With hundreds of Edinburgh Festival Fringe shows to choose from, we will be picking out the acts we think you should see this year, starting with the best stand-up comedians appearing in the Capital in August.
Jack Docherty will perform as his character The Chief from BBC comedy smash Scot Squad, following a successful one-man show last year about his love for David Bowie. Other acts to watch out for include talented female comedians Chloe Petts, Sasha Ellen, Harriet Kemsley, Stevie Martin and Bella Hull, as well as 2023 Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer nominee Dan Tiernan.
There is also the incredible Edinburgh return for Matt Forde, who was diagnosed with cancer after suffering pains at last year’s Fringe. Currently learning to walk again, Matt has returned to work on his acclaimed Political Party and British Scandal podcasts, alongside hosting Absolute Radio’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Football Show. His final challenge is to get back to stand-up and he recently performed gigs at London’s Soho Theatre ahead of his Fringe run in August.
9. Stuart Laws
Cult favourite Stuart Laws will be returning to the Fringe with his most personal show yet. A multi-award-nominated comedian and director, Stuart has worked on specials for Sindhu Vee, Nish Kumar, Rosie Jones, Suzi Ruffell, Paul Foot, Ivo Graham, Jess Fostekew, Jen Brister and Ian Smith. Stuart's last show (Is That Guy Still Going?) was his most successful so far and is currently on tour. This year's show, Stuart Laws Has To Be Joking?, is about Stuart's recently diagnosed autism and is a truthful, open exploration of what relationships are like when you don’t have one with yourself. When you don’t know who you are, or what you want, how can anyone else connect with you in a way that you’d want? All this but with a "laugh every 6 - 9 seconds". Stuart Laws Has To Be Joking? at Monkey Barrel Hive 2, August 1-25 (not 14) @ 4.45pm. From £5. | Textual Healing Photo: Textual Healing
10. Chloe Petts
After two consecutive critically acclaimed, sell-out Edinburgh Festival Fringe runs followed by UK tours, rising star Chloe Petts (Have I Got News For You, Hannah Gadsby’s Gender Agenda, Richard Osman's House of Games) announces a brand new show, How You See Me, How You Don’t. For the past two years Chloe has been recommended as one of the top comedy shows to see at the Edinburgh Fringe by multiple titles including The Guardian, The Times, Evening Standard and Time Out, and in her brand-new show, this time Chloe’s getting personal. Between her newly found trolls, oldly found school bullies, and an excellent relationship with her food tech teacher, Chloe brings her trademark laddishness to tell you who she really is, all whilst her Head Girl badge glistens upon her chest. Chloe Petts – How You See Me, How You Don’t, at Pleasance Courtyard, Forth, July 31- August 25 (excluding August 14), 7pm. £10- £15. | Avalon Photo: Avalon
11. Nic Sampson
Following critical acclaim with his first hour, ‘Marathon, 1904’, New Zealand comedian and writer Nic Sampson returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for his second solo hour with brand new show, ‘Yellow Power Ranger’. Nic is one of the co-writers and stars in Starstruck (BBC Three / HBO Max), the global hit created by and starring Rose Matafeo which has aired in the UK, the US, Canada, New Zealand, France, Germany and many other countries across the globe. Nic also starred in the global kids TV phenomenon Power Rangers when he was just 18 years old, playing the Yellow Power Ranger in the show’s 14th season. Known for his excellent character comedy work, Nic will be presenting an imagined version of himself many years on from the show, desperately trying to organise a reunion with his fellow Power Rangers and clinging to the scraps of stardom at bleak comic conventions. Nic Sampson: Yellow Power Ranger, at Assembly Roxy, Outside, July 31 - August 25, 5.45pm. £8- £14. | Avalon Photo: Avalon
12. Rob Auton
Off the back of a critically acclaimed and sell-out run at last year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, award-winning comedian, writer and podcaster Rob Auton, (Starstruck, The End of the F***ing World, Stand-Up Central With Rob Delaney, The Russell Howard Hour) brings his 11th hour to the Fringe with The Eyes Open and Shut Show. Following on from his largest tour to date with his latest ‘must-see’ (Rolling Stone) show and having been selected to perform at the prestigious Melbourne International Comedy Festival for the past two years, Rob is performing his brand-new show at the Fringe at Assembly Roxy, Upstairs from July 31 - August 25 at 2.15pm. £10-16. Marking a new departure for Rob after having written ten hit Fringe shows on specific themes, Rob’s 11th show is a show about eyes when they are open and eyes when they are shut. Exploring what he could do to himself and others with language when eyes are open and shut, Rob thinks about what makes him open his eyes and what makes him shut them. | Avalon Photo: Avalon