While the Fringe is awash with returning heroes every year, we’ve taken a look at the top up and coming comedy and theatre acts set to make their debuts in Edinburgh this August.
With the Edinburgh Festival Fringe still the biggest arts festival in the world, new comedians, writers and actors are all desperate to announce themselves to the entertainment world by appearing in the Scottish Capital in August.
Among the new acts making their Fringe debut this year are stand-up comedian, author and writer of smash-hit West-End comedy Death Drop, Holly Stars, who has finally made time in her schedule to swing by Edinburgh for August. Her debut hour at the world’s largest festival, Justice for Holly, is pure stand-up with a side of hairspray, lashes and leopard print.
Also popping their Fringe cherry are Australian comedy sketch show queen Yozi, German-based Libyan stand-up Mustafa Algiyadi and New York City-based comedian and actress Maeve Press- who starred in the critically acclaimed Everything’s Gonna Be Okay and the award winning film Theresa Is A Mother on Netflix.
Among the new acts making their Fringe debut this year are stand-up comedian, author and writer of smash-hit West-End comedy Death Drop, Holly Stars, who has finally made time in her schedule to swing by Edinburgh for August. Her debut hour at the world’s largest festival, Justice for Holly, is pure stand-up with a side of hairspray, lashes and leopard print.
5. Jack Skipper
Off The Kerb are thrilled to announce that award-winning and rising star Jack Skipper will make his Edinburgh Fringe debut with brand new show, Skint. Jack Skipper is a rising star in the comedy scene, known for his razor-sharp wit and irreverent humour. With a knack for observational comedy, Jack’s performances often dissect everyday life – his former career as a carpet fitter, his family, as well as thoughtful insights into the working class. Jack has quickly made a name for himself on the comedy circuit, featuring regularly at the likes of Latitude Festival, The Comedy Store and Forge Comedy Club. Jack Skipper at Pleasance Courtyard – Baby Grand, July 31 - August 25 (not 12th), 8.20pm. Tickets: £8 - £13. | Jiksaw.Photo: Jiksaw.
6. Kemah Bob
Kemah Bob will take to the Edinburgh Fringe stage for the first time this summer with brand new show Miss Fortunate. Miss Fortunate is a show that will take audiences on a journey through Kemah’s experience with bipolar disorder and what perception versus reality looks like in a state of mania. Perhaps, more importantly, Kemah will share what she thinks about salt. As seen on QI, Richard Osman’s House of Games, Jonathon Ross’ Comedy Club, Comedy Central Live, Don’t Hate the Playaz and Guessable. Kemah Bob, at Pleasance Courtyard – Baby Grand, July 31 - August 25 (not 7th, 14th or 21st), 7.05pm. Tickets: £9 - £14. | Sarah Harry - IsaacsPhoto: Sarah Harry - Isaacs
7. Mark Bittlestone: I Need a Straight Guy
One - Mark literally needs a straight guy in the audience to make the show work, and two, a reference to coming out when you’ve lived your whole life in a very heteronormative world. Mark’s debut hour will be set apart by his anecdotes (also shared with more than 200,000 followers on social media) and pithy stereotypes that quite often have a dark twist of the knife. Expect a very silly, very funny and very honest debut hour of comedy from this rising-star top lad. Mark Bittlestone, at Pleasance Dome (Jack Dome), July 31- August 26, 9.40pm. Tickets: £10 - £14. | Storytelling PRPhoto: Storytelling PR
8. Katie Norris
This year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe will see award winning comedian Katie Norris make her solo debut following success with her first foray into solo stand-up comedy. As part of the critically acclaimed double act, Norris & Parker, Katie gathered a cult-like following and has been featured in top comedy picks from The Guardian, Evening Standard and The Independent. Now Katie has dipped her toe in the stand-up comedy waters for the first time and she will be doing the full festival run with her debut show, ‘Farm Fatale’. Directed by Elf Lyons and original music composed by Chris Thomson and Huge Davies. Katie Norris at Pleasance Courtyard, Below, July 31- August 25 (not 14th), 8.30pm. Tickets: £8 - £14.50. | AvalonPhoto: Avalon