Review: Biscuit Barrel – The 69-Sketch Show, Fringe 2025

For years, I’ve seen them wandering through the festival crowds: giant, smiling biscuit heads bobbing above a sea of people.

This year, I finally caught up with the comedy troupe behind the costumes, Biscuit Barrel, and their aptly named 69-Sketch Show. They are, I can confirm, they are a barrel of laughs.

At the start, I was worried I might be the only one not in on the joke. The room was buzzing with an energy that suggested a loyal fanbase, and when the performers started a call-and-response, the audience shouted right back. It felt scripted, but it quickly became clear this wasn’t a plant; Biscuit Barrel has simply built a dedicated following who know exactly what they’ve come for.

A Proper Hardcore Fringe Experience

The one significant drawback had nothing to do with the performers. The attic space at the Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose was bakingly hot, a square of black cloth that seemed to trap every last degree of the August heat. It was a genuine detriment to the comfort of the audience and a real test of endurance for everyone in the room.

But here’s the good news: The 69-Sketch Show comes at you with such frenetic, absurdist energy that it is powerful enough to distract you from the fact that your brain is about to sweat out of your ears. It is that enthralling. The pace is relentless, a no-holds-barred assault of pure, chaotic comedy that commands your full attention.

69 Shots at Glory

With 69 sketches packed into an hour, the show is a masterclass in comic efficiency. If one punchline doesn’t quite land, there’s no time to dwell on it because the next three are already tumbling onto the stage. The sheer volume and variety – from quickfire gags to absurd characters and songs – means the hit rate is impressively high. It’s a show that fires on all cylinders, all the time.

This is a talented team giving it their all. At one point, I noticed the performers clock a very young child sitting in the front row, and you could see them momentarily hesitate, but the kid seemed to be having a great time, laughing along with the organised madness. It’s a testament to their skill that the infectious fun of the show transcends any single demographic.

Overall

If you’re looking for a polished, contemplative hour of theatre, this isn’t it. But if you want a proper, hardcore Fringe experience – a sweaty room packed with people, and a phenomenally talented troupe giving you their absolute best – then Biscuit Barrel is an essential addition to your Edinburgh itinerary. Despite the heat, the experience is pure Fringe joy.