One of Edinburgh's most cherished theatres built in 1905 hosting drama, ballet, musical shows, variety and panto – reopening this year. Accessibility is at the heart of the King's Theatre redevelopment, with a step-free journey from street to seat and stage for the first time in the theatre's history.

69 sketches in an hour! 'Sketch perfection' ****½ (TheReviewsHub.com). Fresh off Hollywood Fringe, Biscuit Barrel return for their seventh Edinburgh run with more slapstick, songs, wordplay, biscuits and even beatboxing. 'Non-stop laughs. A wee masterpiece' ***** (TheMumble.uk). 'This show fires on all cylinders. Phenomenally talented troupe' **** (Edinburgh-Reviews.co.uk). 'An excellent comedy show' **** (BroadwayBaby,com). As seen at Hollywood Fringe, Brighton Fringe, Leicester Comedy Festival, BBC Scotland and BBC Radio Bristol.

Biscuit Barrel: The 69-Sketch Show

Cameron Gibson, Elliot Bibby and Luke Osey return for their fourth year as Insane Magic, bigger and more spectacular than ever before! Following multiple sell-out seasons, the trio present a fun-filled hour of jaw-dropping magic for everyone! Now in a larger venue; expect incredible new illusions, high-energy performances and plenty of moments of wonder. With international acclaim and five-star reviews, Insane Magic has been hailed as 'truly a global phenomenon' ***** (WorldMagicReview.com). This is world-class magic that will leave the entire family amazed, laughing and believing in the impossible.

1 Hour of Insane Magic

Showman, jester, attention chaser, Christopher Hall is back with his sparkling new show Pizazz. Come along on the dream night out, he'll give you a hilariously fun soirée and you'll be tucked up in bed at a sensible time. Instantly recognisable from iconic Background Singer videos with Sugababes, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Shania Twain and the Stay Hydrated podcast, Chris (1.2M Instagram and TikTok followers) is back IRL with his brilliantly hilarious stand-up show with a high possibility of an outbreak of dancing. 'Brilliantly relatable and funny' **** (EdFestMag.com). **** (EdFringeReview.com). ***** (BroadwayBaby.com).

Christopher Hall: Pizazz

An exciting crowd-work show where the audience decide who gets married today, by the end of the show! You have the power, using our app, to decide who is getting married! Our comedians will find out what the audience is really like while you get to decide who makes the perfect pairing and decide who is going to get Married at Fringe (first) Sight! From the team that The Guardian called 'an institution' and Attitude Magazine called 'hilariously funny... inspirational'. 'A true masterclass in crowd work' (NorthWestEnd.co.uk). Don't forget your hat!

Married at Fringe Sight

Arthur Hull returns with an updated version of his blockbusting musical cabaret celebrating Theatreland's casualties. This love letter to Broadway and the West End features a motley assortment of the misunderstood, critically panned and financially catastrophic musical misfires, including forgotten gems and pleas for redemption! Best Entertainment Award (DarkChat, Edinburgh Fringe 2025). Best Emerging Artist Award (Adelaide Fringe 2025). 'Arthur Hull's an absolute joy' ***** (List). 'FLOP! is an utter triumph' ***** (WestEndBestFriend.co.uk). 'Brings the house down' ***** (SeeDoEatReview.com). 'Undoubted smash' ***** (TheRecs.co.uk). 'A star is born!' ***** (TheRealChrisparkle.com). 'Stand-out' ***** (TheatreDiaries.adl).

FLOP! The Best Songs From The Worst Musicals

Returning to Fringe following sell-out 2023 debut and London transfer. Based on the life of Simon Wiesenthal, who survived the Holocaust and devoted the rest of his life to bringing Nazi war criminals to justice. Filled with hope, humanity and humour, it is the story of an ordinary man who did extraordinary things. Intelligent, flawed and noble, Wiesenthal's heroism is honoured in this play which takes place on his final working day in his Vienna office in 2003. By Tom Dugan, performed by Christopher C Gibbs, directed by Mark Liebert. 'Impeccably conceived' ***** (Scotsman). 'Immaculately constructed' ***** (BroadwayBaby.com).

Wiesenthal

Comedy. Magic. Parenting. What could possibly go wrong? In Abracadada, Elliot Bibby (co-creator of sell-out sensation 1 Hour of Insane Magic) delivers a fun, high-energy magic show for all ages. He explores the triumphs and total mayhem of life as a professional magician and dad of two. Packed with big laughs and jaw-dropping tricks, it's where parenting hacks meet impossible illusions. Perfect family entertainment at the Fringe. Fast-paced, friendly, and guaranteed to entertain audiences from ages 5 to 95. 'Cheeky, charming magician' ***** (EdinburghSpotlight.com).

Elliot Bibby: Abracadada

Shakespeare hasn't written anything new for an age, so we thought we would give him a hand... Using his language, your audience suggestions and our overactive imaginations, we create a brand new Shakespeare play live on stage, complete with big laughs, high drama, and plenty of Bard-based Bedlam! 'Quick-witted, inexhaustible and absolutely hysterical' ***** (LondonTheatreReviews.co.uk). 'Brilliantly bonkers! One of the best improvised shows at the Fringe' ***** (WestEndBestFriend.co.uk). 'Masters of improv, brilliant fun for all' ***** (TheatreScotland.co.uk). 'This is a must see' ***** (AYoungishPerspective.co.uk).

ShakeItUp: The Improvised Shakespeare Show

After a lifetime of anxiety, complex PTSD, and low self-esteem, Melbourne International Comedy Festival Best Newcomer Frankie McNair is finally done making themselves small. So now whenever self-doubt creeps in, they ask themselves one simple question: What would someone with a huge ass do in this situation? A chaotic love letter to comedy, delusional optimism, resilience and becoming the ass you want to see in the world! Most Outstanding Show nominee, Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2026. 'A proud, powerful and hilarious show' ***** (Chortle.co.uk). 'Fearless, funny and unexpectedly moving' ***** (GlamAdelaide.com.au). **** (List).

Frankie McNair: Huge Ass Mindset

After selling out her Edinburgh Fringe run and theatres across Ireland and the UK in 2025, Aoife Dunne returns with her acclaimed debut Good Grief. As one of the most exciting new voices in Irish comedy, Dunne mixes stand-up, theatrical storytelling and moments of profound emotional truth in this unmissable show. Good Grief has been praised by audiences and critics alike for its warmth, humour and knockout performance. 'Hilarious... her command of the stage is absolute' **** (Chortle.co.uk). A comedy show like no other, that will make you laugh, cry and leave feeling joyfully alive.

Aoife Dunne: Good Grief

Is fatherhood REAL or is it a lie made up by BIG childhood to sell MORE therapy? Join Adi Parmar (gay), as he recalls his unforgettable childhood in North India (India) and his unexpected fatherhood in North Holland (Netherlands) and makes sense of it all using the best medicine there is: Laughter (hahaha). 'Love, forgiveness and growth, all wrapped around with humour.' ***** (List). Winner Best Emerging Artist Adelaide Fringe 2026 weekly award. Soho Theatre London: Comedy Plus Lab 2025 Alumni. Newbie Comedian of the Year (Netherlands) 2024.

Adi Parmar: Sunny Boy

Comedy with your bairn? Aye, really! Join us for an adult comedy show where you can bring your bairn! Enjoy a brilliant selection of our favourite comics from the Scottish scene and beyond, performing especially for parents, carers, and babies. No babysitter required – it's the perfect daytime show. Expect adult language and grown-up material, so we recommend for those with little ones aged 15 months and under. **** (One4Review.com).

Bring Yer Bairn Comedy

Christian Dart returns with his acclaimed, sell-out Edinburgh Fringe 2025 show GUMSHOE! A grizzled New York Detective embarks on his final, most deadly and most ridiculous case yet. Join Gumshoe as he attempts to solve the unsolvable case. Who did the whodunnit?! Written and performed by multi award-winning comedian Christian Dart. Best Show: Leicester Comedy Festival 2025 Nominee. Sketch-Off! 2025 finalist. ***** (ThreeWeeks). ***** (Young-Perspective.net). ***** (TheLiveReview.co.uk). ***** (GetTheChance.wales). ***** (Number9Reviews.blogspot.com). ***** (AdventuresInTheatreland.com). ***** (AaronSays.co.uk). ***** (TonyLovesTheFringe.com). **** (List). **** (One4Review.co.uk).

Christian Dart: GUMSHOE!

Trapped on the sleepy Scottish island of Cumbrae, seventeen-year-old Steven McPhail feels like an outsider dreading a dead-end future. He desperately needs an escape – and he's about to find it. When a dazzling encounter with a flamboyant stranger opens his eyes, Steven steps out of the shadows to embrace his authentic self. Crocodile Rock is a 'heart-rendering exploration of sexuality' (ScotsGayArts.com) and a hilarious, touching journey of self-discovery. With a soaring original score, this five-star show is a 'fabulous musical... a must-see' (The ReviewsHub.com), featuring a 'tour-de-force' (Herald) performance by Darren Brownlie.

Crocodile Rock

Dreamgun and special guests perform a different parody film script every night, rewritten with fresh jokes and read live by completely unprepared comedians. It's an unrehearsed, rapid-fire, cinematic mess. Previous guests include Dara Ó Briain, Rose Matafeo, Nish Kumar and Aisling Bea. From The Shawshank Redemption to Psycho to Jumanji, no childhood favourite is safe. Check the web listing for the full schedule. 'Merciless, hilarious' *****  (Irish Times). 'Kept us in stitches' ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). For line up of films, please visit: https://tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk/event/14:6696/

Dreamgun Film Reads

At 17, Eva moved from Livingston to Costa Rica on her own. She dropped out of school and moved to Costa Rica a boy-mad wee bam. She came back a bald lesbian without shoes. A fast, brutally funny debut about how you can take the girl out of Livingston, but maybe Costa Rica is too far. 'One of the best young acts on the Scottish circuit' (One4Review.co.uk). 'A rising star' (List). Support for Kim Blythe, Sam Nicoresti and Susie McCabe.

Eva Peroni: Jungled

Edinburgh debut from BBC New Comedy Award 2025 semi-finalist, Leicester Square Theatre New Comedian of the Year 2025 finalist and So You Think You're Funny? 2024 finalist, Fab Goualin. A show about being mixed-race, middle class, and misunderstood. Growing up, Fab often being the only person of colour in the room meant a lifetime of awkward assumptions, accidental anthropology, and people confidently explaining his own identity to him. Too "something" for certain crowds, not "something enough" for others, he became a master of the code-switch. But the real confusion wasn't just external, it was internal.

Fab Goualin: Mixed Messages

Fabled is an entirely improvised fantasy adventure tale that features a hilarious cast of improvisers with live musical accompaniment. Featuring actors from Final Fantasy Tactics, Crimson Desert, Dragon Quest, Warhammer: Age Of Sigmar, Anno, Evil West, Arknights, Hellblade and more. 'A delightful hour of improvisational theatre' **** (LittleLarkOfLondon.com). 'Very entertaining and extremely impressive!' ***** (TheAudienceClub.com). 'A talented and hilarious band of improvisers. This show is worth questing for!' (Graham Dickson, Austentatious).

Fabled: The Improvised Fantasy Adventure

It's pretty, but is it art? Through magic, comedy and storytelling, Chris Cook shares the story of a faker so skilled he had to forge his way to freedom, an artist so talented he may himself be a fraud, a magician whose promise conceals a lie, and a mysterious figure who may not even exist. A story only a magician could tell. Mervyn Stutter's Pick of the Fringe 2025. 'A masterclass in storytelling' ***** (Edinburgh-Reviews.co.uk). 'Fake is the show to see' ***** (WorldMagicReview.com). 'A true joy to watch' ***** (The Student).

Fake

After a sellout debut Edinburgh 2023 show, Fiona Allen star of Smack The Pony returns with her new show White Lies. Fiona needs a perfect lie to avoid her pet hate of social gatherings. Running out of time and patience she encounters every obstacle a day can throw at her. It all threatens to derail her quest to find the perfect lie. She must confront her worst fear: her neighbours party. It's a fate worse than death and the clock is ticking. She's going to have to war-game it. Honestly. 'Punchlines delivered with cutting execution' (Scotsman).

Fiona Allen: White Lies

Drew Lausch grew up gay in Fargo, North Dakota. So he did what any emotionally stable teenager would do: invented the world's first gay superhero. Years later, he's still trying to save himself. Friendliest is a dark, funny and quietly devastating solo show about first love, small-town repression and the creative impulse to rewrite your own origin story. Blending biting stand-up with raw storytelling, Drew unpacks the boy he hurt, the hero he built, and the mess in between. It's sharp, intimate and occasionally feral. Written and performed by Drew Lausch. Directed by Jenny Leon.

Friendliest

Join the Scottish stage and screen legend for a laughter-filled hour in conversation, as he shares stories and anecdotes from his life and career, which has seen him bring iconic characters to life in such classic titles as the multi BAFTA award-winning Rab C Nesbitt (BBC Two), Naked Video (BBC Two), The Baldy Man (ITV), Love Actually, and most recently BBC One's hit sitcom Only Child. The show promises plenty of laughs, a few surprises and a bit of honesty about the daft and wonderful journey Gregor's had over the decades.

Gregor Fisher: An (Early) Evening With Gregor Fisher

Emmy and Golden-Globe winning comedian Guy Branum goes on a joke-dense slide show journey through religion and science arguing that he, as a clinically obese gay man, does not serve any practical purpose. Guy recruits his audience to look at the origins of homophobia and anti-fat bias and asks how correct they might be. He uses this journey to explore how we tell stories about people traditionally ignored, why he's bad at telling stories, the 1984 Tony Awards, the first and only time he's been in love, and, of course, the biology and evolution of fruit.

Guy Branum: Be Fruitful

Fifty years after its original creation, Michael Burrell's HESS returns to Edinburgh in a revival that feels startlingly, even uncomfortably, relevant. Written in 1976, the play probes the psychology of a man consumed by extremist ideology, revealing the personal and political devastation such beliefs can unleash. What once read as a historical character study now lands with renewed force in a world marked by rising hatred, deepening political division, and ongoing humanitarian crises. This revival challenges audiences to confront the unsettling truth that the forces Burrell explored half a century ago have not faded – they have resurfaced.

HESS

Winner of the first season of BBC's The Traitors, Hannah Byczkowski digs into death in her debut hour. In her hilarious, no-nonsense style, Hannah explores everything from craft projects for loved one's ashes, funeral faux pas and why she's not running from serial killers. Hannah is the co-host and creator of the hit podcast Ghost Huns with over 5 million listens and 1.3 million followers on TikTok. NTA winner. TV also includes The Stand-Up Sketch Show (ITV2) and Celebrity Weakest Link (BBC One). 'Want to howl with laughter? See Hannah. She is a comedy goddess' (Claudia Winkleman).

Hannah Byczkowski: Killer

Joe Sib returns to Fringe with his most personal and universal hour yet. Aggie is a hilarious and heartfelt stand-up show about the one person who loved you first. Through sharp storytelling, big laughs and honest moments, Joe explores what it means to be raised by someone who would do anything for you, and what happens when you realise you would do anything for them too. It is about mothers, family and the stories that shape us. Guaranteed laughs and maybe a few tears.

Joe Sib: Aggie – A Comedy About Moms

As the sun sets, a new antihero awakens. Calling all big-hearted heroes! Award-winning comedian Juliette Burton is summoning YOU. Join the dark side in a comedy quest for grown-up geeks and justice-hungry joy seekers ready to battle the REAL dragons: inequality and bad sex lives. It's time to iron out the kinks! Burton brings armour of hard truths, high fantasy and hilarity. Live nerdgasms possible. 'Fun, fabulous, relatable, and a safe space for nerds. **** (Edinburgh-Reviews.co.uk). Praise for previous shows: 'Hilarious' ***** (EdFestMag.com). 'Marvellous' ***** (StarburstMagazine.com). ***** (VoiceMag.uk). ***** (FemaleArts.wordpress.com). 'Fringe favourite' (Guardian). 'Fringe legend' (FringeReview.co.uk).

Juliette Burton: Villain Era

Like most people, Kathleen comes from a long line of other people. Following her acclaimed Fringe debut, Glaswegian comic Kathleen Hughes returns with a show all about family, legacy and why we're all like this. 'Confidence, charm and whip-smart wit... an incredibly funny woman' (Skinny). 'One of the bright new hopes of Scottish comedy' (Scotsman).

Kathleen Hughes: Twig

The original late-night show returns with stellar line-ups of your favourite acts from the festival, hosted by the best MCs in the country, every single night of the Fringe. 'The best late-night show on the Fringe' (Scotsman). 'A Fringe institution for a reason' (TheRecs.co.uk). Previous acts include Johnny Vegas, Bill Bailey, Rich Hall, Jason Byrne, Mawaan Rizwan, John Bishop, Larry Dean, Maisie Adam, Reuben Kaye, Jordan Grey, Viggo Venn and just about every notable name in comedy. Late'n'Live guarantees an unforgettable night of live comedy and is an essential addition to any Fringe bucket list.

Late'n'Live

Playful, chaotic clowning meets existential confusion as one man desperately tries to make sense of life. Perpetually derailed, deluded and paralysed by overwhelm, Big Loz Dodd arrives to do something very special indeed – something that might just deliver the kind of profound insight that shakes our contemporary situation to its core. Blending performance art and contemporary clowning, This Can't Be It is a semi-improvised, feverish and open-hearted exploration of how we stay open to the mystery when everything is closing us down. Directed by Lara Ricote, with Rachael Dobbie on tech.

Lawrence Dodd: This Can't Be It

What does it take to become a legend? Fuelled by pork scratchings and a lust for glory, 2025's So You Think You're Funny? winner Madeleine Brettingham presents her highly anticipated debut hour of stand-up, exploring what growing up in a world of booze-soaked bad behaviour taught her about how man becomes myth. Praised for her 'distinctive worldview' (Chortle.co.uk), 'tight and gag-packed writing' (Bruce Dessau), and 'knack for blending offbeat observations with pacey, unexpected punchlines' (List). 'One of the best joke writers in comedy today.' (Frankie Boyle).

Madeleine Brettingham: Legend

Join 'everyone's favourite pantomime dame!' (Metro) and Britain's Got Talent semi-finalist, Mama G, on an award winning, panto adventure for the whole family. Book Worm is livid that encyclopaedias give people so much knowledge, so decides to steal all the books from Mama G's library! Mama G vows to save the day by proving that books can help make the world a better place. But she can't do it alone! Enter the mysterious and wonderful Magic Bookmark... She needs your help too, to discover why everyone deserves to be part of the story!

Mama G: The Magic Bookmark

Join Max, his sidekick Gordon the Monkey, and a gaggle of puppet friends as they get down to the seriously silly business of making big laughs for the whole family. Expect sketches, slapstick and a briefcase full of nonsense. With years of family comedy experience under his belt, come along as Max brings his family-friendly show to the Fringe for the very first time! ***** (ThreeWeeks). **** (EdFestMag.com). **** (TheWeeReview.com). **** (TheTheatreReviewer.com). **** (BeyondTheJoke.co.uk). **** (OnTheMic.co.uk).

Max Fulham's Monkey Business

See how Mel Hudson revived her libido, courtesy of Richard Ashcroft. In 2022 Mel thinks her love life is over. She is prepared to go to her grave as a sexually redundant cat lady. Then 3 things happen: lockdown ends, the cat dies and Mel attends a momentously revitalising musical event at Crystal Palace Park Bowl. Suddenly men are not so paused. From Alan Partridge, The Catherine Tate Show, Hudson and Pepperdine. 'What an honest, funny show, cleverly insightful and life affirming' (Phil Clarke, Producer of Peep Show).

Mel Hudson: Richard Ashcroft Revived My Libido

The critically acclaimed, sell out, unmissable late-night hit is back, bigger than ever! Join Jake Bhardwaj and "celebrity" guests for the most chaotic, high-energy quiz show in town. Expect music, comedy, interactive bonus rounds and surprise appearances. 'I can confidently say this is the best show I've seen' ***** (GetYourCoatsOn.com). 'You leave feeling like you have just been at the greatest... late-night party' ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). 'Breathless, non-stop fun' ***** (Ralph Magazine). 'One of the most entertaining and mad things I've seen' (Joe Lycett). 'One of those rare shows that makes controlled chaos look effortless' (Jordan Gray).

Not Another Quiz Night

She's a professional matchmaker who accidentally set up her college boyfriend with her high school bully. Sorta like if Ron set up Hermione with Malfoy. Or Romeo set up Juliet, with someone who bullied Romeo. You know. Like that. You get it. Comedy.co.uk recommended show. Top Ten Solo Shows of Hollywood Fringe (StageTakes.com). 'Side-splitting comedy' (TheEdinburghReporter.co.uk). 'Hypersonic physicality' **** (MumbleComedy.net ). Top 9 Shows to See: Edinburgh Reporter. Featured: BBC, NPR and Off-Broadway. From the creator of Faking It, a five-star, award-winning, FringeReview.co.uk Highly Recommended Show and Off-West-End hit.

Olivia Raine Atwood: Oops

Lou Reed. The lottery. Ecstasy. Prince Andrew. Punk. Barenaked Ladies. Crisps. Terry Jones. Leukaemia. Butterflies. Dizzy Gillespie's cheeks. Chance. Scat. Sunshine on Leith. Boo-bee-dee-do. Wasps. Double helix. Comedy. Dennis Hopper. Scrotums. Life. Edinburgh Comedy Award Winner, Phil Nichol is back with a brand-new show. An acclaimed actor, award-winning comedian, producer, presenter, writer and musician, there is no end to his talent. As seen on The Graham Norton Show (BBC One) and Never Mind the Buzzcocks (BBC Two). ***** (Scotsman). ***** (List).

Phil Nichol: Aren't We Lucky

20th anniversary of the 2006 Edinburgh Comedy Award winning show. The unhinged re-telling of an Amsterdam trip gone wrong ending with an epiphany of epic proportions. 'You won't see many comedy shows that actually exert g-force. Exhilarating, incredibly funny and clever' (Scotsman). 'This is a show that makes you laugh and think while you are watching and then wakes you up in the night to laugh and think again' (Scotsman). 'Mind-blowing. Infectious joy' ***** (Scotland on Sunday).

Phil Nichol: The Naked Racist

I came here to tell jokes and figure out who's going to betray me. And I'm all out of jokes. After months spent touring worldwide, Reuben returns with knives in his back and a camera on his head. For glory. For redemption. For revenge. A fully updated rendition of 2025's sold-out show. As booed on America's Got Talent. Nominated ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards Best Show 2025. 'Offers nothing personal and almost no actual content' **** (Chortle.co.uk). 'Egotistical delusions' **** (Scotsman). 'Indescribable' **** (List). 'Disorderly' **** (IsolatedNation.com).

Reuben Solo: Someone in This Crowd Will Betray Me [Revenge Edition]

Chin Music has two meanings: one is idle talk, the other is a brushback throw in baseball or cricket to intimidate the batter. Both describe Rich Hall's comedy. Idle but intimidating. Sharp, quick, splenetic and sublimely improvisational. If you've never seen him, you need to hustle down and grab a seat because he never disappoints. Ever. 'Blissfully funny' (Guardian).

Rich Hall: Chin Music

Powerhouse vocals. Unfiltered comedy. Cabaret chaos. Sarah Hester Ross brings her viral songs and razor-sharp humour to a one-woman show that's part concert, part confessional and all hilarious. With over 3 million followers online, catch the internet sensation live onstage and find out what it really means to serve c*nt. Sarah Hester Ross is an internationally touring cabaret artist and viral social media creator whose musical comedy blends bold feminist takes with powerhouse vocals and sharp-as-hell satire.

Sarah Hester Ross: Serving C*nt

Schalk Bezuidenhout is back with a brand-new show. His first and (hopefully, for the love of all things good) only show post divorce. Schalk hasn't checked in with you all in some time and he wants to talk to you. Actually... he needs to talk to you! Why? Because it's cheaper than therapy. That's why! 'Rapid-fire gags and manic energy. Highly recommended' **** (TheAge.com.au). As seen on Amazon Prime, Netflix and Comedy Central. Arena tour support for Trevor Noah. ***** (EdFringeReview.com). **** (Mervyn Stutter's Pick of the Fringe). **** (BroadwayBaby.com). 'Fast-rising talent' (Guardian).

Schalk Bezuidenhout: Hey Hey Divorcè

'What's on your mind?' A musician and a psychologist walk into a disco, one, ever the social butterfly, the other reserved and introspective. These polar opposites attract and a romance develops – two souls at the start of their lives, two neurodivergent lovers living with their respective conditions, whilst the audience, equipped with headphones, witness every private thought and every secret anxiety. Silent Disco is a work of two halves simultaneously: The first, a tender narrative of the lives of neurodivergent young people, and an abstract, pre-recorded stream-of-consciousness, broadcast directly into the ears of its audience.



Silent Disco

The search for comedy's next big star continues as contestants battle for a place in the Grand Final of the UK's biggest newcomer competition! Following months of regional showcases across the UK and Ireland, see the future faces of comedy before they make it big! 'Showcasing the stand-up stars of the future' (Comedy.co.uk). Previous winners and finalists from the competition include Aisling Bea, Tommy Tiernan, Maisie Adam, Peter Kay, Lee Mack, Fern Brady, Rob Beckett, Romesh Ranganathan, Sara Pascoe, Daniel Sloss and more.

So You Think You're Funny? Heats

A show about Stephen's jobs. Stephen Colfer, creator of Dreamgun Film Reads, looks back on twenty years of taking side jobs to support his main job (comedy). Somewhere between alphabetising CDs, demoing tech that doesn't work, saying one line in two films and having one hundred trainee doctors practice on his ears, he hopes to answer the question: Where does Stephen end, and jobs begin?

Stephen Colfer: Stephen Jobs

Welcome to the unhinged, razor-sharp, fluorescent universe of Charlene Kaye: guitar god, internet legend and 'breakout comedy star' (Rolling Stone). This Fringe, she will debut her brand-new show: Diversity Shredder! A madcap tour of Charlene's experience as an Asian woman guitar shredder – from trolling men in Guitar Center, to standing behind white pop stars just to get that bag, to starting endless all-girl cover bands like Guns N' Hoses and Labiahead. Being an Asian female guitar shredder is fun if you're a menace.

Charlene Kaye: Diversity Shredder

CHURCH is a one-woman comedy show from the mind of LA-based stand-up comedian, former megachurch pastor and storyteller Brit Barron. Blending sharp stand-up, theatrical storytelling and live gospel music, Barron stages the show like a church service; equal parts revival and irreverence. A sold-out hit in Los Angeles, CHURCH is a hilarious and heartfelt exploration of faith, queerness, race and religious trauma.

Brit Barron: CHURCH

Finalists battle it out to take the crown in the climactic stage of the UK's most prestigious comedy newcomer competition! Following months of regional showcases around the UK and Ireland, see comedy's rising stars give their best performances in a bid to win So You Think You're Funny? 2025. 'Showcasing the stand-up stars of the future' (Comedy.co.uk). Previous winners and finalists from the competition include Aisling Bea, Tommy Tiernan, Maisie Adam, Peter Kay, Lee Mack, Fern Brady, Rob Beckett, Romesh Ranganathan, Sara Pascoe, Daniel Sloss and more.

So You Think You're Funny? Grand Final

Viral sensation and Britain's favourite teacher James B Partridge is heading back on the road in 2026 and following extraordinary demand, he's bringing the Primary School Bangers back for an encore at Edinburgh Fringe! Beginning as playful performances for his pupils, the show has grown into a genuine national phenomenon. From viral online fame to a field-closing Glastonbury set (featured on BBC festival highlights) James has become the UK's most beloved musical nostalgia act. This is more than a tour, it's a collective singalong, decades in the making!

Primary School Bangers

Following a PTSD diagnosis, Kit escapes the North-East for London, until a text from her ex detonates her recovery, sending her spiralling through therapy, chaos and questionable coping fantasies. In the TikTok trauma-dump era, Kit is determined to stay the main character (because if she doesn't laugh, she'll cry and post it). As symptoms, triggers and disordered eating collide, she must confront her past or keep avoiding it. SLAY is a darkly funny North-East reckoning by Offie nominated writer-performer Lois-Amber Toole (ITV's Vera, Amazon Prime's Killers Anonymous), directed by Fringe First winner Anna Morris, produced by Gina Lyons.

SLAY

Award-winning solo show. Join US comic actor Sims Holland on her Edinburgh debut as she recounts her rollercoaster journey from the depths of addiction to the challenging – and often hilarious – road of sobriety. Speckled with poetry, dotted with dance numbers and doused in honesty, Learning to Human is a heartfelt exploration of what it takes to reclaim your life. Winner: Best Autobiographical Show, United Solo, NYC 2024. Winner: Best of the Fest, Frontera Fest ATX 2024. Nominee: B Iden Payne Award, ATX 2024. 'Searing, soul bearing and completely unforgettable' (BroadwayWorld.com).

Sims Holland: Learning to Human

Ireland's megastar Shane Daniel Byrne is back. 'He storms a room' (Tommy Tiernan). You're invited along to Shane for an hour of fast paced and heartfelt stand-up comedy. All his mates are having babies but Shane's just having the craic! Is that so wrong? Baby This Time is set to be Shane's most personal show to date. A show about what makes a man who can't make a baby. 'My favourite new Irish comedian for many years' (David O'Doherty). 'Shane Daniel Byrne is my favourite' (Irish Examiner). **** (BroadwayWorld.com). 'Superb as always' ***** (GCN.ie). 

Shane Daniel Byrne: Baby This Time

Sophia Wren is an electrifying Irish stand-up whose comedy crackles with intelligence and heart. Drawing on family folklore, modern dating disasters and the beautifully absurd realities of Irish life, she crafts tightly written sets that feel both personal and universal. Her stage presence is warm yet mischievous, inviting audiences to laugh at the chaos of adulthood while finding unexpected tenderness in the punchlines. Whether commanding a packed theatre or an intimate club, she delivers fearless crowd work, sharp social commentary and stories that spiral hilariously before snapping back with precision.

Sophia Wren: The Best Girl in the World

Celebrating the milestones nobody throws a shower for... until now. Join comedians Sarah Hester Ross (all the way from Las Vegas) and David Ian (all the way from London) for live recordings of This Is My Baby. Their new podcast celebrates achievements that don't come with a ring or a registry. Because not all life milestones are weddings or babies; some are quitting a job, surviving a year, or finally choosing yourself. Featuring engaging interviews and real stories, we give flowers to the wins that usually get a polite nod instead of a party.

This Is My Baby: Live Podcast!

Feel-good comedy brings you the beloved characters, romance and action of Tom Cruise's aerial blockbuster, alongside the heartfelt story of father and son superfans. Can Maverick and best friend Goose beat Iceman to the Top Gun trophy? Can instructor Charlie order drinks without anyone singing at her? Can one Fringe First-winning nerd reenact the movie's signature dogfights – alone? This very unauthorised parody marks 40 years since Top Gun's cinema release – essential viewing for Top Gun veterans and rookies alike. From creators of international smash Yippee Ki Yay. 'Epically entertaining' **** (Times). 'Lovely, witty, delicious' ***** (Independent).

Top Gunchained

Gather, gather, and turn the cloth... 1989. The first storm of winter hits a small Scottish town, bringing with it obligation, tradition and a spirit hungry for a wife. Bonds are tested, secrets revealed, and someone must make a deadly choice. Darkly funny, unsettling and atmospheric, Turn the Cloth is a new folk horror play inspired by traditional waulking songs and kelpie folklore, stringing together campy 1980s horror films, sharp-tongued teenagers and folklore from Scotland. Using a fusion of trad music and 80s synth, it dissects defiance, girlhood and the rituals that shape us.

Turn the Cloth

Yvette's not like other girls. She's a guy's girl. She's going to spend an hour failing the Bechdel Test by doing jokes about a variety of topics including but not limited to situationships, gun violence and her dad. You'll laugh and maybe gasp if she crosses a line by accident and then wins you back after that, but you definitely won't cry!!

Yvette Segan: Guy's Girl

Girlhood in the Bathroom is a new Australian musical set entirely in a club bathroom on New Year's Eve. Amidst the chaos of the female bathroom, five 20-something-year-old girls navigate love, friendship and the truths about the world – through passionate scenes and original songs! The show explores a simple but revealing question: why do girls always go to the bathroom together? With a mix of humour and emotional honesty, this show invites audiences to laugh, cry and recognise themselves in the stories. This show is going to leave you reminiscing longer than the bathroom line!

Girlhood in the Bathroom

In Wo-Manosphere, Aideen McQueen becomes sober, spiritual and... insufferable! She now finally understands dating, boundaries, attachment and the male loneliness epidemic, she even sympathises with incels, after all, who needs feminism, when all you need is to harness your inner manopshere! Now she's done the "work on herself", she is ready to be the perfect chill, "cool-girl" partner! Then a situationship with a minor celebrity makes her question it all... again! Wo-Manosphere is savage stand-up about masculinity, female delusion and the upsetting discovery that spirituality can't stop you making a feckin' show of yourself.

Aideen McQueen: Wo-Manosphere

Amanda Knox is approaching 40, juggling motherhood and facing an existential crisis: what if she peaked at wrongful imprisonment? How is she going to explain it all to her daughter, who's already asking to hear the story of Mama Goes to Italy? And can she protect her from, well, everything, knowing her own mother couldn’t protect her no matter how hard she tried?

Amanda Knox: Cartwheel

Bestselling Edinburgh Fringe comedian Chris Hall and musician Lizzie Hall bring their #1 charting podcast to Edinburgh Fringe. On Stay Hydrated, Chris and Lizzie dive deep into the corners of pop culture to see what the culture that has popped says about us. Sometimes they're joined by their famous friends – including Jameela Jamil, Louis Spence, Grace Helbig and comics including Lee Peart and Cat Cohen. The live show is an evening not to be missed – filled with nostalgia, laughter and references you'll need to be there to understand.

Chris and Lizzie Hall present: Stay Hydrated Live!

Grace's loud and anxious, spiritual and materialistic, graceful and... a disgrace. When the world wants her to be easily defined, nuance can feel like a pipe dream. Now Campbell stops trying to fit into the teeny tiny boxes she's felt she has to contort herself into her whole life and asks: why can't she be everything at once? With the energy of your loudest friend holding court at a dinner party, this show is a messy, self-examination from a woman who's had many breakdowns and rebirths, and has truly stopped giving a fuck.

Grace Campbell: The Lady Is a Tramp

Following sell-out 2024 and 2025 runs, the award-winning social deduction game Blood on the Clocktower returns to the Fringe as a live comedy show. Hosted by Jon Gracey (Werewolf: Live, No Rolls Barred) and featuring a revolving cast of comedians, Blood on the Clocktower: Live is a night of gothic chaos and carnage. Will the townsfolk of Ravenswood Bluff destroy the demon – or each other? Previous guests include Sam Reich, Rekha Shankar, Chris Grace, Elaine Carroll, Gianmarco Soresi, Thanyia Moore, DJ Hammersmith, Demi Adejuyigbe and more.

Blood on the Clocktower: Live

20 years ago, award-winning musical theatre writer Stephen Cole met his first camel... and he hasn't been the same since. Stephen tells his hilarious story of writing a musical for the Emir of Qatar. Picture this! Two Brooklyn Jews, some Middle Eastern producers, a Qatari movie star, flying carpets, Croatian acrobats, Russian ballet dancers, an Italian director, the desert, camels (a lot of camels!) and, of course, music.. You will laugh and you will cry (from laughing) in this outrageous unbelievable-but-true tale of how Stephen and his collaborator wrote the first American musical to premiere in the Middle East.

Camelton

Trojan Women Project presents Palestinian Syrian actress Arwa Omaren's Offie-nominated one woman play about her perilous journey from Syria to the UK. Hope, humour and defiance battle danger and despair as she moves from life as a Palestinian refugee in Syria through near fatal abandonment on the Mountain of Death to homelessness on the streets of London. She weaves the words of Euripides' Hecuba, Queen of Troy, into her own story, personifying the eternal nature of war, exile and loss.

Hecuba: Why Am I In Your Country?

A butterfly flaps its wings in the Amazonian rainforest causing Jack to perform a show at the Edinburgh Festival. We all have origin stories. This is Jack's. A brand-new hour of hilariously personal comedy from the BAFTA award-winning star of The Chief, Scot Squad and Absolutely. 'It's simply impossible not to love what he does on stage' (Scotsman). 'Masterful, superlative' (Chortle.co.uk). 'A hugely talented comic performer' (Sunday Times). 'A maverick genius' (Herald). 'A master storyteller' (ArtsHub.com.au). **** (Independent). **** (Guardian). **** (List). **** (Evening Standard). **** (Comedy.co.uk). **** (Skinny).

Jack Docherty: Butterfly

If the friend who talked you out of suicide killed himself, is it still possible to live like there IS a tomorrow? The acclaimed writer, actor, comedian and radio host returns to the Fringe to reveal the truth behind his online persona, one very public yearlong mistake, that one fateful appearance on Joe Rogan and tying the final knot. Robin Williams said 'he has the spark that energized my conscience'. Critics have called him 'the Second Coming', 'audacious', 'special' and 'almost poetic', while his Mom said, 'I'm surprised he's not dead'.

Jamie Kilstein: Can't Tie Knots

The Academy invites you to witness every single movie the Carrivick siblings ever made between 1995-2001... ish. Digitised, dramatised and unlawfully re-edited into a kaleidoscopic hour of nostalgic cinematic characters. This BBC New Comedy Award and Sketch Off finalist is 'gearing up to conquer' (Dawn French). A 'fun hour' (Chortle.co.uk) from an 'extremely likeable and engaging performer' (ThePhoenixRemix.com) and a 'Masterclass' ***** (GetYourCoatsOn.com). Directed by the award-winning Elf Lyons. Expect parody, pastiche and popcorn.

Jess Carrivick: For Your Consideration

Having recently played to 150,000 in the Southern Hemisphere, Australian comedian and internet sensation Jimmy Rees makes his Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut in 2026. Due to his on-point social observations and razor-sharp satire, Jimmy has amassed 4.5 million social media followers, captivating an audience spanning all generations. Expect stand-up, character and sketch comedy as well as multimedia integration in this hilarious must-see show. Nothing and no-one is safe. 'He knows exactly how to spin everyday life into something wildly entertaining' ***** (OnYourMarkus.au). 'A dazzling display of wit, timing, and sheer skill' **** (SheldonAngMedia.com).

Jimmy Rees: In Reel Life

You know them from Netflix, Comedy Central, HBO and Amazon Prime, and from historic stages like The Hollywood Improv and The Comedy Store. Back again after their two smash sold-out Fringe runs and UK tour, a hilarious rotating lineup featuring some of the hottest new voices in American independent stand-up comedy. Civilisation is crumbling. The world is on fire. Time for a joke.

Laughing Stock

After a self-described "career-altering" loss at the Chortle Student Comedy Award Finals in 2024, 22-year-old Leo Hincks returns to where it all went wrong – Edinburgh Fringe. Hincks attempts to perform a brilliant debut comedy show, but realises he may have bitten off more than he can chew. As reality falls apart around the professionally undecided comedian/actor, the audience is whisked through his dreams, nightmares and notes app. In order to find more material, Leo must encounter his darkest fears and ultimately have a showdown with his greatest enemy – himself.

Leo Hincks: Emotional Cowboy

Hot flushes or hot topic? For centuries menopause has been shrouded in secrecy and shame. Now, Mariella Frostrup, joined by Gina Bellman is cracking the topic wide open! Expect fascinating facts, the horrible history, a dose of outrage and plenty of jokes along the way!
This isn't a medical show. This is something far more radical: a collective reckoning with the extraordinary, infuriating and darkly hilarious history of menopause itself.

Mariella Frostrup: Cracking the Menopause

Mark Maier's Jewvenile is one hilarious Jewish stand-up show. Former Jewish Performer of The Year, this award-winning comedian covers many topics in his very personal show from death, cushions and a Victoria Sponge to blue badges and the tricky business of wife swapping. A one-hour show so plenty of time to eat before and after! 'The laughter starts early and never lets up' (JewishNews.co.uk). 'One of the UK"s top Jewish comedians' (Jewish Chronicle). 'Playful, intelligent and very funny' (Rory Bremner).

Mark Maier's Jewvenile

Following two sold-out Fringe runs and a smash-hit tour, MP-turned-comedian Mhairi Black returns to Edinburgh with her Difficult Second Album for two nights only ahead of a major tour next year. Mhairi will reflect on her time in politics, life outside politics, neurodiversity and trying to get fit at the gym. In true ADHD fashion, it jumps about! 'An iconoclastic superstar' (Glasgow Herald). 'Witty and self-effacing'  (List). ***** (BritishTheatreGuide.info, TheRecs.co.uk).

Mhairi Black: Difficult Second Album

JFK'S been shot and Colm and Peggy want a day off school. Sure, they got one when the Pope died? Follow two best friends as they stage a protest to honour the slain U.S president. A bold, heartfelt and hilarious exploration of growing up different in an Ireland where the church controls everything from the classroom to confession. Mortal Sin is ultimately a celebration of friendship; a small but defiant stand against the shame that shaped a generation. Colm and Peggy stick it to the man... well, Sister Assumpta anyway! ****1/2 (TheReviewsHub.com). **** (TheArtsReview.com).

Mortal Sin

A dark Irish comedy inspired by real events, exploring justice, grief, and bingeing on junk food and Gilmore Girls. Róisín thinks she has a lot in common with Batman, well, except she's poor, not a vigilante, and instead of super-cool Gotham City, she's from the forgotten county of Fermanagh. Her dad was murdered, though... so, SNAP. Written and directed by multi award-winning Kat Woods, creator of the Edinburgh Fringe five-star, sell-out shows Belfast Boy, Wasted, Mule, KillyMuck, and Birds of Passage in the Half Light.

NON HUMAN ANIMAL

Olivia won't give birth to anything but a new comedy movement. One where reproductive anxiety, political depression and Chinese daughterhood are somehow cured. She started writing the show when Trump returned to office and began dismantling DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion). As an ethnic baddie, she decided to get an IUD – cuz you know what they say – DEI is out, IUD is in. The subsequent surreal gynaecologist visits become a meditation about identity, autonomy and what it means to create as a woman, alien and stand-up comedian.

Olivia Xing: Baby of Colour

Owl lives alone in a cosy little home. With no one to talk to, Owl sings to himself and looks for ways to pass the time. Rudely awoken by his inconsiderate alarm clock, the calm day he had planned goes out the window. As his imagination runs away with him, ordinary objects begin to take on a life of their own and Owl finds an unexpected friend. Based on the illustrated children's book by Arnold Lobel this witty tale with music shows us how to embrace life… even when things go wrong.

Owl at Home – Theatr Iolo

A broke do-gooder finds unexpected success on Wall Street and is swept into a world of luxury and lunatics. To escape, he finds community in the goofball world of NYC improv and begins an absurd double life: high-powered Wall Street executive by day, secret comedy performer by night. When pressure rises, he risks it all on a crazy dream. Blending humour, vulnerability and razor-sharp storytelling, this show explores greed, fear and the courage to give up "everything". A hilarious high-stakes journey about choosing yourself. Winner Audience Choice and Best Comedy Award at NYC's United Solo.

Once Upon a Wall Street

Award-winning Nordic comedian Pernille Haaland (HBO Max, Netflix, Discovery) returns diving even further below zero. From the surreal experience of gigging for NATO to navigating life as a single woman, Haaland finds herself at war – not with tanks (yet), but with culture and anyone judging her thermal underwear. Time Out calls her 'hilarious' – and audiences around the world agree. Pernille Haaland proves that when the world heats up, the best thing to do is keep a very cool head.

Pernille Haaland: Nordic Operations

Sam Morrison (Late Night With Seth Meyers, Comedy Central) follows smash-hit Sugar Daddy with DUCK, a science-obsessed attack on the human ego. He questions why everything – his Judaism, therapy and Grindr – have never worked for him. Using ducks with spiral vaginas and dick-throwing octopuses as a guide, Sam spirals through a punchline-packed evolutionary existential crisis searching for answers. 'Arch sass and polished panache' (New York Times). 'Superb' (Guardian). 'Morrison has everything... under masterful control' ***** (WhatsOnStage.com). 'Head-thrown-back funny' (TheDailyBeast.com). ***** (BroadwayWorld.com). ***** (LondonTheatreReviews.co.uk). ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). ***** (LondonTheatre1.com). ***** (NorthWestEnd.co.uk).

Sam Morrison: DUCK

Mark made his fortune in gold trading and now wants to enjoy this success with other successful friends across film, music, circus, and jugglers. Just like Graham Norton show. As seen in Mandy by Dianne Morgan, Joe Lycett's Got Your Back (Channel 4) and Uncle Shady in Man Like Mobeen by Guz Khan. 'Mark Silcox, the long-reigning king of gold-plated anti-comedy, strikes again on his Fringe return' ***** (Skinny). ***** (AYoungishPerspective.co.uk). **** (Scotsman). **** (Chortle). **** (ToDoList.org.uk).

Mark Silcox – I Have It All [A Success Story]

Two nights before Christmas, an Edinburgh granny, her boyfriend, her son and her one-year-old grandson rob Smedley's of Stockbridge (a butcher's shop in a wealthy Edinburgh neighbourhood) of all its best cuts. The heist is on! Will they get caught, will Christmas be cancelled, will they be in prison before the King's speech? Or will they get away scot-free with the meat theft of the century? Previous reviews: 'Quentin Tarantino meets Irvine Welsh' **** (Scotsman). 'Phenomenal' **** (Stage). 'A firecracker of a show' **** (Herald). 'Utterly hilarious' **** (List). 'Fantastic, gripping and gritty' ***** (Edinburgh Evening News).

Steak Out

Documentary maker and musician Sarah turns the lens on herself in this 'poignant and powerful cabaret' (TheIrishWorld.com), blending storytelling, live music and song. From her childhood on the Irish border in Derry to international success, she explores identity, family dysfunction and survival through the music of Bowie, Bush, Weill, Sondheim and Kander and Ebb, alongside her own work. 'Even a little bit of McGuinness is good for you' (MusicalTheatreReview.com). 'The epitome of female glamour and strength' (Readers Digest).

Sarah McGuinness: Grit, Glitter and Gaslight

Inspired by the silly, timeless humour of Charlie Chaplin, Mr. Bean and classic cartoons. Follow a quirky, daydreaming Vietnamese schoolgirl on a journey to discover their true calling. As the mundane routines of school life twist into unexpected and imaginative adventures, transcending time and space, a heart-warming story of purpose and self-discovery unfolds. Shhh! reminds us that our dreams, like the objects mime can create, are often hidden in plain sight. That purpose isn't a destination, but a reality we finally see, one that has been within us on our journey all along.

Shhh! (A Wordless Comedy)

Posh explorer and idiot Jasper Cromwell Jones recounts his latest adventures. Finalist of English and British Comedian of The Year. Written and performed by Joe Bor. As seen on BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and BuzzFeed's Worth It UK.

The Adventures of Jasper Cromwell Jones

Alphabet not behaving? Call the Letterman, the world's best alphabetarian! Award-winning clown Bryce Flint-Somerville (Blue Man Group, Barroz) will have you in hysterics as he battles, cajoles and pleads his way to getting his letters in line. Combining clown, puppetry and audience participation, The Letterman is a blast for children and adults of all ages!

The Letterman

The Shit Table by Paul Howard. A fast-paced black comedy by writer Paul Howard (Bad Sisters, The Young Offenders) in which four people find themselves at the worst table at a wedding. Over the course of the play, each discovers why they have been placed at the table, and their lives will never be the same again. The show is a one-act, character-driven comedy combining sharp dialogue with escalating comic tension. Edinburgh Fringe premiere following two sell-out runs in Ireland.

The Shit Table

Slay24 is a comedy night where everyone is funny and gorgeous. Audience included. YOU included. After 16 sold-out shows in London since 2023, a sold-out Soho Theatre Valentine's Day special and an alumni of the hottest acts on the UK circuit and beyond: Now they're bringing their particular brand of sardonic chaos to Edinburgh for two nights only. Picture this: Your favourite Fringe comedians on one electric lineup, Hot, right? Hosted by: Kiran Saggu (Rolling Stone 2024), Dom McGovern (Chicken Shop Date Writer) and Estefania Baha (Host of Spotify's #1 true crime podcast).

Slay24

Shit Arcade is a comedy show in which a panel of comedians are forced to play and roast some of the worst games of all time live on stage. From ET for the Atari 2600 to Little Britain for the PlayStation 2, the games in each show are random, but the pain is merciless. Some audience members will even get the chance to play and help comedians beat levels in these terrible games – and maybe even take them home!

Shit Arcade

A story about loss, grief and the meaning of life, Psycho should be a slow, plodding, tear-jerker of an hour. Instead, join Jamie as he shares an uproariously funny, heartwarming and life-affirming outlook on tragedy. One of Time Out's Comics to Watch 2025, Jamie Wolf is a comedian, writer, actor and former opiate user with a penchant for tackling dark and taboo subjects with a dynamic stage presence that not only makes it work, but makes it kill.

Gilded Balloon Teviot

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