Marc Jennings: Bread and Circuses
Monkey Barrel 4 at 7:50pm, from 28 July – 24 August (except 12 August)
Following on from his debut stand-up special recorded at Glasgow’s iconic King’s Theatre, and his recent UK and Ireland tour, Scottish comedian and Some Laugh podcast host Marc Jennings returns to the Fringe with his trademark sharp observations on current events, politics and modern dating. Marc sold-out the Edinburgh Fringe in 2022-2024 with critics saying: ‘Killer lines’ (Scotsman); ‘Will be a household name very soon’ (Rolling Stone); ‘An astute observer who is adept at channelling his frustrations into a wider social critique’ (Chortle.co.uk).
Jacob Nussey: Primed
Pleasance Courtyard (Bunker Three) at 7:15pm, 30 July – 25 August
Jacob Nussey spills the secrets of Amazon in a hotly tipped debut hour loaded with his trademark sharp jokes and deadpan delivery. Chortle’s ‘one to watch’ 2023 unpacks the absurdities and chaos of warehouse life, exploring preconceptions, job interviews, stealing and why things could always be worse.
Winner: West Didsbury Comedy Festival New Act of the Year; Bury Met Comedian of the Year; described as “Hilariously nonchalant” – Broadway World; “Offbeat stories with an air of resigned indifference” – Chortle; “Insanely Funny, he’ll be a household name before you know it” – Skiddle.
Adele Cliff photo by Karla Gowlett.
Adele Cliff: Adele, Adele, Adele… Cliff it isn’t the Consequences of My Own Actions
Just the Tonic at The Mash House (Just the Cask Room) at 5:05pm, 30 July – 24 August (except 12 August)
Adele uses her gag-heavy style and penchant for silliness to tackle the topic of lying and why we do it (or does she?). Described as: ‘Guaranteed laughs’ (The Student); ‘A consummate jokesmith’ (Comedy.co.uk); ‘A sophisticated and intelligent comic with oodles of talent’ (FringeReview.co.uk); ‘Absolutely charming’ (Scotsman); ‘Knows how to keep an audience enthralled’ (SquirrelComedy.co.uk). Adele is also Dave’s Funniest Jokes of the Edinburgh Fringe 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016; UK Pun Champion 2020; Leicester Comedy award nominee for Best New Show in 2023.
Becky Umbers: Put that Cat Back in the Bag
Assembly Roxy (Snug Bar) at 8:40pm, 30 July – 24 August (except 11 August)
In her debut hour, award-winning New Zealand Comedian Becky Umbers dives into the delicate art of keeping a ‘cat’ (your inner weirdo) hidden in a bag. A joyous hour of unique storytelling and observations told with the voice of a kids cartoon and the cheeky wit of an adult comedian. Becky has previously been the winner of: Best Debut NZ International Comedy Festival 2019; Best Female Comedian NZCG Awards 2022 – nominee; Hoots Fringe Act of the Year – Edinburgh 2023 Finalist. Has been described as: “Full of zest and energy”; One4review “Becky quite knocks me over” (Theatrereview); “Had us in stitches” (Ratworld-Magazine).
Getting Triggy With It: Matt Parker Does the Maths
Pleasance Courtyard (Beyond) at 6:30pm, 30th july – 25th August
Parker talks a lot of maths. He’s a NYT best-selling author and sold-out Edinburgh Festival Fringer. But now it’s time he does the maths. Really gets in there and gives the maths a good doing. It’s time he programmes his own Christmas tree lights and then 11,184,024 people watch his downfall (and counting). It’s time he shares his hand-crafted maths code online only for viewers to improve it by 40,832,277,770%. It’s time he shaped-up and crawled out from under the square named after him. Come watch Matt Parker do the maths.
Josh Elton: Away with the Fairies
Hoots @ The Apex (Hoots 4) at 8pm, 31 July – 26 August
Razor-sharp jokes, an unshakeable confidence and an award-winning comedy mind. A Welshman, a Jew and a damn fine comedian, Josh takes a sideways look at life, the universe and why Swansea is a bit rough in his debut Fringe hour.
Lulu Popplewell: Love Love
Underbelly Buttercup (George Square) at 6:45pm, 30 July – 24th August (except 11 August)
After a sell-out debut, Lulu returns with a second hour of hilarious confessional stand-up! With an emotional support dog, and an emotional support piano, she asks: What actually is love? The warm feeling of safety or the darkest throes of mental illness? Lulu explores what love really means and whether it’s actually worth all the bother, with pit-stops at naughty vicars, pure OCD, and the bisexual implications of Disney’s Robin Hood.
Described as: “Playfully funny, thought-provoking and has kindness at its heart.” – Chortle”; “Will soon be one of your favourite comedians.” And is Mervyn Stutter’s Pick of the Fringe
Steffan Alun: Stand Up – Hoots
The Apex (Hoots 4) at 9:30pm, 31 July – 26 August (except 13 August)
Welsh optimist Steffan Alun finally presents his hilarious debut hour. As seen on BBC Wales, S4C, supporting Elis James on tour and performing slightly less than an hour of stand up at the Fringe every year since 2015. Steffan returns to Edinburgh to work through his latest identity crisis with an hour of excellent comedy about sexuality, pop culture and, of course, all the best things about Wales.
Amy Mason: Behold!
Pleasance Courtyard (Baby Grand) at 5:50pm, 30 July – 25 August (except 13 August)
When Amy Mason got hacked, she lost her number, bank account and social media access. And then the hackers started sending her gifts… . Directed by Jessica Fostekew, this is a surprising, hilarious hour about connection in all its forms. (BTW, prob don’t use your dead cat’s name as your password on all your accounts). As heard on Radio One, Radio Five and Radio 4. Appeared in Top 10 Funniest Jokes of Edinburgh Fringe 2024 by The Guardian.
“A wonderful example of begrudging self-acceptance channelled into a flourishing personality and consistently very funny performance” – The Scotsman. “Delightfully deadpan” – The Skinny. “An uncut diamond” – Fringebiscuit
Caroline McEvoy: Train Man
Assembly Roxy (RoxyBoxy) at 1:20pm, 30 July – 25 August (except 11 August)
A captivating tale of sibling rivalry in post-Troubles Northern Ireland. With gut-punch gags and emotional blows, Caroline reckons with her lifelong battle with her younger brother, who loves trains and getting his way. Directed by Ben Target. Audiences are calling it ‘funny and beautiful’; ‘Caroline is seriously funny and smart’ (Sean McLoughlin); Caroline has been Komedia New Act of the Year semi-finalist and 3x Funny Women nominee.
Barry Ferns: My Seven Years as Lionel Richie
Just the Tonic at the Caves (Just Out of the Box) at 6:40pm, 31 July – 24 August (except 5, 12, 13, 19)
A new show from Barry Ferns about being a stand-up comedian since the age of 15, the Edinburgh Fringe, going from being homeless to being offered half a million pounds as a TV presenter and living seven years of your life as the Grammy award-winning artist, Lionel Richie. Nominated for Best New Show at Leicester Comedy Festival, 2025. Described as: ‘A marvelous, personal, beautifully constructed and laughter-packed hour’ (ThreeWeeks); ‘Unnecessarily Sadistic’ (Chortle.co.uk).
