The Wrestling returns to Edinburgh

The Wrestling – which pitches comedians against professional grapplers – is returning to Edinburgh this August.

Double act Max & Ivan are putting together another fight card, two years after winning the Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award panel prize for capturing the spirit of the Fringe.

Brendon Burns and Andrew Maxwell are to return as commentators for the one-off late-night event, which will take place in the Pleasance Grand on August 13. Nick Helm will also reprise his role as ring announcer.

The only comic so far confirmed to be stepping into the ring is Tom ‘Explosenthal’ Rosenthal, who will do battle in the ‘first ever comedian vs wrestler grudge match’, against Dan ‘The Hammer’ Head.

However producers promise ‘some of the biggest names around’ will be taking part in the action, but have yet to be confirmed.

The Wrestling – which was named Chortle’s best gig of 2011 – combined the two careers of Max & Ivan’s Max Olesker. At the age of 15, he was the youngest professional wrestler in the UK, going by the alter ego Max Voltage, before turning to comedy.

Tickets for The Wrestling II go on sale tomorrow, along with hundreds of other Fringe shows.

As well as masterminding The Wrestling, Max And Ivan will be performing their own festival show, The Reunion, at the Pleasance Queen Dome. The duo were last month nominated for the Barry Award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, for their previous show Con Artists.

Here's a trailer for The Wrestling II

Published: 8 May 2013