Assembly Festival Announces More Shows On Sale

Assembly Festival (1-27 August) is delighted to announce more of its 2018 programme going on sale from 10am today (Thursday 22 March).

Some of the best theatre, comedy and music will be coming to Edinburgh this August including New Perspectives' stage adaptation of The Fishermen presented in association with HOME. This powerful piece of storytelling theatre is based on the Man Booker Prize shortlisted debut novel by one of Africa's major new voices, Nigerian author Chigozie Obioma. The play premieres in Manchester in July and is an allegory of brotherhood, vengeance and fate, written and adapted by Fringe First-winning playwright Gbolahan Obisesan and directed by Jack McNamara.

Lion and Unicorn Theatre's Sophie, Ben and Other Problems also goes on sale today, written by Irish actor, writer and director Conor Burke and produced in collaboration with Soho Theatre, London. This comedy tale follows a young couple and their millennial relationship involving low-key alcoholism, deep rooted regret and unfortunate sexual mishaps.

Briefs makes a much-anticipated return with the Edinburgh premiere of their new show Close Encounters, testing the limits of masculinity and decency with their iconic and hilarious brand of circus, drag, boy burlesque and comedy. (already on sale)

Blind comedian Jamie MacDonald returns with Blinkered a razor sharp-witted comedy show delivered with 'a jaunty smile and a squinty eye'.Josh Berry makes his Edinburgh debut with his uncanny and hilarious impressions of tennis star Andy Murray, Daniel Radcliffe, Prince Harry and more; and award-winner Chris Dugdale - the undisputed 'king of the close-up card trick' with 14 Royal Performances under his belt, returns for his 6th Edinburgh Festival with his show Up Close! where the impossible happens right before your eyes.

Returning from the USA after sell-out runs in 2016 & 2017 is Baby Wants Candy: The Completely Improvised Full Band Musical - one of the most exhilarating and longest running improv acts in the world of entertainment, and musical theatre from Thrones! The Musical - a hilarious, gory Game of Thrones parody for fans and non-fans alike.

For younger audiences Comedy Club 4 Kids is back presenting a swear-free house with the international circuit's best stand-ups and sketch acts and, for those grown-ups who want to stay late and party, Massaoke's full-on club night smashing out the greatest anthems from the 80s, 90s, 00s is on every weekend.

Already on sale are stand-up favourites Andrew Maxwell (BBC One Have I Got News for You, and BBC Two Mock the Week), and David O'Doherty (BBC Two Live at the Apollo and Channel 4's 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown). Along with Assembly's renowned opening nightGala on 1 August bringing highlights from across this year's programme, and Best of the Fest - a perfect way to end an evening in the company of some of the best comedy line-ups of the Festival. William Burdett-Coutts Artistic Director of Assembly Festival said: "This is just the start, August is shaping up to be another fantastic year for Assembly Festival with the very best theatre and comedy at the heart of our programme. I hope that our 2018 Festival will provide Edinburgh's audiences with an excellent selection of shows that are both memorable and entertaining.

Tickets for all performances are available at www.assemblyfestival.com