Grubby Little Mitts: Hello, Hi review – punchy sketch comedy

Assembly George Square, EdinburghSeventies spy novels, sexually frustrated poultry, an April Fools’ Day breakup … it’s all here in the sophomore show from Rosie Nicholls and Sullivan BrownDo you need some framing device or overarching concept to sell a…

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Larry Owens review – A Strange Loop star’s musical comedy showcase

Assembly Roxy, EdinburghThe US writer, comedian and actor’s cabaret show includes potent songs about sexuality, identity and police violenceTriple-threat doesn’t begin to describe the abilities of Larry Owens, a writer, singer, comedian, Broadway star …

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Party Ghost review – spooky silliness meets stunning circus spectacle

Assembly Checkpoint, EdinburghPerformers Olivia Porter and Jarred Dewey bring this inventive show to (after)life with their dark, messy and often astonishing physical comedyIt begins like a children’s Halloween party, the lights low with figures clad i…

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Ania Magliano: I Can’t Believe You’ve Done This review – the haircut that launched a thousand laughs

Pleasance Courtyard, EdinburghAudiences will fall for upbeat stooge Magliano, who delivers a fun, well-wrought follow-up to last year’s sellout show – and ends on a perspective-shifting twistWhen is a haircut not just a haircut? Ania Magliano’s new sho…

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Cerys Bradley: Not Overthinking Things 2019 review – divorce, autism and pass the parcel

Laughing Horse @ Bar 50, EdinburghBradley throws a kids’ birthday bash full of nostalgic fun as they discuss their parents’ recent split, deftly immersing the audience in games and storiesWe’re invited to a birthday party. Cerys Bradley is throwing it …

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The show must go on! Edinburgh festival 2023 continues – in pictures

Photographer Murdo MacLeod captures the second week of the Edinburgh festival and fringe – from a Korean twist on Euripides to imaginary friends • See all our Edinburgh festival 2023 coverage here Continue reading…

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Chris Grace as Scarlett Johansson review – feverishly funny sendup

Assembly George Square, EdinburghGrace stars as the Black Widow actor to poke fun at cross-racial casting, in an intricate takedown of fixed identity that will leave your mind buzzing‘An actor can do anything they want – as long as they mean well when …

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Chris Grace as Scarlett Johansson review – feverishly funny sendup

Assembly George Square, EdinburghGrace stars as the Black Widow actor to poke fun at cross-racial casting, in an intricate takedown of fixed identity that will leave your mind buzzing‘An actor can do anything they want – as long as they mean well when …

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Nova review – female Casanova’s very ordinary escapades

Royal Lyceum, EdinburghObehi Janice’s one-woman show collects her adventures in the dating game but they don’t lead anywhere that interestingObehi Janice had friends at school who, like her, were academic and nerdy. She fancied boys at an early age – a…

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I’m doing the Edinburgh fringe at full-term pregnancy – and not just because I’d paid the deposit

Pregnancy is a privilege but is also weird, awkward and difficult. The cathartic nature of standup helps us consider the confusion of imminent parenthoodAt the start of the year, when I booked to perform my comedy show at the fringe, I was laughing in …

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