Luke McGregor: ‘I don’t like Pokémon. It really feels like animal cruelty to me’

The comedian and actor on his love of Ghostbusters, why Shaun Micallef made him stick his hand up a cow’s bum and trusting Robert Irwin with his lifeYou’re on the new season of Shaun Micallef’s Origin Odyssey, where you explored your Scottish roots. Wh…

Continue Reading

Russell Howard announces ‘devastating’ death of baby son

Comedian and his wife, Cerys Morgan, set up charitable foundation in memory of Felix, who died shortly after birthRussell Howard has announced the death of his baby son, in what he described as the “most devastating time of our lives”.The 46-year-old c…

Continue Reading

‘Finally, a victory for the middle-aged white man!’ Chris Cantrill on winning the Edinburgh comedy award

The ex-marketing manager’s win, for his spoof Sycamore Gap-inspired whodunnit Rewilding, arrives just as he’s gearing up for a new season of hit sketch show SNL UK – which he calls ‘the hardest job of my life’For the last month, Chris Cantrill has been…

Continue Reading

Tilda Swinton’s blast from the past, Kevin Bridges at large and a deepfake ballet: theatre, comedy and dance to see this autumn

Swinton takes a dead man’s identity, Glasgow’s heir to Billy Connolly heads on tour and Gillian Anderson, Keira Knightley and Natalia Osipova all hit the stage• See all of our unmissable autumn arts recommendations here Continue reading…

Continue Reading

Dom McGovern: Prize Hog review – a sharp standup who is sure to go stellar

Pleasance Courtyard, EdinburghThe Chicken Shop Date co-writer gives a gossipy, erudite account of his relationship with how he looks in this assured debutAt a fringe noticeable for the polish even of its rookie standups, here’s another debut showing no…

Continue Reading

‘I was miserable for a lot of this century’: Stewart Lee on divorce, his adoption and the twisted children’s poem that explains his life

After a rocky few decades, the standup is nearing 60 – and finding contentment at last. But what does his grotesque retelling of The Owl and the Pussy-cat tell us about his inability to connect with people?Stewart Lee is somewhat fretfully tidying his …

Continue Reading

Omar Badawy: Guided Detour review – dizzying tales of decision paralysis

Pleasance Courtyard, EdinburghThe comic’s unique tale of assimilation and romance-related limbo has a high joke rate and emotional intelligenceI want to tell Omar Badawy to take a breath. This debut moves at a frantic, almost dizzying pace, so much so …

Continue Reading

Underground Monk Show review – hysterical visions enrobed in mystery

Assembly George Square Gardens, EdinburghFour clowns stir up a strange stew of ideas about faith in this playful and highly physical comedy‘Anyone ever been born before?” That’s a rare bid for relatable crowd work in this buzzy, bizarre hour by a bunch…

Continue Reading

Fourth time lucky as Chris Cantrill’s spoof whodunnit wins Edinburgh comedy award 2026

Nominated in three previous years, the rambunctious standup – one half of The Delightful Sausage – wins the prize for his show Rewilding while Marty Gleeson is named best newcomerThe annual Edinburgh comedy award has been won by the standup Chris Cantr…

Continue Reading

Chris Cantrill: Rewilding review – a rural whodunnit told with midlife mirth

Monkey Barrel Comedy, EdinburghCantrill shares his struggles descending into middle age and his awkward interactions with fellow villagers in a fun showNow a four-time nominee for the Edinburgh comedy award, Chris Cantrill is bearing down on James Acas…

Continue Reading