Nate Kitch
Something Different!!!!!, 30 Jul-25 Aug
The PBH Free Fringe is essential for finding new stuff: Caitriona Dowden, Mark Dean Quinn and Ali Brice all have new exciting shows but Auditory Awakenings with Mr Tingles in the House ASMR starring Yogie Belle (PBH’s Free Fringe @ Bannermans) is something I can’t wait to see, I’ve seen Yogie doing short spots and laughed so hard I went to another place.
With seemingly no Consignia this year, I’m eager to catch (or not, as our shows clash) The Mayor and His Daughter (Assembly Roxy) – we’ve crossed paths on the circuit and I always enjoy watching their absurd theatrical oddity; something fresh for those seeking a break from the norm…maybe I’ll leave my own show again to catch the end of theirs? Or maybe I’ll do that anyway?
Ciara O’Connor
Best of So You Think You’re Funny?, 30 Jul-25 Aug
I adore Sharon Wanjohi (Pleasance Courtyard), she’s so high energy and every time I gig with her, she manages to outdress the entire room. Aside from being the most glamorous comedian at the Fringe, Sharon’s already doing bits on BBC, Comedy Central and ITV and I’m so excited to see her debut hour this Fringe.
Every time I see Ayoade Bamgboye (Pleasance Courtyard) perform, she takes over a room. Whether it’s a solo show or part of a mixed bill, Ayoade manages to turn the room upside down and it feels like you get to crawl inside her brain for the duration. Everything Ayoade does is so unpredictable – Swings and Roundabouts will be an eccentric and memorable standout for anyone’s Fringe watchlist.
Christopher Donovan and Laurie Brewster
Fun With Bad Boys, 30 Jul-25 Aug
Laurie: I have a big spreadsheet full of shows I want to see, so it’s hard to just choose a couple! My good friend Kelly Rickard is bringing her debut to The Stand. She is such a natural on stage with a real warmth about her. People should also go and see Eva Peroni, who’s doing a split bill (Hoots @ Potterrow), as well as a late night compilation show at Gilded Balloon called Hot Comedy. I’ve gigged with Eva recently and she is super engaging with some belting punchlines.
Christopher: There’s so many shows I’m excited to see. I want August here already! My recommendation is Sophie Garrad’s debut Poor Little Rich Girl (Pleasance Courtyard). She’s completely hilarious and destined for great things.
Sophia Wren
Princess Melancholy, 30 Jul-25 Aug
Kyla Cobbler (Underbelly Cowgate) is bottled lightning. She’s hilarious, razor sharp and has an irresistible charm that radiates out to the audience who are all at once falling in love and peeing their pants laughing.
Irish lunatic John Spillane (Hoots @ The Apex) is a wonderfully unhinged whirlwind improviser that walks on stage with NOTHING prepared. It’s mischievous, absurd and defies predictability. Comedy alchemy.
Sinead Walsh (Just the Tonic @ The Mash House) is an absolute gem of a comedian and human! Sinead’s comedy is charming, laugh-out-loud, hilariously self-deprecating and effortlessly relatable.
Kathleen Hughes
Twig (WIP), Scottish Comedy Festival @ Waverley Bar, 1-17 Aug
This year, I can’t wait to see Ayo Adenekan’s debut, Black Mediocrity (Monkey Barrel). Ayo put on an incredible showing at SYTYF? 2024 and he’s flying right now as a comic – he’s original, hilarious, and he has a really welcoming, easygoing vibe that makes an hour in his company a pleasure, on-stage or otherwise.
I’m also really excited to catch Yvonne Hughes (no relation, honest) at Gilded Balloon. Yvonne’s stand up is fresh and sincere and the story she’s telling – her journey living with cystic fibrosis – is something I’ve never heard discussed in comedy before. I love how she thinks and embraces experiences to turn them into engaging, candid, brilliant material.
So You Think You’re Funny? Competition – Heats, Gilded Balloon Patter House, 13-20 Aug (not 19), various times
So You Think You’re Funny? Competition – Grand Final, Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower, 21 Aug, 7.30pm