EDINBURGH 2016 - Natalie O'Donoghue's Fringe Round-up

After reviewing 40+ performances at this year's Edinburgh Festival, I thought I had covered a fair amount of ground. However, that works out at just 1.1% of the vast Fringe programme. With so many to choose from, it's inevitable that you'll see some shows you don't really enjoy, but thankfully I saw a lot of excellent productions this year. Here are my top picks from Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2016.

Best musical Eurobeat cranks the cheese factor right up and makes for a brilliant new musical. With a talented cast featuring Rula Lenska and Lee Latchford Evans and songs that won't leave your head no matter how hard you try, I really hope this finds life outside the Fringe.

Best comedy Rachel Parris: Best Laid Plans was by far the funniest thing I saw this year. It has been very cleverly written and manages to be touching and relatable while bringing the big laughs.

Best theatre Every Brilliant Thing has been receiving five-star reviews for the past two years it's run at the festival, and it isn't hard to see why. Both heart-wrenching and hilarious, this is a wonderful, brilliantly produced story.

Best for kids The Suitcase Kid has been adapted from the much loved Jacqueline Wilson novel of the same name. Bright and playful but with an important message, this was definitely the best children's show I saw at the festival.

Best magic Snap is an illusion-based variety show so clever I am convinced that this is actual real magic.

Best cabaret Adele Is Younger Than Us caught my attention with a title that made me laugh and I'm so glad it did! A fun, well-constructed and totally original cabaret show.

There are still two days to go until the official finish to the festival, but I must admit that I'm already wondering what I'll see at Edinburgh Fringe 2017...