Edinburgh Fringe
External press features
Why foreign artists may come to dominate Edinburgh Festival Fringe
The Scottish Government's rollercoaster approach to arts funding, with cuts and U-turns, is causing a loss of trust among the arts community and is in contrast to the kind of support artists in other countries enjoy.
Alexandra Colalillo, The Scotsman, 9th September 2024Edinburgh Fringe Society comments on Oasis gigs
The Edinburgh Fringe Society has commented on the prospect of Oasis gigs having a damaging effect on next year's Edinburgh Fringe.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 5th September 2024Reginald D. Hunter's Edinburgh show: A disturbing blend of comedy and antisemitism
Edinburgh comedian Reginald D. Hunter's recent performance drew controversy with a joke likening Israel to a self-abusing woman blaming her husband, sparking outrage and violence against protests.
Anat Vidor, The Jerusalem Post, 1st September 2024'Exploitation': The dark reality of flyering at the Edinburgh Fringe
It is Scotland's premier cultural event, the Fringe attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world each summer. Ad hoc street promoters, commonly referred to as flyerers, are known for their colorful distribution of leaflets and enthusiastic promotion of thousands of performances. Yet, this cheerful exterior obscures a darker reality.
Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco and Amelia Boag McGlynn, The Herald, 1st September 2024Oasis v Edinburgh Fringe
Have the Gallaghers finished off the Edinburgh Fringe 2025 before it has begun?
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 1st September 2024Oasis: a guilty pleasure without fringe benefits
The comeback could be a coup or a crash, but it has already obliterated accommodation for the 2025 Edinburgh fringe.
Stewart Lee, The Observer, 1st September 2024Oasis playing concerts during the Fringe? That's madness
As if having a new Labour government with a landslide majority does not trigger enough nineties nostalgia, we hear that Oasis are to reform.
Vladimir McTavish, Edinburgh Evening News, 31st August 2024Could this have been my last Edinburgh Fringe?
Probably not. And here's why.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 30th August 2024No laughing matter - Thoughts from a communist comedian
The Edinburgh Fringe has wrapped up for another year. Despite being celebrated for its diversity, however, the festival encapsulates the economic disparities which plague the entertainment industry, and prevent comedy from reaching its full potential.
The Communist, 29th August 2024How to win the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Show
If that title doesn't grab you how about 'Alternative Comedy Awards List'?
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 28th August 2024Oasis fans fume as Edinburgh Murrayfield 2025 gigs clash with Fringe
Scots fans were left disappointed over the only scheduled Oasis dates in the capital city - as they're set to clash with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, sending hotel prices skyrocketing and causing the city to 'gridlock'.
Tasha Hall, Daily Record, 27th August 2024My part in Mark Simmons winning Joke of the Fringe
Now that the Edinburgh Festival is over the story can be told...
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 27th August 2024The 12 stand-out shows of the Edinburgh Fringe 2024
As the Edinburgh Fringe draws to a close for another year, here's the top shows we saw.
Nooruddean Choudry, Rolling Stone, 27th August 2024My Edinburgh Fringe debut. What could possibly go wrong?
Outside The Stand Comedy Club on Edinburgh's York Place, Elaine Robertson, a young English comedian, is telling me about her Fringe experience.
Kevin McKenna, The Herald, 26th August 2024John Oliver makes special appearance at Edinburgh comedy club
British-American comedian John Oliver made a surprise appearance at an Edinburgh comedy club on Friday evening.
Craig Williams, The Herald, 24th August 2024The best jokes of Edinburgh Fringe 2024
The funniest lines from Mustafa Algiyadi, Alex Kealy, Olaf Falafel, Ollie Horn, Alexander Bennett, Danny Matinee, Louise Atkinson and more.
Mike Wade, The Times, 24th August 2024Edinburgh Fringe is broken - and performers have had enough
The Fringe used to be a mecca for performers looking to showcase their work. Now, they're anxious, distressed, out of pocket and unwilling to return.
Holly O'Mahony, i Newspaper, 23rd August 2024Paul Sinha: I continued my Fringe show after two heart attacks
At the 2023 Fringe, the stand-up comic was taken seriously ill. Yet with huge financial losses looming, he had no choice but to carry on.
Jay Richardson, The Telegraph, 23rd August 2024Tim Reeves: Strangely Reluctant Stand Up
Tim Reeves has been nominated for a Malcolm Hardee Award for his brilliant spoof Fringe programme - full of non existent shows by non existent performers.
Entertainment Now, 23rd August 2024Funniest jokes from the Edinburgh Fringe 2024, from Alex Camp to Bishops
We asked comedians at this year's comedy festival to send in their best lines - vote for your favourite below.
The Telegraph, 23rd August 2024'Spirit of the Fringe' awards for Elf Lyons and David Eagle
Elf Lyons and David Eagle are among the recipients, who will receive their award on Saturday.
Chortle, 22nd August 2024Entertainment Now Announces WoW Awards Week Three
Entertainment Now is delighted to announce the WoW (Week on Week) Awards for the final week of the Fringe.
Entertainment Now, 22nd August 2024The Duncan Brothers: We are Brothers and We Are Idiots
Once part of the award winning LEGS ensemble with superstar clown Julia Masli, the Duncan Brothers have based this year's show on finding out they share a genetic condition which causes them to have too much iron in their blood.
Entertainment Now, 22nd August 2024Vlad Ilich on how to relate to British audiences when they can't even remember your country's name
Laughs lost in translation.
Vlad Ilich, Chortle, 21st August 2024Fringe Dog meets Njambi McGrath
The canine journalist chats to the comedian and writer (and her best friend Willow the dog).
Fringe Dog, Fest Mag, 21st August 2024Olga Koch and Finlay Christie use their privilege as a rich seam of humour
One stand-up asks moral questions about her family's post-Soviet wealth, the other uses a self-satisfied persona to survey his gilded lifestyle. Both strike comedy gold at Edinburgh Fringe.
Brian Logan, The Guardian, 20th August 2024Reginald D Hunter tried to quell 'antisemitic' crowd
New footage shows comic urging calm at controversial Edinburgh Fringe gig.
Chortle, 20th August 2024Why the funniest jokes at the Edinburgh fringe just didn't make me laugh
In stand-up especially, a joke is indivisible from its context. The "you had to be there" rule should be more carefully observed.
Zoe Williams, The Guardian, 20th August 2024Suchandrika Chakrabarti on the best and worst of Edinburgh
"Is it a faux pas to flyer a well-known comedian?"
Chortle, 20th August 2024Edinburgh goes bananas for cult show with a gorilla costume, a rocking chair and little else
Back for its 15th year, this festival favourite finds a bespectacled primate sitting silently on stage for 56 minutes - to wild applause.
Mark FisherG, The Guardian, 20th August 2024Perfect Day: Flo & Joan
The musical comedy duo take on a day at the Fringe, in verse.
Flo & Joan, Fest Mag, 19th August 202415 lessons I learned from 15 years in comedy
This year marks my 15th year as a stand-up comedian. It's been an extremely fun and fulfilling journey and I've been fortunate enough to tell my silly jokes all over the world.
James Roque, Chortle, 19th August 2024Interview: Spring Day
The comedian talks about her experiences growing up in a cult for the first time.
Jay Richardson, Fest Mag, 19th August 2024Dylan Mulvaney hilariously reacts to "reverse transvestigators" who think she was born a cis woman
Trans social media star Dylan Mulvaney has reacted to "reverse transvestigators" who have convinced themselves she was born a cis woman.
Chantelle Billson, Pink News, 19th August 2024Swimming Against The Algorithm : Interview with Suchandrika Chakrabarti
Having returned to the Edinburgh Fringe with her sophomore show, Doomscrolling, Suchandrika Chakrabarti chats to Pepper&Salt about her new hour, character comedy and what's going on with the orcas.
Katerina Partolina Schwartz, Pepper and Salt, 18th August 2024Edinburgh Fringe show with graphic period detail is actually causing men to faint
"We've had three men faint at shows and another nine people leave," says Marjolein Robertson.
Kitty Chrisp, Metro, 18th August 2024Why Is There So Much Misery in Fringe Comedy?
Maybe it was those pesky reviewers to blame all along. Maybe we just ran out of words to describe funny and clutched at narrative as a way to keep ourselves feeling smart and relevant.
Kate Copstick, Entertainment Now, 18th August 2024David Eagle wins Outstanding Visually Impaired Award at the Neurodiverse Review Awards
The awards reflect the dedication and exceptional talent of disabled and neurodiverse acts at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 18th August 2024Couple in Fringe row named as long-term activitsts, but blast 'nutty' conspiracy theories
The couple booed out of Reginald D Hunter's show after heckling an anti-Israel joke are long-term antisemitism campaigners Mark Lewis and Mandy Blumenthal, Chortle can confirm.
Chortle, 18th August 2024Reginald D. Hunter and the cowardice of the comedy class
The apparent antipathy towards the Jewish people on the comedy circuit is noticeably greater than that in, say, music or acting.
Julie Burchill, The Spectator, 17th August 2024Connor Burns audience evacuated after fire - show rescheduled
A fire broke out yesterday night (Friday 16th August) in Just the Tonic's Nucleus building during comedian Connor Burns' sell-out show 1994.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 17th August 2024BBC pulls Miriam Margoyles Dickens comment from radio: "It should have been challenged at the time"
The actor made the remark during a live recording of Radio 4's Front Row.
Lydia Spencer-Elliott, The Independent, 17th August 2024Suchandrika Chakrabarti on why she decided to start her Edinburgh run today
Doing half the Fringe? It's the way forward.
Suchandrika Chakrabarti, Chortle, 17th August 2024Reginald D Hunter has comedy gig in Scots town cancelled over Israel Fringe row
Next month, Hunter was due to appear at a council-owned hall in Giffnock, East Renfrewshire.
Paul Drury, Daily Record, 16th August 2024Mark Dean Quinn: Why I'm Eating Cheese for an Hour at 1.50am
His show, at 1.50am at Banshee Labyrinth is part of PBH Free Fringe, and has been attracting huge crowds every night.
Mark Dean Quinn, Entertainment Now, 16th August 2024Reginald D Hunter is cleared by police
Under-fire comedian Reginald D Hunter has been cleared by police investigating an alleged 'hate crime' after an Israeli couple were 'hounded' and booed out of his Edinburgh Fringe gig.
Aidan Radnedge, Matt Strudwick, Kate Foster and Lettice Bromovsky, Daily Mail, 16th August 2024Matt Forde forced to cancel Edinburgh Fringe show after audience members become unwell
Matt Forde was forced to bring one of his Edinburgh Fringe gigs to an early finish after audience members became unwell.
Josie Copson and Kitty Chrisp, Metro, 15th August 2024No laughing matter - how AI is helping comedians write jokes
Comedians are increasingly experimenting with the technology to write scripts and brainstorm ideas, including Anesti Danelis. Earlier this year, the Canadian asked popular AI chatbot ChatGPT to write him a show.
Megan Lawton, BBC, 15th August 2024Police investigate 'hate crime' at Reginald D Hunter's Edinburgh Fringe show
Police are probing an alleged hate crime incident at comedian Reginald D Hunter's Edinburgh Festival Fringe show after two Israeli audience members were mocked and booed.
Krissy Storrar, Daily Mail, 15th August 2024How to watch improv
Sit down, shut up and shout out your suggestions, says Lizzy Skrzypiec of Murder She Didn't Write.
Lizzy Skrzypiec, Chortle, 15th August 2024Reginald D Hunter apologises after antisemitism row
Comedian Reginald D Hunter has apologised for an "unfortunate incident" after accusations that jokes at his Edinburgh Fringe show were antisemitic.
BBC News, 15th August 2024WoW Awards: Week Two
Outstanding shows are recommended by our team of reviewers each week.
Entertainment Now, 15th August 2024Steve Bugeja on the best and the worst of the Edinburgh Fringe
Rookie error: I developed a crush on a fellow performer.
Chortle, 15th August 2024Comedian converts EDL audience member during Edinburgh Fringe show
Raul Kohli wants to build bridges between the right-wing rioters and the liberal left through his comedy - and it's actually working. Hailing from Newcastle, the comedian actually changed the stance of an EDL member during his show, [l]Raul Kohli: Raul Britannia[/i], at the Edinburgh Fringe festival earlier this week.
Kitty Chrisp, Metro, 15th August 2024TikTok gave me the confidence to perform at Fringe
If you fluff a joke in a TikTok, you've always got the option of deleting the video. Not so much live on stage at the world's biggest performance arts festival.
Andrew Rogers & Riyah Collins, BBC, 14th August 2024Straight Stand-Up With A Twist: Interview with Paddy Young
After debuting Paddy Young returns to the Edinburgh Fringe with a new hour after smash-hit success of his debut.
Katerina Partolina Schwartz, Pepper and Salt, 14th August 2024Stand-up Stephanie Laing on conquering her fear of public dancing
She used to love cutting a rug - until she gave up drinking. Now, the comic has used dance to heal her wounded self-esteem - and explore the funny side of contemporary choreography.
Lyndsey Winship, The Guardian, 14th August 2024Vix Leyton has some hard-won advice for fellow comedians
Having a tough Fringe? Remember all the reasons to enjoy it.
Chortle, 14th August 2024German-based Libyan comic Mustafa Algiyadi picks his Perfect Playlist
"If there was an obligatory reading list for stand-ups, this should be top of the list."
Chortle, 14th August 2024Ivo Graham: 'My gig in Falkirk was top-tier awkward'
The comedian talks his most memorable Scottish performance, his long-enduring love for Gary Neville and why a recent trip to the dentist left him flabberglasted.
Ashley Davies, The Times, 14th August 2024Fringe Dog meets Nina Gilligan
Nina Gilligan's Goldfish is about memory loss, fibromyalgia, and the collective power of women. She tells the canine journalist about her show (and her best friend Nessa the dog).
Fringe Dog, Fest Mag, 14th August 2024Amy Gledhill on outsiderness in comedy: 'Growing up, comedy was for the losers, for the little freaks'
As her new show railing against beauty norms hits the Fringe, Yorkshire comic Amy Gledhill chats to Megan Merino about becoming braver, sitcom dreams and the joy of acting.
Megan Merino, The List, 14th August 2024'I'm older and funnier' - the mother and daughter with shows on the Fringe
Babs and Laura Horton, 71 and 40 respectively, are taking comic plays about women's lives to Edinburgh this month. Here's how they got there.
The Times, 14th August 2024Paul Currie banned 'Zionists' from his Edinburgh Fringe show
A comedian who was accused of hounding an Israeli couple out of a comedy show in London has banned "Zionists" from his Edinburgh Fringe show.
Jane Prinsley, The Jewish Chronicle, 14th August 2024The comedian turning her period condition into a stand-up show
Telling hilarious or embarrassing stories from your personal life is something many stand-up comedians do night after night on stage.
Rebecca Swash, BBC, 13th August 2024Erin Farrington picks her comedy favourites
'Delightful, funny, and at times deeply dark and disturbing'
Chortle, 13th August 2024Sid Singh calls for bucket change to help finance real change
A Fringe show with a message? That's just not enough...
Sid Singh, Chortle, 13th August 2024The comedian turning her period condition into a stand-up show
Telling hilarious or embarrassing stories from your personal life is something many stand-up comedians do night after night on stage. But what about turning your periods into a laughing matter?
Rebecca Swash, BBC, 13th August 2024Michael Kunze interview
Award-winning actor, writer, director and improviser Michael Kunze is back at the Fringe, performing as Hollywood film superstar Mitch Cooney: an enigma, a bullshitter and an idiot.
Caro Moses, ThreeWeeks, 12th August 2024Louise Leigh: When Fringe Doesn't Get Off To A 'Fly(er)ing' Start...
What happens when you get to the Fringe to perform and one vital item does not turn up...as in the flyers! Well comedian Louise Leigh had this happen to her this year and today we let her take over the reigns of writing to talk about it and why it is such a big issue when you have a show to promote!
Louise Leigh, Phoenix Remix, 12th August 2024Gay sheep and gaslighting: 10 of the funniest jokes from the Edinburgh fringe 2024
Enjoy a good one-liner? Here are some of the best rib-ticklers from the annual comedy extravaganza.
The Guardian, 12th August 2024Israelis told to leave festival show by Reginald D Hunter, who labelled Israel 'abusive'
Reginald D Hunter turned on two audience members at the Edinburgh Fringe offended during his show.
Craig Simpson, The Telegraph, 12th August 2024Emergency Surgery For John Tothill
John and his appendix have today made the difficult and painful decision to separate.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 12th August 2024The truth about life as a privileged comedian: 'I knew if it all went wrong I could call my parents'
Stand-up Olga Koch, whose dad was once the deputy prime minister of Russia, is weighing in on the debate about class and wealth in the industry in an unusual way - by addressing it head-on.
Brian Logan, The Guardian, 12th August 2024Edinburgh Fringe comedian was lured into cult aged 13 after being 'love bombed'
Spring Day has come to the Edinburgh Fringe 2024 to share her story for the first time: of how she was sucked into a fundamentalist Christian cult in Missouri at the age of 13, and stayed there for the next 13 years of her life.
Kitty Chrisp, Metro, 12th August 2024Fringe 2024: Rarely Asked Questions - Viv Ford
US comedian Viv Ford brings her hilarious debut stand up hour New Kids On The Blockchain to the Edinburgh Fringe for the month of August!
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 11th August 2024Catherine Cohen: I had a stroke at 31
As she returns to Edinburgh after heart surgery, the comic talks about recovery - and taking on the big screen.
Anya Ryan, The Sunday Times, 11th August 2024Alfie Brown: How to Come Back After Cancellation
In 2023 comic Alfie Brown saw his world collapse after an eight-year old routine re-emerged on social media and he was accused of being racist. He lost gigs, lost his agent. He was seemingly unbookable. This year he's back at Edinburgh Fringe to tell his side of the story.
Kate Copstick, Entertainment Now, 11th August 2024So, Where Are The Asians?
Sam See on why so few comics from South East Asia come to the Edinburgh Fringe.
Sam See, Chortle, 11th August 2024Fringe 2024: Rarely Asked Questions - Vlad Ilich
Award winning Macedonian comedian Vlad Ilich makes his Edinburgh Fringe debut at the Pleasance Courtyard Attic for the month of August with his show Vladislav, Baby Don't Hurt Me.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 11th August 2024