Mervyn Stutter's pick of the fringe 2026!
Back for our 33rd year with a brand new show every day featuring seven different performances in 90 minutes. Answering the question “Seen anything good?” since 1992!
What is Mervyn Stutter's Pick of the Fringe show?
The Edinburgh Fringe can be a daunting place. So many shows available but how do you know which ones are good and which ones are bad?
Every day Mervyn and his team of Arts professionals carefully research the Fringe and each day seven different Fringe Brochure listed shows are invited to perform a five minute ‘taster’ of their show.
After their ‘taster’ has been performed, they are interviewed by Mervyn to add some interesting background information about the performance, the performers, and the company. With the insights gleaned from seeing these ‘tasters’ and hearing the interviews, you can confidently pick the ones you liked and go to see their entire show.
Merv’s daily showcase is unique as it covers all genres of performance: Theatre, Comedy, Cabaret, Music, Clowning, Mime, Acrobats, Spoken Word, Dance, even the indefinable. All-in-all it is a packed ninety minute lunchtime extravaganza. It’s like the Royal Variety Show of the Fringe.
Every day is a different show!
Past Reviews
When is it on?
The ‘Pick of the Fringe’ show is on at 1:30pm every day except two.
We start bang on 1.30pm so please be ready to take your seat at 1.20pm. Thank you.
8th - 29th August 2026
1:30pm - 3:00pm
NO SHOW DAYS - 20th & 27th August
Where is the venue?
We are in Pleasance One at the Pleasance Courtyard, Venue 33.
Address: 60 Pleasance, Edinburgh EH8 9TJ
Nearest Stations: Edinburgh Waverly Station
Public Transport: Bus routes 8, 3/3A, 5, 7, 14, 29, 30, 31, 33, 37/37A, 49
By Car: Parking is limited in Edinburgh and we encourage using public transport wherever possible.
Edinburgh City Council operate a number of car parks in the city centre. The most convenient for the Pleasance Courtyard is the NCP Holyrood Road (EH8 9UL) which includes four accessible bays.
Taxis can drop off opposite the Pleasance Courtyard’s main entrance archway on East Adam Street.
Access Information: Edinburgh venue information for the Pleasance Theatres can be found here.
How much are tickets?
All shows: £17.50
Over the 32 years of doing this show we have kept the prices as competitive as we can.
We think we’ve done it again this year with our top price of just over £10 per hour*!
* Remember, it is a 90 minute show, not one hour!
Want more information?
See our Frequently Asked Questions page for even more information about the show.
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Mervyn Stutter’s Pick of the Edinburgh Fringe
'It's like the Royal Variety Show on the Fringe.'
Just arrived? Then this legendary showcase is just for you. See carefully researched live extracts from seven hand-picked shows in a packed 90 minute lunchtime extravaganza!
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