Edinburgh Fringe 2025: A Comedy Preview

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2025 is gearing up to be another spectacular showcase of comedic talent, with early previews and award longlists offering a tantalizing glimpse of what's to come. Audiences can expect a diverse range of performances, from established stars to exciting newcomers, promising laughter and memorable moments throughout the festival.

Key Takeaways

• The ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards have announced their longlists for Best Show and Best Newcomer, highlighting a strong field of contenders.

• Critics are already recommending a variety of shows, praising their originality, humour, and performance quality.

• The festival promises a mix of musical comedy, storytelling, character-driven acts, and sharp observational humour.

A Glimpse at the Recommended Shows

The British Comedy Guide has curated a list of highly recommended shows for the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe. Highlights include "1902," a poignant and interactive tale celebrating Hibernian FC's anniversary, and Alex Prescot's "Cosy," a warm hour of musical comedy. Amanda Dwyer's "I Did Something Bad" is lauded as a flawless autobiographical piece, while "Ginger's Problem Area" offers classic drag comedy. Ayo Adenekan's "Black Mediocrity" is noted as a powerful debut, and Bella Hull's "Doctors Hate Her" promises sharp jokes and charm. Festival stalwart Carl Donnelly returns with "Another Round," and Cat Cohen's "Broad Strokes" beautifully balances storytelling and songs about her stroke. Catie Wilkins' "We'll See" offers a welcome comeback with relatable parenting humour, and Chloe Petts' "Big Naturals" is a masterclass in gimmick-free stand-up.

Other praised acts include Daniel McKeon's promising debut "Boyboss," Dave Bibby's hilarious "Hasta La Vista... Bibby!," and Alfrun Rose's darkly comic "Dead Air." Desiree Burch's "The Golden Wrath" tackles peri-menopause with wit, while "Fly, You Fools!" is a brilliant Lord of the Rings parody. Frank Foucault's "Dance" is a joyfully silly hour, and "Funz and Gamez rebootz" offers bleak life lessons for adults. Heidi Regan's "Jekyll and Heidi" handles tricky subjects with feel-good humour, and Huge Davies' "Free Work in Progress" is a must-see for musical improv fans. Jena Friedman's "Motherf*cker" is sharp and funny, while Jessica Fostekew's "Iconic Breath" finds delight amidst life's challenges. Joe Sib's "California Calling" is an unsung surprise, and John Tothill's "This Must Be Heaven" creates an intimate atmosphere. Joz Norris' "You Wait. Time Passes." is described as powerhouse buffoonery, and Kai Humphries' "KAIBOSH" showcases natural comic talent. Kieran Hodgson's "Voice of America" delivers laughs and impressions, while Kit Loyd's "Frenzy" features impressive physical comedy. Kyla Cobbler's "Gone Rogue" is an electric hour of crowd work, and Broadway star Laura Benanti makes her debut with "Nobody Cares." Laura Davis' "Despair is Beneath Us" is artful and philosophical, and Liam Withnail's "Big Strong Boy" is reliably funny. Luke McQueen's "Comedian's Comedian" could be a breakthrough show, and Marc Burrows' "The Britpop Hour" revisits the 90s. Mark Forward's "Safari Time" is unique and silly, while Matt Winning's "Solastalgia" is ambitious. Michelle Brasier's "It's a Shame We Won't Be Friends Next Year" mixes musical comedy with heartfelt tributes, and Michelle Wolf rails against gender inequality. Mike Rice's "Cruel Little Man" is relentlessly funny, and Nina Conti's "Whose Face Is It Anyway?" elevates ventriloquism. Paul Currie's "Dada Dojo" is unpredictable, and Phil Ellis' "Soppy Stern" is a more personal show. Phil Green's "A Broken Man's Guide to Fixing Others" offers depth on masculinity and mental health. Rachel Kaly's "Hospital Hour" is darkly funny, and Rhys Darby returns with "The Legend Returns." Ross Leslie's "Now Is The Time" is a dynamic stand-up set, and Thom Tuck stars in "Scaramouche Jones." Scott Turnbull's "Surreally Good" offers a lo-fi animated take on infotainment, and Sharon Wanjohi's "In the House" introduces a new alternative comedy star. "Stamptown" is a chaotic cabaret, and Stuart Laws' "Stuart Laws Is Stuck" is a sophisticated play. Tadiwa Mahlunge's "Hakuna Ma Tad Tad" offers insightful takes on the British class system, and Ted Hill's "110 Percent Normal" uses multimedia for jokes. "The Faustus Project" is an unheralded sensation, and "Two Hearts: Don't Stop Throbbing" is a powerhouse musical hour. Urooj Ashfaq's "How to Be a Baddie" is charming and funny.

ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards Longlists

The ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards, an alternative to the main awards, have revealed their longlists. For Best Show, notable mentions include John Tothill's "This Must Be Heaven," Kieran Hodgson's "Voice Of America," Laura Davis' "Despair is Beneath Us," Luke McQueen's "Comedian's Comedian," Mark Forward Presents Safari Time, Mike Rice's "Cruel Little Man," and Phil Ellis' "Soppy Stern." In the Best Newcomer category, Ayo Adenekan's "Black Mediocrity" and Kit Loyd's "Frenzy" are among the longlisted acts. The ISH Awards are judged by volunteers and focus on artists supporting artists, with shortlists due to be announced soon.

Sources

• Edinburgh Fringe 2025 reviews - British Comedy Guide, British Comedy Guide.

• Recommended Edinburgh Fringe shows 2025, British Comedy Guide.

• ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2025 longlists, British Comedy Guide.