WITH the Fringe kicking off this week, Edinburgh is bursting at the seams with an influx of acts hoping to dazzle with their wit, talent and entertainment.
It’s renowned as a showcase for the country’s best comedians, from established stars and household names, to new kids on the block looking to make their stamp on the world of comedy.
With over 53,232 performances of 3,398 shows in 300 venues in 2017, there’s an overwhelming amount of shows and options to choose from.
So to help whittle it down, we’ve done a quick fire speed dating with some of the best comedians gracing the Fringe this year, from comedy theatre, to good old stand up, to Irish comedy rap.
Watch the video above as our pick of comedians tell you what you need to know about their shows in just 15 seconds (or less) each.
Following a sell-out run of their critically acclaimed 2017 show The Kindness of Stranglers, musical comedy duo and sisters Flo & Joan return to Edinburgh with a new hour of their dark and witty songs.
2. Abandoman (AKA Rob Broderick) – Pirate Radio, Underbelly George Square Aug 1-12, 14-19, 21-27
Ireland’s finest hip hop musical comedian, is back in the Cow with his biggest show yet. Using his trademark blend of audience interaction and razor-sharp improvisation, Rob will take you on a magical journey, transforming the audience’s likes, loathes and daydreams into hit songs and captivating tales.
3. Strictly Carl Donnelly, Laughing Horse at the Counting House, Aug 2-12, 14-26
In 10 years Carl’s been married, divorced, happy, depressed and twice nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award. This year he’s taking stock and seeing if his life, in those 10 years of coming to the Fringe, has lived up to his expectations.
4. Jacob Hawley: Howl, Just the Tonic at the Mash House, Aug 2-12, 14-26
BBC New Comedy 2017 finalist Jacob Hawley presents his highly-anticipated debut hour. Hailing from a working-class Brexit town, Jacob now has an arts degree, a vegetarian girlfriend and an almost-convincing concern for climate change.
5. Steve Bugeja: Almost, Just the Tonic at the Caves, Aug 2-12, 14-26
Voted at school ‘Most Likely to be Forgotten’. The reunion was in February, apparently. BBC New Comedy Award winner returns following three critically acclaimed shows. This year he’s on at 15:30 because he doesn’t like late nights. As seen on Stand Up Central (Comedy Central), Love Island Aftersun (ITV2) and Comedy Up Late (ABC TV) at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
6. Ed Gamble: Blizzard, Pleasance Courtyard, Aug 2-26
After a sell-out national tour in 2017, Ed Gamble is back with another bracing flurry of idiocy. You may have seen him on BBC Two’s Mock the Week, Sky’s The Russell Howard Hour, Comedy Central’s At the Comedy Store and Drunk History, BBC Two’s The Apprentice You’re Fired, Channel 4’s Man Down, TBS’s Conan.
7. Viscera Theatre: You Only Live Forever, Assembly George Square Studios, Aug 2-13, 15-27
Two lovers. One elixir. Everlasting consequences. The creators of five-star sell-out hit, In Tents and Purposes (SOHO Theatre/UK Tour), return to compete with their egos in a new comedy play about the reality of living for eternity.
8. Pierre Novellie: See Novellie, Hear Novellie, Speak Novellie, Pleasance Courtyard, Aug 2-26
This year’s show by Pierre brings satire for people without a team. Pierre’s views don’t please anyone 100% of the time, so who exactly is his demographic? Other white South African Manxmen? When you feel alienated by life, mock it vigorously.
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