Edinburgh who? The Camden Fringe is back this summer — with over 400 shows staged in the pint-sized theatres and pubs of north London.
Returning for its 19th year, the performing arts festival runs from 28 July-24 August 2025, bringing with it a riot of theatre, stand-up, comedy, dance and spoken word performances spread across 20+ of Camden's small venues. (Shows also spill over the border into Islington and Westminster.)
With such a glut of stuff to see, we've compiled a handful of highlights that sound particularly good fun/intriguing, but do browse the full programme.
And get booking — shows sell out!
HASTA LA VISTA, BIBBY! (WIP) An attempt by the endearing comic Dave Bibby to perform Back to the Future quickly derails into riffs on classic films including Ghostbusters, Star Wars and Labyrinth — with the audience encouraged to chip in. Aces and Eights, 30 July
THE STUPID HUG: "A tragicomedy about men, performed by women", The Stupid Hug promises a very different stance on male friendship, set in a liminal space in which three mates are joined by a fourth from their past. Barons Court Theatre, 30 July, 3 Aug
THE DEATH OF DR BLACK: Billed as "the world’s first whodunnit-howdidtheydoit!" this magic-tinged murder mystery bids you to solve the murder of Dr Black... except, was it you all along? Duh-duh-duuuuuh! The Libra Theatre Cafe 1, 2, 8, 9 Aug
I WANT YOU: World War One. World War Two. World War Three... New writer Felix Brown explores three men's and three women's experiences over the course of three wars — one of which, at time of writing, hasn't happened yet. Camden People's Theatre, 3-9 Aug
THE FORTY ELEPHANTS: Ever heard of the Forty Elephants? From the late 19th century to the 1950s, this all-female crime syndicate rooked Elephant and Castle and its surrounds with wave after wave of shoplifting and pickpocketing; their story is told in this eponymous dance show, with contemporary/jazz movement set to an original soundtrack. Theatro Technis, 4-5 Aug
MAGIC & SEX: "Leave with your head spinning and your stomach churning" runs the dubious brag for Kathryn Haywood's Magic & Sex. Still, she knows what she's doing with those playing cards; her last show, Yoga & Sex (noticing a theme here...) won an Offie. Rosemary Branch Theatre, 4-6 Aug
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY THOUSAND SQUIRRELS: Or, to use its full title, One Hundred And Thirty Thousand Squirrels In London (And I Want Them All To Love Me) is Zoë Clayton-Kelly's showcase of cabaret songs, including Existential Thoughts of a Freelancer and Floating Naked in a Magnesium Salt Bath With Your Mum. You know, relatable stuff. Canal Cafe Theatre, 4, 5, 10, 11, 14 Aug
THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO: Love the opera but short on time? Opera Kipling have your back, with a 90-minute rendition of Mozart masterpiece the Marriage of Figaro, promising soaring arias, dazzling ensembles and rapid-fire twists. Cheaper than the ROH too! The Cockpit, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17 Aug
TERRARIUM NETWORK: Plant-based fringe show? you ask. Terrarium Network is it: this barmy sounding string of comedy skits tunes into "the best channel in the ecosystem", featuring reality TV show The Monsteras, and dinner time inspo from cook Cella Ree. Etcetera Theatre, 14-15 Aug
TO MARS: Not, as far as we can tell, a show about Elon Musk (although there is one of those too). Camden Fringe is primarily for adults but anyone from the age of six will love Mini Moon Theatre's To Mars, which sees Maddy and her little brother Jack journey to Mars, meet a Martian, and ask important questions like: How much is a pinky promise really worth? Bridewell Theatre, 16-17 Aug
ESCAPE FOR DUMMIES: There's a touch of The Twilight Zone to this silent, physical comedy about two shop dummies who plan to check out from the drudgery of the nine to five. The Courtyard Theatre, 16, 17, 23, 24 Aug
LIMINAL TALES: One of a handful of spoken word shows, Liminal Tales: The Law of Three invites to you step over the threshold, and into a universe of uncanny and bizarre short stories. There's a trigger warning of "gore, violence, paranormal events, death", so all the good stuff Aces and Eights, 18-20 Aug
Want to take a peek behind the theatre curtains? The Camden Fringe Pod features interviews with artists and industry insiders.
Camden Fringe runs 28 July-24 August 2025.
