30 JUL - 17 AUG (NOT 6, 11, 12 AUG) - 10:00
In an ultra-connected
world, Jo struggles against the omnipresence of Eve, the AI server. Eve
directs and controls Jo's every move and pushes him to consume more and
more. This wordless show is an invitation to reflect on the place of
nature and technology in our lives and the importance of preserving our
humanity. Presented in a playful and poetic way, this physical theatre
one-man show, combining humour and clowning, resonates particularly well
with our hyper-connected society. A unique, funny and touching theatrical
experience for all the family.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Doonstairs
30 JUL - 17 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 11:30
Tired of the state of our
waterways? So is adventure mermaid Lindsey Cole and she needs your help to
wave the big poo right outta her home so Otter can return. The Mermaid,
the Otter and the Big Poo is based on Lindsey's popular children's book
about her 60km swim adventure down the Bristol Avon with a big poo
sculpture, campaigning against sewage pollution. Expect songs, dance,
games, a splash of audience improv and a whole dump of fun.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Dram
30 JUL - 15 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 11:30
Absolutely Riddled is a fresh
and bold dive into the reality of living with cystic fibrosis (CF) – a
journey that's as phlegmy as it is funny. Yvonne shares her absurd story
from miracle meds to magazine spreads with a candour rarely found in
glossy publications. She's not just "another survivor"; she's a fearless
powerhouse embracing the parts of CF that others might shy away from
talking about – especially mucus! This stand-up show promises an
unapologetic, hilarious take on life, where Yvonne navigates her 50s,
transforming from someone barely surviving to fully thriving.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Snug
30 JUL - 17 AUG - 11:40
Hilarious, fast-paced science theatre for
the whole family with real robots, games and storytelling. Join the
ImproBots in a comically absurd attempt to train their feisty robot A.L.Ex
to be the funniest AI in the galaxy. Cutting-edge technology meets improv
comedy where kids big and small will delight in the silly world of
AI-powered humour and discovery. Will A.L.Ex become the ultimate comedy
machine, or will the ImproBots need help from their human friends? Expect
laughter, surprises and mind-expanding fun in this singular AI adventure.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Nip
30 JUL - 10 AUG - 11:45
You think science is boring, think again;
this is science like you have never seen it before. Designed for children
and adults alike, Mark's Spectacular Science Show explores the strange and
magical properties of matter with exploding elephant's toothpaste,
vortex-generating dustbins and even howling jelly babies! Awarded Best
Kid's Show at Edinburgh Fringe by The Derek Awards, this interactive show
promises to entertain and educate in the most spectacular way!
Gilded Balloon at the Museum
Auditorium
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 12, 19 AUG) - 13:00
The bets are laid. We're
off! Actor Andy Linden (Harry Potter, Count Arthur Strong, The Business,
Not Going Out) in a one-man play recounting the fluctuating fortunes of an
ageing horse-racing tipster adrift in the modern world of technology.
Baxter dreams of one day having a great win and bashing the bookies. But
let's face it, no one ever beats The Bookies. Do they? 'A masterclass of
thoroughbred character acting' ***** (GetYourCoatsOn.com). 'Mesmeric, the
hour passed in an instant, but stays in the memory much longer' ****
(NorthWestEnd.com).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Snug
30 JUL - 24 AUG - 13:00
Explores the relationship a young woman has
with her mother through the relationship she has with her grandmother. She
interconnects the history of their hands through generations with the help
of shadow and sound in this love letter through time. After collecting her
grandmother's stories, she began to dream up a way to share her
grandmother's life and to better understand her own maternal relationship.
Through the use of shadow puppetry, which has the ability to bend through
space and time, life and death, she found her grandmother's voice and her
own.
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Eve
30 JUL - 25 AUG - 13:00
Let Cambridge's best-loved improv troupe set
the stage ablaze with a smörgåsbord of hilarious scenes, wacky games and
silly capers all completely made up on the spot! In the style of Whose
Line Is It Anyway, and featuring guests such as The Cambridge Footlights,
The Cambridge Impronauts return for our 9th run at Fringe. Each show is
based on your suggestions. No two shows are ever the same! Don't hold
back, come let us entertain you with the perfect post-lunch digestif. No
script? No rehearsals? No problem.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
The Penny
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 14 AUG) - 13:00
Returning for our 10th year,
smash-hit production The Improv Musical is coming back to take the Fringe
by storm. Each show is a completely improvised, never-before-seen musical
based on the audience's suggestions! You choose the setting, characters
and title, then sit back and watch as our performers bring your
suggestions to life – complete with a live band playing totally improvised
music! So get your suggestions ready, and come along for an hour of
improvised fun for all ages where the show really is in your hands!
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Doonstairs
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 6, 12, 19 AUG) - 13:00
A New York Times
Critic's Pick! A marriage farce by Edward Einhorn about Stein and Toklas
in which four actors play over 30 characters. Identities are merged and
submerged. Their famous salon, with celebrity guests such as Hemingway,
Picasso and many others, is the setting for this comic fantasy with
serious intent. The lesbian and Jewish subtext of their lives is made
text, and the tragic implications of a relationship that existed in their
hearts, but could never be fully acknowledged, are explored. Critically
acclaimed in New York and London.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Dram
30 JUL - 12 AUG & 16 - 17 AUG - 13:15
So many comedians, so
little time! In this unmissable Fringe institution, 12 top comedy and
variety acts perform ridiculously short sets in one furiously fast-paced
showcase, hosted by the best MCs around – and suitable for all the family.
There's a different line-up every day, handpicked by Chortle's comedy
experts – check the website for daily listings. It's a gloriously
entertaining way to sample the festival in bite-sized chunks.
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Orchard
30 JUL - 17 AUG - 13:15
A journey through the minds that populate
the planet and may populate the universe beyond. An hour of joy and
curiosity with the presenter of the multi award-winning Infinite Monkey
Cage. Expect stories of chimpanzees and astronauts, of starlight and
falcons. We are the neurodiversity of the universe, a place of many minds
and many imaginations. This new show is a celebration of our possibilities
in a time when we've given too many platforms to the mean and the
bullying, let us elevate those who strive for beauty and camaraderie.
Gilded Balloon at the Museum
Auditorium
30 JUL - 10 AUG - 13:20
With her co-star unaccounted for, ever
positive Lizzy Sunshine carries a vaudevillian double act alone. This
show-within-a-show ends with a twist, revealing the farcical fate of
addiction's little sister. It's like Glee meets Baby Reindeer... but hot?
Your new favorite nightmare, Lizzy Sunshine features: musical numbers,
special effects and magic, characters, sermons and gags, bottomless props
and boundless energy, audience participation, and take-home rose-colored
glasses under your seat. After a sold-out run in NYC and tour of the US,
Liz Coin's Lizzy Sunshine makes its Fringe debut!
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Bothie
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 13:30
Beatboxing, spoken word and
hip-hop dance reimagine the true story of the night Californian policemen
shot dead nineteen-year-old Tyisha Miller as she lay unconscious in a car.
Tyisha's depiction of the innocent pleasures of her life and hopes for the
future, told with sweetness, humour and teenage insight contrast with the
violence of her death shown in an autopsy report recited by a
dispassionate coroner, describing each of her twelve bullet wounds in
clinical detail. This highly acclaimed, clear-eyed look at the
relationship between race, the body and violence has been performed across
the US and the world.
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Bramley
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 13 AUG) - 13:30
At the local cinema, all hell
breaks loose when the ushers misplace the DVDs of The Lord of the Rings
trilogy – every single copy! With only the soundtracks left in hand, the
team of hapless ushers must somehow create an entire three-film saga in
front of a live audience. Get ready for an uproarious show of comedy,
chaos, and utter nonsense, as they attempt to recreate the epic tale of
hobbits, elves, and orcs – without any visuals, any planning, or any clue
what they're doing.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Other Yin
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 14:00
What if life were a game? In a
world where billionaires race to colonise space, Trump coins give you
extra lives and making cows meditate saves the planet, it can be hard to
know if you're winning. Jo, Raff and Bobby are three gamers stuck in the
game of life. Jo's into crypto, Raff wants to save the planet and Bobby
just wants a quick win. Who has what it takes to Level Up?
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Big Yin
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 13 AUG) - 14:20
A laugh-out-loud slapstick
whodunnit featuring four actors, a dozen characters and a whole load of
chaos. When a priceless painting vanishes during a private auction,
Detective Stuart Pidcock is brought in to unravel the mystery. But when he
finds himself stumped, he must turn to an old adversary for help. The
unlikely duo must question the colourful array of suspects living at the
manor, all while trying to track down the cunning thief and solve the
crime of the century. 'Good clean fun' (TheReviewsHub.com).
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
McIntosh
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 14:20
Waiting for Texto is an
electrifying interactive comedy play that captures the raw, universal
experience of waiting for a response to your carefully crafted WhatsApp
message. Through humour and technology, it explores the frustration of not
getting a reply after an unforgettable night. Described as Bridget Jones
meets Baby Reindeer, the play offers a fresh, hilarious take on the trials
of modern dating, perfect for anyone who's struggled with love and texting
in the digital age. If men are such visual creatures, why can't they see
my texts?!
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Nip
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 12, 19 AUG) - 14:20
Gather round the campfire
for this funny and nostalgic play about love, loss and summer camp. Truly
doesn't remember her dad. Not really. Instead, she's collected songs,
objects and stories to build a picture of who he was. Join her as she
embarks on a journey to discover her father, and uncovers her childhood
self along the way. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll yearn for the early
2000s. Come see this story of fear and bravery that examines how we
remember those we've lost.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Snug
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 12, 19 AUG) - 14:20
A heartfelt and uplifting
one-man show about an Indian-Persian gay man navigating the complexities
of his identity. Born to immigrant parents, Cyrus takes audiences on an
intimate journey of self-discovery and acceptance. Through dynamic multi
media and the celebration of Madonna and Taylor Swift's music, he finds
his authentic voice and learns to embrace his cultural heritage and
sexuality. With sharp humor and raw vulnerability, Cyrus shares his story
of breaking free from expectations, risking authenticity, and ultimately
learning to live unapologetically in his truth, celebrating the universal
quest for belonging and self-love.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
The Penny
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 13 AUG) - 14:20
It's 1883. Three friends are
trying their best to navigate the chaos of their 20s. Marianne wants to be
taken seriously. Emma wants to find a husband. Hattie wants to get drunk.
When awful aristocrat Chester arrives in town, appearing to hold the keys
to all their dreams, they decide the only reasonable plan of attack is to
host a fake séance to trick him into helping them. What could possibly go
wrong? They're not making history. They are making a bit of a mess of
things.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Doonstairs
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 14:40
After spending her formative
years trying to be "not like other girls", Sarah Bradley is celebrating
all things feminine – from rosé to romance novels, horoscopes to hot
celebrities, inconvenient crushes to crying at inconvenient times.
Whatever your gender, you are warmly invited to leave shame, judgement and
societal expectations at the door, and come embrace the girly girl within.
'Hilarious... clever and brilliant' (SquirrelComedy.com).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Bothie
30 JUL - 4 AUG - 14:45
I Was On A Sitcom is a show about finding out
who you are when your TV show ends, and your real life begins. Because
when you've played a character on TV for a decade, what exactly does it
mean to be yourself? This show offers an intimate glimpse into a popular
sitcom actor's real, raw life. It's funny, vulnerable and disarmingly
casual – you will walk away feeling like you've made a new friend and
learned more about birthing twins than you ever did before.
Gilded Balloon at the Museum
Auditorium
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 12 AUG) - 14:45
A charmingly dark, whimsically
adult, joyously subversive, musical delight! Starring our titular
character, Potty! A singing, talking, tap dancing, potted plant. When
mysterious events begin to occur at Little Boo Boo's General Hospital, a
ragtag bunch of dysfunctional nurses must pull together to save the day.
What could be happening to all the missing children? Will the beautiful
Miss Lacey ever find true love? Is there more to the nasty-looking Dr
Acula than meets the eye? Potty The Plant is an hour of side-splitting,
earwormy, musical fun, that begs the audience to not take anything too
seriously.
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Braeburn
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 15:00
Born in New York City as a
closeted kid, Alexis is forced to follow his family to... rural Germany.
Ugh. Diva down. Discovering women online is his only salvation: Céline,
Whitney, Mariah, Beyoncé... you name 'em, he got 'em. They are his MOTHERS
and he is OBSESSED. With 10 original songs, sung and played live on
keyboard, Alexis shares the queer joy he discovered in stanning, while
also confronting the hardships (somehow being obsessed with women makes
you... gay?! Wow...) Does this queer Bo Burnham have what it takes to
be... a lil gay diva?!
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Blether
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 11, 18 AUG) - 15:00
The power to judge
comedians in the competition that sells out in London every week! Gag Race
is unlike any other comedy competition. The comedians perform their best
material for you and afterwards, from our app on your phone, you score
them out of five for their Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent. Our
super computer tallies up all the scores and then we crown the winner of
Gag Race based on your scores! Everyone wants the crown but who will win –
literally you decide. From The Queer Comedy Club. 'An institution'
(Guardian). 'Outrageously funny... inspirational' (Attitude Magazine).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Coorie
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 15:00
In a deserted circus, drama,
humour, music and songs tell the true story of actress Tilly Wedekind and
her controlling, famous husband, Frank Wedekind (Spring Awakening). When
Frank robs Tilly of her acting roles, he reduces her to a Nobody.
Broken-hearted, she attempts suicide. Following her recovery, she reclaims
her career, discovers her voice and writes her own story, so Tilly No-Body
became a Somebody. This internationally acclaimed, magical, tour-de-force
performance about love and identity asks: Why do we stay in relationships
long after they've turned toxic? How can we take back our stories after
we've been silenced?
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Bramley
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 12, 19 AUG) - 15:00
r/Conspiracy is a play for
messy girls, hungry sleuths, and the chronically online. Alex tumbles
headfirst into the rabbit hole when she spots a Reddit thread documenting
a man with a machete roaming her local park. But the harder she digs, the
deeper she falls... A timely reminder of the flaws of the internet, and a
virtual mystery romp for 20-somethings with too much time on their hands,
and the weight of the world on their shoulders, r/Conspiracy is written
and performed by Ella Hällgren, and directed by Emma Ruse.
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Ruby
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 12 AUG) - 15:30
Pinch Punch are back to welcome
you aboard Locomotive for Murder, an improvised comedy murder-mystery
where killing the cast and cracking the case is in your hands. Expect
outrageous accents and shaky alibis! Four characters board a train but not
everyone will survive. Thankfully, a world-famous detective is ready to
solve the case. But who is the murderer? Only one person knows: the
murderer themselves. Using audience suggestions and stories, Pinch Punch
create a never-to-be-repeated whodunnit. If you love comedy or murder
mysteries then this is the show for you!
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Big Yin
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 12 AUG) - 15:40
A grizzled New York detective
embarks on his final, most deadly and most ridiculous case yet. Who did
the whodunnit?! Best Show nominee: Leicester Comedy Festival 2025.
Finalist: Leicester Square Theatre Sketch-Off! 2025. Semi-finalist:
Musical Comedy Awards 2025. 'Christian Dart is one to watch!' (Tim Vine).
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Pip
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 5, 12, 19 AUG) - 15:40
Stoners. Lazy,
irresponsible, paranoid wasters. Or are they? Perhaps deep inside the
stoner flats of Scotland three men have the answers to life's greatest
questions. Perhaps in this church of debauchery lies something more holy
and transcendent than you can possibly imagine. Perhaps the truth of the
corruption of our society is only one psychedelic away from being in your
fingertips. They are out to get us. They control every aspect of our
existence. They are coming for us one by one. Who are they? Come inside
and see the truth...
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Nip
30 JUL - 24 AUG - 15:40
Mary Kennedy, yes one of those Kennedys,
third cousins twice removed; all of the tragedy, none of the money. No
Irish Catholic story is complete without a mention of a good Irish
funeral! Join Mary as she lays her mother to rest. Through her mother's
dying, Mary learned how to live. Hail Mary, None of the Grace is a
rollercoaster of awakenings for Kennedy, which has created the woman she
is today.
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Eve
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 15:40
From the Greeks to Tibetans,
the French, to Africans fighting for independence, revolutions have been
part of the human race from time immemorial. For as long as there's been
injustice, oppression, elitism and feudalism, people have always found
innovative ways to force those in authority to listen to their cause.
Njambi McGrath returns to Edinburgh with a satirical look at notable
revolutions, both current and historical.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
The Penny
30 JUL - 24 AUG - 15:40
Hands up who loves freedom! Chastity Quirke
is White House receptionist, ex-Chapter President of Kappa Gamma Zeta, and
a proud Republican. She is proud to serve her close personal friend, the
President of the United States. Determined to prove her loyalty by any
means necessary, she's not letting the icky democrats, her ex-boyfriend,
or socialism stand in her way. But when this all-American girl next door
is forced to choose between the power of female friendship and proving
herself as the ultimate guys' girl, she's horrified to discover she might
be a feminist.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Snug
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 6, 13, 20 AUG) - 16:00
Recent anthropology
graduate and feisty redhead Joanie Little is stuck working as a barista,
studying the 'creatures' (customers) as if she were Jane Goodall,
bushwhacking through the jungle to study chimpanzees! In her 'coffeeshop
jungle,' hilarity ensues, with jazzy tunes, co-worker showdowns and maybe
even romance! 'Solo performance at its best… rolling out a cast of
characters like a wild kingdom field guide! I dare you not to fall in love
with Joanie' (LifeWithMoreCowbell.com). As seen on TV. BroadwayWorld.com –
Best Musical 2014. Edinburgh Fringe Sell-Out 2015 and in 38 cities
worldwide! ***** (CBC).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Doonstairs
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 11, 12 AUG) - 16:00
From the Edinburgh Festival
Fringe to stages across the USA and UK, PENMAN, The Imaginator, takes you
on a mind-bending journey beyond your subconscious limits to reveal the
remarkable story of YOU: A modern mentalist with the energy of a hip-hop
artist, Fraser Penman fuses hypnotism, comedy and audience participation
with a high-energy soundtrack of summer anthems. Expect laughter,
jaw-dropping moments and a fresh take on mentalism that inspires and
astonishes. Unleash your hidden superpowers, rethink what's possible and
experience the magic of YOU. Book now – before your mind changes!
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
McIntosh
30 JUL - 17 AUG (NOT 6 AUG) - 16:15
One man. Ten ironing boards. One
epic soundtrack. Prepare to be amazed as physical comedian Jody Kamali
skillfully transforms these everyday household items into the tools of a
Hollywood-style, action-packed romance. With heart-pounding moments and
emotional depth, the packed-out run at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe earned
standing ovations. There's gunfire, there's a wedding, there's more
gunfire and there's revenge – plus plenty of laughter along the way.
'Exuberantly, unapologetically mindless... it's too funny' (Guardian). 'An
astonishing tour de force' (DarkChat.co.uk). 'More laughs than a laundry
room full of nitrous oxide and easily amused hyenas' (GetYourCoatsOn.com).
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Braeburn
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 11, 18 AUG) - 16:20
With his crowd-work videos
generating more than 2.5 million views online, David has honed a special
talent for being mean – but where does it come from? And why? Is it who he
really is? His friends keep telling him he's mean and it doesn't bother
him until one day, some guy says he should be nicer – and that's got David
thinking... 'Outrageously funny' (Attitude). 'A true masterclass in crowd
work' (NorthWestEnd.com). 'Gloriously filthy' (BroadwayBaby,com). 'Pitch
perfect' (Skinny).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Coorie
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 12 AUG) - 16:20
Some Fringe shows will take you
on a deeply personal, sometimes traumatic journey. And whilst they're
great, that's just not me. Me! That's what this show is about. No trauma,
no ADHD, and my parents are still together. Join me for a hilarious hour
of stand-up, packed with razor-sharp punchlines, cheeky stories, and a
mischievous edge. Soz babe, it's not that deep. 'Immaculate delivery,
unfussy and earthy... an assuredness that feels destined for big theatre
tours' (Comedy.co.uk). 'Her comedy is incredibly good' ****½
(One4Review.co.uk).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Blether
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 12, 19 AUG) - 16:20
What happens when the thing
you wished for your whole life turns out to be your worst nightmare? Eris
wants a baby. Atlanta doesn't. They're best friends with very different
views of motherhood. Eris sees it as a chance to create a better version
of herself. Atlanta sees it as the opposite, an end to her freedom. As
similar as they are different, their friendship is stretched when Eris
finds herself pregnant. The debut play by Amelia Rodger about a woman's
right to choose, coercive relationships and female friendship.
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Ruby
30 JUL - 24 AUG - 16:30
Back at the Fringe with an electrifying,
one-of-a-kind spectacle of slick, mind-bending magic, laugh-out-loud
comedy, cutting-edge video production and astonishing illusions – magic
like you've never seen before! Top family entertainment! 'Prepare to be
spellbound' (StageWhispers.com.au), as Martin Brock delivers 'glamorous
and polished work' (Penn & Teller), all created from scratch, with the
finale alone taking seven years to perfect! 'His original stuff is
wonderful and brilliantly magical' ****½ (GlamAdelaide.com.au). Guaranteed
the most thrilling magic you'll experience this festival! 'One of the best
Fringe shows I have seen. Go see it!' ****½ (FringeFeed.com.au).
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Bramley
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 17:00
Alana Jackson, winner of So You
Think You're Funny? 2024 brings her debut show to the Edinburgh Fringe.
Tales of being from Glasgow, moving to London, going to drama school and
working/drinking in pubs, Alana tells all, bringing to life the characters
she's met along the way. Her winning set at So You Think You're Funny? was
described by Chortle as 'relatable and witty, told with impact and flair'.
Fest praised how she 'delivered with an amiability reminiscent of a good
friend down the pub'.
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Pip
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 13 AUG) - 17:00
Hyp Me Baby One More Time! The
unmissable smash-hit comedy hypnotist is back with a 90s party hypnoshow!
Multiple sell-out Fringe runs, 150 million+ views online. Enjoy from stage
or audience – you choose. All-ages friendly. 'The laughter is
uncontrollable!' ***** (FringeFeed.com.au). 'Funfilled show!' *****
(One4Review.co.uk). 'Laugh until your sides hurt!' *****
(WeekendNotes.com). 'Rollicking good time' ***** (SeeDoEatReview.com).
'Spectacular silliness! Absolute feelgood must-see show' ****½
(XPressMag.com.au). Hypnotist Matt Hale is a multi-award winner, seen on
Best Shows, Top 10s and Picks of the Fringe.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Big Yin
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 8 AUG) - 17:00
Diving headfirst into the chaos
of his early 30s, Michael Welch is back with a bold new hour – no edits,
no filters, and definitely no luck. 'I am certain this comedian is
destined for a Netflix special' ***** (Entertainment-Now.com). 'He's
unafraid of pushing his jokes further than many of his contemporaries
would dare' ***** (List). 'Welch does what a lot of theatre-goers are
after: he helps them find themselves in his own story' (Seagull.news).
'Attracts considerable laughs... and has an impulse to push boundaries'
(Scotsman).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
The Penny
30 JUL - 25 AUG - 17:00
2024's Best Newcomer and Malcolm Hardee
Award nominee returns, let's see what happens now. (It's sort of about
Charlatans, voices and a Rasputin book that, as it stands, I haven't
read.) 'A masterclass in ripping up the comedic rulebook and thriving in
an environment of total comic chaos' (Entertainment-Now.com).
'Deconstructer of the form, helping you see conventional stand-up's
limitations' (Fest). 'Unique..pushing at the edges of what stand-up can be
defined as.. is this where the cult begins?' (Chortle.co.uk). 'Transcends
mere jokes... go see' (Scotsman). ***** (MervsPOTFringe.com). ****
(BeyondTheJoke.co.uk).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Snug
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 7, 21 AUG) - 17:00
What if you were sat next to
the love of your life and just didn't know it? Stuck beside each other at
a dinner party year after year. Some would call it fate, Mavis and David
call it a nightmare. She's keen. He's terrified. Together, they're
trapped. Forced proximity breeds love… and contempt. Think One Day meets
Sliding Doors, with a dash of Julia Davis' Nighty Night. A fresh twist on
the classic romcom. Seating Plan is a poignant exploration of fate,
loneliness and the invisible ties that bind us – even when we're too
stubborn to notice.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Nip
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 13 AUG) - 17:30
Michelle Collins makes her
Edinburgh Fringe debut in Motorhome Marilyn, a dark comedy by Ben
Weatherill. The play follows Denise, an aspiring actress with an obsessive
relationship with Marilyn Monroe, hoping to live up to the icon's fame and
beauty. In the 1980s, she heads to Hollywood, but as her dreams falter,
she is forced to confront the painful truth of unfulfilled aspirations.
Inspired by Michelle's real-life encounter with a woman known as Motorhome
Marilyn, the play reveals the toll of living in the shadow of an icon,
exploring failure, aging, and the heartbreaking cost of unattained dreams.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Doonstairs
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 14 AUG) - 17:40
From The Daily Show's Lily
Blumkin comes a hilarious solo show about growing up and getting worse.
When packing up her childhood bedroom, Lily introduces us to nine zany
characters like a well-meaning dad, a self-indulgent rabbi, and an
inanimate clump of hair. After sold out performances in New York, Nice Try
comes to Fringe with an honest look at how we use the past to make sense
of our present.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Blether
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 5 AUG) - 17:45
After complete sell-outs in 2023
and 2024, Insane Magic (Cameron Gibson, Elliot Bibby and Luke Osey) return
with their biggest show yet! Fresh from a smash-hit run at the Adelaide
Fringe, the trio bring a brand-new hour of mind-blowing magic, with some
fan-favourite classics sprinkled into the mix. Witness 'three of the best
magicians in the country' (EdinburghLive.co.uk), in a show that's 'so
insanely good' (WorldMagicReview.com), it has to be seen to be believed!
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Orchard
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 13 AUG) - 17:45
69 sketches in an hour! The
UK's fastest sketch show returns for its sixth year, featuring new
sketches for 2025. 'Non-stop laughs. A wee masterpiece' *****
(TheMumble.uk). 'An excellent comedy show **** (BroadwayBaby.com).
Featuring DazzReviews, as seen on YouTube. Whether a slapstick routine
told through beatboxing or the typo-based secrets of Area 52, you'll never
know what's next! This is the speed of the internet on a stage. 'Most
reliable sketch-group in the game' **** (EdFringeReview.com). 'The
hit-rate of their sketches is high' (List).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Dram
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 10, 24 AUG) - 18:00
Join Astronaut Indra on a
nine-month mission to the moon... but not all missions are successful. A
new autobiographical solo show by Indra Wilson about the lonely, turbulent
journey of experiencing pregnancy loss as a queer young person. A black
hole forms when a star dies, explodes into tiny little pieces until it
returns back to the dust it once was – as if it never even existed in the
first place. With dynamic sound and projections, be immersed in this
unique, heartfelt and hopeful debut. Produced by award-winning feminist
company, F-Bomb Theatre (Fringe First, Sit-Up Award).
MadeInScotlandShowcase.com
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Other Yin
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 18:00
Calling all Dungeons & Dragons
fans! The Tartan Tabletop gang are back after their second sold-out run at
the Edinburgh Fringe. Get ready for improvised comedy at the roll of a
dice as our four heroes blunder their way through an adventure like no
other – aided by the weird and wonderful Noblin the Goblin, played by a
different guest star comedian every night! Whether you're a seasoned
player or new to the world of tabletop gaming, this show was made for you.
Roll for initiative!
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Bramley
30 JUL - 17 AUG - 18:20
The king is dead! There are three candidates
to succeed him – they can only ascend the throne with support of the local
lords and ladies (the audience)! Join the Bad Clowns and shape the future
of the entire kingdom! Leicester Comedy Award nominees 2024. *****
(LondonTheatre1.com). ***** (WestEndBestFriend.co.uk). **** (Daily
Express). **** (BroadwayBaby.com). **** (ThreeWeeks). ****
(BroadwayWorld.com). **** (EdFringeReview.com). **** (TheWeeReview.com).
**** (One4Review.co.uk). **** (CultureVulture.net).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Nip
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 11, 18 AUG) - 18:20
A hilarious dissection of
Black media tropes with satirical sketches, comedic songs and recognisable
characters. The Oprah of comedy, Colette Gregory deconstructs sexuality,
religion and everything from Black conservatives to Love is Blind
contestants. The result is an unforgettable evening of belly laughs,
knowing head nods and songs you'll be singing in the shower. Awarded
Favourite Sketch or Variety Performance by a Group or Individual at the
2024 Pack Hollywood Festival, Black Best Friend will leave you thinking
about what it is to be a token Black face in a predominantly white space.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Snug
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 18 AUG) - 18:20
Is Sophia performing stand-up
comedy or are we just witnessing an acute psychotic episode? Either way,
once she's getting attention, she doesn't care. Come and watch a
charmingly lewd, self deprecating and 'delulu' grown woman who insists on
dressing like a princess as she explores her experiences with men,
Irishness, body image, feminism, unexpected motherhood and the cruel and
vulgar reality of being in a human body, all tinged with a nihilistic and
self-destructive dread that underpins her every thought. Finalist, So You
Think You're Funny 2024.
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Eve
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 18:30
Sex, drugs and coercive
control... Jackie!!! is a new musical comedy that follows the young
Jacqueline Bouvier as she dreams of becoming the first American Royal.
After marrying into the illustrious Kennedy dynasty, Jackie discovers that
power and notoriety come with the price of secrecy and silence. With Joe
Kennedy pulling the strings, Jackie's sister Lee pulling away and JFK
pulling anything that moves, Jackie is left alone to contemplate if life
atop the American throne is really worth the familial curse that seemingly
hangs over it.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Big Yin
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 13 AUG) - 18:40
John Binjuice lived a quiet
life, until everyone in his town suddenly transformed into terrifying
beasts. With horns. Big, scary horns. John has, so far, resisted the horn.
How long can his humanity last? A riotous solo clown show from Jacob
Aldcroft – 'He has funny legs' (Philippe Gaulier) – watch as John attempts
to save all humanity through lots of shouting, running and jumping, song,
dance and stunning amounts of vodka. Prepare to laugh (a lot), cry (a bit)
and pee (your pants).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Bothie
30 JUL - 8 AUG - 19:00
Celebrate Gilded Balloon's 40th anniversary
with award-winning comedian Juliette Burton. Get in the party spirit with
this Gilded gal, as she brings the best bits from her multiple sold-out
Edinburgh Fringe shows. Cram over a decade of fringe into one jubilant
hour of life-affirming hilarity with heart. Join in the joy of Juliette.
As seen on BBC One and ITV. 'Seriously funny' ***** (Mirror).
'Educational, hilarious' ***** (EdFestMag.com). *****
(StarburstMagazine.com). ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). ***** (VoiceMag.uk).
***** (FemaleArts.com). ***** (LoveFringe.com). ***** (Daily Record). ****
(Sunday Express). 'Fringe Favourite' (Guardian). 'Fringe legend'
(FringeReview.co.uk). 'Refreshingly revealing' (Comedy.co.uk).
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Ruby
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 11, 18 AUG) - 19:00
An exciting crowd-work show
where the audience decide who gets married today, by the end of the show!
You have the power, using our app, to decide who is getting married! Our
comedians will find out what the audience is really like while you get to
decide who makes the perfect pairing and decide who is going to get
Married at Fringe (first) Sight! From the team that The Guardian called
'an institution' and Attitude Magazine called 'hilariously funny...
inspirational'. 'A true masterclass in crowd work' (NorthWestEnd.co.uk).
Don't forget your hat!
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Coorie
30 JUL - 12 AUG (NOT 7 AUG) - 19:00
Female-led and female-produced,
PALS is a Scottish adventure-comedy play telling the story of four, crude,
chaotic yet completely normal gal pals as they embark on a camping trek in
the west of Scotland. In a bid to escape their lives, have a riotous time
and avoid several mental breakdowns, these "Perfectly Average Lassies of
Scotland" are completely out of their depths, in more ways than one. PALS
premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe 2024 and was long-listed for the Binge
Fringe Queer Performers Award and deemed as 'the sort of show we've been
waiting for' (CorrBlimey.co.uk).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Doonstairs
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 12, 19 AUG) - 19:15
The best songs from the
worst musicals ever written! The neon lights aren't always bright on
Broadway, and for every hit there are 50 flops. Rising Australian star
Arthur Hull's acclaimed solo show sets out to prove that every musical can
be proud of at least one song. Winner of the 2025 Adelaide Fringe Best
Emerging Artist Award. 'Hull is a force of nature. An absolute joy!' *****
(List). 'Unforgettable and hilarious, a wonderful concept with clever
delivery and genuine heart' ***** (SeeDoEatReview.com). 'A superstar in
the making' ***** (OnYourMarkus.au).
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Braeburn
30 JUL - 10 AUG - 19:15
Samia Rida's one-woman show is a
comedy/drama based on the true story of her kidnap to Saudi as a child. It
explores multiculturalism, disability, Saudi, mental health and how kidnap
can involve a swimming pool. Supported by the charity Sibs. Supported by
the BBC Comedy Collective and Funny Women. It's been on at Riverside
Studios, The Tabard, The Museum of Comedy and the White Bear. Optioned for
TV adaptation by Fulwell 73. Directed by Gareth Edwards – BBC producer
(That Mitchell and Webb Look, Upstart Crow and Spaced). Producer Gina
Lyons – A BAFTA Elevate producer.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Dram
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 19:30
Kim Blythe is a cowboy – not
the rugged, western kind but more like a questionable tradesman. Unsure
and thriving after selling out the Glasgow International Comedy Festival,
Kim brings her second show Cowboy to the Fringe as she tries to make sense
of it all. If you feel like you're constantly winging it through life,
then Cowboy is the show for you! If you don't feel like that, it's still a
great show I promise.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Other Yin
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 13 AUG) - 19:30
A boy in school set my destiny
with nine words, I'm gonna ask him why. Another hilarious and
heartbreaking show from 'one of Australia's finest storytellers' *****
(GlamAdelaide.com.au). Brasier takes aim at the idea of criticism in this
ode to the drama teacher that made her and the kid who said something mean
at school. She's tracking down her critics to ask them why they said what
they said. A show for the theatre kids, the freaks, the queers; for anyone
who's spiralled about something they did years ago.
Gilded Balloon at the Museum
Auditorium
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 11, 18 AUG) - 19:40
If you've ever experienced
loss, then this show was made for you. Brendan Tran, a Bob Curry Fellow
from the world-renowned Second City comedy troupe in Chicago, pays tribute
to his recently passed dad with this comedy special. A stand-up story of
grief, the healthcare system and the hope that talking (and joking) about
the death of a loved one can possibly help with healing. Only time will
tell. 'Tremendous. So funny and touching, and relatable' (John Hartman
from CBS's Ghosts).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
The Penny
30 JUL - 25 AUG - 19:40
Christopher Donovan and Laurie Brewster
present a split hour of stand-up as they try to rebrand themselves as the
bad boys of comedy. Christopher brings anecdotal comedy, rich in detail
and delivered with panache that earned him second place in So You Think
You're Funny? 2023. 'Has a flair with words' (Chortle.co.uk). Laurie
brings a dry, surreal brand of humour that saw him make it to the final of
So You Think You're Funny? 2024. 'Proper jokes, coloured by
self-deprecation' (Chortle.co.uk).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Snug
30 JUL - 17 AUG - 19:40
An improvised choose-your-own adventure,
featuring actors, a cute robot host and AI, where the audience controls
the show! By award-winning Improbotics who created Artificial Intelligence
Improvisation. 'Like Whose Line Is It Anyway? mixed with I, Robot'
(BrightonAndHoveNews.org). ***** (TheatreAndTonic.co.uk). ****
(Everything-Theatre.co.uk) 'Groundbreaking work with superb moments of
comedy that poses serious philosophical questions' (FringeReview.co.uk).
Most Innovative Show Award (ParisFringe.org, 2020). ****(BingeFringe.com).
***** (ThePhoenixRemix.com). **** (FringeTheatre.ca) 'I will stick with
artificial stupidity' (Colin Mochrie). Featured in the New York Times,
Financial Times, New Scientist, Time, Sky News and BBC.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Nip
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 12, 19 AUG) - 20:00
The biggest girl group of
the noughties reunite for the first time since their scandalous split. The
quartet's meteoric rise saw them transform from innocent pop-princess
underdogs to glamourous big-budget divas... before it fell spectacularly
apart. Girl Pop! are finally ready to tell all. Were Hazel and Arabella
secretly in love? Did Ruby and Zoe's feud end in a fistfight? Did Girl
Pop! really murder a paparazzi photographer? The promise of a nostalgic
celebration of girl power is threatened by egos, catfights and spotlights.
Rumours are put to rest through a showstopping spectacle bursting with
iconic pop bangers!
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Big Yin
30 JUL - 25 AUG - 20:00
Saaniya Abbas takes audiences on her most
personal and side-splitting journey yet in Hellarious. With sharp insights
and her signature feline mischief, Saaniya dives into the cultural taboos
of divorce, the absurdity of internet fame, and her playful take on the
concept of hell itself. She reminds us that life isn't about always
landing on your feet – it's about laughing when you don't. Tracing her
evolution from a sheltered upbringing in a Muslim family to carving out
her own path, Hellarious is a bold celebration of resilience, defiance,
and self-discovery.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Bothie
30 JUL - 25 AUG - 20:20
You will learn nothing at this show.
Comedian Mark Forward returns to the Fringe for the 3rd time with his
ridiculously silly show Safari Time. Mark has done John Oliver's New York
Stand-Up Show (Comedy Central), The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
(CBS), Funny As Hell (HBO) and Just For Laughs. TV work includes Hulu
comedy series Letterkenny, Donny Mashman on Fargo (FX) and The Jon Dore
Television Show. Mark has two specials: Mark Forward presents Mark Forward
and Mark Forward Wins All the Awards.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Coorie
30 JUL - 25 AUG - 20:45
An unmissable line-up of fresh talent
starring Bert Broadbent, Fab Goualin, and Ciara O'Connor – finalists from
the UK's biggest new comedy competition! See the best emerging comedians
before they become household names. Previous winners and finalists from
the competition include: Aisling Bea, Tommy Tiernan, Maisie Adam, Peter
Kay, Lee Mack, Fern Brady, Rob Beckett, Romesh Ranganathan, Sara Pascoe,
Daniel Sloss and many more. 'Showcasing the stand-up stars of the future'
(Comedy.co.uk).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Dram
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 21:00
A story of growing up on a punk
rock-fuelled journey. A unique comedian, Sib blends stand-up and
storytelling like no one else, sharing raw, relatable tales from the 1980s
suburbs to stages with Metallica, The Ramones and Social Distortion.
Growing up in California, Sib saw punk rock explode into the suburbs,
shaping his life. From fronting Wax and 22 Jacks to co-founding
SideOneDummy Records. This unforgettable show is personal and raw. An
inspiring journey. 'Joe Sib's show is a cross between theatre, memoir and
a loogie in the eye' (LA Times).
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Pip
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 12 AUG) - 21:00
Molly and Mariah are two of the
biggest names on the newcomer circuit, and also the biggest c*nts. A
feisty, fierce and filthy look inside the mind of two outstandingly toxic
ladies.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Snug
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 21:00
Cancel culture is fast
approaching. What can/can't you say? What is there left to say? And
everything in between. Stand-up comedy, in a sit-down world! 'Monahan is
somewhat of a legend in Fringe terms.. A loveable, likeable comic.... he
loves to entertain and make his audience laugh. And he always succeeds'
****½ (One4Review.co.uk, Edinburgh Fringe 2024). 'Patrick Monahan is a
great comic' **** (BroadwayBaby.com). 'Definite must see!' **** (Edinburgh
Festivals Magazine). 'Hilarious without being outrageous' *****
(ThreeWeeks).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Nip
13 & 20 Aug (16:00), 13 - 18 Aug (19:00)
Never judge a book by
its cover. Not many people know this, but that sentence is an idiom and
not really about books. It literally means – never judge a person by their
face. You might think Shamik's face belongs to a sensible, practical man.
You'd be wrong. He's not the responsible older sibling. He's not good at
chess. He's not a nerd. At least, not in a useful way. Despite Appearances
is an effort to put things right and break away from shallow, face-driven
stereotypes. But you should just watch it for a laugh.
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Eve
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 12, 19 AUG) - 21:30
Living your true self is
nearly a crime again, so join the OGs of F*ck You Counterculture for a
night of radical joy and glitter-encrusted anarchy. A fever dream of
gender-bending hippies, freaks and drag queens, led by flowers-in-guns
radical Hibiscus and disco diva Sylvester, The Cockettes took San
Francisco by storm in 1969. But when they tried to take their
acid-fuelled, avant-garde act mainstream in NYC, it all went horribly
wrong. A new musical exploding with on-your-feet numbers and in-your-face
hilarity, demolishing the lines between art and showbiz, politics and
performance.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Big Yin
30 JUL - 24 AUG - 22:00
The audience is trapped in a retro video
game with a sadistic, end-of-level boss. Escape and win £1000 or be
brutally murdered by the rest of the crowd! Will you: A) Find the light
switch? B) Go north? C) Abandon hope? New deathtraps for 2025! 'A Rocky
Horror for nerds... reader, I howled' **** (Telegraph). 'Not to be missed'
(Guardian). 'Irresistibly dangerous' **** (Stage). Winner: Chortle Award.
Nominated: Best Comedy, FringeWorld 2023. Runner-up: Best Comedy, NextUp
2022. As seen at Glastonbury, PAX, Blue Dot and MCM Comic Con.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Doonstairs
30 JUL - 15 AUG - 22:00
It's been 84 years… or 26, since April 1999,
when six-year-old Alice was finally allowed to watch James Cameron's
classic, Titanic, on VHS. Presenting a one-woman parody re-enactment of
Titanic in which Alice plays all the parts and the scenes are selected at
random (but with the same emotional gravitas, she swears). In this show
about how childhood obsessions shape who we are as adults, nostalgia for
aging '90s media, and claims of boats too big to sink, you'll laugh,
you'll cry, your heart will go on (even though Jack's does not!).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Dram
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 6, 12, 19 AUG) - 22:20
Britain's Got Talent
star Accordion Ryan will sing and play your favourite songs like you've
never heard them before! Adding in a few of his own hilarious tunes, this
show is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face! Join in and sing along
during this night of music, laughter and overall fun! 'Don't miss this
show' ***** (PerthHappenings.com.au). 'An all-singing, all-dancing PARTY'
****½ (TheQR.co.uk). 'Musical comedy gold' **** (List). 'You're funny, I
like you' (Simon Cowell). Winner: Overall Best Cabaret (Fringe World).
Winner: Weekly Best Cabaret (Adelaide Fringe).
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Eve
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 11, 18 AUG) - 22:20
A mixed bill line-up of the
best LGBTQ+ stand-up comedians from across the Fringe from the UK's first
LGBTQ+ stand-up comedy club, The Queer Comedy Club. Fresh from our two TV
series on OUTtv we're bringing you an incredible line-up of different
queer comedians every night, including TV comedians and rising stars. In
the past we've had Larry Dean, Sarah Keyworth, Kemah Bob, Felicity Ward
and more! You never know who you're going to see! ''Inspirational'
(Attitude). 'An institution of London's LGBTQ+ scene' (Guardian).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Nip
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 19 AUG) - 22:20
Microsoft Word's writing
assistant, Clippy, has seen the future – and it is bleak. Determined to
prevent the impending techno-dystopia brought about by Artificial
Intelligence, Clippy travels back in time to warn humanity in a thrilling
adventure through the internet. Will he succeed in stopping AI at its
source? There's only one way to find out... Douglas Widick (Time Out NY's
Top 10 Comedy Show: North Coast; Blank! The Musical; F#%king Up
Everything; and Anybody: An Improvised Historical Hip-Hopera) makes his UK
debut in this award winning one-person comedy musical. Winner: Best
Out-of-Town Show – Tucson Fringe.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
The Penny
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 12 AUG) - 22:40
Comedian Anaïs Gralpois Bridget
Jones' her way into talking about her move to London, having a slag era
and what it really means to be more than just that fit American in this
candid one-woman stand-up comedy show.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Bothie
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 11, 18 AUG) - 23:00
The absurd cabaret of
apocalyptic proportions. Comedy, circus and indie cosmic lunacy collide in
an ever-changing nightly riot of world-class weirdos, hellbent on healing
our planetary divide. Interactive, uplifting, subversive and bonkers.
Featuring Clown God, Mothman, Fart Monkey, Nerf Karaoke and outlandish
acts from across the Fringe, with a live-looped indie score morphing every
night. Broken Planet Show dares you to misbehave, laugh at our flaws and
dance through the chaos – uniting us in glorious imperfection. It's a
rowdy invitation to take life less seriously. Join the revolution of
ridiculousness. COME SAVE WORLD!
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Big Yin
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 11, 18 AUG) - 23:00
Comedians Elliot Weber
(Dead Dad) and Joshua Emerson (Dead Mom) want to make you laugh with jokes
about death and grief. Dead Man Talking is a stand-up comedy show about
the lighter side of death, interspliced with improvised eulogies from
crowd submissions. A person dies twice: once when their heart stops
beating and again when they are forgotten. Let us share a laugh together
about a loved one you miss. Special guests and surprises every show.
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Ruby
30 JUL - 25 AUG - 23:00
It's time to enter the flat pack
thunderdome! Two Fringe performers go head-to-head in the ultimate home
improvement indignity – building IKEA furniture. The challenge is simple:
build the piece of furniture before your opponent does. Is it a race? Yes!
Is it a game show? Also, yes! A plethora of chaotic sabotages are on hand
to ensure that the road to glory is paved with pitfalls! Build the
furniture. Survive the sabotages. Be crowned the Champion of Sweden!*
*title not officially recognised by the Swedish government. Let's build!
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Coorie
31 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 6 - 7, 11 - 12, 18 - 20 AUG) - 10:30
Doo doo
doo... Baby Shark's back with a globe-trotting mystery! Who nabbed the
Sphinx? Help Fiddlefox and Baby Shark crack the case in this interactive
musical adventure. Dance, sing, and play along as our dynamic duo swims
around the world with magical host, Eldar. Perfect for tiny detectives
aged 0-6. A fin-tastic show packed with music, magic and mayhem! Previous
Fringe sell-out – book early! 'Designed for kids, by kids, this
high-energy show keeps kids guessing and parents smiling' ****½
(Fringefeed, FringeWorld.com.au).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Other Yin
31 JUL - 8 AUG - 12:00
The UK's no 1 jive and swing band, renowned
for high-energy swinging sounds and spectacular stage show. Performed in
40+ countries. Played for the Queen. Worked with Van Morrison and John
Travolta. Starred at Royal Albert Hall, Buckingham Palace, Kennedy Center,
Glastonbury and voted Best Band at Boisdale Music Awards. Their
award-winning video, Bring Me Sunshine, has 3.8m views and is so uplifting
it's been prescribed by a doctor! The first live band to reach the final
rounds of Britain's Got Talent. 'Absolutely brilliant!' (Simon Cowell).
'Simply sensational' (Stage).
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Bramley
31 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 11, 12, 18, 19 AUG) - 12:00
Through everyday
conversation, hilarious comedy, and music-hall style songs, we learn from
four working-class women about their lives, husbands, technology and the
approaching New Year in this time capsule of Glasgow in the 1950s. The
show pays tribute to the unsung domestic labour of women, and the
importance of female friendships – both of which keep it relevant today –
along with the iconic comedy lines recited throughout Scotland. Laugh and
cry along with Tony Roper's loveable characters in this nostalgic show,
steeped in Scottish culture and social history, which continues to
entertain local audiences and tourists alike.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Big Yin
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 11, 12, 18, 19 AUG) - 16:00
Buckle up, folks.
After 23 years of holding it together, this teacher is finally off duty...
and off the rails. A classroom meltdown like no other – unhinged rants,
bad decisions, and a music lesson with more chaos than a school camp.
Expect mischievous puppets and brutally honest comedy from a burnt-out
teacher on the edge. If you've ever wanted to tell a helicopter parent to
zip it, this show is for you! Warning: Explicit language and the kind of
storytelling that makes a 4pm staff meeting almost tolerable.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Bothie
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 12, 18 AUG) - 17:40
Surprise-filled, punchline
dense comedy: Best Cult Ever is the show for the cult curious. Polygamy?
More like Polyga-WEEEE! Hold on to your name tags! Get on in here for the
silliest show written and performed by a former Mormon. A comedian
returning for her fourth Edinburgh Fringe, Leah Renee's past shows have
been described as: funny, daring and quite surprising in places with
laugh-out-loud moments of wryness, poignancy, shock and tenderness.
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Ruby
31 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 6, 13, 20 AUG) - 17:45
Award-winning musical
comedy revue revealing all about musicals and the people who love them –
on both sides of the curtain! Updated for 2025 with new songs. Lauded with
an unprecedented 50 five-star reviews for multiple sell-out Fringe and
London seasons. By Alexander S Bermange, directed and choreographed by
Aaron Renfree (The Masked Singer, Now That's What I Call A Musical).
'Flawless' ***** (BritishTheatre.com). 'Sharp satire... undiluted fun'
***** (BroadwayBaby.com). 'Delightful' ***** (BroadwayWorld.com).
'Hilarious... wonderfully witty!' ***** (EdinburghGuide.com). 'Crisp,
perfect, immaculate' ***** (MusicalTalk, podcast). 'Full of wit and
pastiche' ***** (TheArtsDesk.com).
Gilded Balloon at the Museum
Auditorium
31 JUL - 25 AUG - 23:00
The original late-night show returns with
stellar line-ups of your favourite acts from the festival, hosted by the
best MCs in the country, every single night of the Fringe. 'The best
late-night show on the Fringe' (Scotsman). 'A Fringe institution for a
reason' (TheRecs.co.uk). Previous acts include Johnny Vegas, Bill Bailey,
Rich Hall, Jason Byrne, Mawaan Rizwan, John Bishop, Larry Dean, Maisie
Adam, Reuben Kaye, Jordan Grey, Viggo Venn and just about every notable
name in comedy. Late'n'Live guarantees an unforgettable night of live
comedy and is an essential addition to any Fringe bucket list.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Other Yin
1 - 24 AUG (NOT 11, 12, 18, 19 AUG) - 10:20
Word's out on the Aussie
bush telegraph: Woody and his crazy friends are rolling out a cabaret
experience like no other! Sing, dance, and strum along in a wild musical
adventure reminiscent of a Year 3 campfire singalong or a school assembly
where the principal's only rule is to have fun. It's packed with silly
songs, chaotic comedy and Aussie critters galore. But kids, watch out for
Ralph the Tiger Snake in the dangerous part of the show! Woody's Bush
Cabaret from Down Under unites families in a heartfelt celebration of
music and imagination.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Dram
1 - 25 AUG - 15:00
Shakespeare hasn't written anything new for an
age, so we thought we would give him a hand... Using your audience
suggestions and our overactive imaginations, we create a brand-new
Shakespeare play live on stage, complete with live music, songs and plenty
of laughs. Join ShakeItUp for bard-based bedlam! 'Quick-witted,
inexhaustible and absolutely hysterical' *****
(LondonTheatreReviews.co.uk). 'Brilliantly bonkers! One of the best
improvised shows at the Fringe' ***** (WestEndBestFriend.co.uk).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Other Yin
1 - 17 AUG - 19:00
BAFTA award-winning star of Scot Squad, The
Chief, and Absolutely, returns to the Fringe after a 2024 sell-out run.
Favourite bits, classic bits, improvised bits and bits that aren't even
really bits but are, nonetheless, still bits. 'An incredible hour of
laughs' (Edinburgh Evening News). 'It's simply impossible not to love what
he does on stage' (Scotsman). 'Masterful, superlative' (Chortle.co.uk). 'A
hugely talented comic performer' (Sunday Times). 'Docherty's mighty
presence fills the room' (ThreeWeeks). 'A maverick genius' (Herald). *****
(Daily Business) **** (Guardian). **** (List). **** (Evening Standard).
**** (Skinny).
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
McIntosh
1 - 21 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 20:20
Who doesn't dream of it? Clean
cities, punctual trains, a functioning healthcare system – everyday life
in Switzerland, for many a world far away. Luckily, Michael Elsener, the
"Swiss John Oliver" and recent support act for Russell Howard, is here to
reveal the path to paradise – and where the Swiss heaven turns into hell.
The political scientist and queer artist delivers off-beat perspectives
and spot-on impressions, combining incisive analysis with razor-sharp
punchlines. Can his secret Swiss recipe save the world?
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Ruby
4 - 24 AUG - 13:40
A fun, fast-paced comedy show, made up entirely
on the spot from your suggestions! The Imps have been bringing critically
acclaimed improv performances and up-and-coming comedic talent to the
Fringe for over ten years. These high-energy shows come packed with Whose
Line Is It Anyway?-style games, brought to life by Oxford's wittiest
minds. Be prepared for improvised scenes, punning, raps, Shakespeare,
musicals and much more! Perfect for teens and families.
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Ruby
8 - 24 AUG (NOT 15 AUG) - 13:40
In 2014, the UK's first legalised
red-light district opened in the Holbeck area of Leeds. Sex workers in
Holbeck were able to operate with police supervision and without fear of
arrest between the hours of 8pm and 6am. This initiative was known as the
Managed Approach. Managed Approach is a powerful play that blends verbatim
interviews with sex workers and a fictional story about a mother and
daughter in Holbeck, Leeds. A 'joyous show' ***** (Varsity) that offers a
deeply human perspective on one of the UK's most controversial urban
policies.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Coorie
9 - 24 AUG - 12:00
Following her sold-out Fringe run and a smash-hit
tour, MP-turned-comedian Mhairi Black returns with some fresh material.
'Political catharsis at its absolute finest' (BroadwayBaby.com). 'Quick,
funny and brilliant' (ThreeWeeks). NextUp Biggest Award in Comedy nominee.
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Bramley
11 - 17 AUG - 11:30
James invented the idea of proper stand-up for
children in 2001. For the last ten years he has mainly been concentrating
on writing funny books and parenting his own children. Now he is bored of
that and returns to the world of festivals to reboot comedy for kids with
a face full of wrinkles and a reconstructed show that may include
exploding penguins, seventeen ways to eat jam and songs to sing to the
worms in your dog's bottom.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Doonstairs
11 - 25 AUG - 13:20
A character comic 'gearing up to conquer' (Dawn
French). In 2024, her WIP Attention Seeker was a ***** 'masterclass'
(GetYourCoatsOn.com) at the Edinburgh Fringe. This BAFTA Rocliffe
shortlist writer hosts the sell-out night Laugh Lines and is a Sketch Off
2025 finalist. Her debut solo hour, directed by Elf Lyons, takes you back
to when stories were for family, not viral views. Inspired by her own home
movies, Jess creates a universe of characters once meant for her living
room. Each vignette is a cinematic tribute to her dressing-up box.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Bothie
11 - 23 AUG (NOT 18 AUG) - 16:15
Fresh from their acclaimed
performances across the UK and on Broadway, Aquapella is back at the
Edinburgh Festival Fringe for their ninth consecutive year, ready to
captivate audiences once again. With breathtaking harmonies, unique
arrangements and boundless energy, this award-winning a cappella group
brings an electrifying mix of vocal music to the stage. Whether delivering
heart-wrenching ballads or upbeat pop anthems, their passion and precision
make for an unforgettable viewing experience. From moments of raw
vulnerability to pure exhilaration, Aquapella takes audiences on an
emotional journey like no other. 'Forget Pitch Perfect, Aquapella are the
real deal' (TheWeeReview.com).
Gilded Balloon at the Museum
Auditorium
11 - 24 AUG - 19:15
After touring the UK and Ireland last year with
his debut hour, Girl for All Seasons, Christopher is working on a new show
– a new show everyone, can you believe it, a new show! Right now, it's a
work in progress. I mean, in a lot of ways, aren't we all works in
progress? Think about it. He'll say things today that he's never said
before, and most likely will never say again, but you'll be there to
witness it, and that's kismet. Ooh, that's a great name for a show...
Write that down...
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Dram
13 Aug (16:00 & 19:00) 14- 18 Aug (19:00) 20 Aug (16:00)
The
search for comedy's next big star continues as contestants battle for a
place in the Grand Final of the UK's biggest newcomer competition!
Following months of regional showcases across the UK and Ireland, see the
future faces of comedy before they make it big! 'Showcasing the stand-up
stars of the future' (Comedy.co.uk). Previous winners and finalists from
the competition include Aisling Bea, Tommy Tiernan, Maisie Adam, Peter
Kay, Lee Mack, Fern Brady, Rob Beckett, Romesh Ranganathan, Sara Pascoe,
Daniel Sloss and more.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Doonstairs
13 - 25 AUG - 20:20
'It's real, it's raw, it's hilarious'
(Scotsman). Featured on BBC Scotland. It's Love Island meets Whose Line Is
It Anyway. Two singles are blindfolded. Will it be love at first sight or
a slow-motion car crash? One blind date. Four comics. Unscripted,
unhinged, unforgettable. 'A jackpot for people watchers' (USAToday.com).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Blether
13 - 25 AUG - 22:20
Beth and Rhoni are dead. Joking! They're 30. But
please don't mention it. Friends since they hopped off the train at
Liverpool Lime Street with a dream and a side fringe, they've seen each
other through every ill-informed fashion, relationship, and life choice.
Never ones to back down from theatricality, this stand-up split hour is a
nostalgic trip through 2015-2025 for anyone who is 30, has been 30, or
dreads turning 30 – complete with photographic evidence and confessions.
What better way to commemorate the moments that make them die with
embarrassment than a funeral?
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Snug
14 - 21 AUG - 21:00
Through powerful original music and spoken word,
a folk-rock band retells Mary Queen of Scots' story. The bold gig theatre
show searingly questions what Mary faced at the hands of men, offering a
mesmerising and riotous response. The hit show is back for 2025, following
acclaimed sold-out runs at the 2024 Fringe and the Traverse Theatre in
December. 'Superbly anarchic' **** (Scotsman). 'A fifty-minute riot' ****
(Herald). 'A big night in a small room' **** (Stage). 'Stunning music and
beautiful storytelling come together impeccably' *****
(TheatreAndTonic.co.uk).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Other Yin
15 - 16 AUG - 23:30
Eight comedians pit their homemade
remote-control cars against one another in the world's smallest demolition
derby. The winner of each race takes one step closer to glory, the loser
has their car smashed with a baseball bat. The cult-hit show returns to
Gilded Balloon, hosted by Hudson Hughes and Imogen Truselle with live
music from Formula One Direction.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Doonstairs
16 - 19 AUG - 22:00
Paddy Daddy returns... Four nights only! Join
very busy, very famous international cabaret star Mark T Cox for a juicy
hour of comedy, filth and pop bangers, exploring the joys and horrors of
contemporary gay life in rural Ireland. Tales of school scandals, secret
affairs, and too many late-night kisses in a Ford Fiesta. With original
music and pop icons – J Lo, Kylie, and of course, The Corrs. One for the
gays, the girlies, and your newly woke Irish Mammy. 'Gloriously camp
cabaret' **** (Irish Times).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Dram
18 - 24 AUG - 13:15
Fred MacAulay, one of Scotland's best-loved
stand-ups, is back with his live chat show. Joining Fred each day will be
stars from the worlds of sport, entertainment, business and politics – the
colourful characters he has encountered along the way in his illustrious
30-year career. 'I so enjoyed In Conversation last Fringe,' said Fred, 'it
was the perfect mix of guests and audience, who helped make each show
truly unique.' Featuring different guests every day, including returning
favourites from 2017-19. 'Brilliantly surreal comedy' (Scotsman). 'One of
the best comedians Britain has produced' (Richard Osman).
Gilded Balloon at the Museum
Auditorium
18 - 25 AUG - 18:20
Dark. Funny. Underfunded. And that's just Abby.
The criminal justice system is too. After thirty years practicing criminal
defence law, Shit Lawyer returns to give unsolicited advice to the
Government in its search for bold and innovative approaches to "speed up
justice" and "keep streets safe". Can her outrageous and unorthodox
suggestions reverse the crisis in our courts?
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Nip
18 - 25 AUG - 19:40
In the comedy world, where controversy is king,
when does the joke stop being funny? Rodney Black's career is booming,
thanks to a money-hungry manager and the seemingly impenetrable defence
that it's all 'just a joke!' But when a super-fan makes headlines,
Rodney's darkest joke becomes nothing to laugh about... Tackling cancel
culture, misogyny and what we find funny, 'it's difficult. It will grab
audiences, and it doesn't let go' **** (NorthWestEnd.co.uk). 'A big and
bold writer to watch' (Nick Blood, Marvel). Award-winning new writing,
with a flare for the provocative.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Nip
21 AUG - 19:30
Finalists battle it out to take the crown in the
climactic stage of the UK's most prestigious comedy newcomer competition!
Following months of regional showcases around the UK and Ireland, see
comedy's rising stars give their best performances in a bid to win So You
Think You're Funny? 2025. 'Showcasing the stand-up stars of the future'
(Comedy.co.uk). Previous winners and finalists from the competition
include Aisling Bea, Tommy Tiernan, Maisie Adam, Peter Kay, Lee Mack, Fern
Brady, Rob Beckett, Romesh Ranganathan, Sara Pascoe, Daniel Sloss and more.
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Orchard
30 JUL - 17 AUG (NOT 6, 11, 12 AUG) - 10:00
In an ultra-connected
world, Jo struggles against the omnipresence of Eve, the AI server. Eve
directs and controls Jo's every move and pushes him to consume more and
more. This wordless show is an invitation to reflect on the place of
nature and technology in our lives and the importance of preserving our
humanity. Presented in a playful and poetic way, this physical theatre
one-man show, combining humour and clowning, resonates particularly well
with our hyper-connected society. A unique, funny and touching theatrical
experience for all the family.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Doonstairs
30 JUL - 17 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 11:30
Tired of the state of our
waterways? So is adventure mermaid Lindsey Cole and she needs your help to
wave the big poo right outta her home so Otter can return. The Mermaid,
the Otter and the Big Poo is based on Lindsey's popular children's book
about her 60km swim adventure down the Bristol Avon with a big poo
sculpture, campaigning against sewage pollution. Expect songs, dance,
games, a splash of audience improv and a whole dump of fun.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Dram
30 JUL - 15 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 11:30
Absolutely Riddled is a fresh
and bold dive into the reality of living with cystic fibrosis (CF) – a
journey that's as phlegmy as it is funny. Yvonne shares her absurd story
from miracle meds to magazine spreads with a candour rarely found in
glossy publications. She's not just "another survivor"; she's a fearless
powerhouse embracing the parts of CF that others might shy away from
talking about – especially mucus! This stand-up show promises an
unapologetic, hilarious take on life, where Yvonne navigates her 50s,
transforming from someone barely surviving to fully thriving.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Snug
30 JUL - 17 AUG - 11:40
Hilarious, fast-paced science theatre for
the whole family with real robots, games and storytelling. Join the
ImproBots in a comically absurd attempt to train their feisty robot A.L.Ex
to be the funniest AI in the galaxy. Cutting-edge technology meets improv
comedy where kids big and small will delight in the silly world of
AI-powered humour and discovery. Will A.L.Ex become the ultimate comedy
machine, or will the ImproBots need help from their human friends? Expect
laughter, surprises and mind-expanding fun in this singular AI adventure.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Nip
30 JUL - 10 AUG - 11:45
You think science is boring, think again;
this is science like you have never seen it before. Designed for children
and adults alike, Mark's Spectacular Science Show explores the strange and
magical properties of matter with exploding elephant's toothpaste,
vortex-generating dustbins and even howling jelly babies! Awarded Best
Kid's Show at Edinburgh Fringe by The Derek Awards, this interactive show
promises to entertain and educate in the most spectacular way!
Gilded Balloon at the Museum
Auditorium
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 12, 19 AUG) - 13:00
The bets are laid. We're
off! Actor Andy Linden (Harry Potter, Count Arthur Strong, The Business,
Not Going Out) in a one-man play recounting the fluctuating fortunes of an
ageing horse-racing tipster adrift in the modern world of technology.
Baxter dreams of one day having a great win and bashing the bookies. But
let's face it, no one ever beats The Bookies. Do they? 'A masterclass of
thoroughbred character acting' ***** (GetYourCoatsOn.com). 'Mesmeric, the
hour passed in an instant, but stays in the memory much longer' ****
(NorthWestEnd.com).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Snug
30 JUL - 24 AUG - 13:00
Explores the relationship a young woman has
with her mother through the relationship she has with her grandmother. She
interconnects the history of their hands through generations with the help
of shadow and sound in this love letter through time. After collecting her
grandmother's stories, she began to dream up a way to share her
grandmother's life and to better understand her own maternal relationship.
Through the use of shadow puppetry, which has the ability to bend through
space and time, life and death, she found her grandmother's voice and her
own.
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Eve
30 JUL - 25 AUG - 13:00
Let Cambridge's best-loved improv troupe set
the stage ablaze with a smörgåsbord of hilarious scenes, wacky games and
silly capers all completely made up on the spot! In the style of Whose
Line Is It Anyway, and featuring guests such as The Cambridge Footlights,
The Cambridge Impronauts return for our 9th run at Fringe. Each show is
based on your suggestions. No two shows are ever the same! Don't hold
back, come let us entertain you with the perfect post-lunch digestif. No
script? No rehearsals? No problem.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
The Penny
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 14 AUG) - 13:00
Returning for our 10th year,
smash-hit production The Improv Musical is coming back to take the Fringe
by storm. Each show is a completely improvised, never-before-seen musical
based on the audience's suggestions! You choose the setting, characters
and title, then sit back and watch as our performers bring your
suggestions to life – complete with a live band playing totally improvised
music! So get your suggestions ready, and come along for an hour of
improvised fun for all ages where the show really is in your hands!
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Doonstairs
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 6, 12, 19 AUG) - 13:00
A New York Times
Critic's Pick! A marriage farce by Edward Einhorn about Stein and Toklas
in which four actors play over 30 characters. Identities are merged and
submerged. Their famous salon, with celebrity guests such as Hemingway,
Picasso and many others, is the setting for this comic fantasy with
serious intent. The lesbian and Jewish subtext of their lives is made
text, and the tragic implications of a relationship that existed in their
hearts, but could never be fully acknowledged, are explored. Critically
acclaimed in New York and London.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Dram
30 JUL - 12 AUG & 16 - 17 AUG - 13:15
So many comedians, so
little time! In this unmissable Fringe institution, 12 top comedy and
variety acts perform ridiculously short sets in one furiously fast-paced
showcase, hosted by the best MCs around – and suitable for all the family.
There's a different line-up every day, handpicked by Chortle's comedy
experts – check the website for daily listings. It's a gloriously
entertaining way to sample the festival in bite-sized chunks.
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Orchard
30 JUL - 17 AUG - 13:15
A journey through the minds that populate
the planet and may populate the universe beyond. An hour of joy and
curiosity with the presenter of the multi award-winning Infinite Monkey
Cage. Expect stories of chimpanzees and astronauts, of starlight and
falcons. We are the neurodiversity of the universe, a place of many minds
and many imaginations. This new show is a celebration of our possibilities
in a time when we've given too many platforms to the mean and the
bullying, let us elevate those who strive for beauty and camaraderie.
Gilded Balloon at the Museum
Auditorium
30 JUL - 10 AUG - 13:20
With her co-star unaccounted for, ever
positive Lizzy Sunshine carries a vaudevillian double act alone. This
show-within-a-show ends with a twist, revealing the farcical fate of
addiction's little sister. It's like Glee meets Baby Reindeer... but hot?
Your new favorite nightmare, Lizzy Sunshine features: musical numbers,
special effects and magic, characters, sermons and gags, bottomless props
and boundless energy, audience participation, and take-home rose-colored
glasses under your seat. After a sold-out run in NYC and tour of the US,
Liz Coin's Lizzy Sunshine makes its Fringe debut!
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Bothie
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 13:30
Beatboxing, spoken word and
hip-hop dance reimagine the true story of the night Californian policemen
shot dead nineteen-year-old Tyisha Miller as she lay unconscious in a car.
Tyisha's depiction of the innocent pleasures of her life and hopes for the
future, told with sweetness, humour and teenage insight contrast with the
violence of her death shown in an autopsy report recited by a
dispassionate coroner, describing each of her twelve bullet wounds in
clinical detail. This highly acclaimed, clear-eyed look at the
relationship between race, the body and violence has been performed across
the US and the world.
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Bramley
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 13 AUG) - 13:30
At the local cinema, all hell
breaks loose when the ushers misplace the DVDs of The Lord of the Rings
trilogy – every single copy! With only the soundtracks left in hand, the
team of hapless ushers must somehow create an entire three-film saga in
front of a live audience. Get ready for an uproarious show of comedy,
chaos, and utter nonsense, as they attempt to recreate the epic tale of
hobbits, elves, and orcs – without any visuals, any planning, or any clue
what they're doing.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Other Yin
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 14:00
What if life were a game? In a
world where billionaires race to colonise space, Trump coins give you
extra lives and making cows meditate saves the planet, it can be hard to
know if you're winning. Jo, Raff and Bobby are three gamers stuck in the
game of life. Jo's into crypto, Raff wants to save the planet and Bobby
just wants a quick win. Who has what it takes to Level Up?
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Big Yin
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 13 AUG) - 14:20
A laugh-out-loud slapstick
whodunnit featuring four actors, a dozen characters and a whole load of
chaos. When a priceless painting vanishes during a private auction,
Detective Stuart Pidcock is brought in to unravel the mystery. But when he
finds himself stumped, he must turn to an old adversary for help. The
unlikely duo must question the colourful array of suspects living at the
manor, all while trying to track down the cunning thief and solve the
crime of the century. 'Good clean fun' (TheReviewsHub.com).
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
McIntosh
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 14:20
Waiting for Texto is an
electrifying interactive comedy play that captures the raw, universal
experience of waiting for a response to your carefully crafted WhatsApp
message. Through humour and technology, it explores the frustration of not
getting a reply after an unforgettable night. Described as Bridget Jones
meets Baby Reindeer, the play offers a fresh, hilarious take on the trials
of modern dating, perfect for anyone who's struggled with love and texting
in the digital age. If men are such visual creatures, why can't they see
my texts?!
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Nip
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 12, 19 AUG) - 14:20
Gather round the campfire
for this funny and nostalgic play about love, loss and summer camp. Truly
doesn't remember her dad. Not really. Instead, she's collected songs,
objects and stories to build a picture of who he was. Join her as she
embarks on a journey to discover her father, and uncovers her childhood
self along the way. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll yearn for the early
2000s. Come see this story of fear and bravery that examines how we
remember those we've lost.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Snug
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 12, 19 AUG) - 14:20
A heartfelt and uplifting
one-man show about an Indian-Persian gay man navigating the complexities
of his identity. Born to immigrant parents, Cyrus takes audiences on an
intimate journey of self-discovery and acceptance. Through dynamic multi
media and the celebration of Madonna and Taylor Swift's music, he finds
his authentic voice and learns to embrace his cultural heritage and
sexuality. With sharp humor and raw vulnerability, Cyrus shares his story
of breaking free from expectations, risking authenticity, and ultimately
learning to live unapologetically in his truth, celebrating the universal
quest for belonging and self-love.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
The Penny
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 13 AUG) - 14:20
It's 1883. Three friends are
trying their best to navigate the chaos of their 20s. Marianne wants to be
taken seriously. Emma wants to find a husband. Hattie wants to get drunk.
When awful aristocrat Chester arrives in town, appearing to hold the keys
to all their dreams, they decide the only reasonable plan of attack is to
host a fake séance to trick him into helping them. What could possibly go
wrong? They're not making history. They are making a bit of a mess of
things.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Doonstairs
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 14:40
After spending her formative
years trying to be "not like other girls", Sarah Bradley is celebrating
all things feminine – from rosé to romance novels, horoscopes to hot
celebrities, inconvenient crushes to crying at inconvenient times.
Whatever your gender, you are warmly invited to leave shame, judgement and
societal expectations at the door, and come embrace the girly girl within.
'Hilarious... clever and brilliant' (SquirrelComedy.com).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Bothie
30 JUL - 4 AUG - 14:45
I Was On A Sitcom is a show about finding out
who you are when your TV show ends, and your real life begins. Because
when you've played a character on TV for a decade, what exactly does it
mean to be yourself? This show offers an intimate glimpse into a popular
sitcom actor's real, raw life. It's funny, vulnerable and disarmingly
casual – you will walk away feeling like you've made a new friend and
learned more about birthing twins than you ever did before.
Gilded Balloon at the Museum
Auditorium
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 12 AUG) - 14:45
A charmingly dark, whimsically
adult, joyously subversive, musical delight! Starring our titular
character, Potty! A singing, talking, tap dancing, potted plant. When
mysterious events begin to occur at Little Boo Boo's General Hospital, a
ragtag bunch of dysfunctional nurses must pull together to save the day.
What could be happening to all the missing children? Will the beautiful
Miss Lacey ever find true love? Is there more to the nasty-looking Dr
Acula than meets the eye? Potty The Plant is an hour of side-splitting,
earwormy, musical fun, that begs the audience to not take anything too
seriously.
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Braeburn
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 15:00
Born in New York City as a
closeted kid, Alexis is forced to follow his family to... rural Germany.
Ugh. Diva down. Discovering women online is his only salvation: Céline,
Whitney, Mariah, Beyoncé... you name 'em, he got 'em. They are his MOTHERS
and he is OBSESSED. With 10 original songs, sung and played live on
keyboard, Alexis shares the queer joy he discovered in stanning, while
also confronting the hardships (somehow being obsessed with women makes
you... gay?! Wow...) Does this queer Bo Burnham have what it takes to
be... a lil gay diva?!
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Blether
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 11, 18 AUG) - 15:00
The power to judge
comedians in the competition that sells out in London every week! Gag Race
is unlike any other comedy competition. The comedians perform their best
material for you and afterwards, from our app on your phone, you score
them out of five for their Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent. Our
super computer tallies up all the scores and then we crown the winner of
Gag Race based on your scores! Everyone wants the crown but who will win –
literally you decide. From The Queer Comedy Club. 'An institution'
(Guardian). 'Outrageously funny... inspirational' (Attitude Magazine).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Coorie
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 15:00
In a deserted circus, drama,
humour, music and songs tell the true story of actress Tilly Wedekind and
her controlling, famous husband, Frank Wedekind (Spring Awakening). When
Frank robs Tilly of her acting roles, he reduces her to a Nobody.
Broken-hearted, she attempts suicide. Following her recovery, she reclaims
her career, discovers her voice and writes her own story, so Tilly No-Body
became a Somebody. This internationally acclaimed, magical, tour-de-force
performance about love and identity asks: Why do we stay in relationships
long after they've turned toxic? How can we take back our stories after
we've been silenced?
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Bramley
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 12, 19 AUG) - 15:00
r/Conspiracy is a play for
messy girls, hungry sleuths, and the chronically online. Alex tumbles
headfirst into the rabbit hole when she spots a Reddit thread documenting
a man with a machete roaming her local park. But the harder she digs, the
deeper she falls... A timely reminder of the flaws of the internet, and a
virtual mystery romp for 20-somethings with too much time on their hands,
and the weight of the world on their shoulders, r/Conspiracy is written
and performed by Ella Hällgren, and directed by Emma Ruse.
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Ruby
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 12 AUG) - 15:30
Pinch Punch are back to welcome
you aboard Locomotive for Murder, an improvised comedy murder-mystery
where killing the cast and cracking the case is in your hands. Expect
outrageous accents and shaky alibis! Four characters board a train but not
everyone will survive. Thankfully, a world-famous detective is ready to
solve the case. But who is the murderer? Only one person knows: the
murderer themselves. Using audience suggestions and stories, Pinch Punch
create a never-to-be-repeated whodunnit. If you love comedy or murder
mysteries then this is the show for you!
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Big Yin
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 12 AUG) - 15:40
A grizzled New York detective
embarks on his final, most deadly and most ridiculous case yet. Who did
the whodunnit?! Best Show nominee: Leicester Comedy Festival 2025.
Finalist: Leicester Square Theatre Sketch-Off! 2025. Semi-finalist:
Musical Comedy Awards 2025. 'Christian Dart is one to watch!' (Tim Vine).
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Pip
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 5, 12, 19 AUG) - 15:40
Stoners. Lazy,
irresponsible, paranoid wasters. Or are they? Perhaps deep inside the
stoner flats of Scotland three men have the answers to life's greatest
questions. Perhaps in this church of debauchery lies something more holy
and transcendent than you can possibly imagine. Perhaps the truth of the
corruption of our society is only one psychedelic away from being in your
fingertips. They are out to get us. They control every aspect of our
existence. They are coming for us one by one. Who are they? Come inside
and see the truth...
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Nip
30 JUL - 24 AUG - 15:40
Mary Kennedy, yes one of those Kennedys,
third cousins twice removed; all of the tragedy, none of the money. No
Irish Catholic story is complete without a mention of a good Irish
funeral! Join Mary as she lays her mother to rest. Through her mother's
dying, Mary learned how to live. Hail Mary, None of the Grace is a
rollercoaster of awakenings for Kennedy, which has created the woman she
is today.
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Eve
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 15:40
From the Greeks to Tibetans,
the French, to Africans fighting for independence, revolutions have been
part of the human race from time immemorial. For as long as there's been
injustice, oppression, elitism and feudalism, people have always found
innovative ways to force those in authority to listen to their cause.
Njambi McGrath returns to Edinburgh with a satirical look at notable
revolutions, both current and historical.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
The Penny
30 JUL - 24 AUG - 15:40
Hands up who loves freedom! Chastity Quirke
is White House receptionist, ex-Chapter President of Kappa Gamma Zeta, and
a proud Republican. She is proud to serve her close personal friend, the
President of the United States. Determined to prove her loyalty by any
means necessary, she's not letting the icky democrats, her ex-boyfriend,
or socialism stand in her way. But when this all-American girl next door
is forced to choose between the power of female friendship and proving
herself as the ultimate guys' girl, she's horrified to discover she might
be a feminist.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Snug
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 6, 13, 20 AUG) - 16:00
Recent anthropology
graduate and feisty redhead Joanie Little is stuck working as a barista,
studying the 'creatures' (customers) as if she were Jane Goodall,
bushwhacking through the jungle to study chimpanzees! In her 'coffeeshop
jungle,' hilarity ensues, with jazzy tunes, co-worker showdowns and maybe
even romance! 'Solo performance at its best… rolling out a cast of
characters like a wild kingdom field guide! I dare you not to fall in love
with Joanie' (LifeWithMoreCowbell.com). As seen on TV. BroadwayWorld.com –
Best Musical 2014. Edinburgh Fringe Sell-Out 2015 and in 38 cities
worldwide! ***** (CBC).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Doonstairs
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 11, 12 AUG) - 16:00
From the Edinburgh Festival
Fringe to stages across the USA and UK, PENMAN, The Imaginator, takes you
on a mind-bending journey beyond your subconscious limits to reveal the
remarkable story of YOU: A modern mentalist with the energy of a hip-hop
artist, Fraser Penman fuses hypnotism, comedy and audience participation
with a high-energy soundtrack of summer anthems. Expect laughter,
jaw-dropping moments and a fresh take on mentalism that inspires and
astonishes. Unleash your hidden superpowers, rethink what's possible and
experience the magic of YOU. Book now – before your mind changes!
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
McIntosh
30 JUL - 17 AUG (NOT 6 AUG) - 16:15
One man. Ten ironing boards. One
epic soundtrack. Prepare to be amazed as physical comedian Jody Kamali
skillfully transforms these everyday household items into the tools of a
Hollywood-style, action-packed romance. With heart-pounding moments and
emotional depth, the packed-out run at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe earned
standing ovations. There's gunfire, there's a wedding, there's more
gunfire and there's revenge – plus plenty of laughter along the way.
'Exuberantly, unapologetically mindless... it's too funny' (Guardian). 'An
astonishing tour de force' (DarkChat.co.uk). 'More laughs than a laundry
room full of nitrous oxide and easily amused hyenas' (GetYourCoatsOn.com).
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Braeburn
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 11, 18 AUG) - 16:20
With his crowd-work videos
generating more than 2.5 million views online, David has honed a special
talent for being mean – but where does it come from? And why? Is it who he
really is? His friends keep telling him he's mean and it doesn't bother
him until one day, some guy says he should be nicer – and that's got David
thinking... 'Outrageously funny' (Attitude). 'A true masterclass in crowd
work' (NorthWestEnd.com). 'Gloriously filthy' (BroadwayBaby,com). 'Pitch
perfect' (Skinny).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Coorie
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 12 AUG) - 16:20
Some Fringe shows will take you
on a deeply personal, sometimes traumatic journey. And whilst they're
great, that's just not me. Me! That's what this show is about. No trauma,
no ADHD, and my parents are still together. Join me for a hilarious hour
of stand-up, packed with razor-sharp punchlines, cheeky stories, and a
mischievous edge. Soz babe, it's not that deep. 'Immaculate delivery,
unfussy and earthy... an assuredness that feels destined for big theatre
tours' (Comedy.co.uk). 'Her comedy is incredibly good' ****½
(One4Review.co.uk).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Blether
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 12, 19 AUG) - 16:20
What happens when the thing
you wished for your whole life turns out to be your worst nightmare? Eris
wants a baby. Atlanta doesn't. They're best friends with very different
views of motherhood. Eris sees it as a chance to create a better version
of herself. Atlanta sees it as the opposite, an end to her freedom. As
similar as they are different, their friendship is stretched when Eris
finds herself pregnant. The debut play by Amelia Rodger about a woman's
right to choose, coercive relationships and female friendship.
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Ruby
30 JUL - 24 AUG - 16:30
Back at the Fringe with an electrifying,
one-of-a-kind spectacle of slick, mind-bending magic, laugh-out-loud
comedy, cutting-edge video production and astonishing illusions – magic
like you've never seen before! Top family entertainment! 'Prepare to be
spellbound' (StageWhispers.com.au), as Martin Brock delivers 'glamorous
and polished work' (Penn & Teller), all created from scratch, with the
finale alone taking seven years to perfect! 'His original stuff is
wonderful and brilliantly magical' ****½ (GlamAdelaide.com.au). Guaranteed
the most thrilling magic you'll experience this festival! 'One of the best
Fringe shows I have seen. Go see it!' ****½ (FringeFeed.com.au).
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Bramley
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 17:00
Alana Jackson, winner of So You
Think You're Funny? 2024 brings her debut show to the Edinburgh Fringe.
Tales of being from Glasgow, moving to London, going to drama school and
working/drinking in pubs, Alana tells all, bringing to life the characters
she's met along the way. Her winning set at So You Think You're Funny? was
described by Chortle as 'relatable and witty, told with impact and flair'.
Fest praised how she 'delivered with an amiability reminiscent of a good
friend down the pub'.
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Pip
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 13 AUG) - 17:00
Hyp Me Baby One More Time! The
unmissable smash-hit comedy hypnotist is back with a 90s party hypnoshow!
Multiple sell-out Fringe runs, 150 million+ views online. Enjoy from stage
or audience – you choose. All-ages friendly. 'The laughter is
uncontrollable!' ***** (FringeFeed.com.au). 'Funfilled show!' *****
(One4Review.co.uk). 'Laugh until your sides hurt!' *****
(WeekendNotes.com). 'Rollicking good time' ***** (SeeDoEatReview.com).
'Spectacular silliness! Absolute feelgood must-see show' ****½
(XPressMag.com.au). Hypnotist Matt Hale is a multi-award winner, seen on
Best Shows, Top 10s and Picks of the Fringe.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Big Yin
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 8 AUG) - 17:00
Diving headfirst into the chaos
of his early 30s, Michael Welch is back with a bold new hour – no edits,
no filters, and definitely no luck. 'I am certain this comedian is
destined for a Netflix special' ***** (Entertainment-Now.com). 'He's
unafraid of pushing his jokes further than many of his contemporaries
would dare' ***** (List). 'Welch does what a lot of theatre-goers are
after: he helps them find themselves in his own story' (Seagull.news).
'Attracts considerable laughs... and has an impulse to push boundaries'
(Scotsman).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
The Penny
30 JUL - 25 AUG - 17:00
2024's Best Newcomer and Malcolm Hardee
Award nominee returns, let's see what happens now. (It's sort of about
Charlatans, voices and a Rasputin book that, as it stands, I haven't
read.) 'A masterclass in ripping up the comedic rulebook and thriving in
an environment of total comic chaos' (Entertainment-Now.com).
'Deconstructer of the form, helping you see conventional stand-up's
limitations' (Fest). 'Unique..pushing at the edges of what stand-up can be
defined as.. is this where the cult begins?' (Chortle.co.uk). 'Transcends
mere jokes... go see' (Scotsman). ***** (MervsPOTFringe.com). ****
(BeyondTheJoke.co.uk).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Snug
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 7, 21 AUG) - 17:00
What if you were sat next to
the love of your life and just didn't know it? Stuck beside each other at
a dinner party year after year. Some would call it fate, Mavis and David
call it a nightmare. She's keen. He's terrified. Together, they're
trapped. Forced proximity breeds love… and contempt. Think One Day meets
Sliding Doors, with a dash of Julia Davis' Nighty Night. A fresh twist on
the classic romcom. Seating Plan is a poignant exploration of fate,
loneliness and the invisible ties that bind us – even when we're too
stubborn to notice.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Nip
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 13 AUG) - 17:30
Michelle Collins makes her
Edinburgh Fringe debut in Motorhome Marilyn, a dark comedy by Ben
Weatherill. The play follows Denise, an aspiring actress with an obsessive
relationship with Marilyn Monroe, hoping to live up to the icon's fame and
beauty. In the 1980s, she heads to Hollywood, but as her dreams falter,
she is forced to confront the painful truth of unfulfilled aspirations.
Inspired by Michelle's real-life encounter with a woman known as Motorhome
Marilyn, the play reveals the toll of living in the shadow of an icon,
exploring failure, aging, and the heartbreaking cost of unattained dreams.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Doonstairs
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 14 AUG) - 17:40
From The Daily Show's Lily
Blumkin comes a hilarious solo show about growing up and getting worse.
When packing up her childhood bedroom, Lily introduces us to nine zany
characters like a well-meaning dad, a self-indulgent rabbi, and an
inanimate clump of hair. After sold out performances in New York, Nice Try
comes to Fringe with an honest look at how we use the past to make sense
of our present.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Blether
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 5 AUG) - 17:45
After complete sell-outs in 2023
and 2024, Insane Magic (Cameron Gibson, Elliot Bibby and Luke Osey) return
with their biggest show yet! Fresh from a smash-hit run at the Adelaide
Fringe, the trio bring a brand-new hour of mind-blowing magic, with some
fan-favourite classics sprinkled into the mix. Witness 'three of the best
magicians in the country' (EdinburghLive.co.uk), in a show that's 'so
insanely good' (WorldMagicReview.com), it has to be seen to be believed!
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Orchard
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 13 AUG) - 17:45
69 sketches in an hour! The
UK's fastest sketch show returns for its sixth year, featuring new
sketches for 2025. 'Non-stop laughs. A wee masterpiece' *****
(TheMumble.uk). 'An excellent comedy show **** (BroadwayBaby.com).
Featuring DazzReviews, as seen on YouTube. Whether a slapstick routine
told through beatboxing or the typo-based secrets of Area 52, you'll never
know what's next! This is the speed of the internet on a stage. 'Most
reliable sketch-group in the game' **** (EdFringeReview.com). 'The
hit-rate of their sketches is high' (List).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Dram
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 10, 24 AUG) - 18:00
Join Astronaut Indra on a
nine-month mission to the moon... but not all missions are successful. A
new autobiographical solo show by Indra Wilson about the lonely, turbulent
journey of experiencing pregnancy loss as a queer young person. A black
hole forms when a star dies, explodes into tiny little pieces until it
returns back to the dust it once was – as if it never even existed in the
first place. With dynamic sound and projections, be immersed in this
unique, heartfelt and hopeful debut. Produced by award-winning feminist
company, F-Bomb Theatre (Fringe First, Sit-Up Award).
MadeInScotlandShowcase.com
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Other Yin
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 18:00
Calling all Dungeons & Dragons
fans! The Tartan Tabletop gang are back after their second sold-out run at
the Edinburgh Fringe. Get ready for improvised comedy at the roll of a
dice as our four heroes blunder their way through an adventure like no
other – aided by the weird and wonderful Noblin the Goblin, played by a
different guest star comedian every night! Whether you're a seasoned
player or new to the world of tabletop gaming, this show was made for you.
Roll for initiative!
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Bramley
30 JUL - 17 AUG - 18:20
The king is dead! There are three candidates
to succeed him – they can only ascend the throne with support of the local
lords and ladies (the audience)! Join the Bad Clowns and shape the future
of the entire kingdom! Leicester Comedy Award nominees 2024. *****
(LondonTheatre1.com). ***** (WestEndBestFriend.co.uk). **** (Daily
Express). **** (BroadwayBaby.com). **** (ThreeWeeks). ****
(BroadwayWorld.com). **** (EdFringeReview.com). **** (TheWeeReview.com).
**** (One4Review.co.uk). **** (CultureVulture.net).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Nip
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 11, 18 AUG) - 18:20
A hilarious dissection of
Black media tropes with satirical sketches, comedic songs and recognisable
characters. The Oprah of comedy, Colette Gregory deconstructs sexuality,
religion and everything from Black conservatives to Love is Blind
contestants. The result is an unforgettable evening of belly laughs,
knowing head nods and songs you'll be singing in the shower. Awarded
Favourite Sketch or Variety Performance by a Group or Individual at the
2024 Pack Hollywood Festival, Black Best Friend will leave you thinking
about what it is to be a token Black face in a predominantly white space.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Snug
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 18 AUG) - 18:20
Is Sophia performing stand-up
comedy or are we just witnessing an acute psychotic episode? Either way,
once she's getting attention, she doesn't care. Come and watch a
charmingly lewd, self deprecating and 'delulu' grown woman who insists on
dressing like a princess as she explores her experiences with men,
Irishness, body image, feminism, unexpected motherhood and the cruel and
vulgar reality of being in a human body, all tinged with a nihilistic and
self-destructive dread that underpins her every thought. Finalist, So You
Think You're Funny 2024.
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Eve
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 18:30
Sex, drugs and coercive
control... Jackie!!! is a new musical comedy that follows the young
Jacqueline Bouvier as she dreams of becoming the first American Royal.
After marrying into the illustrious Kennedy dynasty, Jackie discovers that
power and notoriety come with the price of secrecy and silence. With Joe
Kennedy pulling the strings, Jackie's sister Lee pulling away and JFK
pulling anything that moves, Jackie is left alone to contemplate if life
atop the American throne is really worth the familial curse that seemingly
hangs over it.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Big Yin
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 13 AUG) - 18:40
John Binjuice lived a quiet
life, until everyone in his town suddenly transformed into terrifying
beasts. With horns. Big, scary horns. John has, so far, resisted the horn.
How long can his humanity last? A riotous solo clown show from Jacob
Aldcroft – 'He has funny legs' (Philippe Gaulier) – watch as John attempts
to save all humanity through lots of shouting, running and jumping, song,
dance and stunning amounts of vodka. Prepare to laugh (a lot), cry (a bit)
and pee (your pants).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Bothie
30 JUL - 8 AUG - 19:00
Celebrate Gilded Balloon's 40th anniversary
with award-winning comedian Juliette Burton. Get in the party spirit with
this Gilded gal, as she brings the best bits from her multiple sold-out
Edinburgh Fringe shows. Cram over a decade of fringe into one jubilant
hour of life-affirming hilarity with heart. Join in the joy of Juliette.
As seen on BBC One and ITV. 'Seriously funny' ***** (Mirror).
'Educational, hilarious' ***** (EdFestMag.com). *****
(StarburstMagazine.com). ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). ***** (VoiceMag.uk).
***** (FemaleArts.com). ***** (LoveFringe.com). ***** (Daily Record). ****
(Sunday Express). 'Fringe Favourite' (Guardian). 'Fringe legend'
(FringeReview.co.uk). 'Refreshingly revealing' (Comedy.co.uk).
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Ruby
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 11, 18 AUG) - 19:00
An exciting crowd-work show
where the audience decide who gets married today, by the end of the show!
You have the power, using our app, to decide who is getting married! Our
comedians will find out what the audience is really like while you get to
decide who makes the perfect pairing and decide who is going to get
Married at Fringe (first) Sight! From the team that The Guardian called
'an institution' and Attitude Magazine called 'hilariously funny...
inspirational'. 'A true masterclass in crowd work' (NorthWestEnd.co.uk).
Don't forget your hat!
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Coorie
30 JUL - 12 AUG (NOT 7 AUG) - 19:00
Female-led and female-produced,
PALS is a Scottish adventure-comedy play telling the story of four, crude,
chaotic yet completely normal gal pals as they embark on a camping trek in
the west of Scotland. In a bid to escape their lives, have a riotous time
and avoid several mental breakdowns, these "Perfectly Average Lassies of
Scotland" are completely out of their depths, in more ways than one. PALS
premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe 2024 and was long-listed for the Binge
Fringe Queer Performers Award and deemed as 'the sort of show we've been
waiting for' (CorrBlimey.co.uk).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Doonstairs
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 12, 19 AUG) - 19:15
The best songs from the
worst musicals ever written! The neon lights aren't always bright on
Broadway, and for every hit there are 50 flops. Rising Australian star
Arthur Hull's acclaimed solo show sets out to prove that every musical can
be proud of at least one song. Winner of the 2025 Adelaide Fringe Best
Emerging Artist Award. 'Hull is a force of nature. An absolute joy!' *****
(List). 'Unforgettable and hilarious, a wonderful concept with clever
delivery and genuine heart' ***** (SeeDoEatReview.com). 'A superstar in
the making' ***** (OnYourMarkus.au).
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Braeburn
30 JUL - 10 AUG - 19:15
Samia Rida's one-woman show is a
comedy/drama based on the true story of her kidnap to Saudi as a child. It
explores multiculturalism, disability, Saudi, mental health and how kidnap
can involve a swimming pool. Supported by the charity Sibs. Supported by
the BBC Comedy Collective and Funny Women. It's been on at Riverside
Studios, The Tabard, The Museum of Comedy and the White Bear. Optioned for
TV adaptation by Fulwell 73. Directed by Gareth Edwards – BBC producer
(That Mitchell and Webb Look, Upstart Crow and Spaced). Producer Gina
Lyons – A BAFTA Elevate producer.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Dram
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 19:30
Kim Blythe is a cowboy – not
the rugged, western kind but more like a questionable tradesman. Unsure
and thriving after selling out the Glasgow International Comedy Festival,
Kim brings her second show Cowboy to the Fringe as she tries to make sense
of it all. If you feel like you're constantly winging it through life,
then Cowboy is the show for you! If you don't feel like that, it's still a
great show I promise.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Other Yin
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 13 AUG) - 19:30
A boy in school set my destiny
with nine words, I'm gonna ask him why. Another hilarious and
heartbreaking show from 'one of Australia's finest storytellers' *****
(GlamAdelaide.com.au). Brasier takes aim at the idea of criticism in this
ode to the drama teacher that made her and the kid who said something mean
at school. She's tracking down her critics to ask them why they said what
they said. A show for the theatre kids, the freaks, the queers; for anyone
who's spiralled about something they did years ago.
Gilded Balloon at the Museum
Auditorium
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 11, 18 AUG) - 19:40
If you've ever experienced
loss, then this show was made for you. Brendan Tran, a Bob Curry Fellow
from the world-renowned Second City comedy troupe in Chicago, pays tribute
to his recently passed dad with this comedy special. A stand-up story of
grief, the healthcare system and the hope that talking (and joking) about
the death of a loved one can possibly help with healing. Only time will
tell. 'Tremendous. So funny and touching, and relatable' (John Hartman
from CBS's Ghosts).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
The Penny
30 JUL - 25 AUG - 19:40
Christopher Donovan and Laurie Brewster
present a split hour of stand-up as they try to rebrand themselves as the
bad boys of comedy. Christopher brings anecdotal comedy, rich in detail
and delivered with panache that earned him second place in So You Think
You're Funny? 2023. 'Has a flair with words' (Chortle.co.uk). Laurie
brings a dry, surreal brand of humour that saw him make it to the final of
So You Think You're Funny? 2024. 'Proper jokes, coloured by
self-deprecation' (Chortle.co.uk).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Snug
30 JUL - 17 AUG - 19:40
An improvised choose-your-own adventure,
featuring actors, a cute robot host and AI, where the audience controls
the show! By award-winning Improbotics who created Artificial Intelligence
Improvisation. 'Like Whose Line Is It Anyway? mixed with I, Robot'
(BrightonAndHoveNews.org). ***** (TheatreAndTonic.co.uk). ****
(Everything-Theatre.co.uk) 'Groundbreaking work with superb moments of
comedy that poses serious philosophical questions' (FringeReview.co.uk).
Most Innovative Show Award (ParisFringe.org, 2020). ****(BingeFringe.com).
***** (ThePhoenixRemix.com). **** (FringeTheatre.ca) 'I will stick with
artificial stupidity' (Colin Mochrie). Featured in the New York Times,
Financial Times, New Scientist, Time, Sky News and BBC.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Nip
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 12, 19 AUG) - 20:00
The biggest girl group of
the noughties reunite for the first time since their scandalous split. The
quartet's meteoric rise saw them transform from innocent pop-princess
underdogs to glamourous big-budget divas... before it fell spectacularly
apart. Girl Pop! are finally ready to tell all. Were Hazel and Arabella
secretly in love? Did Ruby and Zoe's feud end in a fistfight? Did Girl
Pop! really murder a paparazzi photographer? The promise of a nostalgic
celebration of girl power is threatened by egos, catfights and spotlights.
Rumours are put to rest through a showstopping spectacle bursting with
iconic pop bangers!
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Big Yin
30 JUL - 25 AUG - 20:00
Saaniya Abbas takes audiences on her most
personal and side-splitting journey yet in Hellarious. With sharp insights
and her signature feline mischief, Saaniya dives into the cultural taboos
of divorce, the absurdity of internet fame, and her playful take on the
concept of hell itself. She reminds us that life isn't about always
landing on your feet – it's about laughing when you don't. Tracing her
evolution from a sheltered upbringing in a Muslim family to carving out
her own path, Hellarious is a bold celebration of resilience, defiance,
and self-discovery.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Bothie
30 JUL - 25 AUG - 20:20
You will learn nothing at this show.
Comedian Mark Forward returns to the Fringe for the 3rd time with his
ridiculously silly show Safari Time. Mark has done John Oliver's New York
Stand-Up Show (Comedy Central), The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
(CBS), Funny As Hell (HBO) and Just For Laughs. TV work includes Hulu
comedy series Letterkenny, Donny Mashman on Fargo (FX) and The Jon Dore
Television Show. Mark has two specials: Mark Forward presents Mark Forward
and Mark Forward Wins All the Awards.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Coorie
30 JUL - 25 AUG - 20:45
An unmissable line-up of fresh talent
starring Bert Broadbent, Fab Goualin, and Ciara O'Connor – finalists from
the UK's biggest new comedy competition! See the best emerging comedians
before they become household names. Previous winners and finalists from
the competition include: Aisling Bea, Tommy Tiernan, Maisie Adam, Peter
Kay, Lee Mack, Fern Brady, Rob Beckett, Romesh Ranganathan, Sara Pascoe,
Daniel Sloss and many more. 'Showcasing the stand-up stars of the future'
(Comedy.co.uk).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Dram
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 21:00
A story of growing up on a punk
rock-fuelled journey. A unique comedian, Sib blends stand-up and
storytelling like no one else, sharing raw, relatable tales from the 1980s
suburbs to stages with Metallica, The Ramones and Social Distortion.
Growing up in California, Sib saw punk rock explode into the suburbs,
shaping his life. From fronting Wax and 22 Jacks to co-founding
SideOneDummy Records. This unforgettable show is personal and raw. An
inspiring journey. 'Joe Sib's show is a cross between theatre, memoir and
a loogie in the eye' (LA Times).
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Pip
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 12 AUG) - 21:00
Molly and Mariah are two of the
biggest names on the newcomer circuit, and also the biggest c*nts. A
feisty, fierce and filthy look inside the mind of two outstandingly toxic
ladies.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Snug
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 21:00
Cancel culture is fast
approaching. What can/can't you say? What is there left to say? And
everything in between. Stand-up comedy, in a sit-down world! 'Monahan is
somewhat of a legend in Fringe terms.. A loveable, likeable comic.... he
loves to entertain and make his audience laugh. And he always succeeds'
****½ (One4Review.co.uk, Edinburgh Fringe 2024). 'Patrick Monahan is a
great comic' **** (BroadwayBaby.com). 'Definite must see!' **** (Edinburgh
Festivals Magazine). 'Hilarious without being outrageous' *****
(ThreeWeeks).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Nip
13 & 20 Aug (16:00), 13 - 18 Aug (19:00)
Never judge a book by
its cover. Not many people know this, but that sentence is an idiom and
not really about books. It literally means – never judge a person by their
face. You might think Shamik's face belongs to a sensible, practical man.
You'd be wrong. He's not the responsible older sibling. He's not good at
chess. He's not a nerd. At least, not in a useful way. Despite Appearances
is an effort to put things right and break away from shallow, face-driven
stereotypes. But you should just watch it for a laugh.
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Eve
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 12, 19 AUG) - 21:30
Living your true self is
nearly a crime again, so join the OGs of F*ck You Counterculture for a
night of radical joy and glitter-encrusted anarchy. A fever dream of
gender-bending hippies, freaks and drag queens, led by flowers-in-guns
radical Hibiscus and disco diva Sylvester, The Cockettes took San
Francisco by storm in 1969. But when they tried to take their
acid-fuelled, avant-garde act mainstream in NYC, it all went horribly
wrong. A new musical exploding with on-your-feet numbers and in-your-face
hilarity, demolishing the lines between art and showbiz, politics and
performance.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Big Yin
30 JUL - 24 AUG - 22:00
The audience is trapped in a retro video
game with a sadistic, end-of-level boss. Escape and win £1000 or be
brutally murdered by the rest of the crowd! Will you: A) Find the light
switch? B) Go north? C) Abandon hope? New deathtraps for 2025! 'A Rocky
Horror for nerds... reader, I howled' **** (Telegraph). 'Not to be missed'
(Guardian). 'Irresistibly dangerous' **** (Stage). Winner: Chortle Award.
Nominated: Best Comedy, FringeWorld 2023. Runner-up: Best Comedy, NextUp
2022. As seen at Glastonbury, PAX, Blue Dot and MCM Comic Con.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Doonstairs
30 JUL - 15 AUG - 22:00
It's been 84 years… or 26, since April 1999,
when six-year-old Alice was finally allowed to watch James Cameron's
classic, Titanic, on VHS. Presenting a one-woman parody re-enactment of
Titanic in which Alice plays all the parts and the scenes are selected at
random (but with the same emotional gravitas, she swears). In this show
about how childhood obsessions shape who we are as adults, nostalgia for
aging '90s media, and claims of boats too big to sink, you'll laugh,
you'll cry, your heart will go on (even though Jack's does not!).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Dram
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 6, 12, 19 AUG) - 22:20
Britain's Got Talent
star Accordion Ryan will sing and play your favourite songs like you've
never heard them before! Adding in a few of his own hilarious tunes, this
show is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face! Join in and sing along
during this night of music, laughter and overall fun! 'Don't miss this
show' ***** (PerthHappenings.com.au). 'An all-singing, all-dancing PARTY'
****½ (TheQR.co.uk). 'Musical comedy gold' **** (List). 'You're funny, I
like you' (Simon Cowell). Winner: Overall Best Cabaret (Fringe World).
Winner: Weekly Best Cabaret (Adelaide Fringe).
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Eve
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 11, 18 AUG) - 22:20
A mixed bill line-up of the
best LGBTQ+ stand-up comedians from across the Fringe from the UK's first
LGBTQ+ stand-up comedy club, The Queer Comedy Club. Fresh from our two TV
series on OUTtv we're bringing you an incredible line-up of different
queer comedians every night, including TV comedians and rising stars. In
the past we've had Larry Dean, Sarah Keyworth, Kemah Bob, Felicity Ward
and more! You never know who you're going to see! ''Inspirational'
(Attitude). 'An institution of London's LGBTQ+ scene' (Guardian).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Nip
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 19 AUG) - 22:20
Microsoft Word's writing
assistant, Clippy, has seen the future – and it is bleak. Determined to
prevent the impending techno-dystopia brought about by Artificial
Intelligence, Clippy travels back in time to warn humanity in a thrilling
adventure through the internet. Will he succeed in stopping AI at its
source? There's only one way to find out... Douglas Widick (Time Out NY's
Top 10 Comedy Show: North Coast; Blank! The Musical; F#%king Up
Everything; and Anybody: An Improvised Historical Hip-Hopera) makes his UK
debut in this award winning one-person comedy musical. Winner: Best
Out-of-Town Show – Tucson Fringe.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
The Penny
30 JUL - 25 AUG (NOT 12 AUG) - 22:40
Comedian Anaïs Gralpois Bridget
Jones' her way into talking about her move to London, having a slag era
and what it really means to be more than just that fit American in this
candid one-woman stand-up comedy show.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Bothie
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 11, 18 AUG) - 23:00
The absurd cabaret of
apocalyptic proportions. Comedy, circus and indie cosmic lunacy collide in
an ever-changing nightly riot of world-class weirdos, hellbent on healing
our planetary divide. Interactive, uplifting, subversive and bonkers.
Featuring Clown God, Mothman, Fart Monkey, Nerf Karaoke and outlandish
acts from across the Fringe, with a live-looped indie score morphing every
night. Broken Planet Show dares you to misbehave, laugh at our flaws and
dance through the chaos – uniting us in glorious imperfection. It's a
rowdy invitation to take life less seriously. Join the revolution of
ridiculousness. COME SAVE WORLD!
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Big Yin
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 11, 18 AUG) - 23:00
Comedians Elliot Weber
(Dead Dad) and Joshua Emerson (Dead Mom) want to make you laugh with jokes
about death and grief. Dead Man Talking is a stand-up comedy show about
the lighter side of death, interspliced with improvised eulogies from
crowd submissions. A person dies twice: once when their heart stops
beating and again when they are forgotten. Let us share a laugh together
about a loved one you miss. Special guests and surprises every show.
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Ruby
30 JUL - 25 AUG - 23:00
It's time to enter the flat pack
thunderdome! Two Fringe performers go head-to-head in the ultimate home
improvement indignity – building IKEA furniture. The challenge is simple:
build the piece of furniture before your opponent does. Is it a race? Yes!
Is it a game show? Also, yes! A plethora of chaotic sabotages are on hand
to ensure that the road to glory is paved with pitfalls! Build the
furniture. Survive the sabotages. Be crowned the Champion of Sweden!*
*title not officially recognised by the Swedish government. Let's build!
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Coorie
31 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 6 - 7, 11 - 12, 18 - 20 AUG) - 10:30
Doo doo
doo... Baby Shark's back with a globe-trotting mystery! Who nabbed the
Sphinx? Help Fiddlefox and Baby Shark crack the case in this interactive
musical adventure. Dance, sing, and play along as our dynamic duo swims
around the world with magical host, Eldar. Perfect for tiny detectives
aged 0-6. A fin-tastic show packed with music, magic and mayhem! Previous
Fringe sell-out – book early! 'Designed for kids, by kids, this
high-energy show keeps kids guessing and parents smiling' ****½
(Fringefeed, FringeWorld.com.au).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Other Yin
31 JUL - 8 AUG - 12:00
The UK's no 1 jive and swing band, renowned
for high-energy swinging sounds and spectacular stage show. Performed in
40+ countries. Played for the Queen. Worked with Van Morrison and John
Travolta. Starred at Royal Albert Hall, Buckingham Palace, Kennedy Center,
Glastonbury and voted Best Band at Boisdale Music Awards. Their
award-winning video, Bring Me Sunshine, has 3.8m views and is so uplifting
it's been prescribed by a doctor! The first live band to reach the final
rounds of Britain's Got Talent. 'Absolutely brilliant!' (Simon Cowell).
'Simply sensational' (Stage).
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Bramley
31 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 11, 12, 18, 19 AUG) - 12:00
Through everyday
conversation, hilarious comedy, and music-hall style songs, we learn from
four working-class women about their lives, husbands, technology and the
approaching New Year in this time capsule of Glasgow in the 1950s. The
show pays tribute to the unsung domestic labour of women, and the
importance of female friendships – both of which keep it relevant today –
along with the iconic comedy lines recited throughout Scotland. Laugh and
cry along with Tony Roper's loveable characters in this nostalgic show,
steeped in Scottish culture and social history, which continues to
entertain local audiences and tourists alike.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Big Yin
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 11, 12, 18, 19 AUG) - 16:00
Buckle up, folks.
After 23 years of holding it together, this teacher is finally off duty...
and off the rails. A classroom meltdown like no other – unhinged rants,
bad decisions, and a music lesson with more chaos than a school camp.
Expect mischievous puppets and brutally honest comedy from a burnt-out
teacher on the edge. If you've ever wanted to tell a helicopter parent to
zip it, this show is for you! Warning: Explicit language and the kind of
storytelling that makes a 4pm staff meeting almost tolerable.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Bothie
30 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 12, 18 AUG) - 17:40
Surprise-filled, punchline
dense comedy: Best Cult Ever is the show for the cult curious. Polygamy?
More like Polyga-WEEEE! Hold on to your name tags! Get on in here for the
silliest show written and performed by a former Mormon. A comedian
returning for her fourth Edinburgh Fringe, Leah Renee's past shows have
been described as: funny, daring and quite surprising in places with
laugh-out-loud moments of wryness, poignancy, shock and tenderness.
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Ruby
31 JUL - 24 AUG (NOT 6, 13, 20 AUG) - 17:45
Award-winning musical
comedy revue revealing all about musicals and the people who love them –
on both sides of the curtain! Updated for 2025 with new songs. Lauded with
an unprecedented 50 five-star reviews for multiple sell-out Fringe and
London seasons. By Alexander S Bermange, directed and choreographed by
Aaron Renfree (The Masked Singer, Now That's What I Call A Musical).
'Flawless' ***** (BritishTheatre.com). 'Sharp satire... undiluted fun'
***** (BroadwayBaby.com). 'Delightful' ***** (BroadwayWorld.com).
'Hilarious... wonderfully witty!' ***** (EdinburghGuide.com). 'Crisp,
perfect, immaculate' ***** (MusicalTalk, podcast). 'Full of wit and
pastiche' ***** (TheArtsDesk.com).
Gilded Balloon at the Museum
Auditorium
31 JUL - 25 AUG - 23:00
The original late-night show returns with
stellar line-ups of your favourite acts from the festival, hosted by the
best MCs in the country, every single night of the Fringe. 'The best
late-night show on the Fringe' (Scotsman). 'A Fringe institution for a
reason' (TheRecs.co.uk). Previous acts include Johnny Vegas, Bill Bailey,
Rich Hall, Jason Byrne, Mawaan Rizwan, John Bishop, Larry Dean, Maisie
Adam, Reuben Kaye, Jordan Grey, Viggo Venn and just about every notable
name in comedy. Late'n'Live guarantees an unforgettable night of live
comedy and is an essential addition to any Fringe bucket list.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Other Yin
1 - 24 AUG (NOT 11, 12, 18, 19 AUG) - 10:20
Word's out on the Aussie
bush telegraph: Woody and his crazy friends are rolling out a cabaret
experience like no other! Sing, dance, and strum along in a wild musical
adventure reminiscent of a Year 3 campfire singalong or a school assembly
where the principal's only rule is to have fun. It's packed with silly
songs, chaotic comedy and Aussie critters galore. But kids, watch out for
Ralph the Tiger Snake in the dangerous part of the show! Woody's Bush
Cabaret from Down Under unites families in a heartfelt celebration of
music and imagination.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Dram
1 - 25 AUG - 15:00
Shakespeare hasn't written anything new for an
age, so we thought we would give him a hand... Using your audience
suggestions and our overactive imaginations, we create a brand-new
Shakespeare play live on stage, complete with live music, songs and plenty
of laughs. Join ShakeItUp for bard-based bedlam! 'Quick-witted,
inexhaustible and absolutely hysterical' *****
(LondonTheatreReviews.co.uk). 'Brilliantly bonkers! One of the best
improvised shows at the Fringe' ***** (WestEndBestFriend.co.uk).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Other Yin
1 - 17 AUG - 19:00
BAFTA award-winning star of Scot Squad, The
Chief, and Absolutely, returns to the Fringe after a 2024 sell-out run.
Favourite bits, classic bits, improvised bits and bits that aren't even
really bits but are, nonetheless, still bits. 'An incredible hour of
laughs' (Edinburgh Evening News). 'It's simply impossible not to love what
he does on stage' (Scotsman). 'Masterful, superlative' (Chortle.co.uk). 'A
hugely talented comic performer' (Sunday Times). 'Docherty's mighty
presence fills the room' (ThreeWeeks). 'A maverick genius' (Herald). *****
(Daily Business) **** (Guardian). **** (List). **** (Evening Standard).
**** (Skinny).
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
McIntosh
1 - 21 AUG (NOT 11 AUG) - 20:20
Who doesn't dream of it? Clean
cities, punctual trains, a functioning healthcare system – everyday life
in Switzerland, for many a world far away. Luckily, Michael Elsener, the
"Swiss John Oliver" and recent support act for Russell Howard, is here to
reveal the path to paradise – and where the Swiss heaven turns into hell.
The political scientist and queer artist delivers off-beat perspectives
and spot-on impressions, combining incisive analysis with razor-sharp
punchlines. Can his secret Swiss recipe save the world?
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Ruby
4 - 24 AUG - 13:40
A fun, fast-paced comedy show, made up entirely
on the spot from your suggestions! The Imps have been bringing critically
acclaimed improv performances and up-and-coming comedic talent to the
Fringe for over ten years. These high-energy shows come packed with Whose
Line Is It Anyway?-style games, brought to life by Oxford's wittiest
minds. Be prepared for improvised scenes, punning, raps, Shakespeare,
musicals and much more! Perfect for teens and families.
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Ruby
8 - 24 AUG (NOT 15 AUG) - 13:40
In 2014, the UK's first legalised
red-light district opened in the Holbeck area of Leeds. Sex workers in
Holbeck were able to operate with police supervision and without fear of
arrest between the hours of 8pm and 6am. This initiative was known as the
Managed Approach. Managed Approach is a powerful play that blends verbatim
interviews with sex workers and a fictional story about a mother and
daughter in Holbeck, Leeds. A 'joyous show' ***** (Varsity) that offers a
deeply human perspective on one of the UK's most controversial urban
policies.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Coorie
9 - 24 AUG - 12:00
Following her sold-out Fringe run and a smash-hit
tour, MP-turned-comedian Mhairi Black returns with some fresh material.
'Political catharsis at its absolute finest' (BroadwayBaby.com). 'Quick,
funny and brilliant' (ThreeWeeks). NextUp Biggest Award in Comedy nominee.
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Bramley
11 - 17 AUG - 11:30
James invented the idea of proper stand-up for
children in 2001. For the last ten years he has mainly been concentrating
on writing funny books and parenting his own children. Now he is bored of
that and returns to the world of festivals to reboot comedy for kids with
a face full of wrinkles and a reconstructed show that may include
exploding penguins, seventeen ways to eat jam and songs to sing to the
worms in your dog's bottom.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Doonstairs
11 - 25 AUG - 13:20
A character comic 'gearing up to conquer' (Dawn
French). In 2024, her WIP Attention Seeker was a ***** 'masterclass'
(GetYourCoatsOn.com) at the Edinburgh Fringe. This BAFTA Rocliffe
shortlist writer hosts the sell-out night Laugh Lines and is a Sketch Off
2025 finalist. Her debut solo hour, directed by Elf Lyons, takes you back
to when stories were for family, not viral views. Inspired by her own home
movies, Jess creates a universe of characters once meant for her living
room. Each vignette is a cinematic tribute to her dressing-up box.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Bothie
11 - 23 AUG (NOT 18 AUG) - 16:15
Fresh from their acclaimed
performances across the UK and on Broadway, Aquapella is back at the
Edinburgh Festival Fringe for their ninth consecutive year, ready to
captivate audiences once again. With breathtaking harmonies, unique
arrangements and boundless energy, this award-winning a cappella group
brings an electrifying mix of vocal music to the stage. Whether delivering
heart-wrenching ballads or upbeat pop anthems, their passion and precision
make for an unforgettable viewing experience. From moments of raw
vulnerability to pure exhilaration, Aquapella takes audiences on an
emotional journey like no other. 'Forget Pitch Perfect, Aquapella are the
real deal' (TheWeeReview.com).
Gilded Balloon at the Museum
Auditorium
11 - 24 AUG - 19:15
After touring the UK and Ireland last year with
his debut hour, Girl for All Seasons, Christopher is working on a new show
– a new show everyone, can you believe it, a new show! Right now, it's a
work in progress. I mean, in a lot of ways, aren't we all works in
progress? Think about it. He'll say things today that he's never said
before, and most likely will never say again, but you'll be there to
witness it, and that's kismet. Ooh, that's a great name for a show...
Write that down...
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Dram
13 Aug (16:00 & 19:00) 14- 18 Aug (19:00) 20 Aug (16:00)
The
search for comedy's next big star continues as contestants battle for a
place in the Grand Final of the UK's biggest newcomer competition!
Following months of regional showcases across the UK and Ireland, see the
future faces of comedy before they make it big! 'Showcasing the stand-up
stars of the future' (Comedy.co.uk). Previous winners and finalists from
the competition include Aisling Bea, Tommy Tiernan, Maisie Adam, Peter
Kay, Lee Mack, Fern Brady, Rob Beckett, Romesh Ranganathan, Sara Pascoe,
Daniel Sloss and more.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Doonstairs
13 - 25 AUG - 20:20
'It's real, it's raw, it's hilarious'
(Scotsman). Featured on BBC Scotland. It's Love Island meets Whose Line Is
It Anyway. Two singles are blindfolded. Will it be love at first sight or
a slow-motion car crash? One blind date. Four comics. Unscripted,
unhinged, unforgettable. 'A jackpot for people watchers' (USAToday.com).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Blether
13 - 25 AUG - 22:20
Beth and Rhoni are dead. Joking! They're 30. But
please don't mention it. Friends since they hopped off the train at
Liverpool Lime Street with a dream and a side fringe, they've seen each
other through every ill-informed fashion, relationship, and life choice.
Never ones to back down from theatricality, this stand-up split hour is a
nostalgic trip through 2015-2025 for anyone who is 30, has been 30, or
dreads turning 30 – complete with photographic evidence and confessions.
What better way to commemorate the moments that make them die with
embarrassment than a funeral?
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Snug
14 - 21 AUG - 21:00
Through powerful original music and spoken word,
a folk-rock band retells Mary Queen of Scots' story. The bold gig theatre
show searingly questions what Mary faced at the hands of men, offering a
mesmerising and riotous response. The hit show is back for 2025, following
acclaimed sold-out runs at the 2024 Fringe and the Traverse Theatre in
December. 'Superbly anarchic' **** (Scotsman). 'A fifty-minute riot' ****
(Herald). 'A big night in a small room' **** (Stage). 'Stunning music and
beautiful storytelling come together impeccably' *****
(TheatreAndTonic.co.uk).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Other Yin
15 - 16 AUG - 23:30
Eight comedians pit their homemade
remote-control cars against one another in the world's smallest demolition
derby. The winner of each race takes one step closer to glory, the loser
has their car smashed with a baseball bat. The cult-hit show returns to
Gilded Balloon, hosted by Hudson Hughes and Imogen Truselle with live
music from Formula One Direction.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Doonstairs
16 - 19 AUG - 22:00
Paddy Daddy returns... Four nights only! Join
very busy, very famous international cabaret star Mark T Cox for a juicy
hour of comedy, filth and pop bangers, exploring the joys and horrors of
contemporary gay life in rural Ireland. Tales of school scandals, secret
affairs, and too many late-night kisses in a Ford Fiesta. With original
music and pop icons – J Lo, Kylie, and of course, The Corrs. One for the
gays, the girlies, and your newly woke Irish Mammy. 'Gloriously camp
cabaret' **** (Irish Times).
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Dram
18 - 24 AUG - 13:15
Fred MacAulay, one of Scotland's best-loved
stand-ups, is back with his live chat show. Joining Fred each day will be
stars from the worlds of sport, entertainment, business and politics – the
colourful characters he has encountered along the way in his illustrious
30-year career. 'I so enjoyed In Conversation last Fringe,' said Fred, 'it
was the perfect mix of guests and audience, who helped make each show
truly unique.' Featuring different guests every day, including returning
favourites from 2017-19. 'Brilliantly surreal comedy' (Scotsman). 'One of
the best comedians Britain has produced' (Richard Osman).
Gilded Balloon at the Museum
Auditorium
18 - 25 AUG - 18:20
Dark. Funny. Underfunded. And that's just Abby.
The criminal justice system is too. After thirty years practicing criminal
defence law, Shit Lawyer returns to give unsolicited advice to the
Government in its search for bold and innovative approaches to "speed up
justice" and "keep streets safe". Can her outrageous and unorthodox
suggestions reverse the crisis in our courts?
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Nip
18 - 25 AUG - 19:40
In the comedy world, where controversy is king,
when does the joke stop being funny? Rodney Black's career is booming,
thanks to a money-hungry manager and the seemingly impenetrable defence
that it's all 'just a joke!' But when a super-fan makes headlines,
Rodney's darkest joke becomes nothing to laugh about... Tackling cancel
culture, misogyny and what we find funny, 'it's difficult. It will grab
audiences, and it doesn't let go' **** (NorthWestEnd.co.uk). 'A big and
bold writer to watch' (Nick Blood, Marvel). Award-winning new writing,
with a flare for the provocative.
Gilded Balloon Patter House
Nip
21 AUG - 19:30
Finalists battle it out to take the crown in the
climactic stage of the UK's most prestigious comedy newcomer competition!
Following months of regional showcases around the UK and Ireland, see
comedy's rising stars give their best performances in a bid to win So You
Think You're Funny? 2025. 'Showcasing the stand-up stars of the future'
(Comedy.co.uk). Previous winners and finalists from the competition
include Aisling Bea, Tommy Tiernan, Maisie Adam, Peter Kay, Lee Mack, Fern
Brady, Rob Beckett, Romesh Ranganathan, Sara Pascoe, Daniel Sloss and more.
Gilded Balloon at Appleton Tower
Orchard