Scott Turnbull presents … Surreally Good review – that’s edutainment!

Summerhall, EdinburghThe theatre-maker’s childlike passion for stories and illustrations makes facts a hoot in this faux seminarYou can’t argue with the title: here is a weird, wonderfully warm morning show from illustrator and theatre-maker Scott Turn…

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In the Bushes review – a fun and fearful walk on the wild side

Summerhall, EdinburghWe’re just sensory-seeking animals, says choreographer Léa Tirabasso, with a high-energy hour performed by six impressive dancersThe surrealist worlds of choreographer Léa Tirabasso are not immediately readable to the average audie…

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Simple Town review – these Pythonesque jokers could be your new best friends

Pleasance Courtyard, EdinburghThe New York foursome’s freewheeling logic will have you laughing without knowing why in a fringe debut that’s smart enough to revitalise sketch comedyWith sketch comedy not exactly cresting a wave in the UK right now, why…

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Brainsluts review – clinical drug trial comedy could cause severe laughter

Pleasance Dome, EdinburghAn anti-work activist and a nepo volunteer join the group for a research study in Dan Bishop’s polished playWhen plays get under way we wait for something to happen – look and listen for clues, monitor behaviour, tune in. One o…

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Jena Friedman: Motherf*cker review – political zingers and all-too-raw grief

Monkey Barrel at The Hive, EdinburghThe standup follows a first half of in-your-face jokes about American democracy with a palpably painful account of the loss of her motherStandup shows about losing a parent – “dead dad shows”, they get called – have …

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Ayoade Bamgboye: Swings and Roundabouts review – commanding comic’s thrilling debut

Pleasance Courtyard, EdinburghDrawing on her experiences moving from Nigeria to the UK, this livewire standup delivers a multifaceted first fringe showThe fringe is nothing if not a place where unknowns can write their names across the stars. Ayoade Ba…

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Mr Chonkers review – you never know what’s going to happen next

Summerhall, EdinburghFrom existential angst to dotty monk routines, US clown John Norris marches to the beat of his own drumWith his show and persona Mr Chonkers, American clown John Norris scored a cult hit on the fringe three summers ago – and now a …

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The Unstoppable Rise of Ben Manager review – tales of the unexpected at the office

Pleasance Courtyard, EdinburghA man picks up a dead stranger’s lanyard and gets sucked into a sinister corporate world in Bunkum Ensemble’s unsettling playOn the way to an interview for a job, one in a proper office that his mum can be proud of, Ben We…

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Sam Nicoresti: Baby Doomer review – an ebullient hour with a sky-high joke count

Pleasance Courtyard, EdinburghDelivered with self-deprecating joyfulness, this is a big-hitting set exploring life as a trans woman‘Sir, are you aware those are women’s clothes?” Even the most basic interactions can be fraught when you’re transgender, …

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Furniture Boys review – grab a seat for clever comedy that turns exes into beds and chairs

Underbelly, George Square, EdinburghA locked drawer that never opens, a rug that everyone walks all over … Emily Weitzman’s metaphors for boyfriends are ridiculous and revelatoryIt’s a sight for sore backs. Fringegoers accustomed to fold-out chairs lik…

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