Five new faces in British comedy to watch in Edinburgh

A quintet of bright and shiny debutants from the UK

This article is from 2010.

Joe Rowntree
Hindsight is a great thing, but who knows where this guy would be now had his planned collaboration with Laura Solon in 2005 arrived in Edinburgh. She only went and won the Perrier on her tod and half a decade later, he’s making his maiden solo voyage with Peaceful Worrier. He does look quite anxious in his press pic, right enough.
Gilded Balloon Teviot, 622 6552, 7–29 Aug (not 16), 7.45pm, £9–£10 (£7–£9). Previews 4–6 Aug, £5.

Sara Pascoe
Not content with shoving around Toulson and Harvey (in a non-aggressive, directorial fashion, we trust), the heavily-tipped comic stars in her very own production. And Sara Pascoe vs Her Ego is its name-o.
Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, 6–30 Aug (not 16), 8.15pm, £9.50–£12 (£8–£10.50). Previews 4 & 5 Aug, £5.

Mark Nelson
The inaugural Scottish Comedian of the Year has kept us waiting a while for this Fringe debut, but with Offending the Senses, he’ll surely deliver a shock (or five) to Edinburgh’s system.
Underbelly, 08445 458 252, 7–29 Aug (not 16), 6.30pm, £9–£10.50 (£6.50–£9.50). Previews 5 & 6 Aug, £6.

Henry Paker
This chap was part of the Superclump gang last year and is hooking up with Mike Wozniak for their own Golden Lizard sketch affair. But he’s also flying solo with a 3D Bugle. A case of blowing his own trumpet?
The GRV, 226 0000, 7–29 Aug (not 16), 7.50pm, £5. Previews 5 & 6 Aug, £2.50.

Chris Ramsey
How far would you go to escape a confrontation? Ramsey would go farther. In Aggrophobic, this genial Geordie explores the lengths he will stretch to in order to avoid a rammy. Not a terrible ambition, has to be said.
Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, 7–30 Aug, 8.30pm, £8.50–£9.50 (£7–£8). Previews 4–6 Aug, £5.