Including Paul Foot, Sam Simmons and Mr Swallow

Paul Foot, Mr Swallow, and reigning Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Sam Simmons are among the acts returning to the Fringe this year, it has been announced today.

Underbelly has released details of 60 of its shows which go on sale today; while Nick Mohammed’s hapless, unselfaware entertainer Mr Swallow returns to the Pleasance with a new biographical show about Houdini.

Also in the Underbelly programme is Spencer Jones, aka The Herbert, who will be reprising his acclaimed 2015 show, while unveiling a new show at the pay-what-you-want venue Heroe’s at the Hive, as Chortle revealed last week.

International acts include US comic Joe DeRosa – as seen on Better Call Saul, Inside Amy Schumer and Louie – and Australians Steen Raskopoulos, star of BBC Three’s Top Coppers, Simmons, with his new show, Not A People Person, and Rhys Nicholson, fresh from his nomination for the leading Barry Award at the Melbourne comedy festival.

Meanwhile Foot’s Tis a Pity She’s a Piglet promises to tackle big issues ‘such as terrorism, plus Ant and Dec’. The show will go on to tour in the autumn, with some dates already announced here.

Here are the new Underbelly shows from the comedy section:

2061
Tom Skelton 

The year is 2061 and Tom Skelton is dead. This is the strange history of the intervening 45 years, as Tom's unborn son takes you on a masterful Orwellian odyssey. ‘Inventive and very enjoyable’ **** Mirror

Time: 4.30PM (5.30PM)
Venue: Underbelly Med Quad
Dates: 3 – 29 August 

Amée Smith: Relax, It’s Not About You 

Her hopes and dreams were on hold. It's taken heartbreak to see, she can do anything she sets her mind to. He wanted an Edinburgh show? She's got one! It's not about him.

Time: 3PM (4PM)
Venue: Underbelly Med Quad
Dates: 3 – 29 August 

Best Boy 

Double act Best Boy present an hour of sketches. Material heard on BBC Radio 4. 'Inspirational flair' (Chortle.co.uk). Finalists of So You Think That's Funny Best New Sketch Act 2015 and Golden Jester semi-finalists 2015. See them.

Time: 2.40PM (3.40PM)
Venue: Underbelly Cowgate
Dates: 4 – 28 August 

Best of Scottish Comedian of the Year 

**** (Scotsman). ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). Ten sell-out years. Fringe's biggest selling showcase of award-winning Scottish talent. 'SCOTY does attract some major talent' (Skinny). Rotating bills include Mark Nelson, Larry Dean, Daisy Earl and more.

Time: 11PM (12PM)
Venue: Underbelly Cowgate
Dates: 4 – 28 August 

Bourgeois & Maurice: How to Save the World Without Really Trying 

Hilarious original songs meet hyper surreal, high fashion in this political rally slash arena spectacular, performed in a damp cave, by two weirdos with dubious moral compasses. **** (Independent). 

Time: 9.25PM (10.25PM)
Venue: Underbelly Cowgate
Dates: 4 – 28 August 

Card Ninja 

Warning: This show contains ninjas, not magic! Back due to popular demand, Javier Jarquin brings a show featuring riotous displays of upbeat comedy and impressive card stunts for anyone who's ever wanted to be a little bit ninja... 

 
Time: 1.30PM (2.30PM)
Venue: Udderbelly, George Square
Dates: 25 – 28 August 

Chris Stokes – The Man Delusion 

Chris Stokes? Yes. Comedian? Absolutely. Award-winning? You betcha. Man...? Can you be more specific? ‘One impressive comic’ (NewStatesman.com). 'Genuine, uncontrived epiphanies as well as laughs' (Chortle.co.uk). ‘Hilarious’ (Scotsman)

Time: 8.10PM (9.10PM)
Venue: Underbelly Med Quad
Dates: 3 – 8 August 

Christian Talbot: C60 

Christian Talbot 

A stand-up comedy show about music, Mixtape and recording Top of the Pops off the telly. Winner of the 2014 Malcolm Hardee Cunning Stunt Award. 'An absolutely engaging performer' (Scotsman).
  

Time: 5.50PM (6.50PM)
Venue: Underbelly Med Quad
Dates: 3 – 29 August 

Colin Cloud: Exposé 

Complete sell-out 2014 and 2015. A brand new show for 2016! Warning: do not think about anything you won't want Colin to know or reveal. 'A lesson in the art of deduction' (Skinny). ***** (Evening News).
 
Time: 9PM (10PM)
Venue: Underbelly Med Quad
Dates: 3 – 28 August 

Croft & Pearce Are Not Themselves 

Stars of BBC Radio 4's The Croft & Pearce Show. 'Edinburgh favourites' (Independent). 'A laugh-out-loud sketch show' (Daily Express). ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). ***** (One4Review.co.uk). **** (TheEdinburghReporter.co.uk). **** (Edinburgh Evening News). 

 
Time: 2.40PM (3.40PM)
Venue: Underbelly George Square
Dates: 3 – 28 August 

Daniel Piper is in Four Gangs 

Daniel Piper 

Daniel Piper is in four gangs, and he's going to tell you about them. Daniel Piper is in Four Gangs is the uproarious debut from comedy storyteller Daniel Piper, who is in four gangs.
 
Time: 4PM (5PM)
Venue: Underbelly Cowgate
Dates: 4 – 28 August 

David Mills: Shame! 

Sharp and hilarious pop culture rants! ‘Is Mills’ show good enough for a Foster's? Yes! Essential viewing!' ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). Cocktail lounge-lizard 'bristling with sharp-tongued satire' **** (Fest). 'Legend in the making!' **** (FringeReview.co.uk).
 
Time: 5.20PM (6.20PM)
Venue: Underbelly George Square
Dates: 3 – 28 August 

Edinburgh Comedy Allstars 

The biggest and brightest comedians at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe all in one huge show, staged in the famous Udderbelly. A one-stop shop for your comedy fix right in the beating heart of the festival.
  

Time: 11.45PM (12.45AM)
Venue: Udderbelly George Square
Dates: Fridays & Saturdays 5 – 27 August 

Foil Arms and Hog: DoomDah 

Ireland's top comedy trio. Sold out 2009-2015. Over four million hits on YouTube. Hilarious and surreal sketches from Fringe favourites Foil, Arms and Hog, with outrageous characters and unexpected twists. Book early. ***** (Irish Times). 

 
Time: 9.50PM (10.50PM)
Venue: Underbelly Cowgate
Dates: 4 – 28 August 

Geoff Norcott: Conswervative 

A trade unionist's son who grew up on a council estate, Geoff Norcott is wondering how he ended up leaning to the right. 'An absolute tonic' **** (Telegraph). Writer: Alternative Election and 8 Out of 10 Cats.
  

Time: 7.10PM (8.10PM)
Venue: Underbelly Med Quad
Dates: 3 – 28 August 

Good Kids: On Tap 

Good Kids are back, and this time they've had a few. Join the fresh-faced Brummie boys for an hour down the local. Formerly of the Oxford Revue. 'Good Kids is a total blast' **** (FringeGuru.com) 

 
Time: 9.30PM (10.30PM)
Venue: Underbelly Med Quad
Dates: 3 – 28 August 

Impromptunes – The Completely Improvised Musical 

Australia's premier improv troupe brings its riotous musical comedy to Edinburgh Festival Fringe! It's unrehearsed. It's unpredictable. It's a whole lot of fun. It's Impromptunes. 'Remarkable' **** (Time Out). 'Improv gold' **** (Herald Sun).
 
Time: 5PM (6PM)
Venue: Underbelly Med Quad
Dates: 3 – 29 August 

Jake Yapp Is One In A Million 

Which, in a country with a population of 60 million, is nothing to crow about. Jake explores what makes us unique, with inimitable two-minute show summaries as seen on Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe.
  

Time: 6.50PM (7.50PM)
Venue: Underbelly George Square
Dates: 3 – 28 August 

Joe DeRosa: Zero Forward Progress 

US comic Joe DeRosa makes his highly anticipated UK debut. As seen on Better Call Saul, Inside Amy Schumer and Louie. Expect his trademark brand of brutal honesty and frustration at the world's workings!
 
Time: 9PM (10PM)
Venue: Underbelly Cowgate
Dates: 4 – 28 August 

Joe Fairbrother’s Power Hour 

Power yourself up with an hour of stand-up, film and chat. Essentially, it's Spielberg meets Kilroy. But without the unsavoury politics of Kilroy. 'Hilarious' ***** (BroadwayBaby.com). 'Delightful' (List). 'Very funny' (RemoteGoat.com). 

 
Time: 8.30PM (9.30PM)
Venue: Underbelly Med
Quad Dates: 3 – 27 August 

John Robertson: The Dark Room 

You're trapped in a dark room! Pick an option: A) Find Light Switch. B) Cry C) Go North. Play a live-action Text-Based Adventure Game! ***** (Skinny, ThreeWeeks, FringeReview.co.uk). ’Not to be missed' (Guardian).
  

Time: 8.30PM (9.30PM)
Venue: Underbelly Cowgate
Dates: 4 – 27 August 

Karen Hobbs: Tumour Has It 

An honest and hilarious account of a young woman's cervical cancer extravaganza. Karen will share all the gore and glory, spreading awareness and her legs. Come and laugh at two awkward subjects: vaginas and cancer. 

Time: 2.50PM (3.40PM)
Venue: Underbelly Med Quad
Dates: 3 – 28 August 

Laughing Stock 

Laughing Stock 

Award-winning, five-star sketch comedy. Expect another 'fast and furious hour of fun' (Sunday Express). 'A riot from start to finish... together they are positively electric' (EdFringeReview.com). ***** (MumbleTheatre.net). **** (Sunday Express), WestEndFrame.com, EdFringeReview.com). 

Time: 3.40PM (4.40PM)
Venue: Underbelly
Cowgate Dates: 4 – 28 August 

Liz Miele: Mind Over Melee 

Liz Miele lets you into the world of an outspoken but anxiety-ridden New Yorker as she shares her stories and struggle with traveling abroad, mental illness in her family and conquering adulthood.
  

Time: 6.40PM (7.40PM)
Venue: Underbelly Cowgate
Dates: 4 – 28 August 

Lunch 

Luke Courtier 

Luke Courtier (Musical Comedy Awards finalist, Amused Moose Laugh Off, Radio 4 Extra) presents Lunch, a new musical comedy show about the violent narrative perils of a mealtime that we all thought fairly benign and completely and utterly harmless. 

 
Time: 6.20PM (7.20PM)
Venue: Underbelly Cowgate
Dates: 4 – 28 August 

Masud Milas: Routes 

Looking as fly as a Blaxploitation cop and called 'one to watch' by Time Out, the plucky Masud Milas brings his weird-ass accent and a debut show about growing up in a place you're not from.
  

Time: 6.50PM (7.50PM)
Venue: Underbelly Med Quad
Dates: 3 – 28 August 

Patrick Melton: My Least Favorite Everything 

American comedian Patrick Melton debuts at the Fringe, feverishly deconstructing his numerous frustrations with a collection of unlikely personal stories and commentaries on the absurd, delivered with a sharpened hint of spontaneity. 

 
Time: 10.50PM (11.50PM)
Venue: Underbelly Med Quad
Dates: 3 – 29 August 

Paul Foot: ‘Tis a Pity She’s a Piglet 

This year Professor Ketchup and his camembert piglet join forces as Paul tackles the big issues such as terrorism. Plus, Ant and Dec, immigration X Factor and breakfast. 'Sublime, original... brilliant' (Independent).
  

Time: 7.20PM (8.20PM)
Venue: Underbelly Cowgate
Dates: 4 – 28 August 

Rhys Nicholson – Bona Fide 

Reading the blurb? Congratulations. Now when someone asks if you read, you can say yes. Rhys is really giving this comedy thing a go. It should be OK. Last year went OK. Comedy's super subjective.

Time: 9.20PM (10.20PM)
Venue: Underbelly Cowgate
Dates: 4 – 28 August 

Sam Fletcher: Daftwerk 

The Edinburgh Comedy Awards Best Newcomer nominee and CBBC star presents a heady blend of jokes, lo-fi showbiz flair, idiotic theatrics and genuine (sort of) magic. 'An uplifting hotch-potch' **** (Independent). 'A total pro' **** (Times). 

 
Time: 4PM (5PM)
Venue: Underbelly George Square
Dates: 3 – 28 August 

Sam Simmons: Not a People Person 

Winner Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award 2015. A brand new hour of mind- blending internal self-hatred, paranoia and comedy – because you have to put comedy in it. ***** (Time Out). ***** (Times).
 

Time: 8.15PM (9.15PM)
Venue: Underbelly Potterrow
Dates: 3 – 28 August 

Spank! 

Underbelly Productions, James Wren, Leon Fleury and Corrie McGuire for ROAR Comedy
Spank! returns for an incredible 13th year with sexy hosts, awesome comedians and gratuitous nudity. With the most exciting comedy and cabaret talent on the Fringe, don't miss the 'best wild night out' (Scotland on Sunday) at the festival! 

 
Time: 12AM (3AM)
Venue: Underbelly Cowgate
Dates: 5 – 28 August 

Spencer Jones is The Herbert in Proper Job 

BAFTA-nominated star, Spencer Jones, returns for another joyful burst of his Edinburgh Fringe hit of 2015. ‘One of the silliest, most consuming shows of the Fringe’ ***** (Times). **** (Time Out).
 

Time: 5.20PM (6.20PM)
Venue: Underbelly Cowgate
Dates: 4 – 28 August 

Steen Raskopoulos – You Know The Drill 

Underbelly Productions with Token Events and Dawn Sedgwick Management Fosters Award: Best Newcomer nominee. Co-star of BBC3’s Top Coppers returns (after a sell-out Edfringe 2014) with a cavalcade of unique comedy characters and inspired spontaneity. 'A superstar in the making' **** (Independent). 

Time: 7.40PM (8.40PM)
Venue: Underbelly Cowgate
Dates: 4 – 28 August 

The Bear Pack 

The Bear Pack is Steen Raskopoulos (BBC's Top Coppers) and Carlo Ritchie bringing improvised storytelling inspired by your suggestions. It's the steamship of hilarity you've been waiting for, don't let it sail away without you. 

 
Time: 10.20PM (11.20PM)
 Venue: Underbelly Cowgate
Dates: 16 – 28 August 

The Thinking Drinkers: Around the World in 80 Drinks 

United Talent Agency
Enjoy free drinks with award-winning alcohol aficionados on their hilarious, elbow-bending exploration, featuring hooch-laden Hindus and imbibing Arctic adventurers. As seen on Channel 4. 'Hugely funny... fascinating' **** (Edinburgh Evening News[).
 
Venue: Underbelly Med Quad
Time: 8.30PM (9.30PM)
Dates: 3 – 29 August 

Zach & Viggo: Thunderflop 

Stamptown and Dead Man
Fresh from sell-out shows in New York and LA, this hilarious pair of spandex- wearing wonder clowns take you on an absurd trip through their wild imagination, into the darkest depths of stupidity, depravity and pure idiocy! 
Time: 5.20PM (6.20PM)
Venue: Underbelly Cowgate
Dates: 4 – 28 August 

Published: 21 Apr 2016