Established in 1947 as an alternative to the Edinburgh International Festival, the three-week long Edinburgh Fringe Festival is now the largest arts festival in the world.
Taking place in August, there are hundreds of brilliant performances taking place across the Scottish capital in a multitude of settings, from public parks to major venues. Here’s our pick of this year’s emerging stars on the festival circuit:
Who: Mawaan Rizwan: Fluu
When: Until 31 August
Where: Pleasance Courtyard
What: With more 90,000 YouTube subscribers, the BAFTA-nominated Mawaan Rizwan is performing his solo show FLUU, in which he explores a surreal range of topics, including eggs, lamps and cows. Check out Rizwan’s Twerking in Public video on YouTube and prepare to roar with laughter.
Who: Tiff Stevenson: Mad Man
When: Until 29 August
Where: The Stand Comedy Club 5 & 6
What: As seen on Apprentice: You’re Fired and Mock the Week, Tiff Stevenson tackles the thorny issue of sexism in the comedy industry in this hilarious and thought-provoking show. There’s are also gross-out jokes aplenty: think sanitary products, bums and “vagina houses”.
Who: Jonny Pelham: Before and After
When: Until 31 August
Where: Pleasance Courtyard
This hotly anticipated debut show comes from this up-and-coming comedian, who scooped the Judges Choice gong in the BBC New Comedy Awards and finished runner-up in So You Think You’re Funny? Here’s a sneaky content peek: when he was 16, the NHS offered Pelham surgery to realign his jaw and improve his appearance. As he was happy with how he looked, this came as a shock. Book a ticket at this laugh-a-minute show to find out what happened next.
Who: Phil Jerrod: Neanderthal
Where: Pleasance Courtyard
When: Until 31 August
In his debut Edinburgh Festival show, this beardy comedian examines how dreadful modern life is. While Neanderthal men only had to worry about food and tigers, we have to keep up with Facebook, smartphones and space monkeys. Don’t miss this Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year nominee and winner of Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival Best Debut 2015.
Who: Lolly
Where: Pleasance Courtyard
When: Until 31 August
Hailed a “promising newcomer” by the Independent, there’s a media buzz around Lolly Adefope who has a raft TV and radio projects coming up. The setting of Lolly’s multi-character stand-up show is an open-mic night, where Lolly plays the part of a number of comics to hilarious effect.
Who: Harriet Kemsley: Puppy Fat
Where: Pleasance Courtyard
When: Until 31 August
What: As seen on Funny Rotten Scoundrels on London Live and on BBC Radio 1’s Comedy Lounge, this offbeat rising star is making her much-anticipated Fringe debut this year. A warm and likeable comedienne, Kemsley’s confessional show touches on everything from dating nightmares to natural disasters.
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