What's On - August Comedy Roundup

With the Fringe back in full swing, here are some of the best debut acts coming to Edinburgh this August - As well as some funny freebies and returning legends

Article by Polly Glynn | 29 Jul 2022
  • Amy Matthews

With 1192 comedy shows (according to the Fringe’s website) and counting, The Fringe is back with a BANG baby! 

There are so many acts this year who are making their first appearance at the Festival. Home grown acts Amy Matthews (4-28 Aug, not 15th, 2.35pm, Monkey Barrel: Carnivore 1) and Krystal Evans (4-28 Aug, not 16th, 3.10pm, Monkey Barrel: The Studio) have honed their hours on the Scottish comedy scene and beyond. Sikisa is a red-hot debut ticket for us (3-28 Aug, not 17th, 8.25pm, Pleasance Courtyard: Below). She’s rocketed up the comedy ranks at lightning speed and we’re so keen to sit down to an act who calls Fern Brady a fan. Likewise, Erika Ehler (this month’s ICYMI) is sure to garner fans with her divisive, deadpan, anti-comedy (3-28 Aug, 9.40pm, Monkey Barrel: Carnivore 1). Other folk we can’t wait to see (and couldn’t quite squeeze into our debuts roundup) include Funny Women 2021 Winner Lara Ricote (3-28 Aug, not 17th, 3.20pm, Monkey Barrel: Hive 2), political Twitter wind-up merchant Rosie Holt (3-29 Aug, not 16th, 6pm, Pleasance Courtyard: Attic) and genre-defying Leo Reich (3-28 Aug, not 17th, 9.35pm, Pleasance Courtyard: Baby Grand).


Ali Brice

For wallet-conscious audiences wanting more established comics, we recommend queueing early for Ali Brice (6-28 Aug, 4.50pm, Banshee Labyrinth: Chamber Room) as part of PBH’s Free Fringe. Previously described by us as “a hidden gem”, this year sees Ali return to Fringe with a more earnest show but still crammed with the silliness we expect from this alternative act. In the same venue, you’re guaranteed an hour of spooky, subversive humour from Ruth Hunter (6-28 Aug, not 9th, 16th, 23rd, 7pm, Banshee Labyrinth: Banquet Hall). As well as shows with PBH and Laughing Horse, this is a PSA that the majority of shows with Monkey Barrel and Just the Tonic are Pay What You Can, meaning if you’re up for a wee wait and a gamble, you might get to sneak into some excellent shows without needing to have bought a ticket first; shows like Mat Ewins (4-28 Aug, not 15th, 10.30pm, Just the Tonic at The Caves: Big Room), Mark Silcox (3-28 Aug, not 17th, 5.45pm, Monkey Barrel: The Studio) and Stuart McPherson (3-28 Aug, not 15th, 4.55pm, Monkey Barrel: Carnivore 2). Make sure to tap your card or drop some cash in the bucket on your way out of the show though!

As for the other big venues, you’re not short of brilliant acts. The latest Taskmaster champion, Sophie Duker (3-28 Aug, not 17th, 7.30pm, Pleasance Courtyard: Beside) returns for her sophomore hour while Tom Walker (3-28 Aug, not 17th, Assembly George Sq: The Box), one of our favourite acts of 2019, clowns lyrical about javelins. Rob Auton (3-29 Aug, not 16th, 2.50pm, Assembly George Sq: The Blue Room) has penned a show about crowds which is bound to be smart, eloquent and thoughtful while sketch acts Sheeps (4-14 Aug, 7pm, Pleasance Courtyard: Forth) and Tarot (3-28 Aug, 10pm, Pleasance Courtyard: Beside) present sketch comedy with more than just a slice of danger, with weirdness to boot.