2023 Edinburgh Fringe

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Recommended 2023 shows

The BCG team sees hundreds of shows during each Fringe. Here is a list of our favourites from 2023, in alphabetical order. If you're intrigued by a show and are thinking of booking tickets to see it, click through to the listing for more information.

Ahir Shah: Ends

An ode to his immigrant grandfather, how the world is better than we think it is (small print: but progress is cyclical) and a marvellous longform comparison between Ahir and Rishi Sunak. Politically astute and emotionally hopeful, we cannot think of another comedian operating at this level of intelligence, craft and confidence.

Alex Farrow: Wisdom of the Crowd

Think of Alex Farrow as a younger, livelier, slightly edgier Alexander Armstrong. He's thoughtful but maintains a good joke rate.

Alexandra Haddow: Not My Finest Hour

The self deprecation of the title perfectly encapsulates Alexandra Haddow's approach to her stand-up. Although she covers some tough ground, she is never more than a few lines away from a gag to undercut the tension.

Alice Cockayne: I Showered Before I Came

Brilliant, weird, character clown comedy from an exciting new talent.

Amy Matthews: I Feel Like I'm Made of Spiders

A show based around a mental health issue... but hopefully that label doesn't put anyone off giving this show a try, as this is a joke-packed relatable hour from a slick and confident performer who looks set to become a future stand-up star.

Ania Magliano: I Can't Believe You've Done This

Ania Magliano's second show is even more assured than her terrific debut. With a disarmingly charming stage presence, she had the audience in the palm of her hand.

Bill O'Neill: The Amazing Banana Brothers

Head to see this duo slipping on 1,000 bananas, or your money back - provided that everyone comes out unscathed.

Celya AB: Second Rodeo

Celya AB seems so at home onstage, her playfulness with the audience underpinned by a series of razor sharp jokes. From one-liners to more personal material, this sophomore hour is an absolute triumph.

Charlie Vero-Martin: Picnic

A charming mix of light and dark sketches in this original and offbeat hour. Who doesn't want sketches about hermit crabs and axolotls, pine cones, cryptic crosswords and of course end the most dramatic possible end to a picnic? Lots of fun throughout.

Chris Grace: As Scarlett Johansson

Improv musical star Chris Grace diversifies here, by tackling Hollywood's lack of diversity (and owning up to some fails of his own), in an ambitious Russian Doll of a show - Chris plays Scarlett, who plays Chris, who plays Scarlett, who plays Chris...

Chris Thorburn: Cineman

You'll find much daft joy here. Chris Thorburn races through routines like his life depended on it. Feels very much like scrolling through spoof Mark Kermode TikTok content.

Courtney Pauroso: Vanessa 5000

This "demonstration of a sex robot" is an incredible physical comedy performance, but it is also full of great writing and adventurous audience interaction.

Dan Lees: The Vinyl Countdown

A simple idea, expertly executed, as the funny-boned Dan Lees recreates the long-lost stars of random old albums. What you don't expect (from the sedate poster) is what a riotous gig it becomes.

Dan Rath: All Quiet Carriage Along the Inner Western Line

Fans of Sam Campbell should rush to Dan Rath. A wild grab-bag of thoughts from a brilliant comic mind. He's fantastic.

Daniel Foxx: Villain

A slick hour that looks set to become one of the hits of this year's festival. Daniel Foxx possesses the full skillset needed to become a famous comedy star... witness it all in action here, as he creates big laughs in the process of discussing topics such as queer representation.

Darren Harriott - Roadman

Brummie star Darren Harriott works his room with impressive aplomb. Easy going and naturally funny tales of self-improvement, tough choices and a bag of animals.

Elf and Duffy: Heist

A sublime show that wonderfully embodies the spirit of the Fringe. Elf Lyons and Duffy share a magical chemistry; the synchronicity of silliness.

Emmanuel Sonubi: Curriculum Vitae

Assured, accessible and engaging hour of stand-up. A gifted storyteller in complete control of his audience - he is surely destined for mainstream success.

Eric Rushton: Not That Deep

There's hype around Eric Rushton and it's easy to see why. He's one to watch: fans of Jordan Brookes should particularly get involved.

Flat and the Curves: Divadom

High energy musical comedy from four very talented performers. A mix of styles including nineties pop, opera and Motown gives great energy throughout with smart lyrics. If you liked Six: The Musical, you'll love this.

Foxdog Studios: Robo Bingo

This is the comedy show where getting your phone out is actively encouraged. You'll never have played bingo like this before - Gala definitely doesn't offer anything like the madcap rounds this tech engineering duo have invented. The real star of the show though is their lovable robotic house-dwelling creation - you'll fall in love.

Frank Lavender: Be Funny

A parody of old-school club comics that also has a lot of fun indulging exactly that style of comedy. Enjoy the different layers at play with this show, or just have fun laughing away at the steady stream of good quality humour on offer here.

Gillian Cosgriff: Actually, Good

Highly polished show with a mix of songs, audience interaction and stand-up celebrating the small joys in life.

Hannah Camilleri: Lolly Bag

Lolly Bag is a top tier sketch show. Hannah Camilleri's characters are rich in personality and astutely observed. From a meandering mechanic to a stressed schoolteacher, her aptitude for improvising and reacting to the room meant that by the end, the entire audience was eager to join in with the fun.

Heidi Regan: Finding an Inner Peace That All Your Friends Will Envy

"You will not learn anything in this show and you will not feel anything in this show". A silly, joyful, pretty wholesome hour from this dependable rising star.

Holly Spillar: Hole

Holly Spillar is gripping and slightly unhinged in this clown show detailing her attempts to overcome vaginismus.

Ian Smith: Crushing

A brilliant hour of stand-up, from a great performer, on the funny side of tackling stress.

Ice Hole: A Cardboard Comedy

Terrifically inventive lo-fi high-jinks as an epic road - and boat - trip is told via the blank canvas of cardboard. There's a laugh on every flap.

Jack Docherty in David Bowie and Me: Parallel Lives

The Absolutely star's stand-up renaissance continues, this time with a more autobiographical tale (or is it?) of his dalliances with David Bowie.

John Hastings: The Times They Are A John Hastings

Another blistering hour of comedy from John Hastings on losing love, finding love and hitting a pig.

Early Word

A family-friendly breakfast buffet from bespectacled legend John Hegley: poems, drawings, low-pressure participation, and a bit of punk-rock edge.

Jonny Pelham: Optimism Over Despair

In his incredible 2019 show Off Limits, Jonny Pelham revealed that he had been abused as a child. This year's show deals with his regret of doing some of that material on Live At The Apollo. He has an almost unique ability to pull big punchlines from the darkest of topics and personal experiences, and that is on full display here.

Josh Glanc: Collections 2023

A fun 'best of' hour with music, dancing and audience participation.

Julia Masli: ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

An extraordinary hour of classic clowning vs clever tech and sound design, as Julia Masli's ethereal agony aunt floats about the room, solving the audience's problems - or causing whole new ones.

Kieran Hodgson: Big In Scotland

Exactly what you'd expect from Kieran Hodgson - a brilliantly written hour of thoughtful, nuanced comedy, packed with bang on impressions and big laughs.

Kiran Deol: Joysuck

Tragicomic shows are a dime a dozen at the Fringe, but what sets Kiran Deol apart is her refreshingly self deprecating approach. It builds into a compelling narrative in which she refuses to be painted as a victim, instead squeezing every ounce of dark humour out of her situation.

Kiri Pritchard-McLean: Work in Progress

Possibly the hardest working person in comedy, Kiri Pritchard-McLean's work in progress already has the polish and joke ratio of a finished show. She focuses on a big change in her life recently, with gentle encouragement to consider doing the same.

Kirsty Mann: Skeletons

Kirsty Mann delivers a fast-paced autobiographical monologue in which she explains how - until now - she's managed to hide the fact she's a doctor from the comedy world and, likewise, conceal her funny side from NHS colleagues. It's a great tale, full of jokes, and Mann's acting skills are showcased nicely when she portrays the other people in her story.

Krystal Evans: The Hottest Girl at Burn Camp

An accomplished debut covering her unusual upbringing in the Northwest of the United States. A fascinating and hilarious hour with a powerful emotional reveal.

Lachlan Werner - Voices Of Evil

An exceptionally skilled ventriloquist, Lachlan Werner conjures up big laughs in this spooky queer puppet/clowning show.

Laura Davis: Well Don't Just Stand There Dancing

Swirling unpredictable Australian storytelling that feels both world building and world skewing. Grief, denial and spiders... the jokes are embedded in like coins in an Xmas pud. A must see.

Liam Withnail: Chronic Boom

A belter. Liam Withnail has a "tale to tell" this year. His club friendly writing and constantly grafting stagecraft means that you are fully involved in the emotional and political rollercoaster.

Lorna Rose Treen: Skin Pigeon

A character-based comedy show featuring imaginative staging and many laugh-points. The versatile Lorna Rose Treen introduces us to many characters, including her delinquent Brownie creation which has already won her awards.

Lou Wall vs The Internet

An intense multi layered multimedia extravaganza. This show looks at friendship, jealousy, our relationship with technology, and our relationship with ourselves.

Louise Young: Feral

A hugely confident debut, whizzing through what's clearly been a rollercoaster few years, from hospital wards to police cells, to this bunker.

Lulu Popplewell: Actually, Actually

In an absolutely delightful hour, Lulu Popplewell uses her appearance in Christmas romcom Love Actually - and it's reputation both as a festive favourite and more modern, problematic readings - as a framework to hang a series of anecdotes infused with biting wit and playful punchlines.

Mark Nelson: Bits & Pieces

A bracing, commanding show from Mark Nelson: it's a pleasure to see him take aim at varying targets, including, pleasingly, all sides of the political divide.

Mark Silcox: Women Only

Deadpan character work from alternative comedy's favourite scientist. Eschewing traditional research methods, he draws on social media to explain women in the modern world.

Married at First Sleight

There's plenty of fun to be had at this magic show from real-life couple Kat and Alan Hudson.

Mat Ewins: Mr TikTok

Taking a demure swipe at TikTok amateurs, Mat Ewins offers another fast-paced hour of brilliant videos and programming. Prepare to laugh non-stop.

Matty Hutson: Don't Hold Back

Guitar, sampler and vocoder at the ready, the gifted Matty Hutson has a lovely time riffing on his hang-ups, cutting-edge crowd work, and how some famous hit-song characters really felt about those hit songs.

Max & Ivan: Life, Choices

A poignant hour from the double-act, which delivers a real gasp moment for those who have been following their work since the early days. Framed around multimedia slideshow with consistent big laughs in it... we recommend you act swiftly to catch this duo's best ever show.

Michelle Brasier: Reform

What do you do when an online purchase goes wrong? This high energy show is one of the most unlikely but entertaining tales of taking on a scammer. Songs, multimedia and an enthralling story.

Micky Overman: The Precipice

Dutch deadpan in emotional intelligence shocker! Micky Overman's The Precipice feels like an evolutionary leap for an act often associated with tight, merciless circuit ready stand-up. A themed show about relationships, broodiness and the future - these topics tessellate beautifully into each other while never feeling foreign to her caustic sense of humour.

Milo Edwards: Sentimental

Last year's show about losing his parents was described as "unsentimental", this is an excellent response to that. Packed with sharp, funny and thoughtful lines throughout.

Nathan D'Arcy Roberts: Present/Tense

An assured debut show from super-likeable storyteller Nathan D'Arcy Roberts. There's eloquent routines on topics such as being of mixed-race origin, and surprising tales about his family. A show everyone will enjoy... except those who actually like Luton.

Olivia Xing: Party School

Half a skilled comic performance, half a passionate political lecture, Olivia Xing is one to watch: a comedic talent with real potential.

Ollie Horn: Not Much

A comedian recounting bad gig experiences is always going to be entertaining, but Ollie Horn's event-filled travels, great storytelling skills, crafted jokes and personable stage presence are a particularly winning combination that ensure Not Much is a great experience for those attending.

Paul F Taylor: Head in the Clouds

A little gem from Optimus Prime's mate (in that Transformers insurance ad): low budget, high concept. A brilliant reveal early doors sets up a lovely hour about thoughts, priorities, an evil teacher and a dramatic mime accident, with some of the best callbacks at the Fringe.

Paul Sinha: Pauly Bengali

Another brilliant hour from Paul Sinha with lots of laughs, songs, a bit of showbiz gossip and, of course, a few quiz questions.

Phil Ellis's Excellent Comedy Show

Offbeat comedy intercut with pop covers from a man dressed as a cat.

Police Cops: The Musical

Police Cops have been refining their fast-paced gag-packed style over the last decade, and this consistently funny musical is their best work yet. 90 minutes of laughs, mined in inventive ways. Catch the show now before the now inevitable West End transfer.

Rob Auton: The Rob Auton Show

Comic conceits that massage you with an elegantly convoluted vocabulary and their wholesome vibes. This is a life affirming high water mark of what can be achieved in stand-up, beyond calculated tragic tales and pneumatic drill dick jokes.

Robin Ince - MELONS: A Love Letter to Stand-Up Comedy

Melons is an uplifting deep dive into Robin Ince's influences, why he fell in love with comedy and the many, many gig anecdotes he has amassed over the years. An joyful hour of positivity and a celebration of comedy itself.

Robin Tran: Don't Look at Me

A great newcomer explores her colourful life. Robin Tran is a pleasure to watch.

Salma Hindy and Danielle Deluty: Parallel

Salma Hindy and Danielle Deluty both grew up in strict religious households (Muslim and Orthodox Jewish respectively) and are both, as a result, relative newcomers to the worlds of love and sex. This impressive debut celebrates these parallel journeys, alongside the strong bond they've formed with each other.

Sam Lake: Aspiring DILF

Sam Lake's voice and material chimes perfectly. Hilarious routines about office huns, big DADDY energy and spicy personal confessions. A blast off joke about first aid too!

Shelf: Teenage Men

Another hour of upbeat, inclusive comedy: we're absolutely convinced Shelf will be stars.

A Show for Gareth Richards

One of the 2023 Fringe's best stories. A mixed bill show run every day by two of the late comic's mates, it's had queues round the block, raised loads for Gareth's young family, and many memorable moments as the Fringe stars pay tribute.

Sophie Sucks Face

A one-woman tour-de-force from the Brooklyn-based comedian/singer/Daily Show writer, about a tete-a-tete with her suddenly strapping second cousin. Warning: may include early-season Succession spoilers.

Stamptown Comedy Night

The dependably wild night out is back at the 2023 Fringe and - now with an improved guest-booking policy - it's better than ever.

Steffan Alun and Support: Free Stand-Up Will Blow Your Mind

A lovely pre-lunch 45 from the Swansea stand-up, in Edinburgh's chilliest venue, switching happily from the local to the global, from dodgy shops to neurodiversity - and with a different opener doing their best 15, too.

Stephen Buchanan: Charicature

Glasgow's Stephen Buchanan presents a smart hour which should set him on the path to wider acclaim. Clever use of sketches and a recurring character gives a strong structure to the show which is already full of decent laughs.

Beehavioural Problems: Something, Something Autism

A show to enlighten people about autism. Also featuring dog priest communion, crab communication, and an unusual way to eat yoghurt.

Stuart Goldsmith: Spoilers

Fans of The Comedian's Comedian podcast will know that Stuart Goldsmith is an extremely affable, incisive interviewer, and he applies the same energy to his live performances. A consummate comic craftsman, the jokes come thick and fast; the climate theme woven into a beautifully structured show.

Stuart Laws? Is That Guy Still Going?

Untrustworthy Stuart Laws takes off the gilet and abandons the fibbing film-flam to reveal his true personality. Yet somehow manages to cram in just as much tight, discombobulating nonsense as in those previous hours where he built his cult comedy reputation. Reality, therapy and Thank You For Driving Safely signs whizz past in a blur during this quirky but consummate hour of packed over-confidence.

Stuart McPherson: Love That For Me

Punchline, punchline, punchline, punchline... with highlights from a clipboard. Break-up shows are rarely this self reflective or hilarious.

John Robertson's The Dark Room

John Robertson has, over the years, been refining this format - a show in which players must shout out options as they try to navigate a text-based video game he controls - to the point it is now a very safe bet for anyone looking for some anarchic laughs. Every day is different... it was the fourth attendance in a row for the couple sitting next to us.

Tom Ballard: It is I

Riotous hour of personal and political stand-up. A joy to witness when in full flow as he is here.

Tom Lawrinson: Hubba Hubba

Tom Lawrinson has a lovely comic mind. Transferring smoothly from the world of viral content, it's a pleasure to be in the company of his surreal world view.

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