in 12 territories including France, Germany, Spain and the USA, where it comes out in hardback next June.