Scottish Comedy Highlights: April 2025

Early in April, the marvellous John Tothill graces Edinburgh with his second hour of stand-up, Thank God This Lasts Forever (Monkey Barrel, 5 Apr, 8pm, £14). Centring on undergoing medical trials to fund his Fringe run, Tothill’s distinctive presence makes you feel as if he’s lounging in your front room with a robust red in one hand and a Marlboro Light in the other. 

As for local lads, Rosco McClelland brings the critically acclaimed Sudden Death to both Edinburgh (Monkey Barrel, 13 Apr, 7.30pm) and Dundee (Number 57, 18 Apr, 8pm) this month. In his most personal show yet, the gravel-voiced Glaswegian intertwines tales of young, dumb fun with a surprising health scare. And Two Doors Down’s Kieran Hodgson embarks on a new quest to save America (The Stand, Edinburgh, 15 Apr, 8.30pm) which is, in his own words, ‘having a cheeky one’ rn.

There’s a really exciting new night gearing up at The Old Hairdresser’s in Glasgow. Gnash (17 Apr, 8pm) is described as an experimental gig where art meets comedy, which sounds very much up our street. We’re expecting mad clown stuff, weird performance art and most importantly, something to tickle you in a completely unexpected way.

We’re also dead interested to see what Molly McGuiness has up her sleeve. Working up her debut hour at Monkey Barrel (28 Apr, 7pm), there’s a deceptive edge to McGuinness’s surface-level dream-like stand-up and with a killer BIG TWIST to be explored, we reckon she’s going to go great guns in August.

Finally, make sure to book ahead for one of our favourite shows from last Fringe – Ed Night’s The Plunge (Monkey Barrel, 9 May, 8pm). There’s something almost hypnotic about Night’s droll baritone as he drills into his specific brand of languorous nonsense. Totally unlike any other stand-up on the scene right now.