EDINBURGH 2022: Pick of the Programme- Cabaret

With over 3000 shows now onsale for the 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, trying to narrow down what to see can be a bit of a task. BWW reviewer Natalie O'Donoghue has selected her top ten picks across the festival programme to highlight the shows you really don't want to miss this year!

Aidan Salder: Tropicana

Join queer cabaret icon Aidan Sadler as they take you on the award-winning journey to Tropicana! Nothing is safe from ridicule so be led on an exploration of body image, heteronormativity and sometimes wearing a dress round the house on a muggy day. Here, you'll experience belting 80's synth-pop nostalgia punctuated with world class stand-up comedy. Featuring electrifying 80's hits from Spandau Ballet to ABC, Tropicana returns to Fringe from its sell-out, extended run in 2021 to explore, bend and abuse the gender binary.

Bette Midler and Me

Sue Kelvin stars in a tribute show to Bette Midler, covering her life and songs from the perspective of a lifelong fan. Including: Boogie Woogie Bugle boy, The Rose, From a Distance, I'm a Woman, Chapel of Love, Wind Beneath My Wings and The Glory of Love. Plus highlights from Midler comedy routines and an explanation of just how Bette inspired Sue to become a West End diva herself starring in Oliver, Les Miserables, Fiddler on the Roof and Wicked. Also, a puppet version of Beaches! A show that's heartfelt and hilarious in equal measure.

Debra Stephenson: The Many Voices of Debra Stephenson

Take a trip with Debra (Dead Ringers, Spitting Image, The Imitation Game, Bad Girls) as she hurtles through time in a multiverse of musical icons from Billy Holliday to Billie Eilish, Shirley Bassey to Kate Bush, with live musical accompaniment from James Stead. And, with Debra's trademark comedic impressions of well-known politicians and celebrities, there's plenty of fun and laughter along the way.

An Evening Without Kate Bush

Howl with the hounds and dance on the moors! Kate's not there, but you are. Following its sold-out 2019 Fringe premiere, touring and a Soho Theatre season, this smash-hit, award-winning show returns! Sarah-Louise Young and Russell Lucas pay glorious homage to the music, fans and mythology of one of the most influential voices in music.

Shirley Gnome: Decoxification

Based out of Vancouver, Canada, Shirley Gnome is an unapologetically femme, empowering, uplifting, smart, honest, unhinged and hilarious cabaret performer and songwriter. Her award-winning style blends original country/pop/rock/folk songs with darkly reinvented cover songs, tackling topics as heavy as the #MeToo movement and as light as granny panties. With world-class vocals and catchy melodies, her music is a joyful rebellion of smarts, silliness, sass, sweetness and swears.

The Idiot Circus

An evening of original songs and existential banter from a dark cabaret band with funny hats. Songs full of horrid murders, guillotines, dark magicians, lonely princesses and drunken regrets are offered up by this theatrical four piece.

Looking For Me Friend: The Music of Victoria Wood

Funny and touching tribute to this much-loved national treasure. Written and performed by BBC One's All Together Now star, Paulus, ('King of Cabaret' (The Stage)) this brand-new show sees him in a fresh light as a lifelong fan and devotee of the Queen of Comedy. Celebrate her unforgettable songs and characters, and the power of friendships forged through laughter. From Mrs. Overall to Barry and Freda, everyone's there. The only thing missing is you.

Dom Chambers: Fake Wizard

An award-winning comedy and magic-adventure, starring Dom Chambers (The Illusionists on Broadway, America's Got Talent and Penn & Teller: Fool Us). This is not your average magic show. Ditching the top hat and bunny for Tinder and beer, Fake Wizard takes magic to a ridiculous new territory. Anyone and anything may become a part of the journey as Dom explores life and love through magic in this comedy journey filled with genuinely baffling illusions.

Sugarcoated Sisters: Bittersweet

The hopelessly flawed Sugarcoated Sisters unleash their multi-million-hit TikTok personas onto the stage for the first time. Armed with original songs, guitar and double bass, no musical style is off-limits as ammunition for their scathing revenge on everyone who's ever wronged them.

Queenz- The Show With Balls!

The trailblazing drag extravaganza taking the UK by storm. Featuring mind blowing live vocals, and not a lip-sync in sight! Join these death-dropping divas as they slay the biggest hits of all time and serve up the sequin-clad pop party we've all been waiting for! Singalong to reimagined classics from The Spice Girls, Gaga, Shakira, Britney, Whitney, and everything in between.

The full programme for the 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe is available at www.edfringe.com

Check out our other picks of the programme for comedy ; theatre ; cabaret ; musicals ; free fringe ; circus ; debut shows and children's shows.

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