Hudson Hughes is a comedian, filmmaker and photographer from Reading. He’s known for his online sketches and cult-hit comedy gameshow Hot Rubber. He has directed BBC’s Literally and is a two-time Sketch-Off Finalist. His previous Fringe credits include performing in Andrew Doherty’s ‘Gay Witch Sex Cult‘ and co-writing, directing and performing in ‘Dr Dolittle Kills A Man (And Reads Extracts From His New Book)’. This year he is also appearing in new comedy musical Mothman: A Romance Musical’ and his debut solo show, ‘At Your Service’. We spoke to Hudson about ‘At Your Service’, his hopes for the show, and the ‘enshittification’ of the festival. 

Can you tell us about ‘At Your Service’?

It’s a comedy-horror about a TV celebrity vicar who finds himself battling demonic forces and an addiction to vaping. Expected jump-scares, musical interludes, and electronic props that may/may not work.

‘At Your Service’ sits somewhere between the vibe of cozy British Sunday TV and chaotic comedy horror. What were your points of influence for the show?

The central story is a rip-off of a Ukranian folkstory, adapted into the Soviet Union’s first sanctioned horror film Viy. But that doesn’t really tell you much about the vibe – it’s more of an unholy mash-up of Songs of Praise and Beetlejuice.

For those who might be unfamiliar with you, how would you describe your comedy and your approach to performance?

I would describe my comedy as ‘funny’ and my approach as ‘try to be funny’.

What are your hopes for the show? What would constitute a successful Fringe for you?

My hope is to have the momentum to continue doing the show after Fringe, having honed it over August. Anything else is a bonus. Perhaps a ‘successful’ Fringe would mean breaking even – there will be few shows in Edinburgh that have spent as much on electric motors for their show.

You’re also performing in ‘Mothman: A Romance Musical’. Can you tell us about that?

I could. But then I’d have to kill you.

What for you are the best and worst things about the Fringe?

Being able to perform in front of an audience (regardless of size) and hone your craft every day for month as a non-professional is almost unheard of outside of Fringe. The worst part of Fringe is the gradual ‘enshittification’ – at the bigger venues, comedians are selling-out runs and only breaking even while audience members are paying double what they would have a few years ago to see the same stand-up tell the same jokes in the same damp basement.

Have you had any particularly memorable Fringe experiences, as a performer or audience member?

The first time I went to Fringe at age 18, I was drinking in a pub with uni friends, trying to forget the awful improv show we’d just done. Christian Brighty came up, dressed as a lawyer, and told us a show was starting downstairs in five minutes. It was a mixed bill of clowns (including the Duncan Brothers and Luke Rollason, from what I remember) doing very weird things and I think it changed my life.

Besides ‘At Your Service’ and ‘Mothman’, can we expect to see you performing elsewhere during August; guest spots, compilation shows, etc?

Yes! I have an improv called God’s Longest and we’re performing somewhere at some time!

Are there any other shows/ performers at the Fringe that you would recommend?

Nope, just mine!!! (But probably go watch Lady Bolognese, you won’t be the same afterwards).

‘At Your Service‘ is at Underbelly, Cowgate – Iron Belly from Wed 5 to Sun 30 Aug 2026

‘Mothman: A Romance Musical‘ is at Underbelly, Cowgate – Belly Button from Wed 5 to Sun 30 Aug 2026