For this month’s Gig Guide, we are excited to announce our Edinburgh Fringe Festival Takeover. What this means is, we have put together a list of shows that we’d recommend seeing at the Fringe – from traditional and award winning stand-up, fresh new debuters, right through to variety shows, including sketch, cabaret, clowning and theatre. And yes, if you hadn’t already guessed by now; you name it, there’s probably a Fringe show about it! Enjoy!
1. FRINGE DEBUTS AND NEW ACTS
© Alex Franklin, Annabel Marlow
ALEX FRANKLIN: I MUST REACH THE SUMMIT, PLEASE GOD I MUST REACH THE SUMMIT
Thurs 3-27, (not 14) Aug @ 3:55 PM, Underbelly Cowgate, Delhi Belly
Alex Franklin is a master of absurdist comedy, who’s unique blend of stand up, character comedy, songs and word play make for a weird and wonderfully entertaining hour. While this isn’t technically a debut (Franklin returns to the Fringe after their sold out show Dinosaurusesuses in 2022), Franklin still makes the list for their incredibly inimitable brand of stand up.
You can nab your tickets here!
ANNABEL MARLOW: ..IS THIS OKAY??
Weds 2-27, (not 16) Aug @ 8:30 PM, Pleasance Courtyard, Attic
A twenty something musical comic who previously played Catherine Howard in the stage musical SIX, Annabel Marlow brings her debut solo hour is this okay?? to the Fringe Festival this year. In her show, she covers the all-important topics; love, relationships and all the messy bits in-between.
You can nab your tickets here!
© Bronwyn Sweeney, Kirsty Mann
BRONWYN SWEENEY: OFF-BRAND
Weds 2-28, (not 16) Aug @ 3:20 PM, Pleasance Courtyard, Bunker Three
Funny Women finalist Bronwyn Sweeney brings her debut hour of traditional stand up meets TED talk to the Fringe, covering topics such as how to build your personal brand, and: should she have quit her career in advertising for this?
You can nab your tickets here!
KIRSTY MANN: SKELETONS
Weds 2-14, 16-17 Aug @ 5:50 PM, Pleasance Courtyard, Pleasance Below
Kirtsy Mann is another Funny Women Awards finalist, with a debut show about her secret: she’s actually a doctor disguised as a comedian. Intrigued?? So am I. Mann throws together character comedy, bathos and storytelling to create an upbeat debut show.
You can grab your tickets here!
© Liz Guterbock, Lorna Treen
LIZ GUTERBOCK: GERIATRIC MILLENIAL
Mon 2-13,15-20,22-27 Aug @ 4:15 PM, Pleasance Courtyard, Cellar
Liz Guterbock’s traditional stand up hour covers belonging as you get older, from her perspective as a dual nationality, bisexual woman. Described by reviewers as ‘a club ready act’ (Chortle).
You can grab your tickets here!
LORNA TREEN: SKIN PIGEON
Mon 2-13,15-27 Aug @ 4:35 PM, Pleasance Courtyard, Attic
Lorna Treen’s character comedy show will throw you into a second-dimension, with Treen playing strange and beautifully crafted characters, providing unmatched levels of energy and silliness to the highest degree.
You can grab your tickets here!
© Mary O’Connell, Robin Tran
MARY O’CONNELL: MONEY PRINCESS
Mon 2-14,16-27 Aug @ 6:00 PM, Pleasance Courtyard, Bunker Three
Mary O’Connell (Funny Women Awards runner up and OnlyFans Creative Fund Winner 2023) ‘s debut hour covers money, pop culture and trying to be a good person while living in London (if that’s possible) in her silly, heart-felt and entertaining show. Directed by Edinburgh Comedy Award Nominee Elf Lyons.
You can grab your tickets here!
ROBIN TRAN: DON’T LOOK AT ME
Weds 2-27 August @ 6:25 PM, Assembly George Square, The Box.
Robin Tran is, as she puts it, half professor, half clown and half woman, with sparkling credits such as Comedy Central’s Roast Battle in 2018. Tran has also just done a run in Canada and the US. Not a show to miss!
Grab your tickets here!
2. FRINGE TOUR SHOWS
© Cat Cohen
CATHERINE COHEN: COME FOR ME
Mon 14-21, 24-27 August @ 10:30 PM, Pleasance Courtyard, Pleasance One
In her own brand of cabaret musical comedy, with songs such as ‘I can make myself c*m with my hand’, Catherine Cohen is a sultry, regal, musical comedy queen. Having won the Edinburgh Comedy Award in 2019 with her show: The Twist…? She’s Gorgeous, which went on to stream on Netflix, Cohen is a seasoned pro. Expect a show jam packed with hilarious songs, quick wit and bucket loads of charisma.
Nab a ticket here!
© Celya AB, Helen Bauer
CELYA AB: SECOND RODEO
Weds 2-27 August (not 15) @ 7:30 PM, Pleasance Courtyard, Beside
Celya AB won Chortle Best Newcomer in 2022, and continues to sparkle in her new show this Fringe. A reluctant adult, AB’s show contains tales of romance, a hologram and a near death experience at Thorpe Park. Expect a very quick wit, clever twists and punchy lines.
Nab a ticket here!
HELEN BAUER: GRAND SUPREME DARLING PRINCESS
Mon 14-27 Aug @ 4:45 PM, Monkey Barrel 1
Helen Bauer’s show Grand Supreme Darling Princess will be taken across the UK and Europe after the Fringe, so catch it there first! Bauer’s traditional brand of stand up is effortlessly funny. Her show covers all the women in her life, from her mum to her best friend, including Disney Princesses, obvs.
You can find tickets here!
© Janine Harouni, Lara Ricote
JANINE HAROUNI: MAN’OUSHE
Weds 2-13,15-20, 22-25 Aug @ 6:20 PM, Pleasance Courtyard, Beneath
Janine Harouni, Best Newcomer Nominee 2019, is back with a new hour show about pregnancy, her family, and what happens when a DNA test doesn’t go to plan. A pro stand-up with credits such as The Now Show, The Russell Howard Hour and her own stand up special on Amazon Prime, Harouni is a guaranteed hit.
You can nab your tickets here!
LARA RICOTE: A WORK IN PROGRESS!!!
Fri 11-14 Aug, Times Vary, Monkey Barrel, Monkey Barrel 1
This one’s close to our hearts. Funny Women Award Winner 2021 AND Edinburgh Comedy Award Winner 2021 is back at the Fringe for 6 days only with her new work in progress show. Expect high energy, silliness and originality.
You can nab your tickets here!
© Micky Overman, Tiff Stevenson
MICKY OVERMAN: THE PRECIPICE
Tues 1-27 Aug, (not 15) @ 6:10 PM, Monkey Barrel, The Hive
You may know Micky Overman from ITV2, BBC Three, or from one of the 12 million views she has online; in any case, we recommend this show. Asking questions about Love Island, Robots and Motherhood, Overman’s clever one-liners will have you in stitches. Laughter guaranteed.
You can nab your tickets here!
TIFF STEVENSON: WIP
Mon 14-20 Aug @ 12:00 PM, Monkey Barrel, The Hive
Potentially the longest running stand-up in this list, Tiff Stevenson is back at the Fringe with a WIP show about both the big and the small things: science, celeb culture, politics, getting married in your 40s, gout bracelets and slut drops. As seen on Mock the Week and People Just Do Nothing, to name a few.
You can nab your tickets here!
© Yuriko Kotani
YURIKO KOTANI: THIS IS MY WORK
Mon 14-23 Aug @ 1:55 PM, Monkey Barrel, The Hive
Yuriko Kotani is a UK-based Japanese comedian, who you should go and see if you like feel good anecdotes, inspiring storytelling and originality by the bucket load. Previously BBC New Comedy Award winner with lots of telly credits that I can’t fit on here. Convinced?
You can nab your tickets here!
3. FRINGE VARIETY SHOWS: SKETCH, DRAG, CLOWN
© Elf and Duffy, Egg
ELF AND DUFFY: HEIST
Weds 2-15 August @ 8:40 PM, Monkey Barrel, The Tron
Elf and Duffy present a physical comedy show about a bank robbery. Previous Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Show Nominee Elf (for her clowning show Swan) speaks while Duffy doesn’t, and Duffy signs while Elf doesn’t. Perplexed? Expect a funny, physical, silly, heist. This show is conducted in British Sign Language.
Grab your tickets here!
EGG: ABSOLUTELY FINE
Mon 14-27 August @ 4:50 PM, Pleasance Courtyard, Beside
As seen on TV, sketch duo EGG, made up of Anna Leong Brophy (This Is Going To Hurt) and Emily Lloyd-Saini (Catastrophe) are at the Fringe this year with a belter of a show. If you like physical, up-beat sketch comedy with relatable characters, this show is for you.
Grab your tickets here!
© Baga Chipz, Stamptown
BAGA CHIPZ: MATERIAL GIRL
Fri 4-9 August @ 8:30 PM, Gilded Balloon Teviot, Debating Hall
For all you RuPaul Drag Race UK fans, Baga Chipz is at the Fringe for 6 nights only with her first ever one-woman show. Expect camp cabaret and top gags as she takes you through her life as a material girl.
Grab your tickets here!
STAMPTOWN COMEDY NIGHT
Sat 5, 10-12, 17-19, 24-26 August @ 11:00 PM, Pleasance Courtyard, Fourth
Stamptown is a late-night comedy variety show boasting a stellar line up of international alternative acts. Selling out venues in London, Melbourne, New York and even Glasto, this wild, weird and wonderful variety night is a guaranteed riot.
Grab your tickets here!
© Trash Salad
TRASH SALAD
Weds 2-6, 8-15 August @ 11:00 PM, Pleasance Courtyard, Attic
Trash Salad is a genre-bending solo hour of chaos featuring clown Trash Salad, who is on a quest to find connection. Featuring lip syncing, strip tease, musical comedy and song, this comedy burlesque LGBTQ+ show is a hoot and a half. Not for the faint hearted. Or the lettuce haters.
Grab your tickets here!
