Scary movies can exorcise the audience’s own demons but silliness can also help you process rage, says the comedian“Stop being hysterical!” “You are over-reacting!” “Put that watermelon down!” If I had a pound for every time I’d heard one of these rebu…
Continue ReadingThe standup on who makes her laugh, what she misses most about home, and learning to tune out bad advice from drunk peopleWhat is your new comedy show about?Moving from Paris to Birmingham without a plan in 2014, trying to fit in with “Britishness”, an…
Continue ReadingStandups used to think they’d never make it if they didn’t play the festival. But it’s leaving many saddled with debt, stuck in squalid flats and even suicidal. Refuseniks tell us why they’re bowing outRose Johnson has spent eight Augusts at the Edinbu…
Continue ReadingPhil Wang makes a heroic return, Ian McKellen stars in a balletic Hamlet and Sophie Duker is gleefully carefree. Here are our picks of the festival’s comedy, theatre and dance 20 great Edinburgh fringe shows we’ve already seenSam Nicoresti: Cancel Anti…
Continue ReadingWhen her family’s code of silence was broken, the writer and performer Helen Wood began a journey that led to a new play, Let’s Talk About PhilipIn the summer of 1985 Philip, my only sibling, died by suicide. He was 27 and I was 26. Very soon after the…
Continue ReadingAdam Meggido’s comedy considers the PM’s blustering school performance as Richard III, drawing potent parallels to his current political positionIt is the tale of a leader’s ruthless ambition, cynical skullduggery and brash mendacity as his country is …
Continue ReadingSoho theatre, LondonAs he tells the story of a one-night stand from 30 years ago, the comic explores youthful dreams and midlife disappointmentA bittersweet love letter to the Edinburgh fringe, performed by a middle-aged Scotsman? I may be the optimum …
Continue ReadingThe standup talks about touring with Ed Gamble, how comics enjoy the life of a retiree and the importance of exploring gender and its presentation“I’m a radical feminist and queer,” says Chloe Petts. “But also a top football lad who wants to go to the …
Continue ReadingSummerhall, EdinburghTrevor Lock uses audience participation to satisfy our yearning for community in a show that prioritises connection over actionWhat did we miss most during the pandemic: the entertainment or the audiences? We still had box sets and…
Continue ReadingSummerhall, EdinburghTrevor Lock uses audience participation to satisfy our yearning for community in a show that prioritises connection over actionWhat did we miss most during the pandemic: the entertainment or the audiences? We still had box sets and…
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