Comedy - Safe Bets

Want a show that will guarantee laughs a-plenty? Let Fest be your guide...

Feature by Sam Friedman | 04 Aug 2009

Stewart Lee
Emperor, figurehead and talisman of Fringe comedy, Stewart Lee attacks the Festival every year with the same unwavering creative zeal.

Rhys Darby
In a dingy Edinburgh flat in 2003, Rhys Darby sat down with two fellow Kiwis to record the BBC pilot for Flight Of The Conchords...the rest is history. Having found fame as band manager Murray, much is expected from Darby's Edinburgh return.

The Penny Dreadfuls
Having transformed sketch comedy in the last three years with their trilogy of Victorian thrillers, the multitalented Dreadfuls return this year with an intriguing sketch-based narrative set on a theme park island.

Simon Amstell
One of the few genuinely funny TV panel-show hosts, Simon Amstell is also a remarkably good stand-up.

David O Doherty
Despite winning last year’s if.comedy award, there’s been no astronomic rise to fame for David O Doherty. Which is good news for us, as we get him and his plastic keyboard all to ourselves.

Sean Hughes
It’s a long time since Sean Hughes won The Perrier Award in 1987, but the veteran Irish comic still possesses one of the darkest and most intelligent comedy brains on the circuit.

Rhod Gilbert
Bookies' favourite for last year’s if.comedy award, many believe Gilbert was robbed by the judges. He’s not bitter, though, and this year will be aiming to go one better.

Andrew Maxwell
Andrew Maxwell's recent turn towards the political has added another welcome layer to his playful brand of cheeky Irish charm.

Daniel Kitson
Once again opting for the intimate dungeons of The Stand rather than the schmaltzy limelight of the big four, multi-talented playwright and comedian Kitson promises yet more bearded magic in 2009.

Zoe Lyons
Probably the most impressive British female comic on the circuit, Zoe Lyons' bolshy yet razor-sharp observational comedy has earned her many plaudits in the last two years.