Crystal Clear: Dan Tiernan on new Fringe show Quartz and All

The influence of magic on the comedy scene today is pretty hard to deny, and Dan Tiernan is the perfect example. We talk about his return to the Fringe, born out of a recent discovery of the benefits of crystals after having his phone stolen.

“There was never a plan for me to buy a crystal. I didn't believe in them. I was just trying to buy a wedding present in a panic. The woman behind the counter brought out this black, shiny, spiky, massive rock. I didn't know crystals could look like that. She said, 'This is a black tourmaline. It's for grounding and protection,' and I just instantly went, 'That one's for me, please.'”

And so, Tiernan’s most personal show to date, Quartz and All, was born. He has a demeanour which is equal parts laid-back and deeply inquisitive. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Tiernan grew up wanting to be a magician – an art which he practised regularly. It seems magic has always been somewhere within his work, whether at the forefront or not. Tiernan agrees that “there's something incredibly magical about comedy. I think comedy is more magic than magic itself, because with magic you know it's an illusion.”

There’s a layered profundity to Tiernan’s new show, which lies in its ability to observe the endless and spiralling connections between life, magic and art. Though the story begins with a stolen phone and a crystal, in a bigger picture “it’s about what my faith and philosophy has been and how that's changed, and just how tough the world can be really, which, I'm always aware, doesn't sound very funny. I think my show descriptions never really do.”

But there's no doubt that this show is funny. There’s plenty of accolades to back it, having received nominations for Best Newcomer (Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2023), Best Comedy Show (Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2025) and Most Outstanding Show (Melbourne Comedy Awards 2026). But it’s the Fringe that holds a special place in Tiernan’s heart: “I love the Fringe so much. I love the excitement of it, I love the chaos of it and I love the idea of turning over a new hour that reflects where your life has been that year.”

And Tiernan has certainly had a lot to reflect upon this year. The comic has, “from the top of [his] head,” endured personal battles ranging from dyspraxia to psychosis. Himself a gay man (“but not seeming like a gay man”) has seen him contend with the perplexities of masculinity in society, and through this he has “accidentally spread awareness” in his work. There’s an effortless candour to Tiernan, a candour which is conceived by living through hard stuff and remaining a decent – and very funny – person. Tiernan has noticed (or set) a trend in men opening up to the world of magic. He reflects that, since getting into crystals, "I’ve noticed how much heterosexual men open up, and how that feels new and different. Hopefully, we can show that crystals can be masculine as well.”

Credit: Jack Hauxwell

Though the theme of magic may be a trend at this year’s Fringe, Tiernan thinks “the reason for that is quite bleak. It’s because we know so much about the real world, and how all of that points to the fact that the climate's changing and the world is in real trouble, or that there's genocides happening – specifically, the genocide in Palestine. I think people are deciding to look outside of reality.” And what better place to see beyond reality than at the Fringe? 

There’s something in Quartz and All for everyone, and Tiernan makes that clear: “If you just allow yourself to believe there's a tiny chance that [magic] is real, it does make life more livable. As well as the standard in my show, myself and the team who are producing and promoting me are working on making it a real magical experience, because that's what it's all about”.

He continues that “comedy, for me, is so magic. You see good stand-up comedy and you disappear through a portal for an hour, and you just feel joy and happiness. I'm very proud of the fact that I get to be on the other end of that.” I think I speak for a lot of people when I say we’re glad Tiernan is on the other end of that as well.

Dan Tiernan’s mini ‘Fringe Forecast’

Last night the moon was full, so I stood underneath it fully naked and asked it to predict what your Fringe holds. The conversation went as follows.

Moon: August will be a great month for your reader. They have worked very hard in July and now the climb is behind them. This is a month of harvesting wisdom rather than chasing ambition. They should release any thing and any one that does not nourish them. It’s an important month for relationships. Expect old conversations to return wearing new faces, someone may reach out after silence and an apology will come albeit too late. Those who cling too tightly risk watching others drift away.

Me: While I’ve got you could I be selfish and ask if you have any advice for me?

Moon: I reckon you should put some clothes on. You're in a public park for Christ's sake.

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Dan Tiernan: Quartz and All, Monkey Barrel Comedy (MB1), 7-30 Aug (not 18), 10.25pm