Not The Edinburgh Fringe unveiled

A sensational line-up of music, cabaret and theatre shows destined for Edinburgh until the pandemic hit finds a new London home at Above The Stag.

The Vauxhall-based theatre and cabaret venue, Above The Stag has announced an excellent line-up of shows for their Not The Edinburgh Fringe season. That oft-repeated aphorism that the show must go on comes true as this summer season provides a stage for performers and producers whose shows were destined for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe until the onset of COVID-19.

 

The Recs' Picks of Not The Edinburgh Fringe

The Recs have selected our pick of the most intriguing shows that will be gracing Above The Stag’s glitzy Cabaret Lounge – but don’t forget to book early. With a 70-seat capacity, these shows will sell out quickly.

The Lost Musical Works of Willy Shakes

The Bard of Avon is worried. Will his works be forgotten? On the night before he is due to show them to James I, he realises there is one thing missing: musical showstoppers!

The energetic Guy Hughes and Joe Leather weave together this silly and clever musical romp through Shakespeare’s play with busting tunes, scandalous backstories and hot Tudor gossip. 

We can’t guarantee you’ll exit pursued by a bear, but since it’s Above The Stag the odds could be in your favour. 

Sooz Kempner: Wrong Songs

Sooz Kempner is a star.

Our Twitter Queen brightened many a dark day of the pandemic with her rapier wit. She debunked the sheer awfulness of Donald Trump’s increasingly unhinged Presidency by having her nightmarish Liza Minnelli creation lip-synching to the Orange One’s strangest interview or press conference moments. 

And now Sooz is bringing you an evening of original dark songs by Olivier Award-winning composer and pianist Richard Thomas called Wrong Songs. We’re hoping ‘Famous Anus’ is among the repertoire.

A very hot ticket of Not The Edinburgh Fringe.

Jarman

Derek Jarman was one of our most iconoclastic artists: a radical filmmaker, an uncompromising set designer, an engaging writer and an inspiring gardener.

Now his extraordinary life is brought to the stage in a new solo play written and performed by the wonderful Mark Farrelly. 

If you have seen Mark’s previous shows on Quentin Crisp or Frankie Howerd, you’ll want to see Jarman.

Alexa Vox: Leading Ladies of Broadway

How fitting that the glamourous Cabaret Lounge at Above the Stag should feature a one woman tribute to the leading ladies of Broadway and theatre land. Stagey much? You bet!

If big-voiced, and even bigger-gowned renditions of Sondheim to Schwartz, Minnelli to Fosse, floats your boat, book now!

Frankly Ms Alexa Vox had us at “Disney to Steinman and back”. We can’t wait to play, Alexa!

Smart Casual: A New Musical by Sam Woof

Sam Woof, an emerging composer / director, brings an intriguing new musical to Not The Edinburgh Fringe

Smart Casual is a musical comedy that follows six inseparable friends as they fall in love and fall apart.

Taking an affectionate look at Generation Z and all their foibles, Smart Casual promises an entertaining night out. 

Not The Edinburgh Fringe begins at Above The Stag from July 29. Click here to view the full line-up and buy tickets.