The award-winning improv team Bad Magicians have been sent to this earth to make humans feel again through the art that is improvisational comedy. These three trash-bag-wearing weirdos combine clown, avant-garde theater and drama therapy into a dramatic soup that can only be described as high art meets low bullshit. Join us in The Caves and be healed.

Face vs Face: podcast meets cartoons meets Q&A. Hear from noted performers about their takes on life, with animations from other famous actors and comics in the form of cartoon sketches. With voices from Miles Jupp (WILTY) Jason Flemyng (Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels), Miles Luna (RWBY, Red Vs. Blue), and some of the funniest UK people around.

Tarot cards are a gateway to the supernatural. Best-selling tarot author and horror actress Sasha Graham transports audiences to a haunted loft in 1992 New York City with real life, creepy ghost stories and interactive audience tarot readings in a show that asks, what haunts you?

Jessie explains what a year of doing "long hair content" has done to her psyche, confidence and bank balance. It's a strange story about the creator/subscriber dynamic and an exploration of fetishism and financial domination. No puppets included.

Jane Eyre Convention. At the world's first ever Jane Eyre Convention, slightly neurotic aficionados gather to reenact their favourite novel. They squabble and fight over the best bits, correct interpretation etc. Real emotions are experienced as they follow Jane on her journey, including running wailing across the moors. They also attempt to rescue shackled Bertha in the attic. Finally they gain new insights and generally feel better. Show contains unrealistic violence, bonnets and minimal raunch. It may be mildly therapeutic and audience participation is optional. Double Fringe First winners.

A one-woman show that is hard to put into boxes. Athanasia Kontou, an award-winning composer, singer/songwriter and rising star in stand-up comedy, combines her diverse skills to tell the personal story of a life-changing heart surgery, with authenticity, wit and of course, humour. Things will get very personal as Athanasia will play music to accompany recordings of her diary entries, sing songs about being in pain and tell jokes about suffering from anxiety. Eventually this is a show about embracing the vulnerability all humans share and finding strength in it.

Ace has been invited out clubbing for the first time by her school crush, Sasha. However, she's never been clubbing before. As she waits for Sasha to arrive, she tries to determine whether her feelings for Sasha are romantic or platonic. Is it love? Is it friendship? What's the difference? That's Ace explores asexuality, attraction and the feeling of living outside of societal norms.

Petty truths, pity laughs! After more than a decade apart, podcast (Small Town Funny) and writing partners, Michelle and John, are together again to bring you the story of Michelle's biggest comeback. She's had all the breaks: a hip, a heart, and now Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Michelle shares her story, John provides support and helps her dig deep into this sometimes tragic, always funny tale. A hip broke. A marriage broke. Michelle didn't.

A gay Armenian-American Girl Dad, setting out to be the perfect Black Girl Magic-celebrating papa, stumbles through the humbling and hilarious fumbles of first-time fatherhood: from shopping for girls' swimsuits to catching his own bigotry. Haig "Hike" Chahinian, grandson of Armenian genocide survivors, was expected to marry a girl from his tribe. Instead, he met his dream man and adopted a bouncing biracial baby. Inspired by his viral essays in The New York Times, this intimate, messy, richly relatable story unpacks what we inherit, what we pass down, and the inherent conflict in striving to be good.

This is a one-person stand-up comedy show about my mother who died recently. She was hilarious, beautiful, brilliant and brutal. I loved my mom but we never got along. We never really liked each other. I wrote this show to find the the places where my mom had loved me but I refused to notice. I wrote this show to celebrate my mom's fabulous sense of style, her humour and intelligence and, despite her own demons, her deep desire to have her kids be substantial and happy people.

A bold alternative comedy show that refuses to sit quietly in any one genre. Blending poetry, props and absurdity, Ryan delivers an act that's inventive, unpredictable and genuinely unlike anything else on the circuit. Described as must-see and incredibly original, his comedy twists clever ideas into big laughs with playful confidence. Winner of Circuit Breaker 2024 and British Comedian of the Year runner-up 2024, Ryan is quickly becoming one of the most exciting new voices in comedy. Expect smart chaos, and unexpected moments.

The Cambridge Footlights first aired the talents of some of the foremost British comedians and actors of this century. Founded in 1883, this world-famous comedy society boasts an impressive roster of alumni, including names such as Stephen Fry, Emma Thompson, David Mitchell and Phil Wang. Join us for an hour of hilarious stand-up, silly songs, wacky sketches and much, much more! Come and see a selection of the brightest up-and-coming comedians for free, with a different line-up daily!

In the Spring of 1966, Marvel Comics were on a roll. Every series they produced was a hit. The Fantastic Four, The Incredible Hulk, The X-Men, you name it. But above them all, their best seller was The Amazing Spider-Man, the co-creation of writer Stan "The Man" Lee, and artist "Sturdy" Steve Ditko. So what happens when Steve shows up at Stan's office to quit the company for good? Well, Stan decides to lock the pair inside and learn the real reason why Ditko wants out. Face front, True Believers – this one's gonna be spectacular!

A Little Bit Gay is an outlandish, outrageous and out and out true, stand-up special about growing up a gay Mormon, touring with the Chippendales, an unexpected turn in soft porn and being a superhero in The Mighty Morphin Power Ranger Series. All with the mantra of life is a musical! Beyond mimicry, Alan Palmer's (A Little Bit Gay) is both reverent and irreverent. A loving and hysterical tribute to the fans of stage and screen, it's a must for all lovers of the entertainment community!

After Brett crashes Julie's car in downtown Winnipeg, they find themselves caught in the web of a detective-turned-insurance adjustor, who will do anything to uncover the secrets they've been keeping from Manitoba Public Insurance - and from each other. ***** (EdmontonJournal.com, 2025).

06-30 AUG - 14:20
No skills. No mindset. No preparation. Out of the rawest grief grows a desperate hunger: the need to leave a mark, to prove something resembling manhood. He was never meant to teach anyone. He was only expected to survive nonetheless. Tacky Teacher is the origin story that was never meant to originate. Bouncer by night, teacher by day, he walks the twilight zone between human darkness and the fragile glow of the common good. Always a problem, never just a solution – but always holding the torch. Lighting the way. Even as he burns his hands.

Join best friends and rising comedy stars Abi Sharp and Harsh for a split bill that explores the intersection of Type-A ambition, queer identity and the chaotic search for love. United by their nerdy neuroses and a spectacular track record of romantic failures, the pair present A Marriage of Inconvenience: a show about the logistical nightmare of modern dating, and their pact to enter a sexless lavender marriage if they're still single by 40. Until then, they're saying 'I do' to the next best thing: awkwardly sharing the stage for half an hour each.

Who's flashing women in Sorryton, Canada with cheese? Canada's favourite dairy heiress and anti-vegan influencer, Priscilla Patton, races to find the culprit before they spoil dairy's wholesome image. Questionable detective skills face off against Big Dairy in the most talked about show in Canada (amongst our circle of friends). 'A must-see for fans of quirky, "proper Fringe" theatre.' (Edinburgh-Reviews.co.uk). 'I don't know what I was expecting, but not this! It was so funny, so weird, it brought a chaotic energy that I loved so much.' (Audience Review). Regrettably inspired by true events.

06-30 AUG - 14:40
An Ordinary Man. A Hero of the Land of the Young. A solo show written and performed by Gerry Carroll (age 73.) Long ago, the warrior-poet Oisín rode off with the golden-haired Niamh to the Land of the Young. Three years later he returned... and became old instantly. Gerry discovers clown and comedy, and explores what it's like when you get old slowly. He mixes the legend of Oisín with his own life story – and song, dance, clowning, shot glasses and buckets of laughter. Book now – seats are going faster than Oisín's youth!

A show about one woman's complicated relationship with alcohol, reality and her family, illustrated through a love of the beautiful game. Full of clever one-liners and bags of self-deprecating wit, Brewed follows Rowan's journey from the carefree vodka and lemonade years through to IPA, parenthood and pizza crunch suppers. Rowan plays a pressing game with great dribbling, fast thinking and moments of genius. Her gung-ho style leaves her vulnerable to the counter-attack and she doesn't cope too well with balls into the box. But when she's on top of her game, she's a match for anyone!

A whole new meaning to voicing your anxieties: the improvised comedy-musical based on your worries about the future. From a dreaded work do to an impending birth, the cast will combine your story with all of your favourite musical tropes to create a never-before (and never-again) seen show. Complete with live musical accompaniment, find out what really is the worst that could happen. But remember, after the curtain falls, don't cry because it's over... Smile, it might never happen. **** (TheArtsBusiness.com). 'Their youth and cosmic silliness raised us from our seats' (Metro).

NHS psychiatrist, award-winning comedian and best-selling author Dr Benji road-tests material for his second book as he wonders: what is the secret to happiness? Expect stand-up, book readings and an audience Q&A (your best chance to speak to an NHS psychiatrist without the 12-month wait). 'Funny without turning patients into punchlines' ***** (Telegraph). 'Humane, hilarious and eye-opening' (Guardian). 'The Adam Kay of mental healthcare' (Times).

06-30 AUG - 15:30
Original songs! Free stickers! Free colouring-in sheets! This interactive show based on a children's picture book is a delight from 0-99! Join Milly as she encounters feathered, furry and spiky friends who all have a song to share! Milly comes from a world without music, but when she discovers a magical book, she falls into a whole new world. Milly, with the help of her new animal (and kid) friends, must find four songs to bring back home. Experience magical illustrations and amazing new music as you help guide Milly's adventure!

The Brush tells the story of how I tried to keep up with a pack of feral British comedians at Russell Howard's 2019 Las Vegas bachelor party (you call it a 'stag do'), nearly died in the process and had an existential crisis that led me to question the meaning of life, emojis, regret, failure, proper urinal protocol and the exquisite sadism that is the American healthcare system. Part confession, part apology, part love letter to life, The Brush is a bittersweet, darkly humorous reflection on friendship, middle-aged ennui and the quantum nature of the universe.

Fresh off a sold-out Arabic tour across 85 cities, John has decided, for reasons he's still figuring out, that now is the time to try stand-up in his third language. He hasn't checked if Edinburgh is ready. He hasn't checked if his vocabulary is ready. But somewhere in the chaos, he's betting on one simple theory: we're all carrying the same stories, just told in different languages.

A story of a man with breast cancer. Mammograms, mastectomies, lumpectomies, chemotherapy and hormone therapies from a different angle. The weird ways that men support each other – You dead yet? The love of a woman determined to colour co-ordinate the sick bay. Ever heard from a man who can talk from experience about a mammogram, a mastectomy and hormone therapy? You have now. A light-hearted look at sharing love and laughter through adversity with a smile never too far away.

On the Watchlist with Jay Servedio is a brand-new live late-night comedy series that blends biting satire with investigative curiosity. Rooted in its own chaotic, absurdist voice, On the Watchlist dives headfirst into the week's headlines, media manipulation and political theatre. Each show features Jay's incisive monologue, live sketches, field segments and character interviews with comedians portraying public figures: plus conversations with real journalists, writers and cultural critics. Smart, silly and unapologetically weird, On the Watchlist is equal parts comedy show, social autopsy and media exorcism. Join us for our exploration into the Age of Misinformation.

06-17 AUG - 16:00
It's been 84 years... or at least almost 30 since James Cameron's nautical masterpiece sailed into movie theaters! Now watch veteran performer (and actual Titanic historian) Katie Thayer perform the whole three hour and fourteen-minute movie... by herself... in 59 minutes... or less! With wigs, hats, finger puppets and a splash zone, it's sure to be a parody bigger than the Mauretania! Sold-out run at Orlando FestN4! Fringiest Show at KC Fringe! Best Parody at Tampa Fringe! You'll never let go of the laughs!

Maya is going through something. It's something to do with feeling... this thing of... ummm... like... maybe not even... you know... Actually, she can't find the words to articulate what it is. So Maya does what any normal person would do: she invites an audience to help her invent new words. Word invention is an art form that requires an audience. Conveniently enough, so is theatre. The play twists and turns as Maya the playwright gets in the way of Maya the performer (and vice versa), on this increasingly chaotic journey of trying to articulate herself.

'George remains of the best comedians you'll see at the Fringe' ***** (TheQR.co.uk). Masterful storytelling, Jim Jefferies' support. Best International Comedian: Comic's Lounge Melbourne, Comedy Festival Season 2023. Best European Performer 2024: European Comedy Awards. Best Comedian, Laugh Mob Laughies 2026. In 2025, George was nailing life. He performed to 12,000 at London's O2 Arena, got engaged and toured seven countries. Then it all went sh*t. How does joy and optimism survive when your world collapses?

No script, Sherlock! Stars of UK and Australian Fringes take you on an award-winning improvised romp through the underworld of Victorian Britain, packed with shady villains, red herrings and the brilliant deductions of London's greatest detective. Light your (imaginary) pipe as an engrossing spontaneous mystery tale unfolds before you. Family friendly. 'Exhilarating! The best of its kind' ***** (FringeFeed.com.au). 'Excellent... very funny and beautifully devious' **** (FringeGuru.com). 'Copious amounts of talent and boundless potential' **** (PlaysToSee.com). 'Total mastery' ***** (GreatScott.media). Winner, Perth Fringe World Variety Show Award.

06-30 AUG - 16:30
Disney parody musical! Prince "Charming" is the hero who thinks he's treated like a zero – now he wants to tell his story. Adventure! Princesses (ugh)! Villains! Sidekicks! Soaring high notes! Will the Prince embrace his destiny and earn his happy ever after? Watch the prince as he faces a genie, princesses and his own self-aggrandisement as he must come to terms with what it really means to be a Charming prince. Expect original Disney-style songs, hilarious jokes and (if he does say so himself) an exceptionally Charming prince!

Elba is a tiny island in the middle of the Mediterranean. We are best known for those 10 months where Napoleon Bonaparte graced our shores. He promised us wealth and prosperity. We trusted him. We gave him all we had... But we were foolish, weren't we? And now we will never be able to escape him. Napoleon's banishment on the island of Elba was unexpected – nobody, least of all the Elbans, saw this coming. Perhaps a sign of hope, or had Elba become a sacrificial pawn in a megalomaniac's masterplan? Can one man really change an island?

When he was 18, Nate's mother died of breast cancer (he swears this show is funny). She was a beloved Chicago therapist; brilliant, generous, artistic and magic wizard lady. There was almost nothing she couldn't do. Except one thing: she never told anyone she was dying, no one got to grieve with her, no one got to say goodbye. Years later, Nate's therapist suggested Gestalt Therapy's empty chair technique: speak to the dead, then respond as them. Nate said, Absolutely Not. Years later, acting now gives him the tools to step into his mom's voice and unspoken wounds.

06-30 AUG - 16:35
1 Big Aussie Showcase is a fast-paced hour of power hosted by Australian comedian Kurt Sterling (25+ million views online). A Fringe tasting platter with Aussie flair, the show features a rotating lineup of the best stand-up and variety acts from across the festival, all anchored by Sterling's sharp, offbeat and quietly unhinged comedy.

06-30 AUG - 16:40
A comedy show for spreadsheet experts and casual users alike that blends stand-up, storytelling and demos. Sprinkled amongst the comedy routine, you'll learn a few Excel tricks from a true piece of sheet: pun-loving Excel YouTuber and Jewish math addict David, who regularly advises Microsoft on future directions for Excel. Growing up with a maths obsession paved the way for David to become 'The Excel Guy' at the office, attend spreadsheet conferences and mathem-antics. David's Fringe debut was a sell-out run in 2025. 'Funny, geeky and sneakily moving' (Highly Recommended Show, FringeReview.co.uk).

06-16 AUG - 16:50
Nothing consumes your life more than having a crush: making playlists, analysing looks, replaying conversations and – best of all – you never have to actually do anything about it. You can yearn forever... unless you leave it for too long and accidentally set them up with someone else. Abbie Edwards (as heard on BBC Radio 4 Extra) takes you through her first love and how she almost ruined everything. 'Original and compelling' (Chortle.co.uk). 'Considerable style' (BeyondTheJoke.co.uk). BBC New Comedy Award nominee. Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year runner-up.

James Bond has a license to kill. Our international comedians want their license to kill on stage. Armed with nothing but a microphone and a lethal wit, each comedian will debrief you on her/his treacherous journey of crossing borders and living deep undercover in other cultures, dodging near-death mishaps and surviving culture shocks with their sharp observations, deadly tongues and pure luck. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to break out in laughter and award the best killer on stage.

Roo Sutcliffe has studied all her life to become an actor. She attended prestigious drama schools and was taught by renowned practitioners. Her conclusion? Actors are indeed wankers. In this passionate display, Roo expresses her disdain for theatre through the distinctive medium of theatre. Ridiculing absurdities of the industry, from name-dropping directors to the unbearable agents she's absolutely hoping are in the audience tonight. It's time the industry (that she very much wants to be in) gets called out for what it is. And Roo will, of course, call it out using her diaphragm.

James O'Donoghue is unlikely to cause issues for pensioners. James O'Donoghue is liked by all of their friends. James O'Donoghue Is Normal is a stand-up comedy show about WWII Soviet tank warfare, eight-year-old street hecklers and a very personal vendetta against Mickey Mouse. It is about failing spectacularly to be a Normal Human Being, while wearing a sequinned ballgown and six-inch heels. Defiantly weird and wickedly funny, enjoy a ramble through the wet pulsating brain of one of the most unique rising stars of the UK comedy circuit.

Scottish surrealist stand-up Daniel Petrie won 2023's Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Award, as well as being a finalist in the Chortle Student Comedy Awards and BBC New Comedy Award in 2025. Also a working NHS doctor and a baked potato super-fan (2023-present). 'Scarily good' (Daniel Sloss). Moldova's Valeria Vulpe left her career as a mathematician to follow her dream of being a stand-up. Deadpan storytelling with mordant humour and a unique viewpoint. She recently opened for Ricky Gervais at Wembley Arena as her prize for winning the 2025 Dutch Barn Spirit of Comedy.

06-30 AUG - 17:50
Sellout murder mystery comedy musical returning to the Fringe! New songs. New Twists. New Turns. Detective Ben Stone is murdered at his own birthday party, snuffed out like candles on a cake. Five suspects have means, motive and opportunity, but with the detective lying 'stone' dead, Ben's protege, sleuth Penelope Puck, must take on the investigation... With showstopping songs and devilish twists, Penelope attempts to solve the jaw-dropping murder, as ever more ridiculous motives are uncovered one by one – until the killer is finally revealed... expect crimes, rhymes and good times!

Jack's hard... on his luck! After playing with more than just his beans, he's got a giant problem on his hands (and not the fun kind!) When Giant Spunktrumpet comes banging and there's no cash to spare, Jack's brother Thick Twatt and his mother, Dame Twatt are left clutching their sagging udders with nothing left in their coin purse! Join The Adult Panto Tour for their fifth filthy year of the No. 1 Outrageous Adult Panto.

06-30 AUG - 17:50
An interactive mentalism show where the audience plays a central role, and no secret - or phone passcode - is safe. The sold-out sensation comes to Edinburgh on the heels of multiple U.S. tours and NYC runs. Part mind-reading, part storytelling, the show is ultimately a joyful celebration of the beauty we find in strangers when we slow down enough to see them. A Time Out NYC Top Magic Show. As seen at The Magic Castle, Caesars' Palace and in the NYT.

06-30 AUG - 17:55
Until recently, Irene Woo embodied the 'Golden Child'. As a Senior Software Engineer at Google, she had it all: the six-figure salary, the impressive job title and the unconditional approval of her immigrant parents. But when she turned 28, she quit her job to tell jokes in damp basements. With the unrelenting standards of a Type-A Asian oldest daughter and the messy reality of a human being, Irene explores the golden handcuffs of the tech world, the cultural whiplash of being a French-Chinese woman in America and the baffling logic of modern relationships.

06-30 AUG - 18:00
BSL Interpreted Performances 13 & 24
Don't miss Scotland's hilarious stand-up star's new show! His 2025 show sold out 12,000 tickets in Edinburgh alone, toured the UK, Australia and packed Glasgow's King's Theatre five times! 'Hilarious... he's fearless and it's wonderful!' ***** (Scotsman). 2024 and 2025 saw Connor touring two separate smash-hit shows worldwide (50+ UK shows, 35+ Australia-wide) with Off-Broadway runs in the Fringe Encore Series during New York's prestigious Comedy Festival. He's supported Daniel Sloss on three continents and released a comedy special on prestigious comedy label 800lb Gorilla. 'Brilliant... gags coming at you at a terrifying rate... Superb!' **** (List).

Vinney White is back at The Fringe – part comedian, part DJ, fully unhinged. He uses a sampler to travel through time. What stolen sample is used on 30,000 tracks? How did electronic music begin? Who's Roland? Laugh-out-loud and get goosebumps. Fascinating stories and samples – all with a rush of rave-nostalgia. 'Excellent, just excellent' ***** (FatBoy Slim, Brighton Festival).

An OCD, ADHD, gluten-free, Gen-Z, musical comedy! Through stand-up, storytelling and original music, Liv Rocklin chronicles a morbidly overachieving Gen-Zer's showdown with control when studying abroad goes wrong. À la Rachel Bloom and Bo Burnham, Rocklin explores her Paris obsession and fraying brain through seven songs, six languages and five undiagnosed conditions (she's got Bingo!). Listed Best of Orlando Fringe, Liv uses guitar, piano, baguettes and self-deprecation to explore loneliness and growing up in a world burning down. Is she Taylor Swift, Lizzie McGuire, Princess Diana, or just poorly adjusted?

Christof's overly supportive Greek-Cypriot family laughed at one of his jokes once and he's taken it too far. Through talent alone he has done well at stand-up competitions (or the fact that 50% of the audience were blood relatives). Third out of 300: Get-Up Stand-Up New Act competition. Finalist: Rising Star New Act competition. Semi-finalist: Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year and Max Turner Prize. Name butchered on: BBC Radio 4. Christof plans to make some hilarious friend(s) who will also perform some comedy. 'Brilliant... had the room erupting with laughter' (NorthWestEnd.co.uk).

NHS psychiatrist, award-winning comedian and best-selling author Dr Benji reveals the weird and wonderful history of mental illness, and his profession's, long, proud history of often making things worse. Think straitjackets, Sigmund Freud and performing lobotomies without an anaesthetic – and sometimes, a medical degree. And crucially: are we any better at treating madness in 2026? 'Funny without turning patients into punchlines' ***** (Telegraph). 'Humane, hilarious and eye-opening' (Guardian). 'The Adam Kay of mental health care' (Times).

This hour of comedy will be a bold, laugh-forward work in progress from American comic Sarah Conrad, based in the UK, and friends. Sarah is known for sharp observational stand-up, dark humour, and brutally honest storytelling. Surprise guests at each show. Jokes and treats will be served. Surprise guest comedians every evening. Jokes and cheese will be served.

06-17 AUG - 18:40
A five-star one-man sketch show packed with fast-paced, character-driven comedy. Expect madness and audience participation. And maybe a unicorn or two. It's gonna be a laugh... Fresh from a five-star run at Camden Fringe 2025 and Brighton Fringe 2026, the show is coming to Just the Tonic at Edinburgh Fringe for its first-ever run of performances in Edinburgh! Get your tickets now for a great hour of laughs that'll leave you feeling uplifted and involved in the chaos!

Meet Lt Love Dr Hotty McTotty – a futuristic soldier who has travelled back in time from 2075. Her mission: to revive human connection. Through a series of drills including: small talk, eye contact and speed dating, audiences will rally together to combat our increasingly isolated reality. This hilarious, heartfelt and surprisingly impactful show will inspire you to make friends, disconnect from the digital world and rediscover what it means to be human. 'The beating heart of Fringe comedy' **** (BroadwayBaby.com).

It's New York City. It's the '90s. And this is the world's craziest sitcom. A parody of classic TV such as Seinfeld, Frasier and Friends and completely improvised from your suggestions. Could this show BE any funnier? From some of the comedians behind the award-winning Lying Together and CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation. Theatre Weekly's Best Improv Show at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe. 'Uproarious improvised comedy' **** (AYoungerTheatre.com). 'Laugh-out-loud' **** (ThePhoenixRemix.com). 'Extremely quick and funny' **** (TheatreWeekly.com). 'Had the audience laughing from the get-go' **** (NorthWestEnd.co.uk).

06-30 AUG - 18:50
The wetness in me is the wetness in you. Welcome to the Wetness Centre where your wetness is welcome. A place of devotion to the slippery substance inside and out, a sensual and sublime offering by submersive Wetness Influencer Rose KB from the dry heat of Perth, Australia. Silly, surreal and a little bit sexy. It's time to seize the spray! ****½ (FringeFeed.com.au). 'An instant cult classic' (PerthArts.live). 'You took a simple idea and gave it luminosity' (Baz Luhrmann).

Blending sharp stand-up with satirical storytelling, Adam Greene (writer for BBC Radio 4's The News Quiz) takes on bodies, brains, courage and the increasingly unhinged ways we try to fix ourselves. Expect big jokes, bigger ideas and a massive performer working hard enough to earn the sweat. 'Dripping with both sweat and comedy' **** (The Student). 'Definitely one to keeps tabs on' (Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard). 'Builds and easy connection with the audience' (Steve Bennet, Chortle.co.uk).

06-17 AUG - 19:10
It won't be alright on the night... Serious comedian Ryan Hill and loveable idiot Ben Jones present their 'comedy show goes wrong' with original material, tributes to comedy greats and much more silliness! Ryan, the serious comedian, desperately tries to keep his comedy sketch show on the rails while Ben, the loveable idiot, can't help but cause things to go wrong! A fast-paced performance of original and adapted comedy sketches, stand-up, monologues, dance and drag, all tied together into a disastrous tale of mishaps and mayhem!

06-30 AUG - 19:15
After more than a decade of cult Fringe success, Comedy in the Dark returns to Edinburgh this summer. We're inviting audiences to experience live comedy in a way they've never quite seen before (or rather, not seen at all). This year, award-winning Adam Flood comperes the show, who's been described by Ivo Graham as 'despicably multi talented', and we agree. He'll be alongside hand-picked line-ups of this year's elite comedy talent. Prepare for an hour of intimate, unpredictable and immersive stand-up... in the pitch black. For individual show listings you can look at the JTT website.

06-30 AUG - 19:15
If you love true stories that are hilarious, heartfelt and a little bizarre, this is the show for you. Happy Tea is a one-hour real-life story of love, chaos and impossible choices, told through wildly honest stand-up storytelling. With an electric bear, lots of tea and unexpected turns, this story blends big laughs with real emotion as it shows how dark humour and resilience can carry you through the unthinkable. Unpredictable, provocative and ultimately uplifting. Directed by Stuart Laws.

06-30 AUG - 19:25
BSL Interpreted Performances 15 & 27
You saw his entrance last year, now Craig bounces back so lock the exits!! Belt up for a thrilling, quick-fire comedy flight, packed with razor-sharp wit and spontaneity. He's behind you! Actually, he's in front of you and there's nowhere to hide! A Fringe favourite with wide appeal, Hill has audiences in paroxysms of laughter, barely able to breathe before take off again. Strap yourself in! Expect electric energy, fearless improvisation and the kind of live comedy that turns rooms upside down. 'Craig Hill live is a revelation' (Scotsman).

06-30 AUG - 19:30
Best of cabaret from the Fringe returns for a 6th stellar year. A diverse rotating cast of international seasoned and emerging artists. Vivacious vocalists, variety, circus, comedy and award-winning burlesque each night. A roundup of the finest cabaret acts at the 2026 Fringe. Part of the newly formed International Fringe Burlesque Festival. The hottest cabaret ticket in town is back due to high demand. New show nightly. Insiders' 'pick of the Fringe'. If there's only one cabaret show to see, this is it!

06-30 AUG - 19:30 & 16:40 Every Saturday
Come see Just The Tonic's selection of the best up-and=coming acts, we've been choosing the funniest rising comedians since 1995. Previous acts include: Micky Flanaghan, Sarah Millican, Jason Manford, Milton Jones, Jim Jeffries and Romesh Ranganathan, plus plenty more. This year, our comics made it through three rounds of live competition across the country, so we know audiences love them. This is your chance to see them before they're selling out shows. 'Boot camp for young comics' (Gary Delaney).

Dan has been a data collector for 10 years. You know when they say how much it costs to live somewhere? He's the guy who finds out. He travels round the world and walks around supermarkets recording the prices of apples / cheese / you name it into his Dictaphone. He's been to pretty much every supermarket, in every country, in the world. This is the story of how. From the man who brought you How I Came Third in the North Korean Marathon.

06-30 AUG - 19:30
A puzzle wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a musical! Six friends find themselves in an escape room that seems to be raising emotions high and adrenaline higher. They have 60 minutes to escape or who knows what might be revealed? Who will solve the room and who will fold under the pressure?! Original songs, crazy characters and puzzling puzzles a-plenty. A must see for any escape room or musical theatre lover!

Ciaran Franco grew up wanting to be the lad everyone had a pint with. Instead, he ended up with OCD, a head full of nonsense and the creeping fear that he's past his sell-by date. A Good Time Charlie is a funny look at bad brains, worse decisions and what happens when the craic runs out but your head won't shut up.

Madame Isolde, a medium from 1936, returns from the astral plane with ghost stories, original songs and one classic cover. Drawing on haunted theatres, Brighton legends and restless spirits, she resurrects tales that refuse to stay buried and turns them into music that is eerie, ridiculous and unexpectedly moving. This darkly comic cabaret blends folklore, theatrical storytelling and sharp seaside wit. Expect atmosphere without jump scares, glamour without gloom and a night of musical mischief that proves even ghosts enjoy a good tune. Come curious. Leave lightly spooked and thoroughly entertained.

I, David William Bryan, present a brand new hour of stand-up. Am I gonna die on stage? Almost certainly, yes. Should you come along and watch it happen? Yes. You think this is a joke, but it isn't. I have no idea what I'm doing. If you know any jokes, please bring them with you. An hour is a long time. See you there. Bring your low expectations. Excited? Don't be. Multi-year Edinburgh Fringe sell-out. 50+ professional five-star reviews for solo work. 'A tour de force' (Scotsman).

After a brush with total amnesia, a mind wiped clean, comedian Eric Lampaert (Lamb Pear) returns from the void with questions only madness can answer, fractured memories, multiple personalities and a darkly funny perspective on what it means to be human.

At Hell's entrance stands history's most notorious villain – but tonight, call him Eddie. Dressed in pink, heart literally worn on his sleeve where a swastika once sat, something has shifted. This audiovisual cabaret follows one Fuhrer's unlikely tale of emotional reckoning: from that final bunker breakfast, through Hell's gates, via Jesus, a mountain master and Stephan the boyfriend. Part satirical stand-up, part confessional cabaret, this show tries its best to uphold the PC rules of engagement – triggering absolutely nobody. Good luck with that. You'll laugh, you'll cry and kiss your sacred cows goodbye.

In this, his brand new show 'Stay at Home Son', Londoner (oh shut up) Jonathan dives into the world of messed-up-millennials and manifesting adoption into the Beckhams now there's a spare seat at the table (Love heart hands Brooklyn x). Nominated for no awards and never a sold-out show – Jonathan is fresh meat. This is a chance to see him before he hits the big time so don't miss out. *Not written by ChatGPT.

Or... Why poets should have listened to their gut. Fresh from a sell-out national tour, Simon brings his ever-evolving exploration of memory, intelligence, creativity and the centaur back to Edinburgh for two weeks only. The lyrical ambition of Coleridge, the autumnal pathos of late period Sinatra and the mystic genius of Plato come together to create a better class of shadow. As seen on Live at the Apollo and heard on BBC Radio 4's News Quiz and Simon Evans Goes to Market. 100 Trillion Neutrinos Per Second Can't be Wrong! 'Masterclass' ***** (Scotsman). 'Jaw-Dropping' ***** (Chortle.co.uk).

Facing scat singers, horse thieves and evil Teletubbies, Yorkshire's giggliest gaggle bring you an evening of honking-good sketch comedy. Fresh from a series of sold-out shows in their home city of Leeds, join the Gooses for their Fringe debut where they will curate a smorgasbord of disturbing costumes, questionable accents and salacious music for a veritable banquet of buffoonery. Reviews: 'Nine out of ten dentists recommend The Sketchy Gooses' (Colgate). 'Please leave a message after the tone' (BroadwayBaby.com). 'I was in stitches' (some guy in A&E).

Welcome to Stools Studios, you are invited on a VIP tour through our TV channels. Wow aren't you lucky! We've got channels for everyone. 'Monday Kitchen Mornings' for the foodies, 'Mike's Magic' for the horny ones and 'Island of Love' for the romantics. The list goes on! Strap in and strap on as The Three Stools take you on a journey of silliness, satire and general stooliness.

06-30 AUG - 21:00
The ultimate go-to burlesque extravaganza at Fringe returns as part of the International Fringe Burlesque Festival. A celebration of bodies and inclusivity. Award winners, showstoppers and the hottest stars around! Appearing in the historic surroundings of the Caves. This new All-Stars Burlesque 2026 show pushes the boundaries of burlesque striptease one step further with a healthy dose of scintillating cabaret and world-renowned circus artists. With tradition, awe-generating spectacles, silliness and glamour, it's not only a great way to be introduced to burlesque but a brilliant and fun night out.

06-30 AUG - 21:05
Top comedians act out your most embarrassing confessions live on stage – and the biggest oops wins a prize! Hosted by Australian comedian Kurt Sterling (25+ million views online) and featuring a rotating cast of top improvisers, this interactive comedy extravaganza takes your anonymous confessions and turns them into comedy gold. Here's how it works: audience members share their biggest oops anonymously – whether it's a dating disaster, a workplace whoopsie or a travel blunder – and our top-notch comedians will have to act them out on stage.

An astonishing ride rocketing through the greater universe from the award-winning master of one-liners and off-beat tangents. Absurd comedy accompanied by an epic score, exploring art, books, travel, perseverance and croissants. An underground sensation with music by Sachie Mikawa of Japan in an arthouse explosion about everything and everything else! 'Utterly Endearing Idiosyncratic Geniuses' (Scotsman). 'Underground Hero' ***** (TimesColonist.com). 'Brilliantly Ingenious Creativity' (Chortle.co.uk). 'Amazement' (Guardian). Nominee: Malcolm Hardee Award for "Comic Originality", Edinburgh Fringe. Winner: Best Show, Wellington Comedy Awards. Nominee: Best Comedy, 'JFL Award' Montreal Fringe.

If Fleabag went to Bible college in the North American Bible Belt. SINNER. is an irreverent solo musical tragicomedy about faith, shame, and being raised to shrink. Blending razor-sharp comedy, jaw-dropping vocal virtuosity and original songs, the show interrogates belief, family systems and the cost of becoming "good." Funny, tender and unapologetically honest, audiences have called SINNER. 'the soul healing I didn't know I still needed.' Come for the comedy. Stay for the catharsis.

45 mins of stand-up from the reigning Roast Battle UK Champion. 'Incisive and prolific joke writer. He has made me howl with laughter' (Eshaan Akbar). If you like your jokes short, sharp with sprinkle of spice from one of the rising stars of the UK comedy scene, then this show is for you. If you are looking for a show with a deep message or a sad reflective moment, you will not find it here. All I have are jokes.

06-30 AUG - 21:20
Trouble with business? Love? Connecting to others? Are your plants dead? Do you feel like your life is not what you hoped? Come to The Caves... Your local wisard, Jooby, awaits. Join for a preternatural experience that bemuses and amuses the modern mind. A clown show that casts a spell on the audience and transforms them into wisards themselves. Through music, incantations, and laugh out loud physical prowess, the Cuban immigrant invites you to transcend this world's woes. Bring your most loathed object and your most supple mind. The wisard is here to open your eye ~:)

An American comic with a British family escapes his dumpster-fire homeland and its would-be dictator to pick apart the gap between how Britain sees America and how it actually feels to live there. A British-style stand-up comedy show: it's part cultural autopsy, part love letter, it's a fast, joke-dense hour about being loudly from a country everyone loves to hate, while exploring if the America he grew up in ever existed at all, making you realize you might actually feel sorry for America... or at least Americans.

Exiled from the North Pole, the greatest holiday band of all time share their rebellious magic. After centuries of Arctic suppression, Kris Kringle IV and his immortal Elves are on a mission to prove that the True Spirit of Christmas must be celebrated every day. Through the power of Rock'n'Roll, they will liberate the "Naughty List." From Frosty to Bowie, and Dickens to Queen, they summon you to slide into the ultimate sonic sleigh ride, get you stocking stuffed and believe!

06-30 AUG - 21:55
She's Chinese. She's Canadian. She's confused. Scarlet turns immigration into a laugh-packed hour of stand-up and storytelling in her solo show, Citizen Chen. She skewers border control, bureaucracy and the absurd things we do to fit in – with warm charm and razor-sharp observations. Expect cultural whiplash, language mishaps and laugh-out-loud recognition. No small talk. Just punchlines and heart.

Two very different comedians take on the Fringe in McVea and Rea Go Away. Sam McVea; autistic, with unashamed confidence and unpredictable energy. Will Rea; neurotic and overthinking, telling honest stories that might either entertain or make you cringe. With a clear generation gap and contrasting styles, this fast-paced split bill mixes chaos, honesty and changing forfeits into a show full of surprises.

06-30 AUG - 22:10
Darkness. Mothman returns to Fringe hungry for more! Dance, sing, run, cry, scream. You cannot escape the void. Come. Join Mothman. Embrace the darkness together. Winner: Best Comedy, The Spookies. Audience Choice: Green Bay Fringe. 'One of the finest, oddest experiences... Seek out the Mothman' ***** (StarburstMagazine.com). Mothman will lead the audience through a variety of games, rituals and happenings to embrace the darkness together. This show is performed mostly in the dark, lit by Mothman's glowing red eyes. It contains haze and frequent audience participation.

A rare chance to see four headline acts in a single show. Hosted by the brilliant Amy Matthews, this powerhouse line-up brings together Josh Glanc, Gareth Waugh and Max Fulham for a night of full-throttle, headline-worthy comedy. Expect big laughs, bold ideas and performers at the very top of their game. No warm-ups, no padding and no compromises – just four headliners doing what they do best! Late, loud and unmissable at this year's Fringe!

06-30 AUG - 22:25
In this interactive comedy show, two renegade American cops, Tito Perez from Texas and Jacob Liss from California, are hilariously forced to provide community service by answering audience questions live. They transform an anonymous Q&A into a riotous experience filled with side-splitting insights and unexpected twists. Blending Texan charm with California crazy, Tito and Jacob promise outrageous antics and balls-to-the-wall bravado that will keep you locked and loaded in laughter all night long. Join them for an unforgettable night of spontaneity, hilarity and 80's chaos that promises to deliver an experience you won't soon forget.

Ever return home from a comically bad date to a Dead Old Guy under your bed? Same. By comparing the loneliness of a single woman approaching 30 and a widowed elderly man, this tragically comical one-woman show unpacks the all-consuming obsession of trying to find love in the first quarter of life and the driving forces behind making life-altering choices in your late twenties. It explores themes of rejection, romance, reproductive choice, friendship, loneliness, loyalty and heartbreak through one woman and a pair of feet sticking out from under her bed.

Opening night – 1926. Sister showgirls Amelia and Avi have practiced their dance steps, perfected their costumes and downed a celebratory glass of champagne. But two other sisters lurk below the floorboards, and they are ready to take back what is ratfully theirs. Sisters and lifelong collaborators, Amelia and Avi Gorman are thrilled to share their first full-length work with you. A comedy infused with puppetry, drama, and a little bit of showgirl magic, The Spectacular Vermin Sisters is a celebration of those who crave the limelight.

Join the party at the iconic Big Cave for 90 minutes of electric late-night comedy, jam-packed with some of the finest acts at the Fringe, with surprise guests at every show. No two shows the same, but each presenting a mix of TV names, Netflix stars, festival veterans and social media superstars at this unmissable showcase of the very best in stand-up talent, against the backdrop of one of Edinburgh's most beloved and unique spaces: The Big Cave. End your day at the Fringe in fits of laughter!

Jill Weiner's Soup Freak is darkly funny, silly, smart and sharp hour of stand-up comedy. With topics ranging from Peloton to gas huffing, dating a guy in a van to suicide by sea, Jill expresses her perspective on the human condition while sharing her own insecurities, memories and, of course, favourite soups, stews and stocks. From top to bottom, better said, soup to nuts, her show maintains a high energy level akin to a slumber party at 2am.

06-30 AUG - 23:45
Your late-night burlesque 'guilty pleasure' returns! Sell-out 2025 run. Sizzling striptease and alternative variety collide at the historic Caves. Leave inhibitions at the door. Anything goes. A part of the newly formed International Fringe Burlesque Festival. Seasoned international headliners, spectacular showstoppers, industry innovators and rising newcomers on the scene. After-Hours Burlesque Club is the ultimate party at the 2026 Fringe. Everyone welcome!

07-23 AUG - 10:30 & 13:30
Ray Bubbles, international bubbleologist and World Record-holder, is on a mission to master the art of bubble-making and create the ultimate square bubble! This show promises a whirlwind of excitement and surprises, as Ray uses various gases to craft stunning bubble sculptures, effects and magical displays. Prepare to be amazed as Ray creates a volcano bubble, a soap bubble carousel, a bubble ghost and even a tornado inside a bubble! The performance is suitable for children and adults with additional needs. Join Ray and see if he can create the ultimate square bubble!

07-23 AUG - 11:45
Ray Bubbles is on a mission to master the art of bubble-making and create the ultimate square bubble! This show promises a whirlwind of excitement as Ray uses various gases to craft stunning bubble sculptures, effects and magical displays. Prepare to be amazed as Ray creates a volcano bubble, a soap bubble carousel and even a tornado inside a bubble! The show was inspired by Ray's work with special schools and is suitable for children, and adults, with additional needs. Join Ray and see if he can create the ultimate square bubble!

Your full Fringe fix before lunchtime! A rotating selection of the best in variety at the festival in one jam-packed show. Enjoy stunning musicians, top comedians, the best in burlesque, guest magicians and multiple surprises from the circus tent! From the producers of the award-winning Big Gay Afterparty and the sell-out 11pm Live at the Big Cave, this is the best way to sample the best of cabaret and variety at the Fringe in one electrifying hour of entertainment.

Award-winning storytelling. Real-life submariner gives a unique insider view of life aboard a nuclear submarine. Heartwarming personal stories of danger, suspense and true love underwater. 'One in a million show' ***** (ThreeWeeks). 'Quietly wonderful show' **** (Times). 'Captivating' ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). 'Truly excellent' ***** (FringeReview.co.uk). 'Literally made me gasp out loud' ***** (FringeGuru.com). 'Breathtaking' **** (List). 'Deeply moving' **** (Advertiser, Adelaide). 'Uniquely delightful' ***** (TheWest.com.au). 'Beautifully delivered tale of friendship' ***** (Herald Sun). 'A must see!' ***** (Hairline.org.uk). 'Beautifully crafted, deeply moving' (Time Out). 'Mesmerising' (Guardian).

Not a lot has been written about the decade the 90s, and so Adam Larter will finally try to get to the bottom of what happened in this decade. Expect well-researched journalism and not a load of surreal nonsense. 'One of the most stupidly brilliant things you'll see this Fringe' (Fest). 'There's certainly plenty to look at and for a lot of the time the audience is entranced by the sheer volume of physical chaos happening on and off the stage' (Scotsman). Directed by Ali Brice.

Spend an afternoon in the company of the cast of Phoenix Nights as they share stories, memories and behind the scenes moments from one of Britain's most beloved comedies. From unforgettable characters to the chaos of the Phoenix Club, this is a chance to hear how the show was made and what happened when the cameras stopped rolling. Expect plenty of laughs, nostalgic moments and the kind of stories you'd only hear from the people who were actually there.

8 AUG - 22:20
15, 22, 29 AUG - 22:00
A comedy show for spreadsheet experts and casual users alike that blends stand-up, storytelling and demos. Sprinkled amongst the comedy routine, you'll learn a few Excel tricks from a true piece of sheet: pun-loving Excel YouTuber and Jewish math addict David, who regularly advises Microsoft on future directions for Excel. Growing up with a maths obsession paved the way for David to become 'The Excel Guy' at the office, attend spreadsheet conferences and mathem-antics. David's Fringe debut was a sell-out run in 2025. 'Funny, geeky and sneakily moving' (Highly Recommended Show, FringeReview.co.uk).

Queer, chic and outrageous: you're invited to the biggest, gayest party at the Fringe (fun straights allowed). The award-winning show makes its return this year for two nights only, daring you to indulge in the hottest pop-up cabaret experience on Cowgate – now with more sensational acts and more tunes! Curated by 'demonic David Bowie' (Fest) Aidan Sadler, a selection of the most electrifying and scandalous performers at the festival awaits. 'The acts slay until the break of day and you're invited right into the heart of this soulfully compiled and radically offbeat cabaret experience' ***** (BingeFringe.com).

Top professional stand-up from the Irish comedy scene and beyond. Sold out at Edinburgh Fringe 2023, 2024 and 2025. Each day presents a selection of top quality stand-up comedians who have their own show at the Fringe or have popped over for a few days. A great value show to add to your day at the Fringe.

A comedy variety show in search of a roommate! Celia and Mavis (Diana Aydin and Mikayla Sherfy) are two zany old NYC broads, who secretly live in an Edinburgh attic and maybe killed their husband. Now they're on the search for a third roommate. Watch as they interview comedians and audience members for the coveted spot, with comedy bits, roommate drama and old lady shenanigans thrown in between. Who will be crowned Celia and Mavis's third roommate? You cast the deciding vote in this hilariously interactive sketch, improv and character show!

Ian Winter is a Hull comedian with a style described as a box of all sorts. Brave. Funny. Edgy. Dark. Ironic. Surreal. Dry and held together with one-liners. A comedian unafraid to throw stones at Cathedrals and Kings. Ian's previous Edinburgh Fringe highly acclaimed shows include Gordon, a one-man play, and Twisted Tongue, a performance poetry show. Ian is a writer, actor and poet. His shows and style are full of energy, visceral, and honest to the core.

Following two sold-out runs in Oxford, the Oxford Revue are back after 63 years of comedic Fringe mayhem, bringing you fresh new sketches performed and written by this generations up-and-coming comics! Described as 'a comedic buffet' and 'one of the most outstanding acts within the genre', this year's revue isn't one to miss. Fifty minutes of electrifying sketch comedy, that will knock your socks off! From satirical to absurd, there's something for everyone! Book your tickets now to secure a seat with the next big names in comedy!

Scottish surrealist stand-up Daniel Petrie won 2023's Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Award, as well as being a finalist in the Chortle Student Comedy Awards and BBC New Comedy Award in 2025. Also a working NHS doctor and a baked potato super-fan (2023-present). 'Scarily good' (Daniel Sloss). Moldova's Valeria Vulpe left her career as a mathematician to follow her dream of being a stand-up. Deadpan storytelling with mordant humour and a unique viewpoint. She recently opened for Ricky Gervais at Wembley Arena as her prize for winning the 2025 Dutch Barn Spirit of Comedy.

Farce, Scrutiny and the Commentariat – join the debate. It will not be televised again. Chorley witnesses its most important by-election at a turbulent time in the UK's political landscape. After the resignation of Labour MP Carl Ritter, four candidates are going head to head for the seat. Ritter's resignation leaves Labour with 325 seats. Should Labour's Steve Ollenshaw fail to win, then Labour will lose its majority. Four candidates. Three parties. One independent. Sadly, we won't be joined by the Conservative and Unionists in this debate, because the party's dead.

Uh oh, The Whackadoo Boys are at it again! This time in an absurdist romp to the unexplored wilds of the Channel Islands. Whackadoo Gone Wild is an absurdist comedy play exploring themes of friendship, self worth and animal conservation. The heartfelt story features puppetry, dance and plenty of audience interaction. Whackadoo is a sketch duo comprised of Cambridge Footlights Isaac Kean (Chortle Student Comedy Award finalist) and Adam Al-janabi (as seen on BBC's SAS Rogue Heroes).

20-30 AUG - 14:00
Oops! We Lost a Nuke is a comedic play set in the 1950s, featuring four characters performed – sometimes simultaneously – by two actors. When an unassuming pacifist abuses his position within the US government in order to hide a nuclear warhead, it becomes clear that his affair with his secretary and his wife's affair with her doctor are the least of their worries. As the government closes in, secrets come to light.

Bob Augustine aka Folk-IndieBob is a singer songwriter based in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, US. He writes songs in a folk and folk-indie style with poetic lyrics and acoustic guitar accompaniment. He has been featured at arts festivals, concerts, galleries, coffee shops, restaurants and poetry readings and has received much positive feedback as people enjoy his insightful writing, soulful voice and original sound.

After being titled 'one of the most unique – and hilarious' (**** Broadway World) sketch shows last year, The Manchester Revue are back for their sixth year at the Fringe, armed with some brand-new sketches. A meteor is headed straight for Edinburgh, and the target seems to be our venue, right after our final sketch! OH NO! The only way to stop it is to reminisce on the best things humanity has to offer. Join us as we look back on the weird, wacky and wonderful parts of life... and hopefully stop that deadly meteor too.

Meet America's top infomercial actress, Gwyneth Paltrow's personal almond counter, and an arsonist of chain restaurants. Maddie Silverstein's debut solo show explores the surreal pressure to be thin and breaks down diet culture with ease. 'Maddie is a fearless performer with the rare ability to make the absurdity of diet culture both hilarious and deeply uncomfortable' (Amanda Richards, author, Fat Hell).

Want to see Doctor Who save the universe from a 50-foot Duncan Bannatyne? Or an episode of The Traitors settled during Bake Off's arsenic week? From breakdancing on Game of Thrones to zombies on Sesame Street, our rotating, basted and corn-fed cast will push the boundaries of what legally counts as satire for copyright purposes. Back for their seventh Fringe run, watch Improv On Demand take on your favourite TV shows, old and new, and perfectly recreate them based on audience suggestions (perfection not guaranteed).

Comedy, circus and indie cosmic lunacy collide in an ever-changing nightly riot of world-class weirdos, hellbent on healing our planetary divide. Interactive, uplifting, subversive and bonkers. Featuring Clown God, Mothman, Fart Monkey, nerf karaoke and outlandish acts from across the Fringe, with a live-looped indie score morphing every night. Broken Planet Show dares you to misbehave, laugh at your flaws and dance through the chaos. It's a rowdy invitation to take life less seriously. Join the revolution of ridiculousness. Come Save World! 'Most Fringe show I've ever seen' **** (BroadwayBaby.com).

Dave and Liam are thicker than your average chancers: men of misplaced confidence with the audacity of blokes who've never let a GCSE get in their way. Join these lovable halfwits from London and Newcastle as they aim high, miss low and celebrate a life of glorious mediocrity. From the bottom of the class to the back of the bus, their pursuit of crappiness is relentless, unapologetic and dangerously enthusiastic. Expect big egos, questionable judgement and a masterclass in regrets, debts, detentions and delusions.

20-30 AUG - 17:20
An invitation to a proper Victorian seance in an appropriately eerie attic. Comedians Carly Anna Billings (The Second City Toronto) and Cecilia O'Grady will take you back in time as the Wolf Sisters, two founders of American Spiritualism on the road, sharing their gifts of spirit and sisterhood when everything goes awry. Part comedy, part scare, this 60-minute show created and performed by these 'hilarious hosts' (Common Ground Arts, Edmonton) is sure to deliver you a spine-tinglingly silly spirit-filled story.

Allegory is a surreal, deeply personal hour about locating one's identity in the tangled constellation of colleagues, family, and friends... while caring for a metaphorical (and possibly real) pet octopus with digestive issues. With themes circling immigrant parenthood, working-woman hustle, and the illusion of freedom, Vaidyanathan's latest work is fast-paced, fearless, and playfully philosophical.

Sydney export Annabelle James brings a fresh hour of stand-up about swapping beaches for bagpipes and discovering that even when two countries speak English, there's still a wee language barrier. It's a warm, witty and whimsical look at finding your feet (and losing your tan) far from home.

20-30 AUG - 18:25
Mistranslated is an interactive stand-up comedy show about the absurd and hilarious side of speaking (and misspeaking) languages, delivered by a polyglot comedian who does comedy in seven languages. This show is a masterclass in how to (badly) learn a foreign language, offering hacks and tips while featuring tales of languages fails, tonal triumphs and finally being able to understand what those Thai masseuses are saying. It's all in English, but with no promises you won't walk away knowing how to bargain in Indonesian or chitchat about dried fish in Norwegian.

New York comedian Meka Mo returns to Edinburgh with New York City Dreams, following her award-nominated 2024 Fringe run. Using New York not as a backdrop but as a lens, she explores her view of the world right now – and how multiculturalism shapes that perspective. In an age of political chaos and cultural contradiction, Meka delivers fearless, fast-paced stand-up packed with sharp observational humour and relentless punchlines. Bold without being preachy and clever without being smug, this is an unapologetic hour that calls out the absurdities while keeping the laughs coming hard and fast.

Rat Candy is the world's most perfect comedy variety show. Brooklyn-based comedians, Anya Ptacek and Bekah Hess perform standup, sketch, digital shorts, musical comedy, and OCCASIONALLY tap dancing each night alongside some of their funniest pals. If you love Broad City, Girls, or PEN15, you will adore this show. Anya and Bekah's endlessly endearing friendship guides this show with sickening sweetness. Here's the thing about Rat Candy... It's GTG (good time guaranteed).

He's making a list. He's checking it twice. He's gonna find out that he's been naughty, not nice. Can Santa rediscover the meaning of Christmas before it's too late? Find out in the holiday clown show, Naughty Boy.

Blending British wit with Japanese sensibility, Sam Joseph's stand-up show explores life between cultures. After six years living in Japan and 20 years raising bilingual children with his Japanese wife across Tokyo, Honolulu and the UK, he unpacks the joys and absurdities of international family life. Expect sharp observations on language mishaps, cultural misunderstandings and the strange things that happen when British understatement meets Japanese politeness. Following his previous fringe show Comedy Booby Trap, performed at Leicester, Brighton and Tunbridge Wells Fringes.

Revunions presents: Who Wants to be a Sketch Comedian? Watch Bristol University's finest sketch comedians compete in 50 minutes of non-stop action! Watch them take each other on in a series of sketches that will leave just one comedian standing...

A Queer, African and Indigenous American trio (HBO, Don't Tell, Amazon Prime, New York Times – Critic's Pick, Time Out), unite for a cross-cultural comedy hour dissecting identity, politics, and why Americans might, in fact, be the worst. Smart, sharp, and occasionally unhinged, these comics deliver a Venn diagram of perspectives, overlapping in their desperate pursuit of something better: possibly love, definitely a visa. Featuring modern social satire and a marriage raffle of dubious legality. Free. Irreverent. Potentially inadmissible in court.

Tim is uncomfortable both on and off-stage. He's 32 and recently made the long journey from Brisbane to London, only to discover that maybe it's him that's the problem. Mahesh is a 39-year-old Londoner. He's lived here most of his life, but always feels like he's on the outside looking in. Together, they are Awkward and Depressed: two lost souls, searching for meaning in this bleak existence and each displaying an uncanny ability to find the humour – as well as the bizarre – in this insane world.

Britain's foremost clairvoyant medium psychic from Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights brings you a "best of" from his four UK tours. Beware. He's only telling you what spirits are telling him. 'Hilarious!' (Chris Moyles, Radio X).

After four sell-out Edinburgh Fringe shows, join award-winning stand-up comedian and online viral sensation Ali Woods as he works on new material! As seen on Comedy Central and Stand-Up Sketch Show. Coming hot off the back of his first worldwide tour, Ali is working on a new stand-up comedy show rumoured to be even more worldwidey. 'A perfect show' ***** (ThreeWeeks). 'This is Ali Woods' world, and we are simply living in it' ***** (LondonTheatre1.com). ***** (Everything-Theatre.co.uk ). ***** (@POWShowbiz). ***** (@gig.gossip).

A family-friendly quick-fire improvised sketch show, chock full of fast-paced performing and mirthsome short comedy sketches. The Elephant in the Room is... we have no idea what the show will be about! Performing comedy sketches and theatre games crafted from suggestions from the audience and made up completely on the fly. In the style of such classics as "Whose line is it anyway?". Seen at comedy festivals throughout the UK, we'll be bringing an hour of giggles, games and silliness.

A comedy show against every society of the past 12,000 years and their dire consequences. Not just against the industrial revolution and feudalism, but against written language, sedentary lifestyle, hierarchies, racism, spam mail, gender roles and alcohol. In support of nomadism, free camping and psychedelics. Let's take the Unabomber a step forward by taking his logic a step back. Let's explore the primitive anarchists that humans used to be by juxtaposing their lifestyle with ours, through observational comedy and political commentary.

Have you ever wanted to have your petty arguments judged and settled in front of a crowd of laughing bystanders? The Circus of Public Opinion elevates the audiences' grievances to the highest court of all CLOWN COURT. Real, very justice driven clowns will hear your grievances and provide evidence to the audience in an improvised comedy court drama that is all about getting to the bottom of important issues and, paramount of all, passing judgement on them. Whether found innocent or guilty, you will sleep better at night knowing that clown justice has been served.

Sashi's surname – Perera – means pear tree in Portuguese. You won't believe how mad Portugal gets if you mention why it's a super common name in Sri Lanka hehe. Pear Tree is a stand up comedy show about pear-shaped events between Sri Lanka and Australia. It's about family, love, homes, knives and cats – spliced with a bit of geopolitics and singing. Sashi is a Sri Lankan Australian comedian, writer and recovering lawyer, one of Australia's fastest rising comedians, known for her sharp wit, unique tales and bizarre insights.

It's not a roast battle, it's women from the Amazon Prime comedy film Luck Court. We are stand-ups Clare McCartney, Poetry Bird, and Derya Yildirim as Bob The Builder from Turkey, cooking you up a Three Bird Roast with MC Tara Bates. We are working class women of a certain age – the age where leggings tell the truth. Between us we have neurodiversity and ethnic minority. If you like stand-up, clowning and poetry, this show is for you.

Save the date for the wildest wedding you've ever been to. Let the Best Man Win is the ultimate comedy showdown where three stand-ups compete to deliver the funniest improvised best man speech for one lucky couple. After a sold-out run in 2025 with Ray O'Leary, Craig Hill and Kate Dolan walking away with bouquets, this is less about the tiered cakes and more about tears of laughter. No seating plan. No regrets. Just grab a drink, relax and let the best man win.

It's been ages since Pinocchio became a "real boy". Now nearing life's end, he faces his toughest quest: rescuing daughter Carla from the adventure-less modern world. Joined by old friends – greatly changed over decades – it's a daunting task. Success demands one last clever lie. A poignant, magical twist on the classic tale, blending nostalgia, family bonds and timeless mischief for all ages. Directed by Francesco Angeloni.