If you’re heading to this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival read on for comedy show picking inspiration.
1. Jayde Adams: The Divine Ms Jayde
Bristolian comic Jayde has been described by Dawn French as ‘the 3rd funniest woman in the world’. Expect glamorous gowns, a diva persona and sharp wit. The show includes music by Olivier award-winner Richard Thomas, best known for his work on Jerry Springer The Musical.
‘Outrageous’ (Guardian)
‘Fearless’ **** (Independent)
2. Rob Carter: I Spy With My Little Eye Something Beginning With Why Have You Slept With My Wife
If the title of Rob’s show hasn’t already got you frantically buying tickets we don’t know what will. Rob is in character throughout his show as failed Shropshire author Christopher Bliss who has written, directed and cast himself in his debut play.
‘One of the best character shows we’ve seen for a long time’ (comedy.co.uk)
‘This is how character comedy should be done’ **** (Chortle.co.uk)
3. Ripley Presents: Like a Sturgeon
An award-winning hit on the gay scene, Ripley is an Edinburgh born drag queen named after Sigourney Weaver’s character in the Alien films. The one-woman sketch show inspired by Smack The Pony includes drag, mime, political parody, camp pop and a twerking Theresa May.
‘The funniest show we’ve seen since Spitting Image’ (Boyz)
4. Camilla Cleese & Steve Hofstetter: Produced by John Cleese
A night of classic stand-up with double act Camilla Cleese and Steve Hofstetter. Comedy is running through the veins of Cleese who is the daughter of Monty Python and Fawlty Towers royalty John Cleese. Steve Hofstetter is a New Yorker with over 100 million youtube views and numerous US TV appearances under his belt.
5. Jimeoin: Result!
Irish stand-up legend Jimeoin returns to the fringe with not one but two shows; Jimeoin: Result and it’s late night cruder counterpart Jimeoin: Roast Chicken Result.
‘Hilarious… it gets no better than this… Brilliant!’ (Time Out)
‘Comedy of the highest order… Inspired!’ (Independent)
6. Kiri Pritchard-McLean: Victim, Complex
Kiri is a tough Welsh farmer’s daughter who struggled with her mental health in her thirties. Her show sees her opening up about the struggles she’s faced. As she explains ‘revealing my vulnerabilities on stage – where I pride myself on being strong, empowered and in control – is scary. But I’ve always felt you can have difficult conversations far more efficiently in comedy than anywhere else.’
‘Making powerhouse stand-up from the thorniest of subjects’ **** (Guardian)
7. Alfie Brown: Lunatic
An advocate of uncomfortable thought, Alfie Brown will often go places more experienced comedians would steer clear of. Inspired by the experience of watching someone die at a bus stop, Alfie covers a plethora of topics including identity politics, moral certainty, mob mentality and groupthink.
‘Quite simply the future of British stand-up’ ***** (List)
8. Rose Matafeo: Horndog
New Zealand comic Rose Matafeo’s show is about female desire. Her high energy set is packed with sharp one liners, shrewd social observation and personal anecdotes about sexuality.
‘One of the undoubted highlights of the Fringe’ ***** (Telegraph)
‘Effervescently entertaining’ **** (Guardian)
9. Janeane Garofalo: Put a Pin in That
Known as an actress, activist, spoken-word expert and comic, professional loudmouth Janeane Garofalo returns to Edinburgh after a five year break from the fringe.
10. Ahir Shah: Duffer
Following last year’s Best Show nomination, Ahir returns to Edinburgh Fringe with ‘Duffer’. Inspired by a recent family visit in Gujarat this time he covers the hefty topics of life and death, with a bit of bohemian rhapsody along the way.
‘A scope and wit about him that is exciting to behold’ **** (Times)
‘Ratchets up the dismay to thermonuclear levels’ **** (Guardian)
