Comedy
Preview
The Ultimate Guide to Edinburgh Fringe – Part Two
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe runs from the 4 - 28 August 2017 across the city.
Yesterday we showcased ten of our favourite performers from across this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, which kicks off on the 4 August 2017. Here we have more letting us in on their festival tips, secrets and must-sees.
Strap in for another hilarious ride.
George Fouracres – Daphne
Ultimate Edinburgh Fringe tip
If you’re seeing 8 shows in a day, don’t take a drink into every one. You won’t remember the last 3 you saw and you’ll have to keep going to the loo in the middle of things, which is annoying for you, the audience and the comedian. What’s more, you’ll develop a pavlovian response for the rest of your life, where every time you sit down in a Fringe venue with the faint smell of beer in your nostrils, your bladder will automatically fill and swell, and you’ll never be able to enjoy comedy again without feeling the impulse to boozily sprint to the toilet. So yeah. Just get mashup in the evenings instead.
Places to visit
ZUHUS. The greatest Peri Peri chicken in the world, bar none. You’ll find it on South Bridge. We lived above Zuhus in 2015 and never fell in love with a place so quickly. Every Fringe, every day, come rain or shine, it’s a safe bet you’ll find three horrible little Daphne gollums in there (usually accompanied by our tech Maria and the equally Zuhus-obsessed comedian Rory O’Keeffe) ramming their flushed faces full of spicy spicy chicken, spicier spicier fries and hot buttery corncobs. Ugh God it’s good.
Biggest must-see
We have LOADS, and here are some: Pierre Novellie, London Hughes, Ahir Shah, Tessa Coates, Mat Ewins and Sindhu Vee.
Daphne perform The Best of Daphne at Pleasance Courtyard from 21 – 22 August at 22:00.
Harry & Chris
Biggest Edinburgh Fringe tip
Go to the festival! Oh, you’re here already. In that case find some accommodation! You’ve done that too?! Wow, you’re more on the ball than us. Seriously, we only confirmed our sofas to crash on last week. They’re lovely sofas with lovely people but we really didn’t think about it until the last minute. Have you booked tickets to the Harry and Chris Show 2? Awesome. You sound like you know what you’re doing. What’s your ultimate Edinburgh Fringe tip for us?
Places to visit
Our favourite place in the whole city is this amazing little venue in The Mash House, just off Cowgate. The space is called the Cask Room, it’s an 80-seater and it has some awesome acts on. There’s one at 14:20 each day and there’s been some buzz about it, you might have seen them coming up through the scene, or maybe read a Q and A by them on a very reputable ticket selling site. (It’s us, The Harry and Chris Show 2, come along.)
Biggest must-see
Harry: Chris
Chris: Harry
Harry & Chris perform The Harry & Chris Show 2 at Just The Tonic, The Cask Room from 3 -27 August at 14:20.
James Adomian
Ultimate Edinburgh Fringe tip
Take a chance on the Americans performing for the first time who don’t know much about Edinburgh Fringe when asked in an interview!
Places to visit
Gilded Balloon at Teviot, where my shows are going to be!
Biggest must-see
Happily for me there’s a lot of UK, US and international performers that I’m lucky to know who will be at festival this year – hopefully I get a chance to see some. I know Sean Patton will be there and he’s one American I can definitely recommend.
James Adomian performs Lacking In Character at Gilded Ballooon Tevoit from 2 – 27 August at 21:15.
Jimeoin
Ultimate Edinburgh Fringe tip
All come along to my show at the EICC. Everything else by comparison is a disappointment. Authurs seat, Royal mile, you name it all and let down in comparison
Places to visit
Walk around it all. I like the EICC as a venue. And the Underbelly is great.
Biggest must-see
Craig Hill makes me laugh.
Jimeoin perofrms Ridiculous at Venue150 at EICC from 3 – 27 August at 18:20. He also performs Even More Ridiculous at the same venue on selected dates at 21:00.
Josh Pugh
Ultimate Edinburgh Fringe tip
My ultimate fringe tip is adjust to the schedule, the first time I visited the Fringe I was up and out the door before nine o’clock, not knowing that none of the stuff I actually wanted to see started until at least the afternoon. There are only so many kids shows you can watch without having a child with you before you arouse suspicion. Also be careful of using the word “arouse” when referencing kid’s shows.
Places to visit
Last fringe I got addicted to a frozen yoghurt shop on George IV bridge. I can’t wait to go back, also there is a castle and Arthur’s Seat but the frozen yoghurt shop would certainly be my number one.
Biggest must-see
Edinburgh can often be about the new and exciting but for me there are some great experienced comics who I love to watch, I’d recommend the likes of Carey Marx and Markus Birdman.
Josh Pugh performs A Boy Named Pugh at Pleasance Courtyard from 2 – 28 August at 19:15.
Kiri Pritchard-McLean
Ultimate Edinburgh Fringe tip
I reckon the best advice is to see someone you’ve never heard of. The Fringe has a wealth of talent on display and just because you haven’t heard of them doesn’t mean they’re not incredible. So, take a chance. Of course it might end up being an absolute ordeal but at least you’ll have a good story after it. Or a new found respect for the other shows you see.
Places to visit
Am I allowed to suggest a sandwich shop? Well, I’m going to. It’s called Ba-Get Stuffed and it’s on Nicholson street opposite the Lidl. The Mexican chicken, falafel and hummus wrap is the closest I have to a supportive relationship up there. The guy who runs the place is lovely and seems to be the only local who doesn’t hate the festival.
Biggest must-see
Can I say my sketch group, Gein’s Family Giftshop? I’m not in it technically so I reckon it’s allowed. It’s been a huge year for us and this show won’t be like anything you’ve seen before from us – for a start there’s a member missing. I’m really excited about what we’re making so come and see if we manage to get it together in time.
Kiri Pritchard-McLean performs Appropriate Adult at Pleasance Courtyard from 2 – 28 August at 20:15.
Lauren Pattison
Ultimate Edinburgh Fringe tip
Plan your visit – there’s so much to see that you want to make the most of your time, so I think it’s good to go up with a plan to make sure you can fit in everything you want. But in saying that, I also think it’s good to be a bit flexible – don’t just fill your schedule with the big names, as great as they are! Leave some space to maybe take a punt on someone lesser known. I always like to try and see someone I’ve not heard of or take a chance on something a bit different, and I’ve discovered some firm favourites over the years by doing so.
Places to visit
Pleasance Courtyard, specifically the Attic room at 17:45. But in all seriousness, last year we had some nice weather and I went down to the bottom of the Grassmarket for an ice cream from Mary’s Milk Bar, then went over the other side of the road and climbed up and sat on the hill in the sun. It was a nice little break from the madness for a few minutes!
Biggest must-see
I’m really looking forward to seeing Tape Face. It’s such silly, good fun and it makes me feel like a kid watching, just that proper joyous feeling that you don’t really get much as an adult! Also in the same venue is Colin Cloud, he’s a forensic mind reader and you’ll watch the whole thing with your jaw on the floor. I can’t wait to see what he does this year – he’s one I took a punt on a few years ago because I’m really into that sort of thing but hadn’t seen any live so took a gamble… and I’ve gone back to see him every year since.
Lauren Pattison performs Lady Muck at Pleasance Courtyard from 2 – 28 Auguest at 17:45.
Mark Nelson
Ultimate Edinburgh Fringe tip
Go and see the first show you are given a flyer for. I do this every year and I’ve seen some of the best and worst shows.
Places to visit
My favourite place in Edinburgh is the pond that sits at the foot of Arthur’s Seat. I’ve sat there for ages on many a drunken walk home.
Biggest must-see
Daniel Sloss. Probably the finest Scottish act working today.
Mark Nelson performs Irreverence at Gilded Balloon Teviot from 2 – 27 August at 20:00.
Naz Osmanoglu
Ultimate Edinburgh Fringe tip
Bring a fold-up umbrella, try a Hot Toddy and go see something you probably wouldn’t normally see (about three times a day).
Places to visit
Every year I visit the Mussel & Steak at the grass market once and eat like a king. It serves mussels, steak is also available.
Biggest must-see
Go and see Ivo Graham, he is hilarious!
Naz Osmanoglu performs The Naz Show at Just The Tonic, The Caves from 3 -25 August at 14:45.
Rachel Parris
Ultimate Edinburgh Festival tip
A few times a day, let yourself be flyered! Actually stop and listen – you might find a show you would never have thought about yourself, and it might end up being your favourite show, or at least, a talking point!
Places to visit
Have a quick pop down Heriot Place, for an incredible view of the castle and then follow the little lane down to Grassmarket, which is one of my favourite places in town for food, pubs, and weird little shops.
Biggest must-see
Dan Antopolski is up doing a show for the ages first time in ages, so I’m pretty excited about that, but also Jenny Bede, Kathryn Bond and Anna Morris – I’ve seen their shows in previews and they will be excellent!
Rachel Parris performs Keynote at Pleasance Dome from 3 – 28 August at 20:20.
Rhys James
Ultimate Edinburgh Festival tip
To watch comedian Rhys James, everyday at 18:00 in the Pleasance Courtyard.
Places to visit
The ‘Upstairs’ in the Pleasance Courtyard, between the hours or 18:00 and 18:55.
Biggest must-see
I’m a huge fan of and would therefore wholeheartedly recommend the comedian Adam Hess’s housemate Rhys James.
Rhys James performs Wiseboy at Pleasance Courtyard from 2 – 27 August at 18:00.
Richard Herring
Ultimate Edinburgh Fringe tip
Book ahead for the bigger acts, but leave some room in your schedule to factor in some word of mouth hits and also take a punt on some stuff that you know nothing about. If it’s great you have discovered a star, if it’s not great you have a story.
Places to visit
The Tempting Tattie on Jeffreys Street. Stodge and sustenance for me annually since 1988. Ask for a Richard Herring. And then when they don’t know what that is, say “a medium potato with orange cheese and mango chutney, please.”
Biggest must-see
Austentatious are an amazing improv team who create a brand new Jane Austen story at every show. The shows are clever and funny, but also rambunctious fun. And every single cast member is going to be a huge star.
Richard Herring performs Oh Frig, I’m 50 at Pleasance Courtyard from 2 – 26 August at 19:30, and the Edinburgh Fringe Podcast at New Town Theatre on the 4, 11 and 18 August at 13:50.
Thunderbards
Ultimate Edinburgh Fringe tip
Take risks, whether you’re a performer or a punter. Go and see something you would never think of watching normally. You might find a weird cabaret or circus event that is just amazing. Also, take a risk on seeing comedians you haven’t heard of from telly or radio.
Places to visit
I’d recommend anyone play a few rounds of pitch and putt golf on the Brunstfield links and take a stroll around the meadows, especially after a pint or two as the sun begins to go down. It’s a lovely sight. Also, enjoy a cheap and cheerful meal at Mosque Kitchen, best hearty festival food in the city.
Biggest must-see
We’re excited to see what Jo Morpurgo has come up with in his new show. Plus, Showstoppers are a bankable good time with a high quality improvised musical. I’ve already seen Bec Hill’s new show and it’s great.
Thunderbards perform 4nd at the Gilded Balloon, Dining Room from 2 – 27 August at 15:15.
There you have it. The Ultimate Guide To Edinburgh Fringe, by comedians, for comedy fans. We’ll be there during the festival to catch our favourite acts, and to discover some new ones.
