Scottish Comedy Highlights: May 2024
May’s comedy highlights throw up some big US stars, debut tours from some Fringe aces, and new material from familiar faces
Coming to Scotland for his debut UK tour is this month’s Dream Gig writer Morgan Rees. The BBC New Comedy Award Finalist’s show covers sex, shame and pride and was an impressive hypeman when he supported Jayde Adams on tour last year (Turning Thirsty, Monkey Barrel, Edinburgh, 9 May, 8pm; The Stand, Glasgow, 22 May, 8.30pm, £15). Also embarking on her first tour is Lou Conran – expect Tangent to be flirty, filthy and very fucking funny, perfect for a gal’s night out (Monkey Barrel, Edinburgh, 16 May, 8pm, £12).
Also touring are the lovely Catherine Bohart (Once More with Feelings, The Stand, Edinburgh, 22 May; The Stand, Glasgow, 23 May, 8.30pm, £14) with musings on adulthood and queer reproduction, and Michelle Brasier (Reform, Glee Club, Glasgow, 19 May, 7.30pm, £18.50), with her musical tale of Facebook, friends and redemption during COVID which got four stars from us at the Fringe.
Subversive US prankster Eric André starts his string of UK dates in Glasgow this month (O2 Academy Glasgow, 16 May, 7pm, from £41.35). Famed for his wild Adult Swim faux-chat show, this tour is a live version of his particular brand of chaos. Also coming to Scotland from the States is The Bechdel Cast (Monkey Barrel, Edinburgh, 26 May, 8pm, £25), a podcast on stage from US comics Jamie Loftus and Caitlin Durante who explore film through a female lens and Shrek refs.
As for brand new comedy, there’s a heap of work-in-progress gigs from acts building their Fringe hours at Edinburgh’s Monkey Barrel. Tamsyn Kelly (of best photos of last Edinburgh fame) (11 May, 6pm, £7) and Krystal Evans (15 May, 8pm, £8) warm-up their sophomore hours, while Sara Barron (31 May, 8pm, £8) brings her brand new show to the venue. And finally, just squeaking into this month’s roundup, is Jin Hao Li (1 June, 8pm, £7) – catch another WIP of his first hour before August if you missed the chance (like us) to see him at Glasgow Comedy Festival.
thestand.co.uk / monkeybarrelcomedy.com