I don’t remember how Jess Robinson got on my short list of shows to watch at the 2014 Edinburgh Festivals. I don’t recall having seen her before; not in a teaser show, not TV or anywhere else. I wouldn’t normally stay up late(ish) for an impersonation gig. Maybe I felt I needed to take a […]
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 La Clique, Fringe 2014
The queue snaked down the side of the Famous Spiegeltent and deep into its new home in St Andrew’s Square. Expectations were dangerously high for La Clique and when the doors finally opened, only 20 or so minutes late, the crowd quickly but orderly filed in to grab the few good seats. First off; La […]
Review of Pete Firman – Trickster, Fringe 2014
Pete Firman offers a blend of magic and comedy. I go for the magic. Okay, I’ll admit. He made me laugh plenty times through the show. He also had me nervous at plenty of times throughout the show. The guideline age rating is 14. That’s not for swearing – although you’d swear too if an […]
Review of Seann Walsh: Seann 28, Fringe 2014
At this point it seems certain that Seann Walsh prefers the smaller Fringe venues. He could fill the larger ones. That said; Seann 28 was a gamble for the comedian with the wild hair. This was not a show built from the crazy adventures, fuelled by drink, friends and an oddly out of place insecurity […]
Review of David O’Doherty Has Checked Everything, Fringe 2014
It was a dark and stormy night… David O’Doherty had flown into Edinburgh that morning to kick off his latest show – in the biggest venue I’ve seen him in for the festival – and he had the crowd as soon as he stepped out onto the stage. I think we’d spent the 15 minutes […]
A review of Des O’Gorman’s Still Ready to Believe You: Celebrating 30 years of Ghostbusters
The Ghostbusters turned 30 this week. I mean that classic 1980s film from Ivan Retiman and Slimer the ghost. To mark the occasion we turned up at the Counting Host, just above The Pear Tree, on West Nicholson Street for a stand-up routine from Des O’Gorman. O’Gorman looks like Dr. Egon Spengler. Not the blonde […]
Review of Seann Walsh: The Lie-in King, Fringe 2013
As Seann Walsh moved towards the final few minutes of the gig he shared a review fear with the audience. “I star, racist”, he worried the reviewers would use to describe the show. Let’s unpack how we got to such a state. This was the last show of Seann’s time at the 2013 Fringe. Special […]
Review of The Horne Section Live in a Cow, Fringe 2013
For the 2013 Edinburgh Festival season The Horne Section performs in the purple belly of the Udderbelly cow. This is where the name “The Horne Section Live in a Cow” comes from. The Horne Section is led by Alex Horne but the whole band is impressive. We got to see just how good they are […]