Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2012

If you’re not an Edinburgh Fringe regular, the prospect of venturing all the way up to Scotland’s capital and choosing the right shows from the vast line-up can seem pretty daunting. But don’t worry, BBM has got your back with a comprehensive guide to the world’s largest arts festival.

August has already kicked off, but there’s still a few weeks left to soak up the atmosphere in the Scottish capital. First, find yourself some accommodation. Edinburgh has a wide range of youth hostels, hotels and sofas in people’s houses – and for a decent price too. Most have been snapped up already, but there are still some left! Go to www.laterooms.com, www.booking.com, or www.hostelworld.com and book yourself a room for however long you want to stay for.

Next, you need some form of transport to take you and a small suitcase to the north of England and beyond. For this, try www.nationalexpress.com for a cheap coach ride or if you want a tad more luxury and a less-achey bottom, go by train and book with www.raileasy.co.uk. Simple. Or, if you’re still not sure, book an Edinburgh Festival package, which will give you a great deal on your adventure to Scotland. https://www.edinburghfestivals.co.uk/summer-festivals-packages-edinburgh-2012

So, hopefully now you’ve got your accommodation and travel sorted. That’s the hard bit out the way and now you can start planning which shows you’re going to see. Anything from cabaret, comedy, music, theatre, musicals, dance and exhibitions are there for you to enjoy and shows happen all around the clock. If you prefer a perfectly mapped out trip, then you can book all of what you want to see in advance. However, if you like things to be a little more spontaneous, you can turn up to shows on a whim once you’re at the Ed Fringe. There simple are no rules and you can tailor your trip to be whatever you want it to be.

All shows are available to look at here, where you can also book tickets: www.edfringe.com/whats-on. Or, keep reading for a low down of some of the shows you might want to check out:

What: The Charlatans
When: Saturday 25 August
Price: £25

The Charlatans will be performing their celebrated number one album ‘Tellin Stories’ live in its entirety at Edinburgh’s HMV Picture House on 25th August. The critically and commercially acclaimed album features singles North Country Boy, One To Another and How High.

What: Jimmy Carr: Gagging Order
When: 16 – 25 August
Price: £18.50

Brand new show, brand new jokes, same old Jimmy. Gagging Order promises to be a hilarious night out … let’s see shall we. The show will be packed with one-liners, stories and jokes – some clever, some rude and a few totally unacceptable. Everybody’s welcome. Just leave your conscience, sense of common decency and moral compass at home and come on out for a laugh.

What: Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fair
When: Sunday 19th August 12pm – 5pm

Visiting the Picture House for the first time since last May, over 1500 shoppers came for some retro retail therapy. Back with a fresh set of traders expect even more offers, sale rails and old-world glamour [without paying through the mouth!] Shopped by the likes of Florence, Pixie Lott and Chloe Sevigny and featured in Grazia, Stylist & Vogue, we hope you can make it along.

What: Rev Re-union
Price: Tickets on the door

Edinburghs most talked about reunion club night returns for yet another massive bank holiday session! With DJ sets from special guest BK, Rev resident Johnny Richardson, Rev Re-Union residents Digital Gravity and BIG G, also featuring early years Rev Gary McAndrew!

What: CLUB NOIR BURLESQUE – The Games
When: Saturday 11th August, 9pm – 3am
Price: £21

The worlds biggest burlesque club presents two over-the-top glamorous cabaret shows inspired by this years Olympics. From the Olympic torch to the closing ceremony we have crystal-encrusted showgirls, charismatic leading men, covetable costumes and sexploits around the world!

What: PROPAGANDA
When: Every Saturday, 11pm – 3am

The UKs biggest indie night is open every Saturday 11pm-3am (excluding 11th August) throughout the Fringe. Expect the biggest late night party in Edinburgh with some incredible acts and guest DJs including last years Fringe hit, hip hop comedy improve duo Abandonman. Keep your eyes on www.thepropaganda.com for more details coming soon!

Drink promos:
Vodka / VS Blue and Lemon / Bottles of Carlsberg / Sambuca / Tequila and Jagerbombs £2

What: Josh Widdicombe: The Further Adventures of…
When: 6 – 26 August
Price: £11

Hotly anticipated follow-up to 2011’s Fosters Newcomer nominated debut from the star of Live at the Apollo, Stand Up for the Week, 8 Out of 10 Cats and Rob Brydon Show.

What: Josie Long and Sam Schäfer’s Awkward Romance
When: 13 – 17 August
Price: Free

Edinburgh award-nominated Josie Long is joined by brilliant newcomer Sam Schäfer to share tales of loves lost, loves won and loves made-up. This is an idle threat: If you don’t come we’ll wreck your knees.

What: What Would Beyoncé Do?
When: 6 – 26 August
Price: Free

Single Ladies! You know when you fall Crazy In Love, but it all goes wrong and you’re like Me, Myself and I, but then you Get Me Bodied, you’re like he’s the Best Thing I Never Had! I must have bumped my head, because Who Runs The World? Well, if like me, you’re an Independent Woman still living with your mumma, come check up on What Would Beyoncé Do? Forget your Bills Bills Bills, this show’s free. Come Say Hello and let’s get this party Jumpin’ Jumpin’!

What: Footstomping Traditional Scottish Music
When: 6 August – 2 September
Price: Free entry

Join us at the multi-award-winning WHISKI Bar & Restaurant for a vibrant footstomping good time as we showcase many traditional Scottish music bands at WHISKI Bar during August. Toes will be tapping to our vibrant mix of instruments playing live traditional Scottish music – fiddles, accordions, guitars and whistles playing in harmony. We welcome everyone to enjoy the ultimate Scottish experience here at WHISKI Bar.

To book tickets for any of these shows plus many more, go to: www.edfringe.com/whats-on