Performers and producers say arts are being ‘sanitised’ amid more sensitive attitudes towards swearing and sexual politicsAn annual “poster war” has raged between rival promoters for as long as the festival fringe has been filling Edinburgh’s small the…
Continue ReadingThe fringe can take its toll, but it’s all good material, right? Whether it’s pukey kisses, sleeping through a gig, or politician-induced paranoia, Ed Byrne, Paul Sinha, Olga Koch et al have lived to tell the tale. Plus! Ten shows to see this yearMy wo…
Continue ReadingSummerhall, EdinburghWelsh-Iranian musician Roshi Nasehi spins her heritage into standup that is most impressive when she works the stories into sound piecesHaving established herself as a musician – or, more precisely, a proponent of experimental Wel…
Continue ReadingThe Norwegian clown, whose hi-vis strip show won BGT and took over TikTok, is bringing his silliness to a yurt in Edinburgh. ‘Something bigger than me is happening,’ he says. ‘It’s out of my control’What is talent? And what is British? You may not expe…
Continue ReadingThe Norwegian clown, whose hi-vis strip show won BGT and took over TikTok, is bringing his silliness to a yurt in Edinburgh. ‘Something bigger than me is happening,’ he says. ‘It’s out of my control’What is talent? And what is British? You may not expe…
Continue ReadingThe comedian on his love of poetry, navigating political landmines and why Edinburgh is so close to his heartWest Bromwich-born Frank Skinner, 66, studied for a master’s in English literature and worked as a lecturer before trying standup for the first…
Continue ReadingThe duo have amassed more than 5m downloads with their irreverent take on parenthood, divorce and everything in between. They marked their anniversary with a record-breaking live showWhat fun it is to spend an afternoon with Helen Thorn and Ellie Gibs…
Continue ReadingAll aspects of artificial intelligence will get the comic treatment at this summer’s festivalA comedy show is probably not the first place to hear about a burning new issue, but standup routines have a habit of swiftly reflecting the worries of our tim…
Continue ReadingTheatre and comedy acts at this year’s festival break down their expenses and consider the financial risks“The big, difficult cost this year is accommodation,” says RoguePlay’s artistic director Kim Wildborne. The physical theatre company is heading to…
Continue ReadingThe comedian on getting old, festival toilets and British standups’ failure to talk about inequalityHow did you get into standup?I always loved comedy, but because I didn’t know the who, what, where and when, I didn’t think it would be something I coul…
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