Skip to main content
Best of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
EWAN CAMERON savours the global diversity of the Fringe, from Chinese storytelling to Norse pro wrestling
fringe 2

WITH a huge chunk of the world’s artist community decamping to one city for a month, the sheer variety of what’s on offer is staggering. 

Where else can you experience bawdiness one hour and sincerity the next? Or transition seamlessly from performances that showcase the athleticism of the human body, to those armed with little more than their own voice and a Powerpoint? 

If you’ve travelled halfway across the world to be here, you’ve got to be pretty good, and I was not disappointed. How Should a Home Be (★★★★★) is told entirely without words, the story is a retelling of the classic historical tale of Lady Wenji's Return To The Han. While this was performed in a small repurposed lecture room, the wonderful costumes and the bright acoustics of the instruments were truly entrancing and created a dreamlike atmosphere that transcended the small surrounds. 

Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Morning Star call for advertising
More from this author
colourists 1
Exhibition review / 21 March 2025
21 March 2025
While the group known as the Colourists certainly reinvigorated Scottish painting, a new show is a welcome chance to reassess them, writes ANGUS REID
family
Film of the Week: / 20 March 2025
20 March 2025
ANGUS REID recommends an exquisite drama about the disturbing impact of the one child policy in contemporary China
BL
Short Story / 7 February 2025
7 February 2025
The phrase “cruel to be kind” comes from Hamlet, but Shakespeare’s Prince didn’t go in for kidnap, explosive punches, and cigarette deprivation. Tam is different.
fanon
BenchMarx / 28 January 2025
28 January 2025
ANGUS REID deconstructs a popular contemporary novel aimed at a ‘queer’ young adult readership
Similar stories
12th
Theatre review / 4 December 2024
4 December 2024
PETER MASON reckons the NYT’s production of Shakespeare’s comedy is the pick of the Christmas shows on offer in London 
fringe
Edinburgh Festival Fringe round-up / 16 August 2024
16 August 2024
EWAN CAMERON negotiates the fringe to pick out some of the best political shows
Hawkins
Dance review / 5 August 2024
5 August 2024
ALAN CAIG WILSON witnesses an intense, hour-long masterpiece of control and deep focus
hit miss
Theatre review / 29 July 2024
29 July 2024
DAVID NICHOLSON samples two plays – one funny, one unfunny – that will open at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe