Edinburgh Festival Guide

Listings: Fringe

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Sorted by popularity / rating / date.

Gyles Brandreth: Looking For Happiness

Just A Minute/One Show Gyles won multiple five stars for his last Edinburgh sell-out. Now the award-winning raconteur and ex MP explores the secrets of How to Be Happy. 'Incredibly funny, wildly indiscreet' (Daily Mail).

Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh

Wed 31 Jul

£10 / 0131 556 6550

Preview

Thu 1 Aug

£10 / 0131 556 6550

Preview

Fri 2 Aug

£10 / 0131 556 6550

Preview

…and 22 more dates

Amused Moose Comedy Awards Showcase

Grab your top tickets to talent-spot this year's stellar crop of industry approved breakthrough comedians, plus some who are already rather famous! Every showcase is different, so keep coming back.

Just the Tonic, Edinburgh

Sat 3 Aug

£8 / 0131 556 5375

Sun 4 Aug

£8 / 0131 556 5375

Wed 7 Aug

£7 / 0131 556 5375

…and 13 more dates

Alan Hudson: Magician or Superhero?

Super strength, X-ray vision and lightning fast speed can be fantastic fun if used for personal gain, without saving the world. 'Hudson is an astounding comic, magician and mind reader' ★★★★ (ThreeWeeks), ★★★★ (Metro).

Just the Tonic, Edinburgh

Thu 1 Aug

£5 / 0131 556 5375

Preview

Fri 2 Aug

£5 / 0131 556 5375

Preview

Sat 3 Aug

£5 / 0131 556 5375

Preview

…and 21 more dates

The Colour Ham

Magical comedy sketch group comprising Colin McLeod, Gavin Oattes and Kevin McMahon, making good use of absurdity, magic and mentalism. Member Gavin Oattes allegedly once licked Paul Daniels' face, so anything could happen, really. Over 18s only.

Just the Tonic, Edinburgh

Thu 1 Aug

£5 / 0131 556 5375

Preview

Fri 2 Aug

£8 (£7) / 0131 556 5375

Sat 3 Aug

£8 (£7) / 0131 556 5375

…and 13 more dates

Diablito Tango

An enchanting voice, fiery bandoneón and a virtuosic double bass transport you to the heart of Buenos Aires. The musical sensation taking Spain by storm makes its first appearance at the Fringe. ‘Absolutely recommendable, addictive’ (ABC News). www.diablitotango.com.

Acoustic Music Centre @ St Brides, Edinburgh

Wed 21 Aug

£10 / 0131 346 8237

Thu 22 Aug

£10 / 0131 346 8237

Sun 25 Aug

£10 / 0131 346 8237

back to top

Ed Byrne: Roaring Forties

Observational humour from the Dublin-stand-up and actor about reaching middle age.

Venue 150 @ EICC, Edinburgh

Fri 2 Aug

£19.50 / 0844 847 1639

Sat 3 Aug

£19.50 / 0844 847 1639

Sun 4 Aug

£17.50 / 0844 847 1639

…and 19 more dates

Gavin Webster: Don't Give Any Money to Comic Relief and Other Opinions

Oh, the controversy. Gavin Webster has opinions and by God he's going to share them whether you like it or not.

The Stand Comedy Club II, Edinburgh

Wed 31 Jul

Over-18s only

£8 (£7) / 0131 558 7272

Fri 2 Aug

Over-18s only

£8 (£7) / 0131 558 7272

Sat 3 Aug

Over-18s only

£8 (£7) / 0131 558 7272

…and 21 more dates

Radio Forth On the Fringe

Radio Forth Ltd. The largest showcase of Fringe entertainment at this year's festival! Featuring a selection of some of the biggest names in music, comedy and entertainment. Complete sell-out in 2008, 2009 and 2010! Don't miss out! Previous line-ups have included Adam Hills, KT Tunstall, Reginald D Hunter, the…

The Edinburgh Playhouse

Fri 2 Aug

£17.50 / 0844 871 3014

Sat 3 Aug

£17.50 / 0844 871 3014

Alex Yellowlees Hot Club Jazz Quartet

Violinist Alex Yellowlees serves up swing in the classic Reinhardt-Grappelli style, accompanied by his masterful band.

Acoustic Music Centre @ St Brides, Edinburgh

Thu 15 Aug

£10 (£8) / 0131 346 8237

And They Played Shang-A-Lang

Number one hits from the era accompany this tale of growing up in 1970s Edinburgh.

The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, Edinburgh

Thu 1 Aug

£10 (£9) / 0131 558 7272

Fri 2 Aug

£10 (£9) / 0131 558 7272

Sat 3 Aug

£10 (£9) / 0131 558 7272

…and 21 more dates back to top

Anne Renshaw Sings!

After her 2012 sell-out show Anne returns to sing a selection of her own and other folk songs in her lovely, clear voice, joined by Muckle Flugga whose jaunty tunes regularly enliven Edinburgh's Whiski Bar. www.annerenshaw.co.uk.

Acoustic Music Centre @ St Brides, Edinburgh

Wed 14 Aug

£8 / 0131 346 8237

Bothwell's Bride

Nominated for MTM UK Best Composer 2007, Peter D Robinson's new musical is set in 1565, the final months of Mary Queen of Scots’ reign. Carpe Diem’s reputation for powerful drama and singing make this one to see.

Stockbridge Parish Church, Edinburgh

Tue 6 Aug

£10 (£8) / 0131 332 0122

2 for 1

Wed 7 Aug

£10 (£8) / 0131 332 0122

Thu 8 Aug

£10 (£8) / 0131 332 0122

…and 2 more dates

Brendon Burns Hasn't Heard of You Either

The cult Australian comedian, not for the faint of heart, brings another show brimming in foul-mouthed rants and questionable taste to the Fringe.

The Stand, Edinburgh

Fri 2 Aug

£12 (£11) / 0131 558 7272

Sat 3 Aug

£12 (£11) / 0131 558 7272

Sun 4 Aug

£12 (£11) / 0131 558 7272

…and 18 more dates

The Ginge, the Geordie and the Geek

A night of comedy madness from this highly-acclaimed sketch show featuring surreal characters and 80s power ballads.

Just the Tonic, Edinburgh

Thu 1 Aug

£10 / 0131 556 5375

Preview

Fri 2 Aug

£10 / 0131 556 5375

Preview

Sat 3 Aug

£14 (£13) / 0131 556 5375

…and 19 more dates

John Hunt Four O'Clock Afternoon Blues and Swing

'Boogie-woogie. Hunt is a master of slide-guitar.' ★★★★ (Scotsman). 'Blues legend builds cannibalised guitars.' ★★★★ (Herald). 'Ingenious.' ★★★★ (ThreeWeeks). 'Hunt has mojo.' ★★★★ (Edinburgh Evening News.) ★★★★ (BroadwayBaby.com). 'Seasick Steve in a science lab.' (Ian Rankin). 'Fantastic.' (Jools Holland).

The Jazz Bar, Edinburgh

Sat 3 Aug

£9 (£7) / 0131 220 4298

Sun 4 Aug

£9 (£7) / 0131 220 4298

Thu 8 Aug

£9 (£7) / 0131 220 4298

…and 8 more dates back to top

Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre: In Space

Songs, sketches, falsetto and violence, laced with a sci-fi theme from the ever popular Sock Puppets.

Gilded Balloon Teviot, Edinburgh

Wed 31 Jul

Prices to be confirmed / 0131 622 6552

Thu 1 Aug

Prices to be confirmed / 0131 622 6552

Fri 2 Aug

Prices to be confirmed / 0131 622 6552

…and 21 more dates

Stewart Lee: Much A-Stew About Nothing

Typically subversive humour from Lee as he works on material for the latest series of Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle. Please note: this is a work in progress show.

The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, Edinburgh

Sat 3 Aug

Over-14s only

£10 / 0131 558 7272

Sun 4 Aug

Over-14s only

£10 / 0131 558 7272

Mon 5 Aug

Over-14s only

£10 / 0131 558 7272

…and 19 more dates

Agnes of God

Multi award-winning EGTG (Edinburgh Evening News Spirit of the Fringe 2012) return with Agnes of God. A miracle or murder? A virgin birth or rape? Innocence or insanity? Even with the strongest faith, nothing guarantees absolution.

The Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh

Mon 5 Aug

£10 / 0131 556 4270

Tue 6 Aug

£10 / 0131 556 4270

Wed 7 Aug

£10 / 0131 556 4270

…and 3 more dates

Alexei Sayle

Doyen of the alt.comedy scene gracing the Fringe with his presence for the first time in ages.

The Stand Comedy Club III & IV, Edinburgh

Tue 13 Aug

Over-18s only

£12 / 0131 558 7272

Wed 14 Aug

Over-18s only

£12 / 0131 558 7272

Thu 15 Aug

Over-18s only

£12 / 0131 558 7272

…and 9 more dates

Alistair Savage Trio

Emerging fiddle maestro.

Canongate Kirk, Edinburgh

Wed 21 Aug

£12 (£10) / 0131 226 0000

With Euan Drysdale and Iain Crawford.

25 Palmerston Place, Edinburgh

Fri 23 Aug

£12 (£10) / 0131 226 0000

Sat 24 Aug

£12 (£10) / 0131 226 0000

Sun 25 Aug

£12 (£10) / 0131 226 0000

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The Alternative Comedy Memorial Society

A host of comedians who provide something more anarchic than your typical comedy evening, busting out their best comedy moves, with a line-up that change each time.

The Stand, Edinburgh

Tue 6 Aug

Over-18s only

£10 / 0131 558 7272

Wed 7 Aug

Over-18s only

£10 / 0131 558 7272

Thu 8 Aug

Over-18s only

£10 / 0131 558 7272

…and 6 more dates

Amused Moose Laugh Off Final

Scotland's funniest follow in the footsteps of previous winners Sarah Millican, Jimmy Carr and Kevin Bridges, and pack their best jokes into a 10-minutes sketch to see who will be crowned king or queen of comedy.

theSpace @ Symposium Hall, Edinburgh

Sun 11 Aug

£10 / 0845 508 8515

Andy Zaltzman

  • 3 stars

Endearingly shambolic political yet absurdist humour.

macrobert, Stirling

Thu 23 May

£10 (£9; Members £8) / 01786 466666

Bacon Face: It's all Bacon

Not Sir Alex Ferguson (no, we didn't know he was called that either), but our favourite mysterious cult 1980s Canadian stand-up who wears a Mexican wrestling mask instead.

The Stand Comedy Club II, Edinburgh

Sat 3 Aug

Over-14s only

£5 / 0131 558 7272

Sun 4 Aug

Over-14s only

£5 / 0131 558 7272

Mon 5 Aug

Over-14s only

£5 / 0131 558 7272

…and 19 more dates

The Black Diamond Express

The nine-piece collective, based in Edinburgh, performs lively Celtic folk-rock.

Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh

Sat 3 Aug

£15 (£12) / 0131 220 4348

Sat 10 Aug

£15 (£12) / 0131 220 4348

Sat 17 Aug

£15 (£12) / 0131 220 4348

…and 1 more date back to top