How to choose from 3,853 shows? Tastemakers pick their favourites, from James Graham’s latest play to anarchic hidden gems

Every August, Edinburgh is taken over by the Fringe. More than a festival, it’s a month-long mood for artists and revellers alike. Think Glastonbury, but swap muddy fields for cobbled streets and the Pyramid stage for a dark theatre where the next big name in comedy is cutting their teeth.

I was warned in advance about what to expect, however in an attempt at maintaining journalistic neutrality, I went into this experience with an open mind.

The Balmoral is a magnificent hotel, but if you don’t have the resources of J K Rowling (who famously finished writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in room 552), you might prefer a simple two-star budget hotel – such as the Ibis in the Old Town.