She's a LOT: Louise O'Toole

Hoots @ The Apex — Hoot 6
7 Aug - 29 Aug
Start times: 19:40
50 mins
Age: 14+

Irish comedian Louise O'Toole is a lot, even for herself. As a single pringle, her life is turning out a lot less She's All That and a little more She's a Bit Much, Actually. The self-proclaimed Auntie Hero is back, parentless and jobless to boot – and she's wondering if AI or the algorithm can predict how the crisp is going to crumble. Surely there's a 90s rom-com ending coming soon. 'Side-splitting relatable wit' (The Student).

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CK Nath: 'A Bit of Foreign Stuff' (WIP)

Hoots @ Nicolson Square — Nic 6 (Nicolson Square Venues Courtyard)
7 Aug - 19 Aug
Start times: 19:45
45 mins
Age: 16+

High energy and full of bite! A stand-up comedy show about growing up Indian, living in the UK and discovering how strange, funny and wonderful “foreignness” can be. Join CK in this joyful take on identity and belonging. Expect vivid storytelling, cheeky character work and lots of laughs!

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Zoe Cousin: Paul Sykes Is Back on the Family Patch

Hoots @ Nicolson Square — Nic 6 (Nicolson Square Venues Courtyard)
20 Aug - 30 Aug
Start times: 19:45
45 mins
Age: 16+

Paris. Panama City. Pontefract. Pyongyang. He’s been about a bit. But now he’s back on the family patch; it’s like he never went away. Join Wakefield’s infamous hardman Paul Sykes on a journey about survival, self-discovery and being a big fish in a big pond (Wakefield is the 11th largest city in Britain, when you consider wider districts). You might laugh, you might cry, you will learn how to punch someone in the f***ing earhole. As seen on BBC Three. BBC New Comedy Awards 2025. 'Raucous and genuinely hilarious' (EdFringeReview.com).

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1 Irishman: A Stand-up Comedy Show

Hoots @ The Apex — Hoot 3
7 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 19:50
45 mins
Age: 16+

Irish comedian Reece Kidd returns with a brand-new stand-up show. Reece has performed in 30+ countries, sold out the Edinburgh Festival Fringe three years running, and earned over 200 million views online. Expect hilarious fish-out-of-water stories, sharp characters, playful dark humour, fast improvisation and crowd interaction, as Reece explores the chaos of being an Irishman abroad. Perfect for fans of Dylan Moran, Tommy Tiernan, Dara Ó Briain, Jim Jefferies, Bill Burr and John Mulaney – and anyone who loves big stories, cultural mishaps and a great night of stand-up.

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Claudwick.

Hoots @ Nicolson Square — Nic 9 (Nicolson Square Gardens)
20 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 19:50
60 mins
Age: 16+

Claudwick is young, wealthy and heir to a large fortune from a noble family. Being raised in some backwater town, he decides to leave his ivory tower and invest in a renovated warehouse loft in Peckham, looking for the exhilarating, gritty urban life. The life he finds though, is not the one he looks for. Fairly disappointed, he starts to educate his new friends and neighbours to make his world make sense again. A sharp, satirical comedic theatre show on the choking reality of gentrification and the intellectual bewilderment of obscene wealth. Directed by award-winning director Katharina Boll.

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Improvised Musical Galactic Deathmatch

Hoots @ Hilton (Bread Street) — Slice 1
28 Aug
Start times: 19:50
60 mins
Age: 14+

'Like Taskmaster meets Eurovision!' (Audience review). Musical improv with a sci-fi twist! Improvisers have been brought together from across the universe to appease the Galactic Emperor. To save their lives, they must compete in various musical challenges – creating new comedy songs based on YOUR suggestions! Who will be elevated to musical Valhalla? Who will be condemned to musical hell? There’s only one way to find out!

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Justina Seselskaite: Settled

Hoots @ Hilton (Bread Street) — Slice 1
7 Aug - 30 Aug
Start times: 19:50
45 mins
Age: 16+

A sharp, witty show developed through sold-out previews and major comedy festivals across the UK. Praised by BlizzardComedy.co.uk as a 'masterclass in full-length storytelling', it blends punchlines with a satisfying narrative. The show explores Justina’s journey as an immigrant since moving to the UK in 2014, capturing the humour and challenges of adapting to a new culture. Justina is an award-winning comedian and a finalist in So You Think You’re Funny? She supported Hayley Ellis, Nina Gilligan, Mark Bittlestone and Katie Norris on tour and appeared on NextUp and BBC iPlayer. Described as Brilliant' (Micky Flanagan).

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Meat Cute or Die! (WIP)

Hoots @ Nicolson Square — Nic 9 (Nicolson Square Gardens)
7 Aug - 16 Aug
Start times: 19:50
60 mins
Age: 18+

Two small-town South African butchers with a burning desire to improvise a romantic comedy and maybe, just maybe, find love along the way (depending on the crowd). Expect romance, chaos and weird little surprises in this interactive show presented by two award-winning South African comedians. Low steaks connections, high quality laughs. Foo: 2024 Chortle Student Comedy Award. 'Assured and pacy performer' (Chortle.co.uk). Kate Pinchuck: Comedy Central, multiple Standard Bank Ovation Award, UK tour support for Schalk Bezuidenhout. 'A real find, with the talent and ideas to go a very long way' (One4Review.co.uk).

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2026 Pick of the Fringe

Hoots @ The Wee Red Bar — The Wee Red Bar
7 Aug - 30 Aug
Start times: 19:55
60 mins
Age: 14+

Hoots Comedy official Pick of the Fringe showcase returns for 2026 with another hand-picked selection of our favourite acts from across the Fringe. We present an ever-changing lineup of some of the best comics the Fringe has to offer, all crammed into one amazing show. 'A must–see for Scottish comedy lovers' **** (BroadwayBaby.com). 'Rick Molland is perfect for the role of compere' (ThreeWeeks). 'Stand-out stand-up' (Rip It Up). Perth Fringe Comedy Award nominated.

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Richard Stott: Streets Won't Forget

Hoots @ Nicolson Square — Nic 5 (Nicolson Square Venues Courtyard)
7 Aug - 30 Aug
Start times: 19:55
60 mins
Age: 16+

Richard Stott (Comedy Central Live, ITV2 Stand Up Sketch Show) amongst other things talks about his affinity with his favourite genre of footballer. A show about the big issues of the day such as masculinity, disability and the fact that Sabrina Carpenter looks like a scouser. **** (Skinny), **** (ThreeWeeks), **** (BroadwayBaby.co.uk). UK Pun Championship Finalist 2026. Guardian Top 10 Jokes Of The Fringe 2023. Come see why he's known on the circuit as absolutely unplayable on his day.

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AAA Comedy Gala

Hoots @ Hilton (Bread Street) — Slice 4
13 Aug - 30 Aug
Start times: 20:00
60 mins
Age: 16+

AAA Comedy Gala is a hand-picked comedy showcase featuring four outstanding comedians. Each act has been carefully selected for their ability to deliver big laughs in this fast-paced stand-up extravaganza – your chance to discover brilliant new comedians before they hit the big time. Expect sharp wit, big personalities and non-stop laughter as exciting rising stars take the stage. With a mix of unique styles and fresh perspectives, AAA Comedy Gala promises a brilliant night of live comedy.

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Baba

Hoots @ Nicolson Square — Nic 7 (Nicolson Square Gardens)
7 Aug - 24 Aug
Start times: 20:00
60 mins
Age: 14+

Join Romanian-Moroccan Muslim-Jewish, but also baptised clown Halima, in her debut solo-show of professional silliness, a heartfelt but also very funny hour of theatre and clowning about migration, loss and the concept of home. Did you know Baba means father in Arabic, witch in Romanian and baba ganoush wasn't always made with mayo? This is Baba: 'an absurd comedy, lighthearted. Romania-core at its finest... Really impressive, intriguing and strange, compelling and funny' (James Walsh). 'Ultimately this is a show about belonging and home, where we all come from, and where we're going. And also about sunglasses' (TheReviewsHub.com).

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2 Truths, 1 Lie

Hoots @ The Apex — Hoot 2
7 Aug - 16 Aug
Start times: 20:10
60 mins
Age: 16+

Funny, but is it true? Three headline comedians step on stage. Two are telling the truth, one is a big fat liar. Can you tell who...? The award-winning interactive comedy compilation sell-out show returns to an air-conditioned venue on the Grassmarket! The perfect show for fans of BBC's Would I Lie To You? Total sell-out 2023, 2024 and 2025, so book early! Over 2 million views on social media this year! Previous acts include Lou Wall, Geoff Norcott, Milo Edwards, Laura Lexx, Mark Silcox and more!

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Killer Comedy Club

Hoots @ Nicolson Square — Nic 8 (Nicolson Square Gardens)
7 Aug - 30 Aug
Start times: 20:10
60 mins
Age: 18+

Killer Comedy Club brings you the very best comedy talent from the UK comedy circuit and beyond for a killer night of stand-up comedy. Hosted by Harry Stachini, 'British comedy at its best' (One4Review.co.uk), and the award-winning Lewis Coleman. Join Harry and Lewis for an evening of laughs and a new special guest comedian every night. No gimmicks, just exactly what it says on the tin: Killer acts. Killer line-ups. Killer Comedy. It's a no-brainier choice for a guaranteed giggle!

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Michael Shafar: Inappropriate

Hoots @ Nicolson Square — Nic 2 (The Main Hall, Nicolson Square Venues)
7 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 20:10
45 mins
Age: 16+

2025 Leicester Comedy Festival Best Show Nominee. Edgy. Dark. Hilarious. In his trademark unfiltered and unapologetic style, Australian comedian, Michael Shafar, weighs into the topics that most comedians are smart enough to avoid. 'Shafar has a disarmingly relaxed approach... with a wildly inventive, darkly comic imagination.' ***** (TheEdinburghReporter.co.uk). 'He circumnavigates the line between edgy and offensive with beautiful finesse' ****½ (Age). 'If you fear comedy has gotten too politically correct, Shafar will put those fears to rest' **** (Time Out). 'He drives across taboos... this is equal opportunity Sacred Cow slaughter' (Scotsman).

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Octopus

Hoots @ Hilton (Bread Street) — Slice 5
7 Aug - 30 Aug
Start times: 20:10
55 mins
Age: 14+

An hour of mostly stand-up aiming to explore what I do or don't have in common with the mighty Octopus. These may include: multitasking, sexually aggressive females, a vigilant mother, mating for life, the ability to squeeze through even the tiniest gaps, a brain of many parts, delicious (but chewy), ability to completely change appearance, squirting ink from a gland near the anus and popular with the Spanish. Probably. **** (Chortle.co.uk) **** (Entertainment-Focus.com). **** (TheWeeReview.com). 'Rubs off onto everybody around her' **** (FunnyWomen.com).

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Tattoo Dave – Tat’s Life

Hoots @ The Apex — Hoot 2
17 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 20:10
55 mins
Age: 16+

Tattoo Dave lifts the lid on life as a tattooist, comedian, dog whisperer, social media raconteur, husband and father, and on being the fourth funniest person at home. 49 years of life, with stories honed over four years of stand-up comedy, have produced an incredible, creative and entirely true (just under) one hour of pure comedy.

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Frenchy: The Instigator

Hoots @ Hilton (Bread Street) — Slice 2
7 Aug - 30 Aug
Start times: 20:20
60 mins
Age: 14+

Can comedy even exist without an instigator? Good thing Frenchy is here to provide one as he returns to the stage with a brand-new show featuring his finest, cheekiest work yet. The Instigator is everything fans love about a Frenchy show – razor-sharp jokes, dark one-liners, wild stories and unpredictable, laugh-out-loud moments which’ll have you thinking 'he can’t say that'. He can, and will. And will again.

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John O'Keeffe: Surviving Myself

Hoots @ The Apex — Hoot 5
7 Aug - 31 Aug
Start times: 20:20
60 mins
Age: 18+

After a sold-out 2025 run, the hit show returns! Accepting responsibility for life's disasters with sharp, self-deprecating humour. From therapy struggles, to awkward relationships and common frustrations, this hilarious Irishman will have you laughing non-stop. One of the most exciting stand-ups in the Irish comedy scene. Winner Best New Act Award at Bray Comedy Festival, he has performed with top comedians such as Michelle Wolf, Joanne McNally, David O'Doherty and Neil Delemare. 'So funny' (Wendy Liebman). 'Classic stand-up' (Ruben Rajah). 'Savage' (Amos Gill). 'A cracking Irish comedian' (Comedy.co.uk). **** (One4Review.co.uk). **** (TheWeeReview.com). Comedy.co.uk recommended show 2025!

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Bec Hill's Work In Progress

Hoots @ Nicolson Square — Nic 3 (Nicolson Square Venues)
23 Aug - 30 Aug
Start times: 20:30
60 mins
Age: 16+

Because seeing how the sausage gets made is arguably more interesting than seeing a sausage. (Please bring a "show and tell" item (a trinket/something you made/your favourite childhood joke/etc) in case of emergency.) 'Just put her on Taskmaster already' ***** (BroadwayBaby.com).

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