1. Ten shows from our (current) EU partners

We kick off our series of Edinburgh Fringe preview features with ten acts from the EU to see before Britain pulls up the drawbridge.

Germany: Henning Wehn:

As Germany is the EU’s powerhouse, its ‘comedy ambassador’ Henning Wehn has cornered the market for funny Europeans, both celebrating and undermining the national stereotypes of both nations, with plenty of well-aimed jibed at the long-term rivalry. Well, that’s German precision for you. Meanwhile, his relentless work ethic has built him up a sizeable following, able to sell out mid-sized venues with very little TV exposure, but recently boosted by Channel 4’s An Immigrant’s Guide To Britain. However, if there’s one thing his years in the UK have taught him, it’s the value of a torturous pun, as the geographically-based title of his new tour – kicking off with an Edinburgh Fringe run – attests: Westphalia is Not an Option.

Just the Tonic at The Caves, 18:00

Czech Republic: Bianca Cristovaova

Bianca Cristovaova has been described as the best African-Czechoslovakian comic there is –despite having never been to Africa and there no longer being a place called Czechoslovakia no longer exists. That’s what the Fringe programme tells us about this Prague-born comedian, who has been working the US comedy circuit for the past five years. Her free show is described as a ‘brutally honest’ take on race, culture and heritage.

Laughing Horse @ 48 Below, 18:15

Netherlands: ACE!

ACE stands for Amsterdam Comedy in Edinburgh. Otherwise we have no idea what to expect from this free show,, taken from the growing comedy scene in the Netherlands as no line-ups are given other than telling us that the acts have roots in Egypt, Ireland, Italy, UK, US, Russia and Belgium

Laughing Horse @Espionage, 23:45

Poland: Amy Howerska

Well, not just Polish. Amy Howerska is Welsh-Jewish-Polish-Irish, so describes herself as a ‘BBC-box-ticking wet dream’ – and indeed has been writing on a couple of Radio 4’s topical shows. Her second storytelling Edinburgh show offers material about loving David Bowie, and more. Last year’s debut, about being brought up by skydiving parents, averaged three stars from the critics, with Chortle’s Julia Chamberlain calling it a ‘fun romp’.

Gilded Balloon at the Counting House, 20:45

Austria: Elke Maria Riedmann

Elke Maria Riedmann is a ‘clownfrau’ – a wonderful new word. She has two shows at the Fringe starring her alter ego Brenda Feuerle, a firewoman. The first is a about her getting safety instructions while on duty, the second sees her in heaven, possibly, after an explosion. Both promis a mix of drama, dance, acrobatics and clowning.

Greenside @ Infirmary Street, either 10.15, 10.20 or 11.30, August 15 to 27

Italy: Luca Cupani

The ultra-likeable winner of last year’s So You Think You're Funny? stand-up competition launches a solo show about death, religion and sex

Heroes @ Bob's BlundaBus, 17:45

Spain: Madame Señorita

Surreal and over-the-top clowning from ‘scary/sexy’ Basque diva Madame Señorita, aka Paula Valluerca, who in this fshow tries to understand what being female involves by imitate things she has seen other women do. Valluerca has plenty of training in physical theatre from the likes of Phillipe Gaulier and Phil Burgers (Dr Brown) and says The Expector has been influenced by clowning, grotesque, parody and cabaret.

Heroes @ Dragonfly, 20:20

Romania: Radu Isac, Toma Alexandru and Sergiu Floroaia

Together the trip are calling themselves The Romanians Are Here, and say the issue of immigration will be a big part of their free nightly showcase, given how much focus has been on migrants from their homeland in the build-up to the big vote. All are regulars on telly back home - with 11 TV specials behind them. Will that translate to Edinburgh? Let’s see

Laughing Horse @ The Crags Bar, 18:15. August 4 to 15 and 20th only

Malta: Steve Bugeja

Winner of the 2013 BBC New Comedy Award, Bugeja made a very assured debut at last year’s Fringe, with a tightly written narrative story about the clash between his mild-mannered ways and the father of his girlfriend, an ex-con. He’s back this year with Unpronounceable, a title inspired by his surname, which originally stems from the island of Malta, and likely to feature more tales of his awkward lack of cool.

Just The Tonic at The Tron, 17:00

Greece: George Zacharopoulos

This affable tale-teller is back with a story of being a Dumped by both his girlfriend and his agent around the time of last year’s Fringe. So he decided to spend several months on the road, encountering some interesting characters – and drugs – on the way. Awkward Confessions of a Homeless Sex God is that story.

Cowgatehead, 16:15

…and, of course, almost too many to choose from out of Ireland, but let's go for the camp loveliness of Al Porter, a fast-rising TV star whose feelgood show made something of splash at last year’s Fringe.

• Ten shows from the theatre section.

Published: 18 Jul 2016