The comedian talks about his hunt for fresh talent, the new series of Man Like Mobeen and how one disastrous standup gig led to multiple arrestsYour route to the stage started with funny videos on Facebook. Was there any intention of it becoming someth…
Continue ReadingThe standup on middle-child syndrome, the comedy scene in Berlin and the nightmare gig that she can’t forgetWhat made you get into comedy?An unholy need for attention stemming from middle-child syndrome that grew out of control and a desperate need for…
Continue ReadingAssembly George Square, EdinburghThe Australian physical comedian conjures up a career for himself as a professional spear-thrower in this wacky if uneven showThere is a distinguished, if niche, tradition of shows that pursue a comedian’s nerdy sportin…
Continue ReadingM&S Bank Arena, LiverpoolThey are arguably the two greatest US standups of their generation – and both topical for not always lovely reasons. Could this double-whammy possibly live up to the hype?‘This is going to be one of the most legendary night…
Continue ReadingMonkey Barrel, EdinburghSince her last show, about weightlifting, the 39-year-old has split from her son’s father and moved in with a woman. Which adds up to hilarity for the audience if not the comicFor all the challenges that must come with redefinin…
Continue ReadingMonkey Barrel, EdinburghSince her last show, about weightlifting, the 39-year-old has split from her son’s father and moved in with a woman. Which adds up to hilarity for the audience if not the comicFor all the challenges that must come with redefinin…
Continue ReadingPleasance, EdinburghMaddix is a fluent, playful comic, but the window opened here on his conflicted psyche feels unresolved – for him as much as his audience‘I needed to say it more than you needed to hear it,” says Jamali Maddix towards the end of Kin…
Continue ReadingAssembly George Square, EdinburghThere are few bells and whistles in Brian McElhaney and Nick Kocher’s fringe debut, just two seasoned US comics in effortless harmony with each otherHere’s the secret to ensuring your Edinburgh debut is a success: accru…
Continue ReadingThe baby-faced oddball has gone from performing to tiny audiences to winning live comedy’s most coveted prize, the Edinburgh festival fringe comedy awardWhat does an Edinburgh comedy award win mean for Sam Campbell? And what does a Sam Campbell win mea…
Continue ReadingI’ve spent my whole professional life loving and writing about the fringe. But rocketing rents, a lack of diversity and its overwhelming scale are pushing this world-class cultural crucible to crisis point. No wonder artists are asking themselves: is i…
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