Top 5 Musicals to See at Edinburgh Fringe 2025

The first in a new guide series from London Theatre Doc

With thousands of shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the choice can be overwhelming. So this is the first in a new series of guides to help you navigate it all. If you're a fan of musicals, these five productions stood out for all the right reasons. Bold concepts, brilliant teams, and the kind of theatrical energy the Fringe was made for.

These picks also feature in my new Instagram Reel series. You can find it on @londontheatredoc, where I’ll be highlighting standout work across different genres in the run up to August.

Footballers’ Wives: The Musical

Assembly Rooms at 6.35pm

Scandal, stilettos and show tunes. Tanya Turner returns in this high camp musical adaptation of the iconic ITV series. It is outrageous, over the top, and exactly as fun as it sounds.

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Lady Macbeth Played Wing Defence

Assembly George Square at 4.15pm

Shakespeare hits the netball court in this fierce, fast paced Aussie hit. Smart, sharp and unapologetically ambitious, it is Macbeth as you have never seen her before.

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Midnight at the Palace

Gilded Balloon Big Yin at 9.30pm

A glitter fuelled drag musical inspired by The Cockettes, blending queer counterculture, psychedelic theatre and fabulous chaos. Expect high camp, high heels and a lot of heart.

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All Fired Up: An 80s Mixtape Musical

Assembly George Square at 5.55pm

Mother and daughter bonding, time travel and power ballads. Featuring a live band and a heap of neon nostalgia, this musical is pure Fringe joy.

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Jackie!!!

Gilded Balloon Big Yin at 6.30pm

A darkly satirical reimagining of Jacqueline Kennedy’s legacy. With pillbox hats and pointed lyrics, Jackie!!! is a political musical that is as stylish as it is subversive.

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More guides will follow soon, including solo shows, hidden gems and plays I cannot stop thinking about.Follow on Instagram at @londontheatredoc for updates and previews, or check back here in the Fringe section.