The shows to watch at the Edinburgh Fringe this year

Ghetto blasters, school sports, lanky rappers and other shows catching our attention at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year

John Lennon: In His Own Write

John Lennon’s book will be performed by three actors for the first time since he read extracts from it on TV more than 50 years ago. Yoko Ono, who manages his estate, gave permission for the adaptation. 8-30 Aug; Voodoo Rooms

Liam Williams

Previous Brit Lister, ShortList spotted the seriously talented Liam Williams a mile off. After being nominated for the Fringe comedy award, he’s back with a new show, ‘Bonfire Night’, promising more existential despair. 20-30 Aug; Laughing Horse At The Free Sisters

Key Change

Using chairs, a ghetto blaster and four rolls of masking tape, this hard-hitting play tells the story of women in prison. It was devised by women from Her Majesty’s Young Offender Institution. 8-30 Aug; Northern Stage At Summerhall

Tats Nkonzo

It’s worth paying attention to global comedians at the Fringe: a couple of years ago Trevor Noah made his debut (and we know how that turned out). South African Tats Nkonzo is one such comedian and will challenge everything you thought you knew about the African continent in his ‘The African With Wi-Fi’. Unlimited Wi-Fi is guaranteed. 5-16, 18-31 Aug; Pleasance Courtyard

Chris Turner

Lanky rapper and comedian, Chris Turner celebrates reaching his quarter of a century with witty wordplay and freestyle rapping in ‘XXV’. He’s sold out shows in the UK and Netherlands and is nominated for the Best Comedy Show at Fringe World 2015. 5-31 Aug; Pleasance Courtyard

Daphne Do Edinburgh

A new sketch group featuring Jason Forbes, Phil Wang and George Fouracres. They’ve appeared on Channel 4; BBC One, Two and Three; BBC Radio 4, and recently won Best New Act Award at London SketchFest. 5-16 & 18-31 Aug; Pleasance Courtyard

Adam Riches is Coach Coach

Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Adam Riches has a cast of 11 in his latest Fringe show, which tells the story of the ultimate high school sports coach. Promising “the greatest frickin’ sports movie you ever done saw” – you’re in for comedy, drama and a couple of torn hamstrings. 5-30 Aug; Pleasance Dome

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival runs 7-31 Aug; tickets.edfringe.com

(Images: Petrus Smith/Idil Sukan)