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.
13. Harriet Kemsley
Award-winning comedian Harriet Kemsley is taking her brand-new stand-up show Everything Always Works Out For Me to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this August. This limited run is a comedy show about break-ups, sloths and trying to think positively while everything descends into absolute chaos. Ridiculous things always happen to Harriet, but this year it’s been out of control. She’s rebuilding her entire life but she just can’t work out which way the building blocks go. Harriet said: "I’m very excited to not only be returning to the Monkey Barrel in Edinburgh this Summer. My life completely fell apart last year which has been incredibly humbling, personally painful and has led to some really fun comedy for everyone to enjoy at my expense." Monkey Barrel Comedy (Monkey Barrel 1), July 31 - August 12, 6.10pm. Tickets: £8 - £10. | Linda Blacker Photo: Linda Blacker
14. Ricky Sim
New York City-based stand-up comedian and storyteller Ricky Sim brings his critically acclaimed hour Coming Out To Dead People back to Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year at Assembly Roxy for a limited run. Coming Out To Dead People is an autobiographical comedy solo show written and performed by Ricky based on his experience as a closeted gay teenager immigrating to the US with his mother, shortly before her diagnosis of cancer. Combining stand-up and storytelling, the show explores Ricky’s time growing up as a gaysian in the noughties. The show navigates the complexity of coming out, alongside the intersectionality of race and culture. Assembly Roxy, July 31- August 12, 1.45pm. £8 - £13.50. | Andrew Max Levy Photo: Andrew Max Levy
15. Dan Tiernan
2023 Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer nominee Dan Tiernan is returning to this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe with his brand-new second show ‘Stomp’. Following a totally sold-out debut last year, the ‘Mancunian wild-man’ (The Guardian) will bring his follow-up hour to Monkey Barrel 1, every night at 9pm from July 29 - August 25, no performance August 12. £8 - £11. On his return to this year’s festival, Tiernan said: “So so excited to be bringing my second hour to the Fringe. It's at Monkey Barrel 1 at 9pm which I'm absolutely buzzing about. When I first came to the Fringe I did a split bill and we were on at 1pm in a glorified squat, we literally spent the first day shovelling rubble off the floor. If you'd have told me then that one day I’d be doing my own show in a Fringe venue with working electricity I'd have been delighted, so to be in one of the best rooms for comedy at the Fringe at prime time feels really great." | Drew Forsyth Photo: Drew Forsyth
16. Chelsea Birkby
Following her highly acclaimed debut and sell-out Soho Theatre transfer, Chelsea Birkby’s back with her second hour, a smart, silly, surprising show about lust for life. And also ass. With some help from the greatest minds Camus, Kant and her Nan, Chelsea unpacks the big questions, like: how do we embrace our physical selves? Is suffering just part of the glorious indignity of being alive? And, why does ass mean so much in today’s society? Chelsea Birkby: This is Life Cheeky Cheeky, Just The Tonic @ The Caves, 9.20pm, August 1-25, not 12th, £8. | Textual Healing PR Photo: Textual Healing PR