Edinburgh Fringe For Everyone
Making the Edinburgh Fringe Festival more inclusive—both for artists and audiences. Our aim is to broaden participation; whether that is performing, attending, or working behind the scenes.
Sophie Sconcia: Mother Superior
Hoots @ Nicolson Square — Nic 6 (Nicolson Square Venues Courtyard)
7 Aug - 30 Aug
Start times: 14:05
60 mins
Age: 16+Award-winning comedian Sophie Sconcia disappoints her religious mother every day and twice on Sundays. A hilarious show about battling mothers, motherhood, influencer kids and other demons. 'More to her than just jokes. Sophie charms her audience then hits them with a killer punchline' (West End New Act of the Year). 'Confident, quietly subversive and funny as f*ck' (Andrew O’Neill). 45 minutes of divinely funny and irreverent comedy from Sophie plus a different guest comedian every day.
BOOK NOWAaagony Aunts
Hoots @ The Apex — Hoot 2
7 Aug - 30 Aug
Start times: 14:10
55 mins
Age: 12+Award-bothering and startlingly wise comedians, Pauline Eyre and Louise Leigh, are here to take their guests’ problems seriously. As they say: a problem shared is a problem halfway to becoming a funny story. Every day, we unpack the meaty* issues that are holding back some of the funniest comedians at the Fringe. We solve those problems with the help of you the audience, a selection of kitchen utensils and the mighty Salad Spinner of Destiny. Making the world a better place, one spatula, one messed-up comedian, at a time. 'Really really good' (Coherent Comedy, podcast). *and veggie.
BOOK NOWJames Regal is a People Pleaser
Hoots @ Nicolson Square — Nic 5 (Nicolson Square Venues Courtyard)
7 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 14:15
60 mins
Age: 18+Punchy hour of stand-up from a guy who's desperate to make you happy, no matter the cost. Based in Barcelona, James Regal has performed in top venues around the world since 2019 and is now bringing his debut show to the Fringe. Winner of Dov's Best Jewish Joke of the Edinburgh Fringe 2024. What other people said about James and hopefully meant it: 'Sharp and witty' (Michelle Wolf). 'An amazing joke writer' (Brian Moses). 'Loose, raw, and genuinely funny, with stories that somehow manage to be both wildly specific and totally relatable' (Audience member).
BOOK NOWLilla Multipass: Woman(33)
Hoots @ Potterrow — Wee Container 2
7 Aug - 30 Aug
Start times: 14:20
60 mins
Age: 16+Woman(33) has a bag of tote bags, a uterus in retrograde and an inkling her life is one size too small. When a trip to IKEA can't fix her problems, she sets off on a journey of self-discovery. Join her therapy session disguised as a clown show to discover joy through self-ridicule, love and play. Woman(33) is Lilla Multipass (Sketch Off semi-finalist). 'Chaos element' ***** (MorningStarOnline.co.uk). 'Has bones made from pure fun' (JamesOfWalsh.com). 'A joy to watch and impossible not to love on stage' (Roger O'Sullivan). 'Lilla is a big idiot - cracks me up' (Lara Ricote).
BOOK NOWRichard Pulsford: Yorkshire Dad, Immigrant Mum
Hoots @ The Apex — Hoot 5
7 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 14:20
60 mins
Age: 16+Multi award-winning comedian Richard Pulsford has taken a step away from his usual quality one-liners and pun shows to write and perform this new autobiographical show. This show sees Richard taking a nostalgic dive into his parents’ past as he tries to understand what made them who they were, and therefore discover who he is. His parentage is an unusual mix, with a dad from Yorkshire and a "foreign" mum from continental Europe. Perhaps it should be no surprise that with such a heritage, Richard ended up being, by his own admission, funny.
BOOK NOWWhat's Happening Now?
By Sam HampsonHoots @ Hilton (Bread Street) — Slice 2
8 Aug - 30 Aug
Start times: 14:20
60 mins
Age: 14+The panel show bringing comics, journalists, wise women and clueless men together to figure out: What's Happening Now? A comedy compilation for people who want to care about the world, but are exhausted by it. Based on the podcast of the same name, WHN has been called QI meets Have I Got News For You and now, for the first time, a live audience helps tackle the biggest questions, curiosities and stories befuddling the world. Previous guests include Rosie Holt, Stuart Goldsmith, the former director of BBC News and a Tory activist who campaigns by downing pints.
BOOK NOWDestroy Capitalism or Die Tryin' (WIP)
By Tom MayhewHoots @ Nicolson Square — Nic 9 (Nicolson Square Gardens)
7 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 14:30
60 mins
Age: 14+Tom Mayhew (from BBC Radio 4's Benefit Scum) presents a WIP show about being a shy, awkward white boy who loved rap music and idolised 50 Cent. He got poor, but he's still tryin'. 'Authentic material we can relate to: funny, sharp, intelligent, meaningful and pleasing. Mayhew is a voice that needs to be heard’ **** (Chortle.co.uk). ‘The hour is studded with delightful little one liners. Genuine, powerful, political stuff. These are four stars for a voice that should be heard more, for comedy shining a light on some grim, unjust places’ **** (Scotsman).
BOOK NOWRachel Creeger: "Queen of the Jews!"
Hoots @ The Apex — Hoot 4
7 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 14:30
60 mins
Age: 14+After the dramatic cancellation of her show at the Edinburgh Fringe last year, multi award-winning comedian, Rachel Creeger, presents her brand-new show, a brutally warm and funny exploration of when it's paranoia, and when they're really out to get you. 'Her show is one of the Fringe's big talking points' **** (Telegraph). 'There is a huge scope for humour around culture and religion. Rachel Creeger is the pinnacle of this.' **** (FunnyWomen.com) 'Clever banter and sharp observation that crosses the religious divide' (EdFringeReview.com). 'Very, very funny' **** (Jewish Chronicle).
BOOK NOWAll the Animals: Ranked (by Comedians)
By Leslie GoldHoots @ Nicolson Square — Nic 7 (Nicolson Square Gardens)
7 Aug - 30 Aug
Start times: 14:40
60 mins
Age: 16+Everybody has opinions about animals. Some of them are funny. We’re going to attempt what Charles Darwin, David Attenborough and the Muppets have never quite managed to do: definitively rank the animals – and have a whale of a time doing it. A panel of not quite tame comedians battle it out to determine the ultimate list of the best (and worst) animals, with an ever-evolving leader board plus animal-themed interactive games. A funny panel-show spin on our furry, feathery, finny friends! From the creator of 101 Rules for a Better World (by Comedians).
BOOK NOWAbsolute Nickhead
By Nick KirkHoots @ Nicolson Square — Nic 8 (Nicolson Square Gardens)
7 Aug - 30 Aug
Start times: 14:50
60 mins
Age: 16+Nick Kirk, West End New Act finalist, just wants to put on a silly character show. His own inner monologue has other ideas. Who will win? Will it make any sense? Does that even matter? These questions, and fewer, might be answered in Absolute Nickhead... 'Safety officer Dave Steed is an amusing tragi-comic conceit and expertly performed with fine timing' (Chortle.co.uk).
BOOK NOWCosmopolitan – Aliki Tsakoumi
Hoots @ Nicolson Square — Nic 3 (Nicolson Square Venues)
7 Aug - 29 Aug
Start times: 14:50
60 mins
Age: 12+A confident and clueless Greek stand-up comedian living in Scandinavia shares her sharp thoughts with her not-so-sharp English. Misunderstanding and questioning every culture that will have her, she goes on about accents, families, tourists and pedestrian crossing lines. Drawing on years of stand-up comedy in English, this show is perfect for anyone who has tried to express themselves in a second language!
BOOK NOWComedy Bingo
Hoots @ Hilton (Bread Street) — Slice 3
7 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 15:00
55 mins
Age: 14+Stand-up comedy meets bingo!! Comedians perform hilarious sets, you cross off their topics from bespoke bingo topic cards. Laugh lots, encourage topics, make the comedians improvise and win big prizes!
BOOK NOWStuart Mitchell and Festival Friends
Hoots @ The Apex — Hoot 1
7 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 15:00
60 mins
Age: 18+Following on from his 2025 shows, join social media star and the longest-running panelist from BBC Scotland’s Breaking the News, and the very best comedians from this year’s Edinburgh Fringe! Every day there is a different line-up all hosted by Stuart Mitchell! 'Work of genius' ***** (Daily Record). 'One of Scotland’s rising stars, Stuart Mitchell is a comedian worth catching before he becomes mega' (Daily Record).
BOOK NOWMichael Brunström: William Tell vs the Algorithm
Hoots @ Potterrow — Big Yurt
7 Aug - 19 Aug
Start times: 15:05
60 mins
Age: 12+The medieval Swiss folk hero stands up to the tyranny of AI in this surreal take on the William Tell legend, from Malcolm Hardee Award winner Michael Brunström. Death to The Algorithm! Freedom for Switzerland! Michael Brunström is an award-winning surrealist comedian. His show Copernicus Now was nominated for the Best Show Award at Leicester Comedy Festival 2024. 'A true comedy original ... a joy' **** (Scotsman). 'An artistic genius' **** (Skinny). 'You will see nothing else that is so clever and funny' **** (NorthWestEnd.co.uk).
BOOK NOWThom Tuck: Heartwarming Animal Content
Hoots @ Potterrow — Big Yurt
20 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 15:05
55 mins
Age: 16+Show about alligators and algorithms. Best Newcomer Nominee 2011 Thom Tuck returns with a brand-new set of words in a row in progress. It's his sixth stand-up show. Winner: Michael Topping Award 2025. Malcom Hardee Cunning Stunt Award 2024. Fringe First 2012. Panel Prize 2008. Herald Angel 1999. 'Evanescent, maybe' (Chortle.co.uk). 'Amusing enough' (Guardian). 'Intelligent, articulate and literate' (One4Review.co.uk). 'Ostentatiously erudite' (Fest). 'He charms immediately' (Skinny). 'Sad little vignettes' (BritishTheatreGuide.info). 'Thrillingly unconstrained' (ThreeWeeks.co.uk). 'A joy to spend an hour with' (Scotsman). 'A bit scattershot' (Independent). 'As funny as it is sorrowful' (List). 'Tweedy rogue' (Telegraph).
BOOK NOWBob Graham – Tap Dancing on a Sinking Ship
Hoots @ Nicolson Square — Nic 4 (Nicolson Square Venues)
7 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 15:10
60 mins
Age: 18+After 20 years of being a comedian, and a slight hiatus, Bob returns to the fringe with his eighth solo show about that sinking feeling we all have these days. Come and enjoy the show before the complete collapse of civilisation (that does sound bleak but there will be jokes and lots of them). 'Wonderfully anarchic' (Skinny). 'Deadpan, sinister, miserable and absolutely brilliant!' (Punchlineuk.wordpress.com).
BOOK NOWTraumedy: A Guide to Being a Fabulous Homeless Addict
Hoots @ The Apex — Hoot 6
7 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 15:10
60 mins
Age: 16+The award-winning debut stand-up show written and performed by Iain Anderson. A fast-paced, brutally honest and riotously funny account of his life so far. From the gay scene in Glasgow to rock bottom in Barcelona, this is a celebration of resilience and the saving power of laughter. It’s not a sob story, it’s a reminder that even the messiest lives can still be fabulous. Come laugh, cry, feel uplifted and leave feeling more connected to those around you. An experience not to be missed that's unlike anything else in comedy today!
BOOK NOWLance Mao: The Pig with the Dragon Tattoo
By Lance MaoHoots @ The Apex — Hoot 3
7 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 15:20
60 mins
Age: 16+Are you depressed, anxious, hate your job, or having an existential crisis? So is Lance. Asian immigrant with OCD, he is losing a battle with his brain. Born in Hungary and living in Britain, life as a perpetual foreigner has cost him his sanity. A dark confessional hour about racism, mental health, fear, and embracing your crazy. What happens when you let your intrusive thoughts run wild? 'Like the Eras Tour but without the music' (Himself). Get-Up Stand Up New Comedian of the Year Finalist 2024.
BOOK NOWWill Davies: Heroic Scale
By Will DaviesHoots @ Potterrow — Wee Container 1
7 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 15:25
60 mins
Age: 16+In the depressing gloom of the second millennium, there is only disappointment. Why is that? How did it get that way, and can we do anything about it? When is someone going to come along and sort this all out? What does any of this have to do with the world’s most popular (and most litigious) brand of toy soldiers? Join Will Davies as he attempts to unravel these mysteries and more in: Heroic Scale. 'Subtle, subversive, and deeply funny' **** (AYoungishPerspective.co.uk). 'Davies is depressingly entertaining' (One4Review.co.uk).
BOOK NOW101 Impressions in One Hour
By Cal HalbertHoots @ Nicolson Square — Nic 2 (The Main Hall, Nicolson Square Venues)
7 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 15:30
60 mins
Age: 18+Cal Halbert is one of the UK's top all-round entertainers, and the top comedy impressionist working the UK comedy circuit. As one half of The Mimic Men, he appeared on Britain's Got Talent in 2016, receiving a standing ovation and four yeses. He has since gone on to appear on The Gadget Show, BBC, ITV and Channel 5. 'Uncanny imitations’ (Sun). 'Something for everyone' (Scotsman). 'Hard to beat' (Comedy.co.uk). 'You blew my mind' (Michael McIntyre). 'Hilarious' (Daily Mail). 'Excellent' (Daily Mirror).
BOOK NOW
