After years of writing behind the scenes, Madeleine Brettingham has recently become one of the most exciting new voices on the stand-up circuit, scooping a string of competition wins including winning the prestigious So You Think You’re Funny 2025 and Runner Up in Funny Women Stage Awards, a unique double. In the same year, she also won Bath New Act of the Year, West End New Woman Comedian of the Year, Beat the Frog World Series and took silver in West End New Act of the Year, an unprecedented sweep.
Frankie Boyle has described her as “one of the best joke writers in comedy today”, while British Comedy Guide called her an “obvious star-in-the-making… consider her the early frontrunner for best newcomer.” She’s been praised for her “distinctive worldview” (Chortle), “tight and gag-packed” writing (Bruce Dessau), and “knack for blending offbeat observations with pacey, unexpected punchlines” (The List). Chortle says she has “a suffer-no-fools attitude that owns the stage, a formidable gag rate and a precision with language that conjures up the perfect images.” As a guest, she’s appeared on shows and podcasts including BBC Radio Scotland’s Breaking the News, Radio 3’s The Verb and Drunk Women Solving Crime. In 2026, she is presenting her debut solo show, Legend, at the Edinburgh Fringe.
How did you get into comedy?
I’ve been a comedy writer working behind the scenes for years. I never considered doing stand-up. Then, one night, I had a dream about stepping in front of the mic, the stars aligned in my life in various ways and I decided to give it a try. Before I knew it, it had taken on a life of its own. It was like giving the accelerator of a car a light pump and having it whizz off at 100mph.
Where do you get your inspiration from?
I get most of my ideas walking around thinking about other things. Having been a writer, I was hoping the writing process for stand-up would be more orderly. But I’ve found the ideas that strike me when I least expect them tend to be the best. I finally understand why Alan Partridge keeps a Dictaphone in his car.
What is your show about?
Being brought up by my dad in the 80s and 90s. It’s about masculinity, class, and being raised by a dysfunctional male role model. With lots and lots of jokes.
I am performing at the Gilded Balloon, 5th-31st August, 8.20pm.
How does it feel to be going to the Fringe for the first time?
Terrifying and exhilarating. I’ve been to the Fringe so many times as a punter. It’s one of my favourite places. All that comedy and creativity in one place and all sorts of different styles, cheek by jowl. After years behind the scenes writing it’s lovely, if a little scary, to be properly joining in. I feel like a shy little bird joining the dawn chorus.
What have you been working on?
I’m always working on a billion and one things, but I had a play on at the Arcola last year called Dear Martin, which is being developed for TV and I’m super excited about that. In some ways it covers some of the same obsessions as my show, but from a very different angle.
Keep up to date with and follow Madeleine Brettingham on Instagram.
Tickets and more information for Legend, can be found here!
