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Winner–United Solo Theatre Festival, New York, Best International Show 2024
Music and songs are the key elements that trigger Julian‘s memories, and set him off on a journey back to his childhood in South America where he discovers his passion for music and his gift for imitating voices. From there, he faces struggles in New York and Europe as he pursues his dream of becoming an artist.
Julián Fontalvo returns to the Edinburgh Fringe for the third time with his acclaimed show The Imitator, this time at a new venue: Assembly Checkpoint.
He previously performed in New York at the United Solo Festival, the world’s largest solo theatre festival, where he was awarded Best International Show.
Additionally, Julián has presented the show over seven seasons in Madrid and at the prestigious Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, as well as during two previous editions of the Fringe.
An international showman, he has appeared in over 60 cities across 23 countries, performing for celebrities such as Michael Douglas and Anne Hathaway.
He has been cast in Spanish productions of We Will Rock You, Monty Python’s Spamalot, and Avenue Q.
He is also highly sought after for exclusive corporate and private events; he even had the honor of being the sole performer at tennis champion Rafa Nadal’s wedding, at the personal request of the sportsman
#DareToDiscover your next favourite show – Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Today marks the official start of the 2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which will run until Monday 25 August.
Edinburgh Fringe Programme Launch 2025
This August will feature 54,474 performances from 3,853 shows* (3,352 within the printed programme). Since programme launch on 03 June, 501 more shows have registered and are now searchable on edfringe.com and in the official Fringe app. Artists from 63 countries will be represented on the Fringe’s stages, with 1,118 shows from Scotland and 829 from Edinburgh itself.
The Fringe vision is to give anyone a stage and everyone a seat, and that includes keeping the Fringe affordable. This year’s average ticket price is just over £13, ensuring Fringe audiences can experience a variety of work at an accessible cost.
The Fringe Street Events programme began this morning and will run from 11:00 every day until 24 August, with world-class performers taking to the Royal Mile and Mound all day, offering something for everyone. This year the Fringe also welcomes the return of ‘Innis & Gunn on the Mound’, with the famed Scottish brewery hosting a vibrant food and drink village amidst the street events action on the Mound.
The Fringe Society supports artists by facilitating a range of services: so far this year the Media Office has accredited over 900 reviewers, editors, journalists and broadcasters from 30 countries, who will be instrumental in boosting artists’ profile. In addition, to date, some 1,400 arts industry professionals from 58 countries have accredited, and will be on the lookout for shows at the Fringe to offer onward touring or TV and film adaptation opportunities. Fringe Central is also fully open to support all artists performing at the Fringe this summer, with a programme of events tailored to help performers at any stage of their career, and free mental health support for artists returns in partnership with Health in Mind.
Tony Lankester, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: ‘This is my first Fringe as the Fringe Society’s Chief Executive, so this is an incredibly exciting moment – I’ve attended the Edinburgh Fringe before, but never in such a front-row seat!
It’s taken a lot of people a lot of work to get us to this moment, so I’d like to thank everyone who has a hand in making it happen. That includes the venues around the city; the local businesses, stakeholders and officials; the wonderfully warm and welcoming people of Edinburgh; the members of the media and the arts industry who make this festival such an important part of the calendar for participating artists; and of course the indefatigable and undefeatable artists themselves, without whom there wouldn’t be a Fringe at all. We’re so grateful that you’ve chosen to be here this year, and I encourage any and all prospective audience members to go out, enjoy the festival and dare to discover the amazing work on offer.’
New shows added since programme launch (03 June)
Below is a small representative sample of shows that have registered since programme launch on 03 June. The full list of shows at this year’s festival can be found at edfringe.com.
At Saint Stephen’s Theatre, director Peter Schaufuss presents Romeo & Juliet, ‘celebrating the anniversary of Sir Frederick Ashton’s Olivier Award-nominated choreographic masterpiece in a unique Shakespearian candlelight performance setting’. Jéssica Teixeira presents Monga at Assembly, crafting ‘a mosaic out of philosophical reflection, infectious songs, radical performance art and humour’. At Traverse, Lucky Tonight! is ‘an interactive pub quiz-cum-theatre show’ in which ‘quizmaster extraordinaire (and former contestant of The Chase) Afreena will put you through your paces to help tell her story’. ‘Through movement, hand-knitted costume and visual metaphor, Weaving Me, Weaving Mum (C Arts) tells an intimate story of female growth, trauma and reconciliation, drawn from the director’s personal experience across generations’. Ants and Other Strong Things (theSpaceUK) is ‘a gripping queer sci-fi romance thriller set thirty years in the future, in a high-surveillance state waging war against the LGBTQIA+ community’. And at WU, GENDAI is ‘a Japanese laser show combining custom-made paper costumes, expressive body performance and original music featuring traditional Japanese instruments’.
Sanctum of Shadows at Leith Arches is ‘an immersive physical theatre performance that invites the audience into the final hour before a girl’s death’. In The End is Near at St James Church Leith, ‘three women from three different centuries find each other at their worst hour. Janet is accused of witchcraft in 1661 Edinburgh, Caroline is an arrested suffragette in 1911 London and Lauren is fighting for her reproductive freedom in 2028, in America.’ Beggared at The Bowlers Rest ‘tells the story of a privileged white South African whose life collapses into homelessness… [and] finds refuge in a township where the spirit of Ubuntu – a philosophy of shared humanity – challenges his racist indoctrination’. And Riot Reveals Cabaret promises ‘burlesque, comedy, magic, drag and live music all under one roof at the iconic Leith Depot’.
At Deaf Action, ‘Deaffy Drag Queenies Mary and Danielle bring outrageous fun, cheeky charm and deaf queer pride to the stage using BSL and Gay Sign Variant (GSV)’ in Deaffy Drag Queeny: Glitter, Gags and GSV. Harmony’s Heavenly Show – The Fun and Fabulous Drag Variety Show at Just the Tonic ‘blends singalongs, original songs, musical theatre, opera and heartfelt storytelling – with the “true” story of two drag queens as they belt, banter and bare their soul in a glitter-drenched journey for your entertainment’.
The entire Edinburgh International Film Festival programme is now live on edfringe.com and in the EdFringe app – among the screenings is EIFF: Deaf / Bumblebee(Filmhouse), a double-bill exploring themes of parenthood and disability.
‘Linus Karp and Joseph Martin, the duo behind The Fit Prince, Gwyneth Goes Skiing and Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story are getting gay married’ onstage in Awkward Prods Get Married (But For Real) at Pleasance. Abby Govindan explains How to Embarrass Your Immigrant Parents at Monkey Barrel Comedy, offering ‘an hour of hilarious storytelling that explores a pertinent universal theme: wanting to understand your parents but struggling to see eye-to-eye’. In Bed With… Harriet Kemsley (Hotel Indigo, York Place) ‘is a bold, close-up and relaxed comedy experience from one of Britain’s rising comedic stars’. Nicola and Rosie Dempsey (better known as Flo & Joan) bring The Birds, The Birds! (WIP) to Shedinburgh, in which ‘the Old Woman Who Lives in a Shoe finally sits down to write a rebuttal to the person who penned the poem that made her famous’. And ‘Shuang Teng and Rabiah Coon team up for a hilarious split bill show that dives into the awkward, surprising and sometimes absurd realities of life in the UK’ in Asian American Cultural Confusion at Laughing Horse.
Joy of Spines is a spoken word performance that ‘not only reveals the broad and deep collecting practices of the National Library of Scotland, but also tells the story of who we are as a species’. Panmure House hosts two debates on AI as part of its Panmure House Debates 2025: AI and Education and AI and the Workplace. And poetitian Lucy Aphramor serves up ‘a fiery fusion of wordsmithery, trans joy, compassion and queer nutrition science’ in Taking the Biscuit Back at PBH’s Free Fringe.
Samba Sene and Diwan + Makossa (The Famous Spiegeltent) promises ‘a double bill of the best African sounds from Scotland – an evening of exuberant afrobeat, mbalax, ska, reggae dance grooves’. Funk & Order: Cop Show Hits (The Jazz Bar) is ‘performed by Edinburgh’s finest, laying down the law with unmatched precision, tight grooves and a rhythm section that’s always one step ahead of the bad guys’. And as part of the Welcome to the Fringe Palestine series, the Arab a Dub DJ Set at Portobello Town Hall is ‘a journey through the vibrant pulse of Palestinian culture, bringing together traditional dance with cutting-edge underground sounds’.
*edfringe.com listings include shows which may be performing across multiple spaces and also shows which have been cancelled but may appear within the printed Fringe programme.
Mohit Mathur’s Debut Show “Dial 1 for UK” Makes It To Edinburgh Fringe 2025
Mohit Mathur, the London-based Indian actor and theatre maker will be premiering his debut show Dial 1 for UK, running at the Edinburgh Fringe from 1st to 9th August.
The piece follows an undocumented migrant worker in India who becomes obsessed with coming to the UK after working in a call centre handling British customer service processes. It’s part autobiographical, part fiction, a story about migration and belonging.
The show was developed through Vital Xposure’s 2024 writing programme for Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent artists, and supported by the Keep It Fringe grant from the Fringe Society. It was directed by Phil Willmott.
Here are the key details: Dates: 1st–9th August Time: 11:30am Venue:Greenside @ Riddles Court (Pickle Studio) Running time: 50 minutes Tickets:https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/dial-1-for-uk Capacity: 22 seats (a small and intimate space)
With Two Days Of Runway, Creativity, And Conversations; Epic Show 2025 Champions Funding, Sustainability, and Creative Power at the Heart of African Fashion
Host
Fashions Finest Africa has officially concluded Epic Show 2025, a two-day creative experience that delivered on its promise to spotlight Africa’s boldest new voices in fashion while tackling real industry challenges. Held on July 5th and 6th at The Podium, Lekki, the event attracted a vibrant cross-section of designers, industry voices, culture leaders, and fashion enthusiasts all united by a shared commitment to shaping the future of African fashion.
Attendees
Epic Show 2025 opened with inspiring panel conversations on funding, fashion business literacy, and sustainability bringing together thought leaders and fashion veterans to explore the systems needed to support African fashion beyond aesthetics.
The sessions featured voices from across sectors; Jide Sipe, Mai Atafo, The style infidel, Ejiro Amos Tafiri, Dr. Yetty Ogunnubi, Abubakar Sanusi, Isaac John, Mabel Adeteye, Chidubem Ejezie and Dayo Nupo, each offering insight into the structural changes required for Africa’s fashion economy to thrive. From navigating the venture capital landscape to addressing the climate impact of production, the discussions made it clear: creativity needs structure, and talent must meet opportunity.
The runway shows that followed reflected the same intentionality. 31 emerging designers took to the stage, presenting collections that merged local identity with global appeal. Each designer brought a fresh perspective from daring silhouettes to textile innovation showing the depth of talent rising across the continent.
We had Nubik Attire, Nenysty Atelier, Tsmallz Apparel, The Vantage Gent, The Fleks Apparel, House of Gold, Millennial Apparel by Ruby, Jayred Fashion World, Lamide Official, Ria Kosher, Asotiay, The U & J Brand, Gozifego, Trendecais x Yunik, 31 Woman Elegante, De Sewar, Onye Duo Duo, Tai.lore Clothing, Roju Ascent, Sarai Imani Atelier, Gloria & Co, RR Dot Design, Kijipa Couture, Tresha Trendy, Craftman Bespoke, Mak Africa, AO Afriq, R, Herant, Diuz! Authentic and Stella London.
Day 2 introduced one of the event’s standout moments: the Design for the Future (D4DF) competition, an initiative launched to spotlight visionary fashion talents at the start of their journey. After a compelling runway showcase, the winning designer was awarded a ₦1 million grant and a closing slot at the grand finale showcase, a moment that earned a standing ovation from the crowd and marked a symbolic investment in Africa’s next generation of creatives.
High-profile personalities including Queen Ronke Ademiluyi Ogunwusi, cultural ambassador and Queen of Ife, Mojibade Sosanya and media icon Frank Edoho were in attendance at the grand finale, further affirming the platform’s credibility and wide-reaching cultural impact. Also present were respected industry figures like Mai Atafo and The Style Infidel, who offered guidance to the emerging designers backstage and lent their voices to panel conversations earlier in the programme.
Reflecting on the success of the show, Sola Oyebade, Founder of Fashions Finest Africa and CEO of Mahogany International, shared:
“What we witnessed over the last two days is the future of African fashion in real time. From our panelists to the designers, to the audience that showed up with energy and purpose, Epic Show 2025 reminded us that Africa is full of brilliance; it only needs the right platforms. That’s what FFA will always stand for.”
Model
Epic Show 2025 was a reminder that creative excellence on the continent is not in short supply. What’s needed now is continued investment, strategic visibility, and stronger ecosystems and FFA continues to serve as one of the few platforms deeply committed to those outcomes. The event was produced by Mahogany International and made possible through the generous support of official partners Darling Hair, TEPS, and Mystic Beauty whose contributions helped shape the energy, experience, and success of this year’s edition.
Mai Atafo
About Fashions Finest Africa
Fashions Finest Africa (FFA) is a leading Pan-African platform dedicated to supporting new and emerging fashion creatives across the continent. Since its inception in the UK over 16 years ago,FFA has worked to amplify African talent through curated fashion showcases, talent discovery initiatives, and capacity-building conversations that support long-term growth. Its work focuses on visibility, access, and innovation within the African fashion space.
