Sitting in the Pleasance at 12am watching Twins is perhaps one of the more bizarre ways to kick-start your day. Whether it was their charm or to take shelter from the rain, the show attracted a diverse audience; people in their pyjamas, people drinking tea, people drinking vodka and people eating their tea. However, unlike […]
Comedy in Edinburgh
Edinburgh boasts a vibrant and deeply-rooted comedy scene that thrives throughout the year, anchored by legendary venues such as The Stand Comedy Club, a proving ground for countless famous comedians, alongside the multi-award-winning Monkey Barrel Comedy and the ever-popular Just the Tonic, which all provide a consistent programme of top-tier stand-up.
However, this thriving year-round culture is merely the prelude to the comedic explosion that occurs each August during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The city transforms into the undisputed global epicentre of comedy, as thousands of performers—from household names testing new material to ambitious newcomers seeking their big break—descend upon the capital, turning every conceivable space from grand theatres to cramped pub basements into a performance venue. This month-long comedy marathon creates an unparalleled atmosphere of creative energy, solidifying Edinburgh's reputation as the ultimate destination for performers and fans of live humour.
Review of “Jennie Benton Wordsmith”, Fringe 2015
Waiting outside Venue 302 on a Saturday afternoon, I kept hearing people saying they were there to see Jennie Benton, or even just Jennie. This made me wonder if the title of the show was designed to confuse and surprise: unlike most stand-up comedy shows where the name in the title is that of the […]
Review of Paul Merton’s Impro Chums, Fringe 2014
I always look forward to Paul Merton’s Impro Chums. This year they had competition from Clive Anderson’s What Does the Title Matter Anyway?. A battle of improvisational comedy! The Impro Chums are the same as ever – Suki Webster, Richard Vranch, Lee Simpson, Mike McShane and, of course, Paul Merton. It’s good to see the […]
Review of Paco Erhard: Worst. German. Ever., Fringe 2014
Paco Erhard makes fun of national stereotypes, takes his audience on a few humour filled trips into history, and shares a way too personal story explaining why he has become too British for his liking. A feel good show for open-minded international audiences.
Review of Tommy Rowson: Down and Out in Powys and London, Fringe 2014
Tommy Rowson’s act begins with an intro video splicing images of bad behaviour, tattoos, snippets from the bible and a rock and roll soundtrack. This was an intro that got me excited about seeing a comedian with stories to tell, and a unique way of telling them. After all, the title Down and Out in […]
Review of McNeil and Pamphilon Go 8-Bit, Fringe 2014
How often are you told that it’ll be worth the wait? How often does that prediction come true? McNeil and Pamphilon Go 8-Bit really is worth the wait. Hopefully there won’t be any more late starts. On Friday night, at the Pleasance Dome/Potterrow, we had to wait some extra 30 or more minutes for the […]
Review of Dan Nightingale is Trying His Best Not to be a Dick, Fringe 2014
The odds may not be stacked in Dan Nightingale’s favour as he prepares for his awkward tea-time slot in a stuffy room in the Pleasance Dome conservatory. The heat is challenging. The venue is confusing (the Pleasance Dome is at Potterrow rather than The Pleasance). And 5.30 is an awkward time of day, too late […]
A review of Mark Watson’s Comedywealth Games, Fringe 2014
It’s not often you go to a comedy gig and get to watch an audience volunteer have their nose unexpectedly split open on impact from a thrown fruit and have to cope with the resulting flow of blood. I wasn’t that member of the audience. I had fun. In fairness to Mark Watson and the […]