Pleasance Courtyard, EdinburghAssuming the guise of ‘an old-school entertainment type’, this fringe debutant is hypnotically unusualThe fashion is for fringe newcomers to deliver solo shows all about themselves: potted autobiographies big on identity a…
Continue ReadingAssembly Rooms, Edinburgh In an affecting set, the comic reflects on his younger brother’s death and the importance of holding loved ones closeIt is said that comedy is tragedy plus time – and it’s taken Ed Byrne time to address the death last year of …
Continue ReadingPleasance Courtyard, EdinburghIdentity politics are deftly and hilariously tackled, with the help of a diamante-studded sporran, in a compelling showJodie Mitchell’s debut hour in some ways sticks to the mould of artist origin story. But in this show, …
Continue ReadingPleasance Courtyard, EdinburghThe standup delivers an energetic set about trying to live up to his parents’ expectations and the ethics of his corporate day job“I am unhinged!” There’s nervous energy to burn in Tadiwa Mahlunge’s show, which traces the …
Continue ReadingHaving built his reputation as a comic and podcaster on his candour about anxiety and addiction, Robins is facing a new comedy challenge – happiness‘There is no greater sorrow,” as Dante had it, “than to recall happiness in times of misery.” If the con…
Continue ReadingPleasance Courtyard, EdinburghThe nerdy comic takes his standup in a new direction with this partly participatory show but it doesn’t exploit his strengthsHe may be making his 10th Edinburgh appearance, but you can’t accuse Ivo Graham of coasting. He’s…
Continue ReadingThey might be ‘edgy, queer’ comics by night – but by day Shelf are children’s entertainers, and they’re not the only fringe act with a sideline in making kids laughWhen the comedy duo Shelf were asked to perform a show for children, they balked. “We’re…
Continue ReadingAttachment: The Leech Show is a merry romp about an influential reviewer and sums up the industry’s paradoxical attitude to theatre criticismAdvice has been circulating among fringe companies about how to appeal to theatre critics. The idea is to dig u…
Continue ReadingMonkey Barrel Comedy, EdinburghA clown by trade, Masli here sets about tackling the audience’s problems. Her leftfield efforts to ease them are one of this fringe’s true tonicsAt any given fringe, a show will emerge that crystallises the festival spiri…
Continue ReadingFor all but the biggest names, handing out flyers in the street is still essential. That doesn’t make it any less awkwardThe key to performing standup is to convince your audience that you don’t want their attention or approval as much as you obviously…
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