Edinburgh Fringe line-up revealed: find out who's coming in 2012

Fringe fabulous: Tickets for the 2012 Edinburgh Festival Fringe are on sale now

Launching it's 2012 programme today, Festival Fringe organisers confirmed that they will be packing a whopping 2695 shows into the nooks and crannies of Edinburgh's stages, gardens, pubs and streets this August.

Promising late summer celebrations that will make this year "the most exciting and exhilarating Fringe yet" Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, Kath Mainland, was keen to enforce the Fringe's world-wide reputation.

She said: "The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is still the first choice for performers, producers, artists and creators to come and tell their story; we are proud that the Fringe is still the place to bring your work, with opportunities to amaze, enthral and excite audiences from both far away and close to home.

"We have a programme that will capture the attention of people all over the world and demonstrate why over the last sixty six years the Fringe has grown into the greatest show on earth."

For the first time on record, the Fringe will also be selling tickets in Glasgow - a first in its 65-year history.

They have set up a box office at the city’s Queen Street Station in a bid to tempt more people to what could well be yet another record-breaking year for the event.

Star power this time round comes from the 'most watched TV star in the world' David Hasselhoff and the revered Ray Winstone who will be walking the streets to promote his play The Two World's of Charlie F.

A dark comedy of a soldiers view of service in Afghanistan, this play is a deeply moving must-see about an authentic and uplifting tale of survival.

For theatre lovers, highlights include Karen's Way based on the story of Karen Gershon, who went from refugee daughter and sister to orphaned and admired poet.

Our firm traditional favourite MacBeth has also been given a more contemporary feel with adaptationsMacBeth in Scots and rock opera 'Beth.

For music fans A Little Night Music are ready and willing to bless your ears with melody and for those of us who love anything produced about stars long passed there are live acts on Steve Jobs, Churchill and even Hitler.

In support of local talent, this year’s Made in Scotland showcase has a dozen Scottish companies producing theatre, dance and children’s shows including theatre at the Traverse and outdoor dance at St Andrew Square.

For those of a smaller and younger age with a much shorter attention span, there's Baby Loves Disco which introduces any little people under the age of seven to Edinburgh's funkiest nightclub, proving you're never too young to get your groove on.

The extremely popular Horrible Histories is also back and aiming to please with tales of Barmy Britain. Have you ever wondered why the Romans never won MasterChef? What if a Viking moved in next door? These guys are here to tell you the answers with their mission to tell you our history "with the nasty bits left in".

In the world of boogie, there’s the ever-popular Castle Rocks Breakdance Championships and the energy infused Flash Mob, with the local performers Dance Base programme including Paola Bianchi, Liz Roche Company and Alessandro Sciarroni also there to entertain.

Comedy of course is also the main bulk of the day with the Fringe.

Attending a comedy show is a bit like visiting your dentist. You walk in, take your seat, the spotlight comes on and within the first five minutes you know whether you're going to be in for a comfortable stay or an awkwardly excruciating experience that you can't get out of.

But this years packed line-up means that statistically you're bound to find at least ten that you like.

There’s a veritable galaxy's worth of comedy stars shining this year including Perrier/Edinburgh Comedy Award winners such as Brendon Burns, Edinburgh favourite Dylan Moran, Al Murray and Russell Kane.

Favourites Stewart Lee and the loveable tousle haired Alan Davies are also back with stalwarts Rhod Gilbert,Jason Byrne, Jimmy Carr, Phil Jupitus and Stephen K Amos also there to keep you in safe hands.

  • The 2012 Edinburgh Festival Fringe runs from August, 3 - 27, with tickets on sale now online or at the Fringe box office.

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