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…
Continue ReadingtheSpace @ Surgeons Hall, EdinburghNalini Sharma makes an engaging fringe debut, using clowning skills and audience participation in a show inspired by her hospital stay“What’s your favourite phallus?” asks performance artist Sophia Cleary in her fring…
Continue ReadingWalkout by authors over fossil fuel links plus controversies about identity, racism and sexism are hot topics at politically charged eventWhen Jessica Gaitán Johannesson led a mass walkout at an Edinburgh book festival event last weekend, she told the …
Continue ReadingMakeshift outdoor show held after two venues cancel booking of comedian known for his gender-critical beliefsA comedy event featuring Father Ted creator Graham Linehan was staged in the open air outside the Scottish parliament on Thursday evening, afte…
Continue ReadingLeith Arches cancelled scriptwriter’s comedy show after complaints from customersThe scriptwriter Graham Linehan is considering legal action against the Edinburgh venue that cancelled his comedy show after complaints from customers.On Tuesday morning L…
Continue ReadingSummerhall, EdinburghThe comic relives being a carer for a lovably eccentric adopted uncle in a heartfelt show that demonstrates caring’s reciprocal flowThe “dead dad show” is a fringe comedy staple. But what about the dead not-quite-an-uncle show? Ben…
Continue ReadingTraverse theatre, EdinburghA high-school English teacher and his former star pupil meet in a brothel in Kieran Hurley’s new playWith this uneven three-hander, Kieran Hurley has fielded two plays in one. The first is a sex farce about a middle-aged man …
Continue ReadingSummerhall, EdinburghEloina Haines’ performance considers her own – and other women’s – labia and the obscene pressure to make this body part conformIf the Edinburgh fringe has never really begun until the obligatory shock of full-frontal nudity, this …
Continue ReadingAs a comedian, Jones is known for her wit and enthusiasm, but her new documentary tackles the horrendous abuse she and other disabled people face. She discusses fame, therapy, flaws and backlashRosie Jones always wears earphones when she’s out alone. S…
Continue ReadingA Netflix standup show was ‘written by bots’. A TV writer has scripted joke software. And now artificial intelligence is taking on improvI’ve seen some bad comedy acts over the years – but not, until now, one that is part of an existential threat to hu…
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