The Fringe is a melting pot of acts from all over the world, and that’s a brilliant thing. But isn’t it nice to appreciate the efforts of those who make us laugh all year round? If you forego the Scottish acts, both homegrown and adopted – ‘assimilated’ would be the term if you go by the old Bosman ruling – you would be missing out. The Scottish scene has arguably never been as strong. Here, Managing Editor Kevin Ibbotson-Wight presents a potential patriotic (and far from exhaustive) day at the Fringe.
11:30 – 12:55. Want to start early? No problem. There’s a wealth of options even this early. There’s JoJo Sutherland, ‘I Wish You Were My Mum (Careful What You Wish For)‘ at 11:30 (Stand 1, 31 Jul – 26 Aug, except 12). Early doors for the woman who continues to grow old disgracefully, to paraphrase the title of JoJo’s 2023 show. Always as acerbic as she is hilarious, her effect on an audience this early is likely to be as bracing as a Portobello dook.
Elsewhere, Eleanor Morton returns with ‘Haunted House‘ at 12:05 (Monkey Barrel 2, 31 Jul – 25 Aug, except, 5-6, 12-13, 19-20). We’ve been keen followers of Eleanor’s career over the years, but her last show 2022’s ‘Eleanor Morton has Peaked’ was perhaps her finest. And ‘Haunted House’ is coming along nicely, as evidenced by a recent Work in Progress show. A love letter to Edinburgh and all its spirits, benign and malignant, it’s typically thoughtful, idiosyncratic, and well-crafted.
Alternatively, there’s Amelia Bayler with a blast of pure Fringe with her ‘Easy Second Album‘ at 12:15 (Scottish Comedy Festival @ Waverley Bar, 2-14 Aug). A musical comedian who favours high energy pop/ nu-rave bangers about junk food and heartbreak (which go together quite nicely if Bridget Jones taught us anything), Amelia’s style is endearingly silly, defiantly DIY, and thoroughly unique.
13:00-13:55. Susan Riddell and Amanda Dwyer host all-female comedy showcase ‘Material, Girl‘ at 13:15 (Stand 1, 2-25 Aug, except 12 & 19). From established acts to up-and-comers. Previous guests have included Fern Brady, Josie Long, and Susie McCabe, to give some indication of the standard on offer.
The singular MC Hammersmith takes over Monkey Barrel 1 at 13:55 with ‘The MC Stands for Middle Class‘. Will Naameh’s freestyle rapping based on audience suggestions will be familiar to most by now, and no matter how many times you see his show, he never fails to impress.
14:00-14:55. Billy Kirkwood promises ‘No sad bits. Just good vibes’ with new show ‘Wild Thing‘ at 14:45 (Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive Inn, 2-26 Aug, except 7, 13 & 21). A gifted stand-up, improviser, and storyteller, his shows are a good-natured, high-energy combination of all three.
Over on Niddry Street, Chris Forbes competes with the almost sentient odour of The Hive for the audience’s attention with ‘Collywobble‘ at 14:50 (Monkey Barrel – The Hive 1, 13-15 Aug). Fortunately, Forbes’ stand-up will be much fresher than the venue. The Scot Squad and ‘Other Murray Brother’ star is an excellent stand-up of many years experience, so expect a feel-good hour of fine comedy.
15:00-15:55. Just up the road at The Tron, Amy Matthews will ‘Commute With the Foxes‘ at 15:00 (Monkey Barrel – The Tron, 1-25 Aug, except 7, 14, & 21). Amy’s star has been on the ascendant in the last few years, and her new show intriguingly explores how different contexts can change how we experience familiar things, like sights, sounds, and smells. Likely to be a fascinating show in any context.
16:00-16:55. At 16:05 is a hair-raising hour from Ralph Brown. ‘My First Hostage Situation‘ (The Stand 4, 1-25 Aug, except 12 & 19) details the incident at last year’s Fringe where Ralph and his audience were taken hostage by a man waving a gun. Ralph was reticent to give any real spoilers when we spoke to him, but he assures us that the headline isn’t the half of it.
Over the street at The Stand 1 at 16:45 is Gareth Waugh‘s ‘This Guy‘ (31 Jul – 26 Aug, except 12). Gareth is a staple of the local scene, who we’ve previously described as one of Edinburgh’s most likeable comedians. Expect an hour of self-deprecating humour from one of those performers we’ve seen on innumerable occasions and who never disappoints.
17:00-17:55. A chance to take in a debut show at 17:25 with Amanda Dwyer‘s ‘What Are You Thinking About?‘ (The Stand 4, 14-25 Aug). This Glaswegian comic focuses on her lifelong struggles with OCD, anxiety, and depression. The subject is a familiar one at the Fringe, but a debut show is always something of an origin story to a certain extent and it’s compelling to see an act pour themselves heart and soul onto the stage. Plus, there have been some brilliant calling cards in recent years, from Maisie Adam to Lauren Pattison, to Louise Atkinson last year. You might be about to witness a new star explode on to the scene.
Marjolein Robertson takes on the chewy Hive air with ‘O‘ at 17:40 (Monkey Barrel – Hive 1, 30 Jul – 25 Aug, except 12). We’ve seen Marjolein go from strength to strength since her first show in 2016. As exemplified by last year’s show ‘Marj’, she marries her skills as an interpreter and storyteller of the myths of her native Shetland with her comic persona. This year, she promises there will be blood! Expect brutal honesty and vivid, evocative stories of her recent experiences.
18:00-18:55. Almost unbelievably, Jay Lafferty‘s ‘Bahookie‘ wasn’t the only stand-up show in 2023 that revolved (sorry) around pole dancing. Should you have missed it there’s a brief redux towards the end of the festival (Gilded Balloon Patter House – Other Yin, 22-26 Aug, 18:00). With over 20 years as a stand-up, Jay’s wise and witty enough for the eight-foot pole in the corner to be anything but just a gimmick.
19:00-19:55. At 19:05 catch Mark Nelson back at the Hive with ‘Getting Better Man‘ (Monkey Barrel – The Hive 1, 30 Jul – 25 Aug, except 12-13 & 19). Arguably one of our most accomplished performers, his new show explores whether it’s possible to become a new and improved person.
Alternatively, at 19:10 there’s Stuart McPherson‘s ‘HORSE‘ (Monkey Barrel 2, 30 Jul – 25 Aug, except 13). Another circuit staple who’s been honing his craft diligently for years. Last year we said his show ‘Love That for Me‘ had an, ‘Excellent hit rate, and almost [felt] too short.’ He has a similar self-deprecating steak to Gareth Waugh, but has a more laconic onstage persona.
20:00-20:55. It’s two years since Robin Grainger played to one punter in what became a celebrated Fringe moment. It’s fair to assume he won’t be in danger of that in 2024. He’s back with ‘Refurb‘ (The Stand 2, 31 Jul – 25 Aug, except 12) at 20: 10. His show last year wisely mined the event that launched him into the national consciousness, but he’s more than good enough to leave his cause celebre moment behind and demand attention on his own terms.
We bestowed a glittering full five stars on Larry Dean‘s ‘Fudnut‘ a couple of years ago, saying that he always gives the appearance of, ‘having a fantastic time on stage’. The Herald also called him a, ‘randy crab,’ which raises more questions than it answers. Nevertheless, his new show, ‘Dodger‘ (Monkey Barrel 3, 1-25 Aug, except 13, 20:30) has already sold out on on several dates. Not bad for a guy who just wants to tell you about visiting his Granny, according to the press material.
21:00-21:55. We spoke to Rosco McClelland about his new show ‘Living Dangerously‘ (Monkey Barrel – The Hive 2, 31 Jul – 25 Aug, except 12, 21:00) a while back, and it’s got us excited. The show deals with his Long QT, or Sudden Death Syndrome, but the livewire Glaswegian refuses to dim his onstage energy. A raucous raconteur with ratatat delivery, be prepared for a breathless hour.
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