Edinburgh Fringe's best comedians tell you who to see and why

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2019 is now officially underway and there are more than 1000 comedy shows for you to choose from.

The Fringe remains the world’s biggest celebration of the performing arts and you can book tickets for all the acts at https://www.edfringe.com/

To make things much easier below a host of the very best comedy talent explain why you should see them and, if you like their style of gags, who else you might enjoy too…

JOHN ROBBINS

Describe your show or its theme?

It’s about shame. I started by writing down my six most embarrassing memories and it went from there. It’s also about how infuriating I find myself, awkwardness and also a fair bit about dehumidifiers.

Why should people come see the show?

Well I think the more honest you are, the more subjective the story you tell, the more people can see themselves in it. I’d like to think people might feel a little bit less alone when they see me screaming at myself, more comfortable with their own failings, and perhaps more open about their mental health. But it’s not heavy in any way. Laughing in moments of despair is what keeps me sane.

Best and worst things about the fringe for you?

The best thing is the city, it’s breathtaking. And sometimes you get caught up in posters and flyers and forget to look up and see what a beautiful place we’re ruining for a month. And actually just feeling like you’re part of something, part of a community who just create things, the hum of people beginning projects, and failing or succeeding, but all united by the drive to create, which is so important.

Then I guess the worst thing is that these are the people who get bled dry financially, by the council, the university, the private landlords and PR companies. Those are the only four groups who make money from the fringe. But I try not to focus on the bad things, they can really get you down. And there’s always the pubs. Oh the pubs! It’s one of the great pub cities.

One thing you must take with you when you go to Edinburgh fringe?

An umbrella, and, weirdly, air con. Nowhere else does a place have so much rain and so much heat.

What other act would you recommend to go and see?

Literally hundreds. It’s so hard to pick a few. I like people who are totally authentic and totally unique at the same time. Lou Sanders, John Kearns, George Egg, Johnny White Really-Really, Nina Conti, Rob Auton, Rosie Jones, Sarah Kendall, Suzi Ruffell, Ivo Graham, Matt Forde. I could go on and on.

* John Robins: Hot Shame is on at Pleasance Courtyard – Pleasance One July 31 – August 25 at 7.30pm.

LOU SANDERS

Describe your show or its theme?

The theme is comedy! No but it’s also about relationships and the patterns we run to try and protect ourselves; dating, massages, dad stuff – it’s all in there.

Why should people come see the show?

Well I don’t think they should put themselves out – but you know, if they’re passing at 15.15, come on in, plonk yourself down. Unless that is, you don’t like chuckling and lolling away! If you are coming, do dress to impress.

Best and worst things about the fringe for you?

The best thing is eating out all the time and still losing weight, because of all the stress. The bad thing is the stress.

One thing you must take with you when you go to Edinburgh fringe?

Ideally, a really good show! Also a rain coat. And another rain coat for when the first raincoat’s wet.

What other act would you recommend to go and see?

Luke McQueen – he’s unlike any other, his comedy is brave, bold and insane. Plus the joke count is very high. He’s exceptional and you won’t see anything else like it.

* Lou Sanders: Say Hello To Your New Step-Mummy is on at Monkey Barrel 3 at 3.15pm

DAN SODER

Describe your show?

It’s an hour of stand up based around the fact that I’m not so sure I should be allowed to pro-create but more importantly that dark humour is necessary to survive.

Why should people come see the show?

Because it’s a fun show! Come watch some stand up after you’ve cried at another show. Treat yourself!

Best and worst things about the Fringe for you?

This is my first Fringe so I don’t know what to expect, but being away from home for a month straight is a first, so let’s hope it goes well!

One thing you must take with you when you go to Edinburgh Fringe?

I’ve been told that a rain jacket is important, but I’m just excited to not be in hot and muggy NYC in August.

What other act would you recommend to go and see?

Sean Patton at the Gilded Balloon. He’s one of my favourite comedians and people on this planet, and his new show is incredible.

* Dan Soder’s debut Edinburgh comedy show Son of A Gary will be at the Underbelly Dairy Room at 7.15pm from July 31– August 25.

OLGA KOCH

Describe your show or its theme?

It’s a show about computers and love and being a dumbass teen. I wrote a show that I would watch, but I hope I won’t be the only one watching it.

Why should people come see the show?

I promise to equip you with enough trivia to pepper into conversations at parties for the rest of your life.

Best and worst things about the fringe for you?

The best part of the fringe is having all of your favorite people in the same place, the worst part is fancying literally all of them.

One thing you must take with you when you go to Edinburgh fringe?

A book you’ll never read, trainers you’ll never wear, condoms you’ll never use.

What other act would you recommend to go and see?

Please go see Huge Davies! He’s an incredibly talented performer, and at the end of the show he lets you sit on his lap and pull out one of his teeth without anesthesia!

* Olga Kock: If/Then is on at Monkey Barrel Comedy – Barrel 1 from Aug 1-25 at 4.30pm.

AHIR SHAH

Describe your show or its theme?

My new show Dots is about the necessity, utility, and absence of certainty. I’ve spent a lot of time making the show funny, and absolutely none on laughing-up the elevator pitch.

Why should people come see the show?

I require food and shelter and have no other marketable skills.

Best and worst things about the fringe for you?

The fact that it happens every year. The fact that it happens every year.

One thing you must take with you when you go to Edinburgh fringe?

A sense of perspective.

What other act would you recommend to go and see?

During the 2018 Fringe, I saw nothing better than Garrett Millerick’s show “Sunflower”. I’m very much looking forward to seeing the follow up.

* Ahir Shah: Dots is on at Monkey Barrel 3 from August 1 – 25 at 1.45pm

TANIA EDWARDS

Describe your show or its theme?

My show is called Don’t Mention It. The stiff upper lip has been swept away by a tide of trembling trout pouts. We should repress our emotions – I prove this with jokes. Stop talking about yourselves. Talk about me.

Why should people come see the show?

It’s dry, dark and hilarious – and could cure you of oversharing.

One thing you must take with you when you go to Edinburgh fringe?

Sunscreen.

What other act would you recommend to go and see?

Definitely Candy Gigi Markham. She is wild. I love Luke McQueen, and Danny Ward. Hate n Live is a lot of fun and I can’t wait for Jokes with Mark Simmons – the live version of a brilliant podcast I’m obsessed with.

* Tania Edwards is taking her new show, Don’t Mention It, to Monkey Barrel 2 August 2-25 at 4pm.

SARAH KEYWORTH

Describe your show or its theme?

It’s about masculinity and strength and love and relationships but mostly it’s just silly jokes.

Why should people come see the show?

It’s funny, it’s silly, I’m in it and I’ve had a new haircut so that’s worth seeing.

Best and worst things about the fringe for you?

Best part is getting to perform every day and I love getting to see my friend’s shows and support them. The worst part is the Scottish rain and the price of a pint.

One thing you must take with you when you go to Edinburgh fringe?

I take a football so that it can sit in my accommodation and never be played with.

What other act would you recommend to go and see?

I have loads! Catherine Bohart, Helen Bauer, Micky Overman, Ed Night, Janine Harouni, Heidi Reagan, Sophie Duker, Chloe Petts, The LOL Word, Rhy James, Michael Odewale. I could go on!

* Sarah Keyworth: Pacific at Pleasance: Baby Grand is on July 31- August 25.

TOM ROSENTHAL

Describe your show or its theme?

The story of how I spent my life trying to avenge the theft of my foreskin.

Why should people come see the show?

Because it got mentioned in the Daily Mirror.

Best and worst things about the fringe for you?

Best thing hanging out with comedians. Worst thing hanging out with comedians.

What other act would you recommend to go and see?

Absolutely not Rhys James. Never Rhys James.

Tom Rosenthal: Manhood is on at Pleasance Courtyard – Pleasance Two from July 31 – Aug 25 at 6.30pm.

JESSICA FOSTEKEW

Describe your show or its theme?

My show is called Hench. And it’s about a circus-rat called Sally Hammocks who finds a magical sandwich which if she eats she becomes Prime Minister and does a better job than any Prime Minister has ever done before all whilst working on and perfecting an antidote to ebola thereby totally sorting out rats’ historically shocking rep when it comes to ‘attitude to disease’ and at no point in the whole show does she even think about falling in love. Only joking. It’s a stand-up show about strength and gender.

Why should people come see the show?

Because it’s properly funny, honest and because I know what I’m doing these days, as a comedian, and I’ve got something interesting to say.

Best and worst things about the fringe for you?

The best thing is the adrenalin and fever about the City, it’s such a beautiful, cheerful place to live for a month. Love walking everywhere and exploring something new every time I go. Last time it was the parks and the Botanical Gardens. This year I’m having a trip to the seaside on my day off. Yes please. The worst thing about the fringe for me is that everywhere you go there are comedians talking about comedy, which means it feels psychologically like you’re at a gig for the whole month, which makes a monster of the best of us. It’s exhausting and it can be hard to remember how little any of it actually matters, in the big grand scheme of the whole wide world.

One thing you must take with you when you go to Edinburgh fringe?

A waterproof heart. I think they sell them in Flying Tiger. They sell everything. I got a potty in there once that was also a small marquee.

What other act would you recommend to go and see?

Delightful Sausage. They’re a double act who make me laugh so much I don’t feel like I’m really in control of my body anymore. They are sort of perfect. Their new show is called ‘Ginster’s Paradise’ which is also one of the best things that’s ever happened in comedy.

* Jessica Forstekew: Hench is on at Monkey Barrel 4 from Aug 1-25 at 1.30pm.

ADAM RICHES

Describe your show or its theme?

It’s just your basic run of the mill Christmas themed tortoise whodunnit. You know, same old same old.

Why should people come see the show?

Because if you don’t then I don’t have a show. It has a strong vein of audience participation running through it in that one of you is the murderer and one of me (me), has an hour to legitimately work out who.

Best and worst things about the fringe for you?

Best thing is that it is still the best place on earth to try out and fail with a spectacularly unique creative idea that only you can see working. Worst thing is the pressure it exerts on people to not attempt the above.

One thing you must take with you when you go to Edinburgh fringe?

A strong sense of perspective.

What other act would you recommend to go and see?

Oh there are many! Tom Parry, John Kearns, Stevie Martin, Dan Cook and Ben Target.

* Adam Riches: The Beakington Town Hall Murders is on at Pleasance Courtyard – Pleasance Above from July 31 – August 25 at 7.50pm.

LONDON HUGHES

Describe your show or its theme?

My show is called ‘To Catch A D*ck’ it’s mainly about my Uber embarrassing love life, but other themes include: female empowerment, sex, the comedy industry, more sex, feminism, blowjobs, sexism, hoe friends, Frasier, racism, dating and why funny women finish last.

Why should people come see the show?

Because it’s absolutely hilarious, literally, I’ll have you laughing from the bottom of your gut. Plus I look really really cute while I’m doing it.

Best and worst things about the fringe for you?

Best thing is seeing every comedian you’ve ever fancied all in one place, worst thing is trying not to sleep with them.

One thing you must take with you when you go to Edinburgh fringe?

A really juicy book that I’ll put on my bed stand and never read.

What other act would you recommend to go and see?

Jayde Adams, Sophie Duker, Fern Brady, Lou Sanders, Jess Fostekew, Sofie Hagen, Bec Hill … basically go see a bunch of badass women

* London Hughes: To Catch A D*ck is on at Pleasance Courtyard – The Attic July 31 – August 25 at 8.15pm

GLENN MOORE

Describe your show or it’s theme?

I used to work as a radio newsreader, and this is the story of how I quit. To be fair, last year’s show was about applying for the first civilian mission to Mars, so as for whether any of this one will be plausible or accurate is up for debate.

Why should people come see the show?

My show last year got nominated for the main Edinburgh Comedy Award and this year’s show is better, but MORE IMPORTANTLY, I bring a winning smile and good telephone manner to the table. Worth the ticket price alone.

Best and worst things about the fringe for you?

That sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach when you know a reviewer’s in, and it doesn’t go away until the review has been published, by which point you’ve had another reviewer in and you’re waiting for that one to be published. As for the worst, probably the rain.

One thing you must take with you when you go to Edinburgh fringe?

Some tartan. I have seen thousands of tourists go into those tartan stores on the Royal Mile over the last few years, and not once have I ever seen anyone buy any tartan regalia. Do it for the shops’ sake, please.

What other act would you recommend to go and see?

I saw previews earlier this year for Sophie Duker and Helen Bauer (both doing their debuts this year) – they were great! The only show I have tickets for so far is Frank Skinner but I think he’s probably fine publicity-wise.

* Glenn Moore: Love Don’t Live Here Glenny Moore will be at the Pleasance Courtyard Cabaret Bar from July 31- August 25 at 4pm.

DESIREE BURCH

Describe your show or its theme?

Desiree’s Coming Early! is a personal, one-woman odyssey through the desert as told by Roxane Gay and Hunter S. Thompson. It’s a trip. It looks at how imagination and narrative both clarify and complicate the human condition, all while employing the three Rs: race, religion and ‘rithmetic. Oh, and ridiculousness. That’s four. Ah man, I’m gonna have to get that saying changed.

Why should people come see the show?

People who love comedy come to see it because they like to laugh and think. Even if they like to think very drunk. At its best, comedy is a communal playspace where we imagine possible worlds and interrogate past and current ones. This show fuses all of these aspects into a journey that is authentic while being deliciously degenerate–features I hope comedy fans are coming to appreciate in my work.

Best and worst things about the fringe for you?

For comics, I think getting to see so many artists you respect and love in the same place, while getting to know new ones, is one of the highlights of August in Edinburgh. You see some of these people at gigs, and a few as in your personal life, but as comedy is frequently a lone and itinerant job, having these people in the same place at the same time is magic. It’s the closest we have to comedy/artist camp that way.

I think most performers would agree that the emotional rollercoaster of Edinburgh, while often a mad-capped romp for future pub entertainment, can be extremely difficult. It’s hard for any artist to be both so exposed and so pressurised for that long. It a weird thing when other performers are letting you in on their favourite places to cry at the festival. I feel like this should probably be made into a map for the brochure, or some kind of artist’s addendum.

One thing you must take with you when you go to the Edinburgh fringe?

A mindset of play. It really isn’t about all the worries that walk alongside you as you make the show; it’s about you getting all greased up, putting on your blue and orange wrestling singlet, and jumping into the ring with creativity, expression and connection to people.

What other act would you recommend to go and see?

Too many great ones. I’m going to try to shy away from giving you a list of 40 of my friends who I think are obscenely brilliant.

Heidi Regan and Kemah Bob are two comedians coming up in comedy who excite me immensely, and I can’t wait to see what they are bringing to the Fringe this year.

On a more personal note, I’m so excited that Tony Law and Phil Nichol are doing a show together this year. It’s going to be a washing machine drum of insanity, insight and odd bursts of snort laughter–at least for me. I think other comics and comedy insiders will feel the same way about it. I watched a preview. It was delightfully bonkers, and I have a feeling I will watch it in Edinburgh more than once.

* Desiree Burch: Desiree’s Coming Early! Is on at The Hive – The Big Cave August 1-25 at 7.40pm.

ALICE SNEDDEN

Describe your show or its theme?

It’s a stand-up comedy show that questions what it means to be a good person and argues that maybe I’m one of the best out there.

Why should people come see the show?

Because they love to laugh and because it’ll go a long way towards helping to cover my costs.

Best and worst things about the fringe for you?

The best thing is getting to perform every night and the worst thing is having to perform every night.

One thing you must take with you when you go to Edinburgh fringe?

A ticket to my show.

What other act would you recommend to go and see?

Chris Parker, Guy Montgomery, Eli Matthewson. I’m going to be living with them all and it would be extremely uncomfortable for us as friends, if you only came to my show.

* Alice Snedden: Absolute Monster is at the Pleasance from July 31- August 25.

SUSAN RIDDELL

Why should people come see the show?

They should come and see the show for a laugh. I promise not to lure punters in with comedy and then do a sneak attack with a serious, hard hitting show. That’s breaking a contract in my eyes – and can happen quite frequently in Edinburgh shows.

Best and worst things about the fringe for you?

The best thing is getting to spend a whole month with my boyfriend who comes from Leith. The worst thing is that I won’t see my family for a month, including my wee nieces and nephews who make me laugh so much.

One thing you must take with you when you go to Edinburgh fringe?

Well look, it’s pretty expensive to buy drinks at a lot of the venues. So my advice would be to bring a hip flask. Just joking, I’ll probably get my knuckles wrapped for that. But if it’s a nice day get a bottle of wine from Tesco and sit in the Princes St Gardens and have pre show drinks there. Take advantage of the fact you can drink outside! Something we’re not allowed to do in Glasgow.

What other act would you recommend to go and see?

I recommend Steff Todd’s show Reality Check – if like me you like trashy reality shows.

She does great impressions. Her Love Island ones just went viral. Also my pal Rachel Jackson who is a brilliant comedian! Her show has the greatest title in the Fringe in my opinion ‘Slutty Little Goldfish.’

* Susan Riddell brings her show Duvet Day to Monkey Barrel from August 2-25 at 7.30pm

FLO & JOAN

Describe your show or its theme?

It is an hour of brand new songs from us, your friendly neighbourhood musical comedy sisters Flo & Joan. Not so much of a theme here, more a collection of songs inspired by the year’s events, including, but not limited to how scared we now are for our careers as sibling performers, having watched the Bros documentary.

Why should people come see the show?

Well given the success rate of past sibling performers we might not be doing this for much longer, so this could be a limited engagement. Also we have great plans for it to be funny, so it will entertain you. And also the second, our venue this year is a circus-esque tent, so if you get bored by us you can always imagine that we’re two performing elephants playing the piano or something.

Best and worst things about the fringe for you?

The best thing is seeing other people’s shows, because we love watching comedy and theatre and clown and dance and all that kind of stuff and it takes our mind off of our own show. Worst thing is carrying our piano around the city. Yes, we are absolutely muscley ripped and by the end of it and you’ll definitely think we’re fit, but it’s a phenomenal ball ache and the abs disappear real quick come September.

One thing you must take with you when you go to Edinburgh fringe?

Humility.

What other act would you recommend to go and see?

Go and see The Lusty Mannequins. Go on (3.15pm, the Gilded Balloon Teviot). They’re our best friends from Toronto, we’re like each other’s stage parents, and they’re bringing their debut sketch show this year. It’s so tight and really smart but also dumb and they’re all alumni of the Second City so you know they’re good at what they do and we love them.

* Flo & Joan: Before The Screaming Starts is on at Assembly George Square Gardens from Aug 1-25 at 6pm.

SARA BARRON

Describe your show or its theme?

My fancy and moderately articulate pitch of it is this: a sermon preaching self-awareness and, also, a cost-benefit analysis of the nature of being judgmental. I’ve tried to sneak those ideas in rather than yammer on explicitly about them in much the same way a middle-class mum might sneak pureed beetroot into her homemade brownies. The goal is that it (the show) looks like no-frills standup, and (this is the real dream for performer and audience alike) has a momentum cooked into it that helps it to feel like 40 minutes instead of the 60 it is.

Why should people come see the show?

Because a brassy, bawdy American – one with all the energy of the usual stereotype, but none of the positivity – is the sort of thing they’re into.

If you like a pun, I’m not for you.

If, conversely, puns exhaust you, then maybe we’ve got similar taste, you and I, and maybe I’m for you.

(If this was a dating profile instead of a pitch for my show, I might write: “Negative realist with healthy appetite for hating all social media seeks audience of similar perspective and taste.”)

Best and worst things about the fringe for you?

The best is: the chance to work on your comedy, pretty much non-stop, for a month.

The worst is: the insane levels of competitiveness and narcissism it awakens in the bulk of us who are up there.

One thing you must take with you when you go to Edinburgh fringe?

I’ll give you three:

1. My son, Gene, who’s three.

2. My husband, Geoff, who’s forty-five.

3. This new product I’ve started using on my skin called Mandelic acid, which I’m idiotically convinced will change my life by erasing my sun spots.

What other act would you recommend to go and see?

Jess Fostekew. Her show is called “Hench”, and she is, quite simply, the best, brightest smartest standup you might not have heard of yet.

* Sara Barron: Enemies Closer will be at the Pleasance Courtyard Upstairs from July 31- August 25 at 8.30pm.

BASIL BRUSH

Describe your show or its theme?

Well I’m greedy because I have two shows at the fringe… my family fun show … comedy on so many levels it should be set in a car park … fun for all the kids as you would expect but even more fun for grown-ups, sketches, cream pies and plenty of audience participation as you would expect from a basil brush show then I’m unleashed in a later show with content well above the kids heads… it’s a show for grown up kids .. dating apps, reading my new book 50 shades of orange … so many laughs, some will be in the right places …but a chance to be young again with a twist! Oh maybe free alcohol… from a super soakers!

Why should people come see the show?

People should come to both shows because it gives grown-ups a chance to re-live their youths and for kids to become grown-ups… and Basil is the ONLY talking fox in the fringe… THE GINGE IS ON THE FRINGE! And some terrible jokes!

Best and worst things about the fringe for you?

Best thing are the choices of shows to see but the worst thing is there’s so much choice how do you choose what to see… it’s a comedy Netflix … so much to see where to start… we’ll start with a talking from… stranger things from a talking fox.

One thing you must take with you when you go to Edinburgh fringe?

Take a sleeping bag, camping out to get the best tickets… and a kilt to keep cool in the hot weather.

What other act would you recommend to go and see?

If you see the Basil Brush Family Show then you must see the Basil Brush Unleashed and visa versus… but I will be heading for Dead Ringers to see if they can do a basil brush impression … Basil Brush for PM… dude! Do the Underbelly Daily…Edinburgh!… I’ve made an acronym! Boom boom!

* Basil Brush has two shows at Underbelly from July 31- August 25.