Late-night clown-therapy act among nominees for Edinburgh comedy awards

Julia Masli, Ahir Shah and Janine Harouni are on the eight-strong shortlist for the coveted £10,000 prize at the festivalA clown-therapy show that takes place in the middle of the night. A hymn to British multiculturalism. And a show at risk of imminen…

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Edinburgh fringe musicals: a bedside view of marriage, Covid diaries and Shamilton!

The festival’s musicals this year range from theatrical introspection to a rip-roaring improvisation inspired by Lin-Manuel Miranda’s smash hitThe world’s most popular musicals have often been on the least likely of themes. Who would have thought TS El…

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The 7 Fingers: Duel Reality review – rowdy circus riff on Romeo and Juliet

Underbelly’s Circus Hub on the Meadows, EdinburghThe enthralling Canadian company offer up a fast-paced but often jarring show that treats Shakespeare like the Super BowlHere is a twist on Romeo and Juliet’s balcony scene. Juliet stands on his shoulder…

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Shelf: The Kids’ Show review – mayonnaise on your Oreo? Yes please!

Pleasance Courtyard, EdinburghThe duo, doing separate shows for children and adults at the fringe, have hit on a winner – their daft pranks bring the young audience right inIt’s a thing, comedy for kids, but still a fairly marginal thing: it’s hard to …

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Starry Shakespeare, super standups and a Black Sabbath ballet: the best theatre, dance and comedy of autumn 2023

Patsy Ferran takes on Eliza in Pygmalion, Andrew Scott plays multiple characters from Uncle Vanya and Mlima’s Tale tells a powerful tale of the ivory trade. Here’s what’s in store on stage Continue reading…

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The Life Sporadic of Jess Wildgoose review – feverish financial comedy

Pleasance Courtyard, EdinburghVoloz Collective’s satirical thriller set during the subprime mortgage crisis is staged with style but has little emotional impactWho needs a load of props when you have a company this game? Within the first few minutes of…

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Cowboys, puppet witches and toilet humour: joyously queer Edinburgh fringe shows

Coming-out tales, ventriloquism, a musical set in a public loo and glamorous late-night cabaret are among the festival’s uplifting LGBTQ+ showsNo one ever pays attention when you’re handed a flyer at the fringe. It’s only when I take a proper look that…

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Troll review – sweetly silly Nordic comedy is monstrous fun

Underbelly Cowgate, Edinburgh The real beasts – not the internet kind – have come to teach us their ways, learn human stuff and dish the dirt on billy goatsIt’s not easy being green. Just ask these two trolls, sporting hoodies, tights and trainers in v…

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Troll review – sweetly silly Nordic comedy is monstrous fun

Underbelly Cowgate, Edinburgh The real beasts – not the internet kind – have come to teach us their ways, learn human stuff and dish the dirt on billy goatsIt’s not easy being green. Just ask these two trolls, sporting hoodies, tights and trainers in v…

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‘The doc said you’re having a heart attack right now’: why is US standup Mike Birbiglia still alive?

The comic, who has survived cancer and once sleep-jumped through a closed hotel window, is bringing his Broadway smash about mortality to the UK. ‘I guarantee you’ll laugh,’ he saysFor someone whose affably rumpled appearance suggests Matt Damon waking…

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