Hot Young Things

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is awash with famous names and faces, but let’s face it, the best bit of the festival is finding absolute gems from new companies in hidden-away venues. You don’t want to miss out on the next Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons. And let’s not forget that Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag started off as a one-woman show at the festival in 2013, and now we’re eagerly awaiting a second series of the TV show that won Waller-Bridge a BAFTA.

Can’t Stop Can’t Stop by Sam Does Theatre 

Can’t Stop Can’t Stop is a challenging piece from Sam Does Theatre. Created and performed by Sheffield University student Sam Ross, it's a frank exploration of what it is like to live with OCD. A world away from a person furiously washing their hands, Ross explains how he copes with his anxieties without the help of the NHS. The show can be distressing at times but it sheds a light on how desperately our mental health services need more funding. You'll be talking about it all festival. 

C venues – C royale, various dates between 1 Aug and 27 Aug, 4:35pm

Lights Over Tesco Car Park by Poltergeist Theatre 

Poltergeist Theatre have only just finished university and already they’ve won the Samuel French Award for Best New Play and Outstanding Achievement in Devised and Ensemble Theatre at the National Student Drama Festival. Lights Over is a clever docu-comedy about a man named Robert who sees unexplained lights over a car park, and believes an alien is coming to stay in his spare room. Abduction stories, flying saucers and the best montage you’ll see at the Fringe – it’s an utter joy.

Pleasance Dome, 1–27 Aug, not 15, 22, 10:50am

The Half Moon Shania by Burnt Lemon Theatre 

“Ballsy theatre (without the balls)” is how female-led Burnt Lemon Theatre describe their work. Like Poltergeist Theatre, they are a New Diorama Graduate Emerging Company and this punk riot protest looks at the unwanted attention women get on a night out. In the midst of #MeToo, focusing on the everyday harassment that women are subjected to is very timely. And with Shania Twain’s feminist anthem, 'Man! I Feel Like a Woman' used as inspiration for the show, you know you’re onto a winner.

Zoo Southside, 3–27 Aug, not 15, 12:40pm

[insert slogan here] by YESYESNONO 

YESYESNONO won the Total Theatre Award last year for their production of Five Encounters on a Site Called Craiglist. They’re back this August with [insert slogan here], a show that premiered at HOME in Manchester in January to rave reviews. Inspired by the 'Human Made' Volvo adverts, YESYESNONO have created their own adverts using music and video artistry. After the buzz around Five Encounters, [insert slogan here] is definitely one to put in your festival schedule.

ZOO Charteris, 3–19 Aug, 6:10pm