And the best of the rest of the fest — in just 24 hours!

IF YOU have only one day at the Fringe, it’s still possible to pack a lot in — even without forward planning. Here’s how I winged it this week . . .

First up, a morning children’s show. There are some crackers this year, among them Covid For Kids ( Pleasance Courtyard, ★★★★✩ ), which has lots of audience participation. You can pretend to be a bogey or a nasal hair as Professor Tom Solomon (pictured below) explains all about the virus.

Then to the Traverse, for its terrific immersive Eavesdropping (or Walk This Play, ★★★★✩ ). Download an app, don headphones (use your own or reserve some) and allow yourself to be guided down Edinburgh’s ginnels and wynds, as tales about the city’s characters unfold in your ears.

At the Gilded Balloon, I saw storyteller extraordinaire Henry Naylor in his one-man show, Afghanistan Is Not Funny ( ★★★★✩ ), about his research in the war-torn country — and the lessons we’ve failed to learn.

Then a stroll along the Royal Mile for the most colourful free show at the Fringe, as artists ply passers- by with flyers; and jugglers, magicians, actors, and singers perform sections of their shows to entice you to head to the nearby Fringe box office.

Off to the Monkey Barrel, to see Lou Sanders (from Mel Giedroyc’s Unforgivable on Dave), whose latest comedy show One Word: Wow ( ★★★II) is about her rollerskating adventures.

Then over the road to The Caves (once whisky storage vaults), where I took pot luck on what was on offer. It had to be Biscuit Barrel: Wafering Heights, an absurdist group (five stars for the title alone) whose proud boast is that they can perform 69 sketches in one hour.

Next stop was Summerhall, located at the delightfully named Royal ( Dick) — a former veterinary school, founded by Mr William Dick — that is a powerhouse for new writing. Its unmissable show this year is Kathy And Stella Solve A Murder! ( ★★★★I), a hoot of a musical whodunnit about best friends from Hull who talk about grisly murders on their podcast.

Finally, improv by Snort (Pleasance Courtyard, ★★★II). A changing line-up of New Zealand talent made for a nicely daft way to end the day.