I’m very excited by 2025’s roster, it includes three ‘chef’s kiss’ musical acts: accomplished and acclaimed songsmith Tamar Broadbent, stand-up rapper and newcomer Amelia Hamilton and the unique Holly Spillar, variously described as ‘Tim Minchin bumping into Kate Bush’ and ‘the love child of Kate Bush and Bo Burnham’, and one of the Best Reviewed Acts of 2023 for her debut.
Meanwhile, Comedy Award nominee Ian Smith returns (HIGNFY, co-host of Northern News, Live at the Apollo alumnus, and a New Quiz regular), as do cult favourites Ben Pope, “old school” young fogey Burt Wiliamson and Sam Nicoresti whose Cancel Anti-Wokeflake Snow Culture show of 2022 has since become the viral online hit Wokeflake.
Double Edinburgh Comedy award nominee, Carl Donnelly (also touring), Jonny Pelham, Sikisa (both Live at the Apollo alumni) and Stuart Laws (up with theatre and comedy shows this year, director of James Acaster’s Hecklers Welcome) are among the household Fringe names coming back, and there exciting debuts from the very high-energy survivor of 19 schools Aaron Wood and the canny, sassy and snail-loving, and Chortle Hotshot-showcased American Candace Bryan.
Meanwhile, Rolling Stone and Metro pick Bella Hull, ISH Newcomer nominee Alex Kitson, Liz Guterbock and Alfie Packham return after runs that received some notable nods including Dave’s Joke of the Fringe placings among other goodies mentioned. Oh, and there’s more Olaf Falafel for everyone, of course!
Much, much more information below – including keywords!
Please note:
Act names link to their website or Linktree, and show name links to the EdFringe listing info.
Image links are given for each show.
Press releases currently DRAFTS and will be constantly updated with new information.
Ian Smith: Foot Spa Half Empty
Monkey Barrel 1
July 29 -August 24 @ 12.30pm
Press from Saturday 2nd August
Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Show nominee 2023 and co-host of the Northern News podcast Ian Smith returns with a new show about stress, love and a third thing. As seen on Live at the Apollo, HIGNFY and The Stand Up Sketch Show – and heard on The News Quiz, The Now Show, The Unbelievable Truth, Just A Minute and his own Radio 4 series, Ian Smith is Stressed. ‘An effortlessly brilliant stand-up show.’ ★★★★ Scotsman. ‘There are few fringe shows as purely funny as this.’ ★★★★ Guardian. ‘An outstanding and stressed-out hour of stand-up.’ ★★★★ Fest.
Keywords: stress, love, relationships, fertility, getting older, relaxation, The North, class, fear of the future, health, hobbies
Press release here
Images here
Images credit: Matt Stronge
Clips here
Tamar Broadbent: Plus One
Counting House – Ballroom
August 7-24 @ 1pm
Press from Thursday 7th August
Tamar has toured the world with her musical comedy shows, of which Best Life appeared at SoHo Playhouse NYC. Her credits include BBC Radio 4’s The Now Show and Fresh From the Fringe, Lee Nelson’s Well Funny People, and she has appeared on Comedy Central Online. She won the Stiles & Drewe Best New Song Award, was nominated for Best Comedy at Fringeworld and was a Funny Women and Amused Moose Laugh Off Finalist, and Tamar is the only British woman to have ever been a main stage cast member at renowned US improv theatre Boom Chicago (alumni include Seth Meyers, Jordan Peele and Jason Sudekis). In her 2025 Fringe show, Plus One, Tamar sings you through a tale of fertility tests, failed birth plans and the impressive feat of giving up wine for nine months. Featuring songs like ‘Alcohol, I’ll Never Take You For Granted Again!’ and ‘I Tried Hard to Breastfeed But It Sucked.’ ‘
A fantastic, hilarious gem’ ★★★★★ ‘Musical Theatre Review / ‘Impeccable comic timing.’ ★★★★ The Stage / ‘Charisma to burn.’ ★★★★ Chortle / ‘Brings the house down.’ ★★★★ The Skinny / ‘Talented, bright and funny’ – Michael Palin.
Keywords: pregnancy, motherhood, baby, breastfeeding, pain relief in labour, identity, women’s roles, thirties (30s), musical, musical comedy, mums and dads, fertility, failure, birth plan.
Press release here
Images here
Images credit: Credit: Steve Ullathorne and Nathalie Hennis
Clips here
Bella Hull: Doctors Hate Her
Monkey Barrel Hive 2 @ 1.55pm
29 July – 24 August
Press from Friday 1st August
Bella Hull’s credits include BBC’s Stand Up for Live Comedy, ITV’s The Stand-Up Sketch Show and Comedy Central Live. She was picked out by Rolling Stone as one of ‘The 12 stand-out shows of the Edinburgh Fringe 2024’ and Metro picked her as one of the ‘Names to remember from this year’s Fringe!’ 2024. Bella co-hosts the Rats of the Roundtable and Last Night Ever podcasts and as a writer, Bella is working on a script commission with the BBC and has been featured on BBC Radio 4’s Newsjack and Flux Magazine. ‘A gifted comedian moving up a gear.’ ★★★★ Beyond the Joke / ‘Hull is clearly a very talented writer and performer.’★★★★ The Arts Desk / ‘Hull is an excellent writer, perceptive on twenty-something angst and patriarchal oppression…with a wickedly dark undercurrent.’ The Scotsman / ‘Hull deserves to stand out for the bubblegum sharpness of her wit … a meticulous wordsmith.’ Chortle
Keywords: self-control, addiction, appetite, self-perception, society, endometriosis
Press release here
Images
Images credit: The Other Richard
Clips
Olaf Falafel Asks Orange You Glad?
Laughing Horse at the Pear Tree
July 31 – 24 August (not 13) @ 2.30pm
Kid’s show – Olaf Falafel’s Stupidest Super Stupid Show – New Improved Recipe
Laughing Horse @ The Counting House
July 31 – 24 August (not 13, 19, 20) @ 2.30pm @ 11.30am
Press from TBC
Olaf Falafel is an author, illustrator and stand-up comedian. His stupidly named comedy shows, including Olaf Falafel and the Cheese Of Truth, have been packed with sublime gags, including the ones that won him Dave’s Joke of the Fringe and that have repeatedly been featured in best joke selections in broadsheet newspapers. This year, Olaf brings his “adult” show, Has Anyone Ever Actually Woven A Sigourney?, and his kid’s show, Olaf Falafel’s Stupidest Super Stupid Show So Far to the Fringe. As well as trying to make people laugh on stage, Olaf writes and illustrates children’s books including Trixie Pickle Art Avenger and the picture book Blobfish (‘Fish it out, it’s blobby good.’ Alex O’Connell, The Times).
‘Absurdity so well-crafted that silly doesn’t do it justice.’
★★★★ Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard
‘A world of happy. A world with a laugh in every moment. This is a big, beautiful bearhug of a show.’
★★★★ Kate Copstick, The Scotsman
Press releases here
Images here
Images credit: Alan Powdrill
Footage here
Stuart Laws: Stuart Laws Is Stuck [Sun – Thurs]
Everyone’s dealt with it: first, a bad breakup; then, become a puffin island caretaker; suddenly, you’re implicated in a puffin murder. A classic. You know how it goes. A a vibe shift for acclaimed comedian Stuart Laws. Stand up comedy/theatre hybrid. Praise for his previous theatrical work: ‘I left this show with the chills and feeling just a bit shaken.’ Mumble Theatre / ‘It is really smart stuff, elegantly exposing hypocrisy.’ The Stage / ‘Fantastically funny.’ EdFestMag / ‘One of the most skilled and likeable comics…a deliciously joke-dense show.’ Scotsman
Stuart Laws: Stuart Laws Does Stand-up Comedy for an Hour [Fri, Sat]
‘Stuart Laws is one of the most skilled and likeable comics on the circuit” Scotsman and “echoes the late, great Sean Lock.’ BeyondTheJoke. Watch him do an hour of comedy. If you’ve made it this far you should know this will be free-wheeling, big chunks improvised, some old classics – basically changing every time and a chance for Stuart to not worry about structural callbacks and messages. ‘You’ll struggle to find a comedian with a better jokes per minute rate… like a one-man episode of Arrested Development.’ Fest
Monkey Barrel, Tron @ 3pm
29 July – 24 Aug (not 13)
Press from
Nominee Leicester Comedy Festival Best Show and Comedian’s Choice Best Show, comedian and director Stuart Laws has worked on shows from some of the UK’s best comedians including directing specials for James Acaster (including the recent special Hecklers Welcome), Sindhu Vee, Nish Kumar, Rosie Jones, Suzi Ruffell, Paul Foot, Ivo Graham, Jess Fostekew, Jen Brister and Ian Smith. Stuart’s highly-starred 2024 Edinburgh show (9 x 4-star reviews) was based on Stuart’s recently diagnosed autism and is a truthful. In 2025, Stuart brings two shows up – the freewheeling and self-explanatory Stuart Laws does stand-up comedy for an hour and also a play called Stuart Laws is Stuck. Stuart is also behind the Comedians Beer Mat Flipping Championship and cult one-off show Stuart Laws as Michael Caine Saying Never for One Hour.
Keywords: relationships, neurodivergence, autism, travel
‘Laws uses his unique comic mind to keep us laughing, and we might not even realise until afterwards what a profound and sophisticated show he’s created.’
★★★★.5 Chortle
Press release here
Images
Images credit:
Footage here
Burt Williamson
Voodoo Rooms
July 31 – 24 August (not 13) @ 3.05pm
Press from TBC
Burt Williamson’s third hour of stand-up comedy promises to be his best yet. A powerful show that embraces a heavy topic: himself. Mixing his trademark aplomb with goofy punchlines and densely worded stand-up, this is a brilliant hour from an original comedic voice making waves in the British stand-up comedy scene. ‘His beautifully crafted set is clever in unguessable ways, unexpectedly hilarious at every turn and a great joy wrapped up in a big laugh, sprinkled with adorable’ ★★★★ Scotsman.
Keywords: tiktok, self-identification, analysis, divergence, mental health
Press release here
Images
Images credit:
Footage
Candace Bryan: Candace Bryan: MILF (Mom I’d LIke to Find)
Just the Tonic Nucleus – Sub-Atomic Room
July 31 – August 25 (Not 11) @ 3.10pm
Press from Friday 1st August
Candace Bryan is an American standup comedian based in London. Her sharp writing and unique persona have seen her shortlisted for Chortle’s Hotshots 2025, she’s a Soho Theatre Comedy Plus Lab Alum, and in 2024 was endorsed by the UK Arts Council as showing “exceptional promise” as a comedy performer and awarded a Global Talent visa. She has won shows like Ding Dong Gong, is an undefeated, 8X winner at the Bill Murray’s Roast Battle UK, and has been featured on the international Roast Battle podcast. She was shortlisted for Funny Women Best Comedian 2023 and a 2Northdown New Act Semi-Finalist 2022. Her new show MILF – Mum I’d Like To Find, describes how her single dad brought her up. Candace talks about her hedonistic lifestyle, her mommy issues, and how these things may or may not be related. Sharing anecdotes about growing up with a single dad in Memphis, Tennessee, her international dating hijinks, and the time someone very unexpected slid into her DMs, she pokes fun at traditional family values, life in late capitalism, and avoidant attachment style. “A keen studied intelligence…maximum laughs” (British Comedy Guide). “Well funny…immediate approachability” (The Mumble). Candace’s writing has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Vice, and the NY Observer.
Keywords: mommy issues, single dads, alternative family structures, childfree-by-choice, immigration, America, hedonism, emotional avoidance, childhood trauma, closure
Press release here
Images: here
Images credit: Jamie Henderson
Footage: here
Aaron Wood: More To Life
4.50pm Hoots @ The Apex, Hoot 3
Press from Friday 1st August
Tour support for Luke Kidgell, Fin Taylor, Connor Burns, and with over 100 million views online, newcomer Aaron Wood debuts with More to Life, hilariously describing exactly what it’s like growing up in a Northern, working class household, living on a council estate, the amusing everyday drama that comes with it and the relentless optimism needed to pursue your dreams. Diagnosed with Autism and ADHD at a young age, Aaron always found school tricky and moved around many times, attending NINETEEN different schools … stand-up was the obvious next step! More to Life is a gag-heavy, relatable, upbeat and heartwarming show that asks is there really more to life than this? ‘Hilarious…Definitely an up-and-coming comedian to watch out for!’ ★★★★ ½ The Student; ‘Absolutely brilliant!’ – Tim Vine; ‘A very big future in this business’ – Tom Stade
Keywords: relationships, neurodivergence, autism, travel
Press release here
Images here
Images credit: Owen Peters
Clips here
Assembly George Square – The Box
30 July – 24 August (not 13) @ 5.05pm
Press from July 30th
Ben Pope has written for The News Quiz (BBC Radio 4), appeared on Achievement Unlocked (Comedy Central), Comedy Guide to Life (Dave) and BBC New Comedy Award on Radio 4 Extra. His critically-acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe shows Baby Sasquatch (2018) and Dancing Bear (2019) were ‘consistently funny and deceptively thoughtful’ (The Scotsman), and transferred to London’s Soho Theatre. His YouTube specials Mr Big Stuff and Holy Cow have 54k views between them. He’s supported Max & Ivan, Nick Mohammed, and Kieran Hodgson on tour, and, in 2023, he completed his first nationwide tour (‘excellent’ – Joe Lycett). Ben’s latest show, The Cut, is a 55-minute inventory of masculine panic caused by the passing of his father, his first adult relationship and his circumcision – all in the space of a year! ★★★★ Edinburgh Festivals / ★★★★ Scottish Field / ★★★★ One4Review
Keywords: circumcision, masculinity, male ego men’s health/sexual health, sexual repression, weaponised incompetence, relationship with father care relationship, Parkinsons disease, male fashion / NHS
Press release here
Images
Images credit:
Footage
Pleasance Courtyard (Bunker Two)
30 July – 24 August (not 11) @ 2.45pm
Press from Friday 1st August
A Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year Winner and a Chortle Best MC Nominee, Sam Nicoresti’s previous Edinburgh Fringe show, Cancel AntiWokeflake Snow Culture, was picked out by The Guardian and The Week among others before becoming the viral online hit show Wokeflake. Sam has twice had fringe shows transfer to the Soho Theatre and have been part of projects including The Glang Show, Weirdos Comedy and the Panel Prize-winning Iraq: Out & Loud. ‘A stylish, idiosyncratic stand-up with a vivid imagination… and, dare I say it, even a touch of the young Daniel Kitson.’ Beyond the Joke / ‘A must for lovers of comedy that is daft but also deft.’ Evening Standard / ‘Delightfully unusual… fast establishing a stellar reputation.’ The Skinny / ‘Joyful, wonderful fun.’ The Guardian / ‘Nicoresti is an auteur”. Si Hawkins, Fest / ‘Fizzing with ideas and great jokes, with a unique angle on every topic tackled.’ Chortle / British Comedy Guide – Recommended. ★★★★ Punchline /★★★★ Fringe Biscuit/ ★★★★ The Mumble
Keywords: breakdown, recovery, the persistence of love, mental health crisis, doomerism
Press release here
Images here
Images credit: Talie Eigeland and Rebecca Need-Menear
Clips here
Holly Spillar: Tall Child
Underbelly Bristo Square (Dexter)
30 July – 25 August (not 13) @ 5.45pm
Press from Friday 1st August
One of the finalists for the Musical Comedy Awards, Holly is working class musical comedian with a very unique performing style (described variously as ‘Tim Minchin bumping into Kate Bush’ and ‘the love child of Kate Bush and Bo Burnham’), which utilises a vocoder and a loop pedal to build vocal loops and incorporate audience reactions to build songs and melodies out of traditional stand-up routines. Having not previously performed comedy, her debut show Holewas one of the official Best Reviewed Comedy Shows of the 2023 Fringe and her follow-up, Tall Child, explores her relationship with class and the impossibilities of being alive in an ‘age of insecurity. “We’re all stuck in the shit, so let’s wade through it together.” Armed with nothing but a little red loop pedal and her ever growing rage. Holly Spillar is looking for the catharsis only art (made by low income people, working two shit jobs on minimum wage) can provide. ★★★★★ Theatre Scotland / ★★★★★ The Student Newspaper / ★★★★★ Lost In Theatreland / ‘A riveting performer.’ ★★★★ Chortle / ★★★★★ ‘Otherworldly… the love child of Kate Bush and Bo Burnham.’ North West End.
Keywords: class, cost of living, accessibility, billionaires, class divide, togetherness, the future.
Press release here
Images here
Images credit:
Clips here
Sikisa: Serving Justice
Monkey Barrel, Tron
29 July – 24 August (not 13) @ 5.50pm
Press from Saturday 2nd August
Since winning the public vote in the 2017 BBC New Comedy Award, Sikisa has been nominated for a Chortle Award for best MC, earned three nominations at The Leicester Comedy Festival and her extensive credits include: Live At The Apollo, Jonathan Ross’ Comedy Club, The Stand Up Sketch Show (ITV), Comedy Central Live, Evil Genius, Perfect Sounds, (BBC Sounds) Off Menu (Acast) and Films to be Buried With. Sikisa’s sold-out debut, Life of the Party gained multiple 4-star reviews and earned a transfer to the Soho Theatre. The follow-up, Hear Me Out, enjoyed numerous 4 and 5-star reviews. In her new show, Sikisa questions not what, but who is the problem, why wrestling is great, the pressure of kids and the truth about immigration. Sikisa is a leader on the Soho Theatre Stand Up Labs Course, an alumni of The Soho Theatre Young Company and a proud member of The Cocoa Butter Club. ‘Fresh and very funny.’ ★★★★ The Telegraph / ‘She is an irresistible force of nature.’ ★★★★ Beyond the Joke / ‘Aggressively funny.’ ★★★★ The List / ‘Uproariously hilarious’ ★★★★ Scotsman / ★★★★★ BroadwayWorld.com).
Keywords: immigration, wrestling, childfree, queer, dyslexic, feeling stuck, life plan, mental health
Press release here
Images here
Images credit: Corinne Cumming and Swiss Chocolate Pictures
Clips here
Liz Guterbock: NICE
Southsider (Side Lounge)
August 2-24 (not 11 or 18) @ 7pm
Press from
American-born Brit comedian Liz Guterbock (Guardian & Dave Joke of the Fringe Top 10s) remains f***ing nice despite the world increasingly being run by bullies. Credits include Armando Iannucci’s hit sci-fi comedy series Avenue 5 on HBO, Channel 4’s For the Love of Cars, and CBBC’s Hetty Feather. Stage highlights include: 5 stars in Time Out and a special mention in The Stage for ‘It’s All True’ (The White Bear Theatre). Liz was a finalist in the 2021 British Comedy Guide Pro Performance Awards and a nominee in the 2021 Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Awards. In 2019 she was a finalist in the Funny Women Awards and a BBC Radio 4 New Comedy Award nominee. ‘Emanates sweetness with added LA charm.’ Funny Women ★★★★; ‘A solidly funny hour of charming stand up.’ Fest; ‘Hair shiny like a horse’s mane.’ Chortle
Keywords: American politics, artificial intelligence, the industrial revolution of the creative industries as a result of AI, upskilling as a creative person, national identity, US & UK cultural commonalities and differences, dietary requirements/IBS
Press release here
Images here
Images credit: Karla Gowlett
Clips here
Alfie Packham: My Apologies to the Chef
Underbelly Bristo Square (Dexter)
30 July – 25 August (not 13) @ 7.15pm
Press from Friday 1st August
Alfie is a BBC New Comedy Award 2024 semi-finalist and winner of 2022’s Max Turner Comedy Prize. He is a writer for The Guardian and BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz & The Now Show. He hosts the 4x Chortle Award-winning show Comedy Bandits, and co-created Gun and Wand: The Official Companion Podcast, a podcast about a TV show that doesn’t exist (recommended by The Guardian). My Apologies to the Chef is Alfie Packham’s new standup hour is about belonging, artists, nerds, retail workers, fruit farmers, friends, family and enemies. It’s not about chefs. Bon appétit. ★★★★ West End Best Friend / ★★★★ EdFringeReview / ★★★★ Three Weeks
Keywords: fitting in, growing up, nerds, social hierarchies, parties, family, friends and enemies
‘A talented writer who is going places.’ BBC Comedy
‘Saw an early version of My Gift to You on the Free Fringe last year, and enjoyed the heck out of it.’
On The Mic
Press release here
Images here
Images credit: Rebecca Need-Menear
Clips here
Monkey Barrel, Hive (1) @ 8.30pm
30 July – 24 August
Press from Wednesday 31st July
The two-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee (as seen on Mock The Week, Russell Howard’s Stand Up Central, Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled and more) returns with a brutally funny dive into a year like no other. From his hospitalisation during last year’s Melbourne Comedy Festival to the harrowing experience of his young daughter battling a serious illness later in the year, Another Round recounts how Carl’s life has been anything but ordinary. But, with his signature blend of honesty and wit, Carl turns life’s darkest moments into comedy gold.
‘His comic warmth could fill the Sydney Opera House’ ★★★★ Chortle / ‘’Masterful stand-up with the lightest of touches’ British Comedy Guide – Recommended / ★★★★★ Skinny / ★★★★★ Broadway Baby / ★★★★ Scotsman / ★★★★ The Sunday Times.
Press release here
Images here
Images credit Richard Wood
Footage here
Jonny Pelham: Before and After
Monkey Barrel – Hive 2
July 28th – August 24th @ 9pm
Press from Friday 1st August
Award-winning comedian Jonny Pelham is newly single, he’s moved to London and is being encouraged by the government to take speed everyday. Is It Me? Is a hilarious new stand-up show looking at what it means to be diagnosed as ‘neurodiverse’, what constitutes normality and how to find happiness in a world that’s falling apart. As seen on Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled. ‘The Laughs are Explosive.’ ★★★★★ Chortle, ★★★★ The Herald, ★★★★ The Guardian ★★★★ The Times, ★★★★The Telegraph, ★★★★ The Scotsman.
Keywords: ADHD, medication, relationship breakdown, dating, dolphins
Press release here
Images
Images credit:
Clips
Alex Kitson
Hoots @ Potterrow at 9pm
Press from Friday 1st August
Alex Kitson’s many accolades include ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards Best Newcomer nominee for his 2024 Edinburgh Fringe show, Top 3 Dave’s Joke of the Fringe 2024 and Best of Brighton Fringe nominee. After his smash hit debut, Alex returns to the Fringe with This is Water. A show about perception, life’s unspoken truths and connecting in a disconnected world. Alex has written for the BBC (‘Incredible… So clever’ – BBC Radio), Channel 4 with online content that reached millions of views. ‘The audience laughter is non-stop.’ ★★★★★ The Phoenix Remix / ★★★★ The Wee Review / ★★★★ Entertainment Now / ★★★★ EdFringe Review
Keywords: perception/perspective, big tech, social media, politics, Gen-Z/Generational divide, mindfulness, the ‘Vibe Shift’, neurodiversity/ADHD, TikTok/shortform video culture, pathologisation, individualism, woke/culture war, algorithms
Press release here
Images
Images credit:
Clips here
Amelia Hamilton: Forget Me Not
Pleasance Courtyard, Attic @ 9.45pm
Press from Friday 1st August
The only female stand-up rap comedian in the UK, Amelia Hamilton presents her debut hour of comedy. Set to an original soundtrack of live rap, Hamilton brings her character blend of wit, charm, and musical talent in this high-energy stand-up hour with “a proper gag in every line”- Chortle She hilariously delves into relatable rap battles with her own intrusive thoughts, campaigns for women in STEM, and questions how not to be forgotten. A featured artist on BBC iPlayer and BBC Radio, Runner Up Komedia Comedy Awards 2024, BBC New Comedy Awards Nominee 2024. “Amelia Hamilton breaks the mould”– BNN.
Keywords: end of the world, being forgotten, eulogies, women in STEM,
Press release here
Images here
Images credit: Rebecca Need-Menear
Clips