The Edinburgh Fringe is packed with comedy talent from familiar TV faces, previous award winners and rising stars of the future. With over 3000 shows in the programme it can be difficult to know where to start so we’ve asked some leading comedians to recommend fringe debutants to see at the festival this year.
Louise Atkinson: She’s Got the Look
In her brand new stand-up show, Louise Atkinson (Winner of Amused Moose Comedy Award for Best Debut Show 2023), revisits a piece of unsolicited feedback about her appearance from someone in the comedy industry who reported that she ‘Sounds good, looks like a mess’. She’s Got the Look is a frank and engaging hour that hilariously dissects prejudices and the absurdity of making presumptions about people based on their looks or first impressions (when really we should be judging them on their biscuit preferences).
5pm Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose Coorie, 1st – 25th August
Tickets: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/louise-atkinson-she-s-got-the-look
@_latkinson_
Louise Atkinson recommends Bella Humphries
“Bella Humphries is debuting this year and her show is going to be great. She has some wonderful, brilliant jokes and a brilliant and refreshing perspective on matters. Also, what is so amazing when Bella performs is that she has such a confident and engaging style of performance, which means you can’t help but feel uplifted, comfortable and ready to enjoy her comedy, which is a rare performance skill to have.“
Bella Humphries: Square Peg
6:10pm Just the Tonic Mash House – Just the Bottle Room, 1st – 25th August (not 12th)
Tickets: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/bella-humphries-square-peg
@hella.bumphries
Grubby Little Mitts: Eyes Closed, Mouths Open
Join Award-winning sketch comedy duo Grubby Little Mitts (Rosie Nicholls and Sullivan Brown) in their third magnum opus at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Grubby Little Mitts are known for their signature surrealism embellished with rapid dialogue, musical interludes and aggressively red aesthetic screaming from handmade props. Fans of their past shows might wonder whether it’s even possible for them to be more ambitious or more revolting, and there’s only one way to find out… but one thing’s for sure: Grubby Little Mitts will make you cry – sorry, laugh.
4:35pm Assembly, 31st July – 26th August (not 10th)
Tickets https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/grubby-little-mitts-eyes-closed-mouths-open
@grubbycomedy
Grubby Little Mitts recommends Lil Wenker
“Lil Wenker, yes that is her real name, is a master clown who absolutely wowed our audience when she came and performed at our show Sketchbook a few months ago. Lil builds a whole world in front of you and not only is it impressive, but it’s one of the funniest and most innovative acts we’ve seen in a long time. We cannot wait to see her full show and we urge you all to watch it too!“
Lil Wenker: Bangtail
4:15pm Pleasance Courtyard Cellar 31st July – 25th August (not 12th)
Tickets: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/lil-wenker-bangtail
@not.little.wenker
Raul Kohli: Raul Britannia
Award-winning comedian and proud Brit, Raul Kohli is the son of a Hindu Indian and a Sikh Singaporean, raised in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, where his best friend was a Pakistani Muslim. He has lived in every corner of this glorious nation and is fascinated by the diversity of these small isles. Imagine his surprise to hear from politicians and the media that multiculturalism has failed.
Raul Britannia sees Raul at the top of his game, using his quick wit and clever humour to tackle complex themes, masterfully balancing biting satire with self-deprecating charm.
6:30pm, Just the Tonic at Cabaret Voltaire, 1st – 25th August (not 12th) https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/raul-kohli-raul-britannia
@raulkohlicomic
Raul Kohli recommends Jin Hao Li
“I recently shared a stage with Jin Hao Li, a Chinese-Singaporean comedian. His humour is surreal and then gets even more surreal and then by the time the punchline comes around, it all seems to make perfect hilarious sense! He’s supported some pretty big names this year and has been recommended by Rolling Stone as one to watch. I highly recommend it. I’d describe him as If Noel Fielding met Stewart Lee and was East Asian.“
7:10pm, Pleasance Courtyard 31st July – 25th August (not 14th)
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/jin-hao-li-swimming-in-a-submarine
@jin.hao.li
Harriet Dyer: Skin
A brand new stand-up show of story-based chaos with heart and peculiarities from award winning comedian Harriet Dyer (as seen on Comedy Central Live, Rosie Jones’s Disability Comedy Extravaganza & The Russell Howard Hour). In Skin, Harriet weaves together a story of friendship during a wayward time in her life with extraordinary anecdotes from her childhood in Cornwall and candid reflections on personal identity, society and the cunning nature of squirrels.
3:40pm Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose (Coorie)31st July – 26th August (not 12th)
Tickets: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/harriet-dyer-skin
@harrietdyercomedy
Harriet Dyer recommends Amy Mason
“The newcomer I’d like to recommend is Amy Mason, we’ve previewed together a couple of times and her show ‘Freemason’ is splendid! I love her dry and deadpan delivery, she’s smart with a fresh take on things, a great writer and has the funniest hat in all the shows. “
8pm Pleasance Courtyard 31st July – 26th August (not 12th)
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/amy-mason-free-mason
@amymasoncomedy
Ellie MacPherson: Babe Lincoln
Cabaret star and comedic historian Ellie MacPherson returns to the Edinburgh Fringe with a brand new show. Ellie wants your vote and she’ll get it the only way she knows how, with songs and stories from America’s past (which sound eerily like America’s present). Having discovered a previously unseen script of Abraham Lincoln’s secret stand-up special, Ellie MacPherson brings his story to life as she becomes Babe Lincoln.
4:35pm Pleasance Courtyard Attic 31st July – 25th August
Tickets: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/ellie-macpherson-babe-lincoln
@ellmac5
Ellie McPherson recommends Ian Lockwood
“I am so excited to see Ian Lockwood’s debut show. He writes comedic pop music that is not only laugh out loud funny but genuinely fun to listen to. It’s catchy as hell and the twists and turns of the storytelling are the mark of a true comedic craftsman. I can not WAIT to see him live. “
Ian Lockwood: The Farewell Tour
10:20pm Underbelly Wee Coo, 31st July – 26th August (not 12th)
Tickets: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/ian-lockwood-the-farewell-tour
@mrianlockwood
Sam Lake: Esméralda
Award-winning stand-up Sam Lake returns to the Edinburgh Fringe with a brand new uplifting show about coming out as Spanish, grief and the Ice Age movie franchise. Esméralda is a heartfelt and hilarious romp through ludicrous anecdotes from Sam’s childhood, growing up in Cornwall, visiting Disneyland and the difficulties caused by not speaking the same language as half of his family.
1:30pm, Monkey Barrel 2, 31st July -25th August (not 12th)
Tickets: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/sam-lake-esmeralda
@mrsamlake
Sam Lake recommends Kathleen Hughes
“I had the honour of having Kathleen open for me on my tour earlier this year, and she brought the house down. She’s debuting this year with her show Cryptid, and it is firmly on my “Not to be missed” list. She’s fun, she’s got amazing material, and she’s a good egg. We need good eggs in comedy.“
Kathleen Hughes: Cryptid!
4:20pm, Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, 31st July – 26th August (not 12th)
Tickets: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/kathleen-hughes-cryptid
@kathleenwho_
Chris Turner: Childish
Multi award-winning comedian, freestyle rapper and viral YouTube sensation Chris Turner returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with a brand new musical comedy extravaganza. As a child, Chris wanted to be two things: a comedian and a rock star. After 15 years of following the first dream, he’s booked a live band to help him achieve the other! Childish is a high energy, comical celebration of finding joy in our childhood dreams. See Chris Turner as never before, as he shares songs inspired by 80s synth-pop, musical theatre and more as well as the astounding improvised raps that have made him a fringe must-see.
5:45pm Underbelly Cowgate – Belly Dancer, 1st – 25th August (not 12th or 19th)
Tickets: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/chris-turner-childish
@christurnercomedy
Chris Turner recommends Rachel Kaly
“Kaly is one of the most memorable comics I’ve seen in New York, and I’m excited that she’s bringing her show over. She’s opened for a bunch of very funny people; has been praised by a bunch of very knowledgeable people; and is a genuinely original performer. “
Rachel Kaly: Hospital Hour
6:55pm Pleasance Courtyard 31st July – 25th August (not 12th)
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/rachel-kaly-hospital-hour
@rachel.kaly
Alexandra Haddow: Third Party
The news has been on fire for so long now we’re probably out of petrol. Should we all just embrace societal collapse and enter our Last Days of Rome era? This is a show about sex, politics, ageing, nihilism and maybe hope. In a world where we’re always told to pick a side, is there a third option from Leicester Best New Show nominee Alexandra Haddow.
10pm, Monkey Barrel 2, 31st July – 25th August (not 13th) Tickets: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/alexandra-haddow-third-party
@alexandrahaddow
Alex recommends Lou Taylor
“Lou is one of the funniest, freshest faces on the circuit and this show is a fun filled, nostalgic ride through adolescence, culture and all the fun firsts we love to reminisce on, through the lens of someone who’s looking back at the absurdity of it all with a modern filter. Plus you get stand-up and sketches, two for the price of one! Go go go! “
Lou Taylor: Jeans and a Nice Top
8:30pm Pleasance Courtyard – Bunker Three, 31st July – 25th August (not 12th)
Tickets: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/lou-taylor-jeans-and-a-nice-top
@loutaylortrash
Scott Bennett: Stuff
As a society we love stuff, it’s a statement about who we are and who we want to be. But apparently, this message is at odds with the looming environmental crisis. We’re now struggling to balance these worlds, to focus on the things that bring us real connections and nourish the soul. Award-winning Comedian and Award-winning Product Designer, Scott Bennett is desperately trying to cleanse his life of stuff, but is this even possible anymore?
Tour support for Mickey Flanagan, Rob Brydon Jason Manford, and John Bishop. The star of Live at the Apollo, The News Quiz, The Now Show, The Ultimate Choice and Chortle Best Club Comedian Nominee 2022.
8:45pm , Just The Tonic – The Subway, 13th -25th August
Tickets: Scott Bennett: Stuff (WIP) | Comedy | Edinburgh Festival Fringe (edfringe.com)
@scottbcomedyuk