Edinburgh Fringe 2024: Unmissable Acts and Shows

One of the great joys of the Edinburgh Fringe is the return of great artists and wonderful shows. It’s a chance to catch fabulous talents you’ve missed before or to see performers you love rustle up something new. In no particular order, here’s a list of acts theQR loves heading back to Edinburgh this year:

Interactive and Immersive Fringe Experiences

Sarah Louise Young – I am Your Tribute: An interactive cabaret where the audience helps create a tribute act, involving music, wigs, and audience participation. New this year, theQR expects nothing but utter magic from the sensationally talented Sarah-Louise.
Also Sarah Louise Young – An Evening Without Kate Bush – simply put one of the most perfect Fringe shows ever created. If you’ve never seen it, book your tickets now. I’ve never reviewed it, I just go and embrace it every year.
The Dark Room: John Robertson’s hugely popular interactive comedy game show where the audience participates in a live-action video game scenario will pack its room every single night. You Die! You Die! You Die! Go along, you might win a turnip. Again, I don’t review the Dark Room, I just go for the reliable joy of the experience.

Music and Musical Comedy

Sooz Kempner: Combines musical elements with comedy, and well known for her satirical and observational humour. I finally caught Sooz in action last August and she did not disappoint. A genuine multi-threat talent, she combines serious musical gifts with a very singular and hilarious worldview. She’s a musical theatre gaming kid’s dream of a comedian.
Katie Pritchard: Expect quirky, energetic musical comedy performances. Katie can sing, Katie can dance, and Katie can tell a joke with sharp timing. If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if a cheeky cherub princess from a Disney movie would produce if they rocked up to the Fringe…

Observational and Personal Stand-Up

George Zachoropolous: Focuses on cultural and personal themes in his highly engaging stand-up routines. George put together one of the highlights of my 2023 Fringe. Wonderland was surprising, deeply personal, and continually hilarious. He’s impossible to dislike, and not afraid of sticking the boot into himself. Tell him I sent you.
Alexandra Haddow: A fine purveyor of observational comedy. Her debut show was a winner last year, and I expect a great deal from her new show for 2024. An excellent storyteller, with an instinct for a good punchline.
Amos Gill: Sharp wit and observational humour. He isn’t afraid to offend but doesn’t set out to either. If you’ve ever wanted to see what a stoic can do with stand-up comedy, Amos is your man. This is one Australian import the Fringe can be proud of.
Ian Smith: Offers wonderfully whimsical and clever stand-up performances. In many ways a classic comedian, wrapped in a Yorkshire accent and more whimsical observations on society than you can shake an Eccles cake at. His peevish rants are wonderful, but look out for the cleverly constructed mechanics of his show. This is excellent comedy in every respect.
Marjolein Robertson: Masterful storytelling and personal anecdotes woven together in her comedy. Marjolein has been a favourite for years now. She is both a glorious storyteller and a truly original comedian. She combines these talents with superb, off-the-wall and continually surprising results. Her journeys into comic semi-madness are regularly NSFW, but her blue comedy is equally likely to be about the sea as anything intimate!
Sid Singh: Blends personal stories with social commentary and erudite delivery. With all the surety of an international lawyer (he is one), and the urbane charm of an old-time comedian (he’s becoming one), Sid won’t disappoint. Expect topical, on-the-money comedy every night.
Alexander Bennett: Known for dark, highly personal and surreal comedy often as his own expense. Alexander has been dissecting himself for comedic purposes for a few years now. The first time I saw him ended with a hug – he deserved it. I find myself hoping he will advance beyond self-flagellation – maybe this will be the year. Witty, bold and with a knack for razor-sharp observation, Alexander is a great comedian ready to evolve into something truly special.
Garrett Millerick: Blends observational humour and personal stories. A man who can make a memorably hilarious, and sensitive story of visiting a friend in a psychiatric hospital. Enough said.
Markus Birdman: Deservedly famous for his storytelling and sharp observational humour. Markus has been taking absolutely no prisoners for many years, and long may that continue. If you feel in need of a technically excellent purveyor of socially relevant comedy, Markus is your man – he always delivers.
Robin Morgan: Known for his wry outlook and savvy brand of humour. Robin is an urbane comedian, unrestricted by his Welshness and accompanying accent. His humour is like a lovely martini: dry with a kick. I have never seen Robin turn in anything less than a superbly charming and funny performance.
James Cooke: Master of all things boardgame, his brainchild Board Game Smackdown recruits funny people from across the Fringe and makes them play games for the audience’s amusement. It’s a family-friendly institution and different every time out by nature. James is also a funny man in his own right, so you can see him twice a day if you like – I can’t imagine you’ll be disappointed.
Harriet Kemsley: Well known for her winningly quirky and self-deprecating comedic style. Blew my socks off when I first caught her in action pre-pandemic. Simply an excellent comedian with all the gifts: wit, observation and timing. Expect to laugh.

Surreal and Absurdist Comedy

Olaf Falafel: Renowned for his surreal and absurdist comedy. Olaf is a master of silliness. He’s like the stick joke made incarnate. Impossible to dislike. Go see Olaf be very stupid in all sorts of deceptively smart ways.
Paul Foot: Offers a unique and surreal comedic style, to say the least. Paul is a legend of the Fringe and you owe it to yourself to see him in action at least once. Surrealist comedy is brutally hard to pull off, but he makes it look east. Prepare to be utterly confused, and delighted simultaneously. Swans may be involved.

Satire and Political Comedy

Rosie Holt: Rosie needs little introduction. Anyone who can confuse conservative voters into asking ‘is she really a Tory MP?’ whilst making everyone else guffaw is doing something very right.
Darren McGarvey: Widely respected for his social and political edge in comedy and commentary. Darren has an excellent way with words and skewers social mores with them relentlessly. Expect a compelling, no-frills examination of whatever he sets his sights on.