Candace Bryan is “one of the most exciting new voices on the London comedy circuit” (Edinburgh Reviews). Known for her sharp, witty joke writing, she was on the Guardian and the Telegraph’s “Best Jokes of the Fringe” lists in 2025 and has won gong shows and roast battles across London. After a successful debut show last year, she is returning to the Fringe with a new hour of stand-up about the absurd world of online shopping.
How did you get into comedy?
I used to be a journalist, but everything I got published depended on an editor co-signing my ideas and sometimes changing my words. I was drawn to stand-up because I can have complete creative control. I show up, say jokes that I wrote, and ignore everyone’s feedback when I know I’m right. (How obvious is it that I’m a Virgo?)
Tell us about your comedy style.
My favourite type of comedy combines highbrow and lowbrow elements, and that reflects in my own stand-up. Like I’ve got a bit comparing Kate Moss to Nietzsche, and one about posting thirst traps on the book review website GoodReads.com. And I’d say my style is quite cerebral. I’m not doing slapstick or wacky voices; I’m usually trying to make absurd observations or playing language games.
How does it feel to be returning to the Edinburgh Fringe?
I was nervous, but then I saw an Instagram Reel that said Virgos are destined to have a great summer. So now I’m nervous AND feeling a lot of pressure to have a great summer.
What inspires you?
I’m increasingly inspired by political comedians. As the stand-up genre evolves to more personal storytelling and crowd work, I appreciate more than ever the comics who come out and aren’t afraid to speak their mind, even if it alienates a few people in the room. Comedy has a rich political history, and these strange times we live in deserve art that challenges the norms.
What is your show about?
I recently got an email that my favourite clothing brand was having a sale. I opened the email, clicked through to the site, saw a cute jumper, and bought it using Apple Pay. That whole chain of events took a whopping two minutes. Afterwards, I had an epiphany: I might be a shopaholic!
At the same time, I’m a card-carrying leftist, and I feel like it’s become difficult to reconcile my shopping habits with my personal politics. It’s something a lot of people are feeling. So, the show is an hour of jokes about this irony we’re experiencing and some of the silly ways consumerism is becoming unavoidable.
Any interesting upcoming projects?
I’ve recently gotten into bedazzling, so I’ve got some pretty exciting personal projects on my desk. I’m trying to cover as many things in rhinestones as I can before my friends have an intervention. Next up is my printer.
Comedy-wise, I’m already tinkering with a new stand-up show inspired by my relationship with the philosopher Rene Descartes and my newfound love of rhinestones.
You can follow Candace Bryan and keep up with her latest work on Instagram.
Tickets and more information can be found here!
