Caroline McEvoy is a London-based stand-up from Bangor in Northern Ireland. She has been shortlisted three years running in the Funny Women Stage Awards, was a semi-finalist in the Komedia New Comedy Award and ‘So You Think You’re Funny?’ and a finalist for the Southport New Comedian of the Year. She is the founder and resident host of three time Chortle Awards winning night, Comedy Bandits and co-creator/co-host of cult hit comedy podcast Gun and Wand: The Official Companion Podcast, a semi-scripted, semi-improvised podcast about a fantasy TV series that doesn’t exist. She has previously performed two 45 minute work-in-progress shows at the Edinburgh Fringe and is an alumna of the 2023 Soho Theatre Labs. 

We spoke to Caroline about her debut full-length Fringe show ‘Train Man’, her hopes for the show, and her determination to get up Arthur’s Seat.

Can you tell us about ‘Train Man?’

‘Train Man’ is a stand-up, storytelling show set in post-Troubles Northern Ireland, where I reckon with my lifelong battle with my younger brother, who loves trains and getting his way. It’s about disability, identity, family, and I’m the only comedian at the Fringe mixing jokes about sectarianism with Disney princesses. I’m performing every day at 1:20pm at Assembly Roxy, RoxyBoxy. See you there!

For those unfamiliar with your work, how would you describe your comedy style and approach to performance?

Like a lot of Irish comedians, I love a good story and big laughs. I like to surprise my audience with inventive storytelling and enjoy building rapport with the crowd.

Your show deals with your life with your neurodivergent brother, and more broadly, the burden of care being placed overwhelmingly on women. How do you approach such material from a humorous perspective?

I’ve always found life with my brother funny, but I don’t talk about disability in a way I think audiences are used to hearing. I’ve had to experiment a lot on stage, finding the tension, and then working out how to release it. But every time I do another preview, the show gets funnier. I genuinely can’t wait for August.

‘Train Man’ is your debut full-length Edinburgh show. What are your hopes and expectations for the month?

I’d love loads of people to see the show.  It’s the best thing I’ve ever made, and I’ve made some pretty great stuff. The dream would be a sold-out run and, ‘Well done’ from my Dad. Maybe even a hug?

You’ve performed two work-in-progress shows at the Fringe. How has the show changed and evolved over the last few years?

‘Train Man’ didn’t exist two years ago. In 2023, I did a work-in-progress with 45 minutes of jokes. Then, while I was still up in Edinburgh that summer, I got a call from my mum about my brother, which planted the first seed for what was to become ‘Train Man’. I began working with my director Ben Target in January 2025. The show is completely transformed from where it was – I’ve never written so fast or so much in my life.

Apart from your show, is there anything you’re particularly looking forward to (or dreading) about the Fringe?

I want to climb Arthur’s Seat. In four years of going to the festival, I’ve been too hungover to do it. If I’m dreading anything, it’s the actual train journey. My show is called ‘Train Man’, but I do not share my brother’s passion for public transport.

Beside ‘Train Man’, can we expect to see you performing elsewhere during August?

I’m performing as part of Best of the Fest: The New Class in Assembly George Square Gardens on Saturday 2nd August, and I’ll probably hop on a few more compilation shows while I’m at the festival. Straight after Edinburgh, I’ll be taking ‘Train Man’ on tour, starting with a six-day run in Dublin this September 2025.

Are there any other acts at the Fringe that you would recommend audiences see?

As host of Comedy Bandits – London’s ‘best open mic’ – I see so many amazing acts getting ready for Fringe all year. Now I’m excited to see everyone up in Edinburgh performing their shows in full. There are far too many to name, but off the top of my head, a few comedians you should absolutely definitely check out or you’ll regret it forever are: Alfie Packham, Jessie Nixon, Bennet Kavanagh, and Daniel McKeon.

‘Train Man‘ is at Assembly Roxy – RoxyBoxy from Wed 30 Jul to Mon 25 Aug 2025 at 13:20