There are over 3000 shows up in Edinburgh this year, with the International and Fringe Festival bringing together a huge swathe of exciting talent from across the world in one big arts-based bonanza. But sometimes you can get a sneaky first look at the hottest shows on offer before they cross the border – guaranteeing extra cents of conversational currency when you end up chatting about top Fringe picks come August. Here are ten shows we’d recommend checking out before they hit Edinburgh.

Paines Plough’s Roundabout Season

Where: Theatr Clwyd
When: 2 – 30 June
What: Paines Plough’s annual outing at Roundabout in Summerhall is always a hot addition to the Fringe programme, and this year the pop-up venue will be giving audiences a chance to see their work earlier than usual across the month of June over at Theatr Clwyd in Mold. George Devine Prize winner Simon Longman, BAFTA nominee Vinay Patel and Georgia Christou (responsible for Yous Too at the Hampstead Theatre earlier this year) will all be presenting new work.