The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the biggest arts festival in the world, with nearly 3,500 shows. This year, Playbill is in Edinburgh for the entire month in August for the festival and we’re taking you with us. Follow along as we cover every single aspect of the Fringe, aka our real-life Brigadoon!
As part of our Edinburgh Fringe coverage, Playbill is seeing a whole lotta shows—and we're sharing which ones you absolutely must see if you're only at the Fringe for a short amount of time. Consider these Playbill Picks a friendly, opinionated guide as you try to choose a show at the festival.
The first thing Patti Harrison wants you to know is that her show…is a work in progress. And whether that is true or not is for audiences to decide.
Harrison, best known for TV and film (I Think You Should Leave, Together Together, and most recently Theater Camp) returns to Edinburgh after her sold-out debut at the Fringe last year. In her hour-ish-long show, Harrison talks about being a woman navigating the hurdles of life. Oh, and two of those LARGE obstacles practically smack audiences in the face as Harrison enters on stage. Dressed in a long, modest black skirt and demure gray cardigan, she politely asks us not to stare or pay much attention to her obviously afflicted chest, because they are real and definitely not fake, she tells the audience. There's a reason to Harrison's ridiculousness here, but I'm not one for spoilers—you should see the show to find out.
During the show, Harrison doesn’t tell a single joke, give a punchline, or follow any traditional style of stand-up comedy. It is because of this that she left her sold-out audience roaring with laughter. An agent of chaos, Harrison often has you asking yourself, “Wait, is this part of the show or is she off-script?” as she spirals into one ludicrous rant after another, but promises she’ll start the actual show soon.
The show is filled with stories of working with her therapist, elementary school trauma, how she passed the time during the pandemic, and what it’s like dating a Hollywood child actor. Amongst it all, Harrison tries to reflect on her work towards mental well-being—but she often gets disrupted by hilarious fits of rage or utter pandemonium.
Oh, and did I mention she sings too? Harrison explains that she went to school for music production and has spent many years writing songs for other artists but never for her own voice...until now. The original songs themselves are highlights for this reviewer.
All of this to say, seeing Patti Harrison live is an experience that you won’t soon forget. She is not for the faint of heart, the easily offended, or anyone wanting a “traditional” comedy show. Instead, Harrison brings a style that feels very much her own and will continue to confuse and shock Fringe-goers at Pleasance Dome’s Queen Dome through August 15.
[Update: after we published this article, Harrison announced she had to cut her run show to August 15, we have amended the article to reflect this new date.]
Read about other Playbill-recommended shows at this venue
