With less than two months to go until the world’s largest arts festival returns in August, we’ve taken a look at 21 top stand-up comedians to check out at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
As hundreds of comedians get set to head to Scotland’s Capital for the comedy month of the year, it can be almost impossible to decide which funny men and women you are going to spend your hard-earned money on to see live.
Having already recommended the best children’s shows and household names to see in Edinburgh this year at the Fringe, we’ve hopefully helped you narrow your search for the best stand-up comedians to go and see.
Check out our gallery below of 21 great stand-up comedians to see at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe, including funny people you might already know and some under the radar future comedy stars you might just fall in love with.
5. Chris Cantrill: Rewilding
SNL UK writer Chris Cantrill is a triple Edinburgh Comedy Award nominated stand-up and co-creator of the BBC Audio Award nominated BBC Radio 4 sitcom Icklewick FM, who’s appeared on TV shows such as Alma’s Not Normal (BBC Two), Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared (Channel 4) and Avoidance (BBC One). He also recently made his debut on BBC Radio 4’s Just A Minute and appeared in the BAFTA winning comedy video game Thank Goodness You’re Here! His new show, Rewilding, tells a Sycamore Gap-esque tale of local heroism in the face of vandalism. Chris Cantrill: Rewilding, 12:10pm, August 3-30, not 17th/18th, The Tron at Monkey Barrel. | Submitted
6. Meka Mo: New York Dreams
Meka Mo is a stand-up and podcast host who has a burgeoning presence on the international comedy scene. Named a Comic to Watch by the New York Comedy Festival, and the support act for Michael Che and Ilana Glazer, she has earned acclaim for her fearless stage presence, sharp storytelling, and culturally attuned perspective. In a moment defined by political Chaos, and identity, ‘New York City Dreams’ uses the world’s loudest city as a lens on everything from ambition and hustle culture to race, belonging and the absurd contradictions of modern life. Meka Mo: New York Dreams, 6.50pm, August 20-30, at Just The Tonic, Out of the Box. | Submitted
7. Richard Stott: Streets Won’t Forget
Richard Stott‘s critically acclaimed debut show Right Hand Man explored his disability (Poland Syndrome, a birth defect affecting his left hand) and was a hit with audiences, particularly pun lovers, earning a string of four-star reviews and finishing as Runner-Up in Dave’s Jokes of the Fringe. Since then, Richard’s Fringe shows have seen his jokes featured in The Times and The Guardian, as well as a shortlisting for the Amused Moose Comedy. Richard returns with his new show Streets Won’t Forget; a show about acceptance, identity and success (or lack of it). Richard Stott: Streets Won’t Forget, 7.55pm, August 5-30, not 18th, at Hoots 3, Nicolson Square. | Submitted
8. ‘Olaf Falafel
Olaf Falafel is an author, illustrator and a stand-up comedian. His stupidly named comedy shows, including Olaf Falafel and the Cheese Of Truth, have been packed with sublime gags, including the ones that won him Dave’s Joke of the Fringe and that have repeatedly been featured in best joke selections in broadsheet newspapers. ‘Olaf Falafel Presents: I Used to Work in a Helium Balloon Factory Until they Let Me Go’, 2.30pm, August 6-30, not 19th, at Laughing Horse at The Pear Tree (Main Room). | Submitted