Some comics on the wrong side of the tracks

The Fringe's centre of gravity has long shifted to the Old Town – but there's still plenty worth making the trip to the 'wrong' side of the tracks. So here are ten shows in the New Town to tempt you to cross Princess Street...

1. Adam Hills / Dara O Briain

The UK's favourite monopedal Aussie – and host of Channel 4's The Last Leg, of course – launches his new hour of uplifting stand-up, Shoes Half Full at the Assembly Rooms for the first half of the festival… then Dara O’Briain takes the same 6.50pm slot for a work in progress of his forthcoming tour, My Entire Life is a Work In Progress 

Assembly Rooms, 6.50pm

2. Kelly Bachman: Patron Saint

Five years ago Kelly Bachman made headlines when she was onstage at a New York comedy club and drew attention to the fact Harvey Weinstein was in the audience, calling him the ‘Freddy Krueger  in the room’ and saying: ‘I have been raped – surprisingly by no one in this room – but I've never gotten to confront those guys. So, just a general "fuck you".’ In her Fringe show, she aims to answer the question she’s asked most often: ‘ Are you a comedian because of trauma?

Assembly Rooms, 7.45pm, August 1-25

3. Frank Sanazi's Mein Way

History’s biggest monsters sing toe-tapping Rat-Pack style cabaret numbers. What’s not to like in this dark, absurd, and very catchy night’s entertainment that has become a cult Fringe favourite. Expect the likes of Osama Bing Crosby, Dean Stalin and Saddami Davis Jr.

Le Monde, August 2 to 24 (Thursdays to Saturday only) 

4. Gareth Mutch: Modern Man

Self-deprecating, relatable, bloke-down-the-pub-style stand-up (but with better material!) from this Scottish circuit stalwart. In this year’s offering, he grapples with the sort of things he’s supposed to be good at as a man, like driving and DIY - but falls very short.

The Stand 2, 6.50pm, July 31 to August 25

5. Mark Thomas: Gaffa Tapes

The veteran political firebrand and activist – who’s actually got things done with his cheeky protests – breaks in his new show Gaffa Tapes at the Stand, promising more of the stuff that’s sustained his career for so long: jokes, rants, politics, play and the occasional sing-song

The Stand 1, either 1.15pm or 6.30pm, July 31 to August 26

6. Alfie Moore: Fair Cop – Live!

Cop-turned-comedian Alfie returns with a new set of real-life scenarios from his own casebook to ask the audience how they might react He’ll be back with another series of his Radio 4 comedy – which follows the same format – later this year.

Hill Street Theatre, 2.50pm, August 2 to 25

7. Ada Campe: Big Duck Energy

The cabaret star has weaponised dotty aunty energy with her gloriously stupid, kitsch and playful act. Her latest show is billed as being about ‘hope and heartbreak’ – but if anyone’s going to give a joyful upbeat take on such topics, it’s Ms Campe.

The Stand 5, 3pm, August 1 to 25

8. AI:rish

Eddie Mullarkey is  resident host at The Craic Den Comedy Club in Dublin, so perhaps it’s no surprise that his show blends observational stand-up and crowd interaction. The promised use of AI tech that gives the show its title could be more of a wildcard, though.

Laughing Horse @ The Hanover Tap, 3.45pm, August 1 to 25

9. Seymour F*cking Mace You C*nts!

The perennial festival favourite returns with a new show of absurd stories and daft jokes. We’d share the Newcastle comic’s full  blurb, but you’d be none the wiser, but the phrase: ‘Join me and my medicated brain as we bathe in angel's piss,’ gives a clue… 

The Stand 1, 1.10pm, July 31 to August  25

10. Elaine Robertson: Delulu

The Stand comedy club tends to be pretty loyal to its regulars, which means the same names come back year after year. But one of this year’s newcomers is Elaine Robertson, from County Durham, who previously made the televised stages of the BBC New Comedy Award. Delulu aims to challenge the idea that stand-up needs to be authentic, with tall tales such as seeing singer-songwriter Bootsy Collins on a child’s bike outside Domino’s. ‘I’m a hot mess but people seem to be entertained,’ she told North-East culture website Narc earlier this month,

The Stand 4, 12.05pm, August 1 to 25

Published: 17 Jul 2024