THE Edinburgh Festival Fringe has officially launched, with more than 3500 shows planned across the month.
A total of 3663 shows are confirmed with everything from comedy to theatre to politics with the festival running until August 26.
Thousands of people are expected to descend on the capital but we know how hard it can be to decide what to go and see so we’ve picked out some highlights for anyone looking for a bit of politics.
All Talk
LBC’s Iain Dale is the regular host of All Talk, which is returning to Edinburgh for the fourth year for discussions with some of the biggest names in politics.
This year will look slightly different however as Dale has had to step aside for health reasons, meaning that political commentator Matthew Stadlen is taking over hosting duties.
Some of the names appearing this year include Alex Salmond (below), Ruth Davidson, Rachel Reeves, Humza Yousaf and Liz Truss.
There will also be a hustings event featuring Stephen Flynn, Ian Murray, Andrew Bowie and Christine Jardine.
Tickets and more information can be found HERE.
The Techtonics: 44 Days of Liz Truss (A Capella)
Unfortunately for the former prime minister, it’s set to be a bumpy ride at this year’s Fringe as there’s a couple of acts based on her historically short stint as PM.
This all-male a capella “group of nerds” as they’re described plan to tell that story.
The description of the event reads: “It’s been a bumpy few years in UK politics, and one story is particularly comical: Liz Truss’s (below) stint as prime minister.
“In 44 days, Trussonomics tanked the economy, her cabinet made more U-turns than Mr Bean on a roundabout and, after one meeting, the Queen passed away.
“Who could be more fitting to tell this story than an all-male a capella group of nerds from Imperial College London?”
More information can be found HERE.
Nerine Skinner: The Exorcism of Liz Truss
The Truss theme continues with comedian Nerine Skinner set to perform her show The Exorcism of Liz Truss.
Skinner is a former semi-finalist on Britain’s Got Talent and went viral for her parodies of the former prime minister.
While the country moved on, this comedian didn’t and, through oddball characters, this is the story of her trying to let go of Truss’s time in office.
Find out more about the show HERE.
Mhairi Black: Politics Isn’t For Me
Former SNP deputy Westminster leader Mhairi Black has already started her show, explaining to her audience that she was previously diagnosed with ADHD.
After stepping down as an MP, she has promised a “brutally honest” look at life in politics in the show.
Black (above) also said to expect her “dark sense of humour” during the show at the Gilded Balloon.
It’s likely to be one of the more popular shows at the Fringe although you can stay up to date with ticket availability HERE.
Emma Sidi is Sue Gray
In this show, character comedian Emma Sidi takes on the role of Sue Gray – who made headlines with her report into the Partygate scandal.
In an interview with The Guardian, Sidi said she’d be playing Gray in the new show as “that kind of girl next door, someone who says it how it is”.
Find out more information about the show HERE.
Nish Kumar: Nish, Don’t Kill My Vibe
Comedian Nish Kumar (below) is no stranger to political comedy, having previously hosted The Mash Report on the BBC.
His latest stand-up show promises he is the “only comedian who can kill the mood even further” following this year’s General Election.
Kumar previously joked in an interview with The Guardian that he had previously been writing a show based on a General Election he expected was coming in October.
Click HERE for more information on the show.
