The Best Comedy Shows of Edinburgh Fringe 2022

Looking for the best Edinburgh Fringe comedy shows? We'll be keeping our four- and five-star reviews, and a selection of articles to get you started on the Fringe, here

Feature by The Skinny | 05 Aug 2022

The Fringe is back! The comedy section of the 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme features thousands of performances, so it helps to be able to narrow things down. This page will hopefully do help – we'll be updating it throughout the Edinburgh Fringe with our reviewers' four- and five-star write-ups of some of the Fringe's funniest shows.

John Norris sits with his hand on his chin in front of a spotlight; his shadow can be seen on the wall behind him.

Mr Chonkers @ Monkey Barrel (★★★★★)

An hour of chaotic clowning, it's genuinely astonishing how much fun John Norris manages to pack into Mr Chonkers. It’s probably not for everyone, but for any lovers of clowning, absurdity or silliness in spades, this is not one to miss. Read our full review here. Photo: Alan Michnoff

Rajiv Karia @ Pleasance Courtyard (★★★★)

"Karia provides such a rounded and endearing picture of himself, and delivers it with such gentle charm, that there's a risk audience members will hang about Pleasance afterwards in an attempt to continue a (so far imaginary) friendship." Read our full review here. Photo: Matt Stronge

Chloe Petts stands in front of a grey background.

Chloe Petts @ Pleasance Courtyard (★★★★)

Chloe Petts' Edinburgh Fringe show Transience is full of big laughs, with perhaps a larger, more serious purpose at work. Read our full review here. Photo: Matt Crockett

Lara Ricote sits crosslegged on the floor, wearing purple and teal printed dungarees.

Lara Ricote @ Monkey Barrel (★★★★)

Lara Ricote’s debut Edinburgh Fringe hour, GRL/LATNX/DEF is full of energy, goofiness and heart that manages to brighten even the dark and sticky room that is The Hive. Read our full review here. Photo: Steve Ullathorne

Sam Lake looks into the camera, with his mouth slightly open, in front of a pink background.

Sam Lake @ Pleasance Courtyard (★★★★)

An hour of comedy with warmth and well-earned sentiment (plus a bit of excellent tech usage), Sam Lake makes an impressive Edinburgh Fringe debut with Cake. Read our full review here.

Portrait photo of Ania Magliano

Ania Magliano @ Pleasance Courtyard (★★★★)

With an easy-going warmth and mastery of her material, it’s quickly clear just what an accomplished stand-up 22-year-old Ania Magliano is. Read our full review here. Photo: Matt Stronge

Portrait photo of Sophie Duker

Sophie Duker @ Pleasance Courtyard (★★★★)

It’s freeing to watch Sophie Duker embrace her true self and live her best life on stage – and when the punchlines hit as consistently as Duker’s do, it’s also guaranteed to be a riotously fun time. Read our full review here.

Hannah Fairweather stands in front of an orange backdrop

Hannah Fairweather @ Just the Tonic, The Caves (★★★★)

Just a Normal Girl Who Enjoys Revenge is a satisfying, therapeutic vent, and not unlike an extended voice note from that one hilarious friend who you always have time for. Read our full review here. Photo: Karla Gowlett

Norris and Parker @ Monkey Barrel (★★★★)

Norris and Parker return with a new Edinburgh Fringe show that's sure to delight veterans and newbies alike. Read the full review here. Photo: Rebecca Need-Menear

The two members of comedy double act Shelf. Ruby smiles with her eyes closed, while Rachel stands side on and presses their face against Ruby's.

Shelf @ Pleasance Courtyard (★★★★)

The debut Fringe show from double act Rachel WD and Ruby Clyde is a self-assured look at gender identity and expression. The show feels like an excellent use of the stand-up form; the perfect space in which to play with and investigate gender conventions. Read the full review here.

Portrait photo of Julia Masli. She wears a sparkly brown top, and her hair is flying upwards.

Julia Masli: CHOOSH! @ Assembly Roxy (★★★★)

Masli’s debut show is rather irresistible, and feels like an archetypal Fringe experience from the lo-fi aesthetic to its moments of joyful collectivity. It's a delightful confection of silliness, but there are flashes of steel in its fun. Read the full review here. Photo: Andy Hollingworth Archive

Patrick Spicer: Patrick Spicer @ Gilded Balloon (★★★★)

Spicer is an engaging and natural storyteller, who radiates a lively energy that puts you at ease, even as he professes about all the times throughout his life he has been anything but. Read the full review here. Photo: James Deacon

Thanyia Moore @ Monkey Barrel (★★★★)

Moore oozes confidence, the room is bubbling with glee from the moment she lands on stage. She knows how to play around and chat back, but still stay on task. Although experienced, it’s impressive given this is her first Edinburgh hour. Read the full review here. Photo: Shazad Khalid

Erika Ehler @ Monkey Barrel (★★★★)

Provocative, filthy and flirty, the space Ehler creates feels safe enough for her to talk about pretty much whatever she wants. It just so happens that she wants to talk about her sexual conquests, better known as her ‘twinks’. Read the full review here. Photo: Matt Crocket

Danielle Walker @ Assembly George Square (★★★★)

A generously warm show rooted in family and told with love and laughs, Walker invites you into her family home and readies you for a family get-together with the loved ones you really should make an effort to see more. Read the full review here.

For all the latest from across the Edinburgh Fringe, follow us at @theskinnymag on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and take a look at our sister magazine Fest – their dedicated team are all over this year's Edinburgh Festivals with reviews, interviews and more.