Summerhall Arts Announces Exciting 2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe Programme
Summerhall Arts has launched its highly anticipated 2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme, marking its 14th year hosting the renowned festival. This year’s festival will take place from 1 to 25 August 2025 at the Summerhall venue in Edinburgh. After a challenging year for the venue, with operational changes and the transition from Summerhall Management to Summerhall Arts, this programme promises to be a dynamic return, featuring over 50% international works from a range of countries, including Singapore, Brazil, New Zealand, and the USA.
Inclusivity and Diversity at the Core
This year’s programme also celebrates diversity, with 50% of the shows led by women, 20% created by artists of colour, and 25% including LGBTQ+ narratives. Summerhall Arts continues its commitment to showcasing inclusive and diverse voices, ensuring that the Fringe experience resonates with a wide variety of audiences.
Artwork for Skye at Summerhall - supplied by the venue.
New Co-Productions and Notable Artists
A major highlight of the 2025 programme is Skye: A Thriller, the first co-production for Summerhall Arts. Written by Ellie Keel and directed by Matthew Iliffe, this gripping play takes place on the Isle of Skye and follows siblings confronting the reappearance of their deceased father.
Notable international acts include Pussy Riot, In Bed With My Brother, Jonny Woo, and David Jonsson (BAFTA Rising Star winner). Jonsson will make his playwriting debut with Paldem, described as an “anti-romantic comedy.”
Immersive and Site-Specific Performances
Summerhall will host a wide array of immersive and site-specific performances, offering audiences truly unique theatrical experiences. Highlights include:
DARKFIELD, an immersive audio experience presented in a shipping container and the Old Lab.
A Teen Odyssey, blending smartphone technology with physical theatre for an interactive experience.
K Mak, showcasing audiovisual performances in a planetarium-style setup.
Other performances will take place in unconventional spaces throughout the venue, enhancing the immersive nature of the Fringe.
Artist Development and Awards
Summerhall Arts continues its support for emerging artists with several development initiatives and prestigious awards. The Autopsy Award will go to Ruxy Cantir for Pickled Republic, while Delirium for Miles, a jazz-inspired performance, receives the Meadows Award, supporting artists of colour.
The Melbourne Touring Award is given to Hayley Edwards for Shitbag, and the Guimarães Rosa Institute Award goes to Gaël Le Cornec for Amazons. Additionally, Emma Howlett of TheatreGoose returns as the recipient of a Summerhall residency, where she will present her new play Aethēr.
Highlighted Productions
Other standout works in the 2025 programme include:
Centre of the Universe by Gaia Mondadori
300 Paintings by Sam Kissajukian
BabyFleaReindeerBag by Hannah Maxwell
Julia. After 1984, a feminist reimagining of George Orwell’s 1984
Ordinary Decent Criminal by Ed Edwards and Mark Thomas
Music, Comedy, and Movement-Based Performances
The 2025 programme also boasts a range of music and comedy performances, such as Chopin’s Nocturne by Aidan Jones, Delusions and Grandeur by Karen Hall, and Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me but Banjos Saved My Life by Keith Alessi. Alessi will donate all proceeds from his show to cancer and theatre charities, continuing his charitable work since 2018.
In addition, Scottish stories will be represented through productions like Waxen Figures by Cryptic, Colours Run by 4PLAY, and Balfour Reparations by choreographer Farah Saleh.
Other movement-based performances include Because You Never Asked by Lea Tirabasso and Wild Thing! by Tom Bailey.
Tom Forster’s Statement
Tom Forster, Summerhall Arts’ Fringe Producer and Programmer, expressed his excitement for the programme, saying:
“This year’s programme continues to emphasise a range of voices and artistic forms. We’re focusing on thoughtful curation and providing space for artists to present immersive, engaging work.”
Get Ready for an Unforgettable Fringe
With over 50 shows, immersive experiences, and a diverse array of voices, the Summerhall Arts 2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme is set to be a major highlight of the festival season. Make sure to check out the performances running from 1 to 25 August at Summerhall in Edinburgh.
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