Edinburgh Fringe Guide 2019
Annual List of Shows I Think Deserve a Combination of Your Time/Attention/$$$
COMEDY:
Absolute, non-negotiable must-sees
Daniel Kitson:
He’s doing 2 shows: Shenanigan and Everything Smells of Orange
Presser about them here
My favorite stand up comedian. I have been playing his specials on loop since February of 2018. Phenomenal thinker with a mind that can be brilliant to a fault. I can’t say much else about these shows other than that they will be super deconstructive, incredibly pensive, and deeply funny.
Mat Ewins: Actually Can I Have Eight Tickets Please?
The show that box office workers will no doubt hate by day three of the festival.
Can’t say for certain I know what his show will be like this year, but 2017’s show was a genuine roller coaster ride of an hour. The most unexpectedly amazing show I saw, very deserving of its nomination for Best Comedy that year.
He tends to do high-concept multimedia laugh-a-minute shows that totally blow you away with how good he is at structuring jokes, coding interactive games, and so much more. I hate the world multi-talented but Mat Ewins is…. multi-talented.
Spencer Jones: The Things We Leave Behind
An hour of innocent, pure, chilid-like play and idiocy.
He was nominated for Best Comedy last year and absolutely deserved it.
Becoming somewhat of a fringe cult classic.
Tom Walker: Very Very
Australian who went to Gaullier the same year as Jonny and Viggo (Norwegian). His show “Beep Boop” won him Best Newcomer at MICF in 2016. and his show “Bee Boo” was nominated for the Barry Award (Best Comedy) at MICF in 2017. Brings all the mania of Neal Portenza show, but you feel less unsafe during it.
All you really need to know about Tom is the first impression he does in this spot:
Show blurb:
“Award-winning-and-losing comedian Tom Walker returns to Edinburgh and this year, he's talking very little and moving very lot. Last year this trained clown taught himself to code gloriously stupid video games. This year – listen, I like you, I'll come out and use the dirty word: this is a mime show. Don't freak out. He talks during it, so it's chill, and it's ever so good. 'A gloriously, relentlessly, irrepressibly unhinged blast of off-the-wall insanity' ****½ (Chortle.co.uk)”
Rhys Nicholson: Nice People Nice Things Nice Situations
Lightning quick aussie comic with a razor-sharp tongue that’s always a step ahead of the audience. Deliberately campy and a great deal of fun.
ACMS: on at misc. nights throughout the festival
ACMS stands for the Alternative Comedy Memorial Society. Always worth going to at least once because they tend to have some hidden gems, and undoubtedly some that will be on this list next year. Crowd can be a bit of a circle-jerk though.
People I just fuckin love:
Nath Valvo: I’m Happy For You
I love Nath! Super high energy, very fun to watch.
This show got nominated for Best Comedy at MICF this year.
It’s also the only one from that batch that’s on at Edinburgh Fringe rn based on my research.
Demi Lardner: Ditch Witch 800
I love Deby.
Her alternative terms for common words are a delight.
Also dates Tom.
AJ Holmes: Yeah, But Not Right Now
He is SO talented and this show will likely be chock-full of delightful musical comedy. Lowkey wrote for South Park and played Elder Cunningham in BoM.
Josh Ladgrove: Neal Portenza is Joshua Ladgrove in: Edinburgh's Only Bilge Pump Sales Seminar
Crazy Australian. Semi-clown, mostly a hysteria-inducing, mayhem enthusiast. Portenza’s shows are known for being some of the “cult hits” of this universe, whatever that means. Regardless, they’re always among the most memorable shows I see each festival, he always makes it a blast.
Show blurb:
“Please note: this is not a comedy show. This is a seminar on how to sell bilge pumps accidentally booked during the Fringe. If you want to learn how to be the best bilge pump salesman or salesmanwoman, then this is the show for you. If you want to laugh at silly comedy, please go see one of those TV-based comedians everyone keeps talking about. I say again. This is not a comedy show; it’s a seminar on how to sell bilge pumps. Winner Golden Gibbo Award, Melbourne”.
Phil Wang: Philly Philly Wang Wang
Probably already sold out by now, but I believe ole Wang is adding extra shows.
Guy Montgomery: I Was Part of the Problem Before We Were Talking About It
Kiwi with dry super smart and subversive stuff.
This spot is pretty representative.
The Stamptown Cinematic Universe
STAMPTOWN Comedy Night
Jack Tucker: Comedy Standup Hour
Jonny’s Panel Show: Really Good
Viggo Venn: Viggo the Viking
Zach and Viggo: Thunderflop
Do go if you’re there the whole festival:
Irish freestyle rapper who used to perform by the name Abandoman
Double Denim: Adventure Show
If Zach and Viggo were girls but Australian and PG-13.
Siblings: The Siblinging
If Zach and Viggo were girls but British and their mom was from Evanston instead of Homewood. One of them is Zach’s ex which is super funny to me.
Josh Glanc: Glance You For Having Me
Another Gaullier aussie. And he’s jewish, so your grandmother will be thrilled!
Jordan Brookes: I’ve Got Nothing
His show in 2017 was nominated for best comedy. It was really entertaining/crazy and in the same realm of Tom Walker, who predictably loved his show that year.
Laura Davis: Better Dead Than a Coward
I just think she’s very pleasant to listen to and a skillful storyteller
Ange Lavoipierre: Final Form
Australian. Works for the news or something.
She’s real smart.
The winners and nominees for Edinburgh Fringe Best NEWCOMER in 2018 (but not with these shows):
WINNER: Ciarán Dowd: Padre Rodolfo
NOMINATED:
Olga Koch: If Then
Sara Barron: Enemies Closer
Maisie Adam: Hang Fire
Sarah Keyworth: Pacific
The winners and nominees for Edinburgh Fringe Best COMEDY in 2018
(but not with these shows (unless otherwise specified)):
WINNER: Rose Matafeo: Horndog
This show won last year. I’ve always found her funny. It’s probably great.
Ahir Shah: Dots
Glenn Moore: Love Don’t Live Here Glenny Moore
Kieran Hodgson: ‘75
This show was nominated but he's also bringing like three others. I think he plays the cello too or something. Meant to be a great show.
Lary Dean: Bampot
This show was nominated last year. Also bring a new show entitled Fandan.
People I haven’t seen but am keen to:
John Kearns: 110% John Kearns and Pat Cahill
Tom Cashman: XYZ
He’s really funny on Twitter and seems to be on the rise in Australia
Sarah Keyworth: Pacific
I just have a feeling I will like her show. Sam Campbell said he liked this show a lot at this year’s MICF
It’s just objectively the best title
Found Footage Festival: Volume 9
People always come out of this loving it
Wil Greenway: The Ocean After All
Really wanted to see his 2017 storytelling show because he’s a really sweet guy and it had a lot of buzz. I’m sure this one will also be enjoyable!
Lauren Pattison: Peachy
Lucy Pearman: Baggage
Both Lauren and Lucy were nominated for Best Newcomer at Edinburgh in 2017
Foil Arms and Hog: Swines
I’ve just been meaning to see them for so long, they always have huge crowds at the Underbelly circus tent
The Pushkinettes: We Must Live
Not sure if they’re going but definitely see them if they’re there:
Stephen K. Amos
Joseph Morpurgo
Betty Grumble (sex clown)
Thumpasaurus (rock-funk-dance-your-body-off)
Gingzilla (Gingzilla)
Mark Silcox
Zach’s recommendations that I haven’t seen:
Rosie Jones: Backward
Leo Mohr: When I Was Zorro
Courtney Pauroso: Gutterplum
Zoe Coombs Marr: Bossy Bottom
If All Else Fails, Here Are Some Venues to Hang Around and Have a Drink at (and Where Stuff is ~Generally~ More Likely to Be Good):
From my (outdated) experience, Underbelly Cowgate, The Hive, Monkey Barrel, and The Stand tended to be where the “alternative” comedy people performed/hung out at.
I think there are multiple though
Heroes’ venues:
@The Hive *only one I’ve personally been to
Underbelly Cowgate
Gilded Balloon Teviot is also pretty central and a good hang
as is Assembly in George Square and at Roxy
I will be updating this as I read reviews and hear through Twitter/ word of mouth about shows that have that sweet, sweet buzz. Enjoy the festival if you are going!