London Hughes and Jessica Fostekew are among the comics on the shortlist of nine nominees, while Catherine Cohen is up for best newcomer The shortlist for the biggest prize in live comedy, the Edinburgh Comedy award, has been announced – and it’s one o…
Continue ReadingPleasance Courtyard, EdinburghMcNicholas throws down a heavyweight hour of standup and storytelling about his champion grandad Terry DownesTerry Downes was world middleweight boxing champion in the early 1960s. His grandson James McNicholas is a writer…
Continue ReadingCall comes as Equity union is inundated with complaints from acts appearing at festivalThe Edinburgh festival fringe has an “appalling” record of sexual harassment and assault, according to a leading union and a workers’ organisation, which say employe…
Continue ReadingUnderbelly Cowgate, EdinburghA Romanov raised by wolves meets a struggling Lancashire boy in a memoir dipped in glamour and pulsating to powerpopThere’s a well-travelled road from boy- or girlband glory to solo success. So why shouldn’t it be open to a…
Continue ReadingPerforming at the festival can be a taxing experience. Objectively Funny has created a peer support network that turns attention offstageIt’s lunchtime in Edinburgh’s Old Town and I’ve swapped comedy for something more serious. On stage, psychotherapis…
Continue ReadingAs someone with the disorder, Olaf Falafel’s Edinburgh gag tickled me. But harmful stereotypes are difficult to overcome‘I keep randomly shouting out ‘broccoli’ and ‘cauliflower’ – I think I might have Florets.” This one-liner from the Swedish comedian…
Continue ReadingCaught between self-love and neurosis, Cohen has taken Edinburgh by storm with a musical show that plays up to her generation’s stereotypes. She’s even got a song called Look At Me … ‘The other day I woke up, I was like, ‘This is the most magical pla…
Continue ReadingPleasance Courtyard, EdinburghMatthew Greenhough’s buzzy one-man show clashes comedy, factionalism and jazz trumpet into a plea for tolerance between the echo chambersAre we “trapped in separate echo chambers” and can the divides be bridged? Matthew Gr…
Continue ReadingJames McNicholas is used to performing comedy sketches. Now he’s letting his guard down for the story of middleweight champ turned movie star Terry DownesThey called him the Paddington Express. Terry Downes was a ferociously charismatic British boxer w…
Continue ReadingPleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh In a thoughtful sophomore fringe show, the standup reflects on her relationship with a fellow comicSarah Keyworth’s 2018 fringe show – which secured her a best newcomer nomination – fretted at the signification of the wor…
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