Competitive anecdotes in Edinburgh

The Comedy ​Arcade panel show has announced its first guests for this year’s Edinburgh Fringe run.

Those taking part this year include Mark Watson, The Chase’s Jenny Ryan, Andrew O'Neill, Mitch Benn, Mark Nelson, Lorna RoseTreen, Ada Campe, Thom Tuck, Rich Wilson and James Barr. 

Guests on the show – which is also a hit podcast – have to outdo each other with anecdotes based on topics drawn at random from a bingo ball.

It is hosted by Welsh comic Vix Leyton, who admits she hands out points ‘capriciously’, with the help of the audience.She has been a comedian since Mark Watson discovered her on Twitter in 2019. He challenged her to overcome a fear of public speaking by learning stand-up as part of his marathon 26-hour -show. 

Five years on and she had performed more 600 shows around the world, including some London’s biggest club nights, as well as becoming resident host of Cracking Comedy at Leicester Square Theatre. 

The Comedy ​Arcade started as a lockdown Twitch game at Vix’s kitchen table that she says has got ‘a bit out of hand’.

Its Fringe run – from August 14 to 25  – will be at Laughing Horse Free Festival @ Bar 50 at 9.45pm daily, a time Leyton calls ‘perfect for indiscretions and never-to-be-repeated stories’.

Panels will comprise a mix of well-known names and up-and-coming acts, as well as entertaining storytellers from other industries, including TV personalities, adult film stars and models. Last year’s run featured names such as Rufus Hound, Dr Who star Sophie Aldred and Jess Phillips MP.

This year’s opening show on August 14 will feature Mark Watson, Marc Burrows, Thom Tuck and Mitch Benn. 

Tickets are available here.

Published: 2 Jul 2024