11 essential Edinburgh Festival Fringe shows for Scottish solicitors in 2025 including Kafka, Legally Blonde and 'a shabby law firm'

The world's greatest arts festival has arrived in town and there is a cornucopia of theatre, comedy, music and more for audiences on offer — here are 11 essential events for legal practitioners.

Peformers from 58 countires are involved in staging 3,352 shows across 265 venues.

This year, there are themes tackling some of the most topical issues in the world today.

From rebellious women to the paranormal; the apocalypse to nostalgia; queer joy to life with illness; rave and club culture to science and technology.

And from amongst it all, we've selected 11 shows with a legal twist, flavour or focus which are perfect for any solicitor to enjoy.

Ahead of the Fringe, Tony Lankester, chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: "Programme launch is such an exciting moment for everyone involved in making the Fringe happen. Thank you to all the Fringe-makers – the artists, venues, workers, producers, technicians, promoters, support staff and audiences that bring their unmatched, exceptional energy to Edinburgh in August."

"This year’s Fringe programme is filled with every kind of performance, so whether you’re excited for theatre or circus, or the best of comedy, music, dance, children’s shows, magic or cabaret; get ready to dare to discover this August. Jump right in, book your favourites, shows that intrigue you and take a chance on something new."

Editor's note: The final pick does indeed have a legal link - one of the protagonist's is a solicitor after all, and it is a cautionary tale - but it's mostly here because I adore the story regardless of the law.

Abigail Rolling: Shit Lawyer

Comedy | Political | Stand-Up

From the brochure: Dark. Funny. Underfunded. And that's just Abby. The criminal justice system is too. After thirty years practicing criminal defence law, Shit Lawyer returns to give unsolicited advice to the Government in its search for bold and innovative approaches to "speed up justice" and "keep streets safe". Can her outrageous and unorthodox suggestions reverse the crisis in our courts? Find out more

Adrian Minkowicz: Did You Say Humor or Tumor?

Comedy | Stand-Up | International

From the brochure: Adrian is an Argentinean comedian based in New York and Oslo. Did You Say Humor or Tumor? is a stand-up comedy show about life decisions, parenthood, facing your fears, chasing your dreams and why free public health care is more important in a national budget than invading Greenland. Adrian is a lawyer, activist and holds a master's in human rights from the University of Oslo. Find out more

The Insider

Theatre | Thriller | Contemporary

From the brochure: Fringe First Winner. Acting, visuals, and a binaural soundscape that send chills down your spine, exploring greed and large-scale financial fraud. A contemporary Wolf of Wall Street on stage. Based on a real scandal. 50 Billion GBP was robbed from treasuries around Europe. A young bank lawyer is sucked into a criminal financial network. Playwright: Anna Skov Jensen. 'Unexpectedly gripping, brilliantly inventive and technically ground-breaking... an immersive masterpiece' ***** (Liam Rudden, MustSeeTheatre.com). 'It would be a crime to avoid a play that manages to create so specific and unique a vision' **** (BritishTheatreGuide.info). ***** (Theatre-News.com). Find out more

Iain Dale: All Talk with Joanna Cherry KC

Spoken Word | Political | Event

From the brochure: Award-winning LBC radio presenter, author and podcast host Iain Dale returns for a fifth Fringe season of in-depth interviews featuring audience questions, sharing his acclaimed, incisive insight on current affairs. Today's guest is Joanna Cherry KC, the lawyer and Member of Parliament for Edinburgh South West from 2015 until 2024. 'Forensic and mischievous interviewer with a deep sense of humanity' (Emily Maitlis). 'Makes me feel happier and cleverer every time I hear him' (Jeremy Vine). 'The indefatigable Iain Dale always cuts to the nub of politics' (Adam Boulton). Find out more

In Conversation with... Paul Laverty

Spoken Word

From the brochure: Paul Laverty studied philosophy in Rome, and then law in Glasgow. After becoming a qualified lawyer, and practicing in Glasgow, he travelled to Central America and lived there for almost three years, most of that time working for a human rights organisation in Nicaragua. After his time in Central America, Laverty made contact with director Ken Loach and have been close friends and collaborators ever since. Alongside their producer Rebecca O'Brien, they have made 14 feature films together. Ten of these films have been in the official section of the Cannes film festival. Find out more

Yellow

Theatre | Comedy | Political

From the brochure: Twelfth Night meets The Thick of It in a modern-day reimagining of what might have become of Malvolio after his fall from grace. Mal, once a ministerial adviser, now defends fraudsters in a shabby law firm. Rosie, an idealistic young lawyer, offers him a way back to his old life – but in a world where the highest ideals are sustained by the grubbiest actions, what looks like redemption might be a trap. Written by a senior political insider, Yellow is a witty, thought-provoking depiction of the realities – and compromises – of office life, law and today's politics. Find out more

Legally Blonde

Musicals and Opera | Musical Theatre | Comedy

From the brochure: This internationally acclaimed, award-winning musical follows Elle Woods' inspiring journey as she challenges stereotypes, snobbery and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Equal parts hilarious and heartwarming, it's a riotous ride that’s almost too much fun to be legal! Featuring unforgettable songs like Omigod You Guys, What You Want and So Much Better, this production is bound to have people dancing in their seats. Captivate Theatre is a local, vibrant, community-driven theatre company known for producing high-quality, engaging performances. ‘With so little, Captivate creates so much spectacle’ (TheWeeReview.com). Find out more

The Trial: In Absurdia

Theatre | Comedy

From the brochure: Kafka meets Monty Python when mild-mannered accountant Jo is arrested abroad for a nonsensical crime. Their predicament escalates into a surreal nightmare of endless red tape and baffling legal theatrics. They enlist Sam, a UK barrister armed with a powdered wig and an unshakable belief in justice. As Sam fights for fairness within an arbitrarily punitive system, their logic is met with absurdity at every turn. A sharp parody of Kafka’s The Trial, The Trial: In Absurdia skewers bureaucracy, legal quirks and the limits of fairness, blending witty dialogue, surreal twists and biting satire. Find out more

The Natural

Comedy | Stand-Up

From the brochure: 

Six years ago, Andrew [Portelli] turned his back on a promising legal career. Now he is a celebrated Australian comedian who performs everywhere. Come watch an hour of his funniest material. 'Impressive belly laughs.' **** (TheAge.com.au). 'An ocean of raw talent and an innate sense for big laughs' (Pedestrian.tv). 'We were in hysterics.' (Milk Bar Mag). Portelli delivers... with a candid and endearing ease that is unlike most everything else these days. Find out more

Devin Gray: May Divorce Be With You

Comedy | Stand-Up

From the brochure: From the critically acclaimed comedian behind How to Get Away with Marriage comes a brand new hour of laughter and legal loopholes. In May Divorce Be With You, Devin Gray explores what happens when "forever" has an exit clause. With his signature mix of wit, warmth and downright silliness, Devin turns the highs and lows of his relationships into comedy gold as he navigates his way back into the real world. Find out more

Dracula

Theatre | Drama | Horror

From the brochure: When solicitor Jonathan Harker sets off for Transylvania to sell the mysterious Count Dracula a Gothic mansion, his bride-to-be, Mina, begs him to stay. Now her sister Lucy – newly-engaged to Harker's friend, Dr Seward – is becoming pale and thin. In Seward's lunatic asylum in London, a madman named Renfield babbles about his master who is coming. As a midnight storm rages, a black ship heads towards the English coast... This modern retelling of the Victorian classic explores what drives Dracula’s victims to invite him in and submit to his embrace. Suspenseful, chilling and suffused with dark eroticism. Find out more