I am at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and I am having an amazing time – and I wanted to give you a guide of what to see while you are here. My show is at the Dans Palais in the Assembly at 9pm every night, so come see me and say hi!
Here’s a list of what I have enjoyed so far – and this list is far from complete. I need to go see some female comics too – I have to catch Ava Vidal and Diane Spencer and Zoe Lyons this week! But here’s some other reviews to tide you over….
***** (five out of five stars)
The W. Kamau Bell Curve – Ending Racism in About an Hour
9:30pm every night at Pleasance Courtyard
This show is stunning, and really the most important performance happening at this entire festival. Not only is it heartstoppingly funny, it demystifies race, which I find, many people in the UK are uncomfortable talking about. W. Kamau Bell’s show gives us many tools that aid in the process of dismantling race, looking at it from different sides. This show is a life changer and required viewing for everyone.
*****(five out of five stars)
Hari Kondabalu – Comedy Zone Showcase
10:45pm every night at Pleasance Courtyard
Hari is an intensely funny young comic from America, enjoying his first time at the Edinburgh Fringe. His comedy is eloquent and his timing is masterful. I’ve come to see the show multiple times now – and he’s remarkable. This is the only scheduled appearance Hari is making in the festival, so go see him here. If you are lucky you might be able to catch him at some of the late night comedy shows around town, but the best chance of seeing him is on this show.
*****(five out of five stars)
The Scott Capurro Position
4:15pm every day at Gilded Balloon
The incredible Scott Capurro and his genius second banana David Mills – this show is different every day, with guests from all around the fringe, such as myself, Tom Green, Le Gateau Chocolat – and Scott is mercilessly hilarious as an interviewer and joke teller. Sometimes in his presence I have trouble breathing – he is so funny. This is a chat show (or talk show as they say in America) and so the format is two guests per show as well as opening monologues/dialogues between Scott and David. It’s different every day and that is why I go to see it every day. It’s how I begin my nights.
*****(five out of five stars)
Four Poofs and a Piano
6:00 pm every day at the Pleasance Courtyard
This was the first show that I saw at the Fringe and it really was a wonderful way to kick everything off. It’s musical comedy at its funniest and finest. The songs are so smart and hilarious, but the quality of the singing and dancing is what wows me. the four poufs are big stars in the uk, and the show is all new material that will delight their fans. If you aren’t from here and don’t know who they are – you should go see them. I am so glad I discovered them – I am going to be a lifelong fan.
*****(five out of five stars)
Briefs
12:30am every night at the Gilded Balloon
This is amazing circus troupe from Brisbane. They do death defying acrobatics combined with burlesque, drag, comedy, magic – it’s really an extraordinary group of talented performers. I have never seen anything like it. It’s gay but also straight. It’s butch and femme. It’s hilarious and beautiful and all the things you want. I was so moved and uplifted by their show. I cried and laughed and felt like screaming. I will go to this every single night too. Come and meet me there.