Fringe essentials

Eshaan Akbar: Prophet Like It’s Hot Gilded Balloon Balcony, August 1-26, 2.45pm

Ten amazing live shows you daren’t miss.

BRACE yourselves, people of Edinburgh.

In just 10 days’ time, the capital will once again be taken over by comedians, circus acts, dancers, actors, musicians and the gloriously bizarre as the 71st Fringe festival begins.

More than 300 venues, from some of Edinburgh’s most historic buildings to a unique site made entirely from 55 recycled pianos, will be taken over for 3,548 shows by performers from 55 countries.

Big names appearing include Esther Rantzen, Maureen Lipman, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Su Pollard, Rory Bremner and Britain’s Got Talent winner Lee Ridley.

Key themes are the centenary of the end of the First World War, the NHS at 70 and the #Metoo campaign, while some of the more off-beat shows include Timpson: The Musical, a theatrical look at the high street cobblers.

As always, comedy is at the forefront of the Fringe and one show in particular is set to make headlines. Eshaan Akbar, who has already received four death threats in his short stand-up career, is considering employing security at his show, during which he will stand on stage with a copy of the Koran.

“Prophet Like It Hot explores society’s relationship with faith,” explained Eshaan, who previously worked in banking, government and speechwriting before becoming a full-time comic two years ago. “People feel too scared to criticise anything to do with Islam, but I don’t believe anything is off limits in comedy.”

Eshaan has discovered not everyone shares his point of view.

“Since I started comedy I’ve received four death threats.

“In one of those situations, after seeing me at a gig the individual then turned up to another one of my shows with a knife. We had to call the police. “I know I’m not saying anything offensive – I’m simply taking things from the Koran and pushing our sensibilities about them.” Londoner Eshaan will argue in his show that there remains a place for faith in modern society and also asks people to look at the Islamic faith in a different light. “I was a devout Muslim and now I’m not, so I can give a unique perspective of both sides.”