Julia Masli: ha ha ha ha ha ha ha review – healing hilarity

Monkey 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…

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The hell and humanity of touting myself at Edinburgh: ‘I sidle up to strangers like a stray dog’

For 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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Edinburgh’s superstar magicians on secrets and surprises: ‘You have to be very good at lying’

Magic and mentalism abounds at this year’s festival. But how are the tricks done? Some of the best performers remain tightlipped – while others reveal all“That feeling you have right now,” says Colin Cloud, putting his cards down, “it’s wonderful, righ…

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‘My family were horrified’: comedian Sophie Zucker on her hilarious cousin-kissing funeral musical

A writer on The Daily Show who has been compared to Barbra Streisand, the New York comic has an unashamedly attention-seeking show at the Edinburgh fringeIn the musical fringe comedy Sophie Sucks Face, an attention-seeking young woman hooks up with her…

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The Last of the Soviets review – newsreaders navigate brutal truths and propaganda

Zoo Playground, EdinburghInspired by the work of Nobel-winning Belarusian journalist Svetlana Alexievich, this is a disturbing but blackly funny pieceEvery performance of The Last of the Soviets by the Czech company Spitfire is dedicated to Belarusian …

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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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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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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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