Top Picks for Edinburgh Fringe 2026- Part 2: Comedy
- Lauren Hance
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
I have strong feelings about how comedy shows are categorized at Edinburgh Fringe. There is an abundance of stand-up comedians, which is lovely, and many people are down to see those kinds of shows. But what gets my goat is that all other comedy shows get lumped in the same genre at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. I would like to say for the record, I’m not for it. I want two categories: "Stand-Up" and "Comedy." I can admit that I’ve noticed many stand-ups have started adopting a loose storytelling format that, in some ways, leans a little theatrical. But at the end of the day, stand-up and Neil Simon are two very different art forms. (I hope no one is bringing a Neil Simon show to the fringe….)
My post last week focused on top Theatre picks, and to differentiate my lists, I am simply calling part two of my top picks “Comedy.” But you won’t find any stand-up on this list (in my world, that would be an entirely different post) (also, do not read that I don't like Stand-up. It's great; I'm just spreading the comedy love around). Like last week, I tried to vary my selections, considering shows from multiple venues.
Be sure to scroll down to the end to see my Bonus Top Picks for Edinburgh Fringe. We have an Improv bonus picks section featuring festival favorites and a section featuring shows associated with the podcast. I have seen a few of these shows, and I love them, and you should too.
COMEDY
Who doesn’t need a good laugh? All of these shows look like an absolute good time. Take an hour to escape from the pressures and stress of life and spend it laughing with a room full of people.
A FOOT IS NOT AN APPROPRIATE PRIZE FOR THE TOMBOLA
After a severed foot is found in one of the tombola prizes, Lydia is determined not to let it ruin the village fete. But as the revelations get more bizarre, and Lydia attempts to work out "whodunnit", it appears there might be a more horrific truth to the village than anyone realised. A camp and comedic interactive murder mystery inspired by the worlds of cosy crime and cosmic horror, performed by vibrant storyteller Daniel McVey. Prepare to be intrigued, entertained and leave questioning the wild world we live in.
5 - 31 Aug
15:20
Attic at Pleasance Courtyard
BAD MAGICIANS
The award-winning improv team Bad Magicians have been sent to this earth to make humans feel again through the art that is improvisational comedy. These three trash-bag-wearing weirdos combine clown, avant-garde theater and drama therapy into a dramatic soup that can only be described as high art meets low bullshit. Join us in The Caves and be healed.
5 - 16 Aug
00:00
Just Out Of The Box at Just The Tonic at The Caves
BIG STUFF
Acclaimed Canadian Second City comedy duo, Matt Baram and Naomi Snieckus, directed by genius collaborator Kat Sandler, bring their signature mix of storytelling and improvisation to Big Stuff – a hilarious and heartfelt exploration of the stuff we leave behind. This fast-paced two-hander unpacks the emotional and absurd aspects of loss – from basement clutter to memories that linger. With quick wit and sharp chemistry, Baram and Snieckus turn life's big questions into big laughs. 'One of those pieces of theatre you'll carry with you for the rest of your life' (Globe and Mail).
Roxyboxy at Assembly Roxy
5-30 Aug
14:55
BIRDS: ALEX HINES & SARAH STAFFORD
Shayna, a wealthy five-time divorcee, and Beverley, a mother of twelve boys, escape to the beach. With big wigs and itty-bitty bikinis, the pair settle into their deckchairs, chain-smoking through idle chit chat. As the days stretch into years, birds fall from the sky, their skin melts and yet they remain, with their heads in the sand – this is paradise after all. BIRDS is a sweat-soaked delirium of camp Australian comedy. Waiting for Godot meets Kath & Kim. Come for the tan, stay for the end of days, BYO beach towel xoxo
Assembly George Square, The Box
5 - 30 Aug
19:00
BROADGUESS
Broadguess, A Shakespearean Every Brilliant Thing. An interactive comic Shakespeare solo show. When Elizabethan Detective, Broadguess, working the Elsinore Castle beat (ghosts, again) gets a hot tip about Ophelia drowning they fall down a Shakespearean rabbit hole. Witches, cross-dressing, dancing and improv. A hilarious journey celebrating theatre itself.
6 - 30 Aug
10:45
The Loft at Laughing Horse @ The Counting House
SHE/THEY
She/They is an award-winning Canadian comedy duo. Chaotic, queer, chronically offline. Authentic, underground, need to tell your friends comedy. Bronwyn Farkas (she/her) and Sophie Jean (they/them) are experienced actors and improvisers who found a shared voice in sketch comedy. Their dynamic will leave you wondering: Will they? Won't they? She/They. Together they have performed at Toronto Sketchfest (2026), Just For Laughs 2025 (two sold-out shows), Montreal Sketchfest (Best of the Fest, Best New Troupe Award 2025), won Montreal Theatresports (2025) and been featured in countless other sketch, improv and stand-up shows. She/They, a one-woman show.
7 - 28 Aug
13:35
Main Space at Venue 13
CLOWNING
They did not teach clowning in my university theatre program. So, I didn’t learn about the art form until much later, and I ABSOLUTELY love it. Here are a handful of clown shows that I think will be spectacular- some will be utterly ridiculous while others will give you a moment to reflect.
ALWAYS, SOMETIMES, MAYBE
Always, Sometimes, Maybe is a solo clown show about a janitor so lonely she makes her friends out of trash. Using physical comedy and puppetry, this show is a funny and wild journey into what it means to be alone, and how we find our way back to each other. Lou unexpectedly finds herself with an audience; with nothing but her rubbish and lot of imagination, she tries to find connection. '...class act in mime and clowning' ***** (BingeFringe.com). '...you feel a collective goosebumps' ***** (Fringesider.com). 'Exceptionally entertaining clowning' **** (BroadwayBaby.com).
7 - 30 Aug
18:25
Playground 3 at ZOO Playground
CLAIRE ROBIN: NUN SLUT
Convent. Clown. Communion. An absurd journey through religion and the body, Nun Slut is a delightful mashup of physical comedy, sketch and cabaret. Join "fearless" performer Claire Robin in her multi award-winning hour of critically acclaimed chaos. Nun? Slut? It's a spectrum. We're all on it. 'Wildly comic... a must-see' ***** (List). Winner: Best Comedy, Sydney Fringe 2025. Winner: Best Comedy Weekly Award, Adelaide Fringe 2025. Winner: Best Comedy, Newcastle Fringe 2026. Winner: Hollywood Fringe Tour Ready Award, Sydney Fringe 2025.
5 - 31 Aug
18:20
Blether at Gilded Balloon Patter House
DON TOBERMAN: PING PONG CHAMP
The award-winning, ***** (TheWeeReview.com), clown showdown where Don Toberman – played by Gaulier-trained showman Chase Brantley – takes on the entire audience in a pantomime ping-pong championship. It's absurd, athletic, sensitive and totally unhinged. Grab a paddle and hold on tight. Reviews: 'A physical comedy masterclass' ***** (TheWeeReview.com), 'Simply one of the funniest shows I've ever seen' ***** (TheRealChrisparkle.com), 'A sweaty, seductive and very silly joyride' **** (BroadwayBaby.com). Awards: Critics' Pick – ARTS ATL, Fringe AF – Denver Fringe Festival, and Critics' Choice – KC Fringe Festival.
18 - 31 Aug
13:30
Bunker Two at Pleasance Courtyard
EDITH ALIBEC: THE VOID
Edith has a void. You probably have one too – but somehow you know what to do with yours and she doesn't. A Romanian clown from somewhere slightly outside the human experience, she's on a desperate, deadpan mission: ask the audience what fills the void, then try everything they suggest. Work? Love? Snacks? Playful, melancholic and quietly devastating – a debut clown hour where nothing gets resolved – somehow that's okay. 'Super energy as both an actor and writer' **** (Scotsman) for a previous work.
8 - 30 Aug
20:55
Cinema Room at PBH's Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth
MAYA RICOTE: AY AM!
Cryogenically preserved and freshly defrosted, this passionate Latina with dangerous curves is ready to make you melt. In her debut clown spectacle, The Queen of Wails FINALLY performs her Latin-melodramatic-soap-opera slash camp musical, for you. Maya Ricote is a Mexican/Venezuelan-American telenovela actress turned clown. Co-created with the genius clown muso that is Dan Lees. 'A charismatic delight to watch... I predict big things' (Chortle.co.uk).
5 - 30 Aug
22:40
Cellar at Pleasance Courtyard
THE VAN GOGH SHOGH
It’s a sip and paint. It’s Sotheby’s. It’s karaoke night. Strap in, because whatever it is, Van Gogh is back and he has a side hustle. This is the real Van Gogh Immersive Experience. Emphasis on immersive. Donna Oblongata (Leeway Transformation Award, Jilline Ringle Solo Performance Award) is 'brimming with compassion and monstrously funny' (PlayOnMKE.com). She has sold out theatres in NYC and LA and performed internationally in Slava’s Snowshow. 'A delightfully unhinged gem of fringe theatre' ***** (ShinyLife.co.uk). 'An uproariously good time… side-splittingly funny' **** (AdventuresInTheatreland.com). 'Inspired lunacy' (TalkinBroadway.com).
6 - 30 Aug
18:25
Front Room at Assembly Rooms
BONUS TOP PICKS: IMPROV
If you’ve been around WTF?! for any bit of time, you know I am an improv addict. I love it. I’ve added a bonus picks improv section with some tried-and-true festival favorites to check out.
AUSTENTATIOUS: AN IMPROVISED JANE AUSTEN NOVEL
7-16 Aug
12:50
McEwan Hall at Underbelly, Bristo Square
BABY WANTS CANDY
5-30 Aug
12:10
Studio One at Assembly George Square Studios
…EARNEST?
6 - 30 Aug
15:45
Udderbelly at Underbelly, George Square
THE IMPROVERTS!
7 - 30 Aug
23:00
Auditorium at Bedlam Theatre
SHAMILTON! THE IMPROVISED HIP-HOP MUSICAL
5 - 30 Aug
19:50
Studio One at Assembly George Square Studios
MORE BONUS TOP PICKS FOR EDINBURGH FRINGE
I love including bonus picks, because it is way too hard to narrow down my faves. Here are some friends from the podcast that you should absolutely put on your list.
An Evening With Dame Granny Smith, was by far one of my favorite shows at Adelaide this year, and David is one of my favorite people. I have no idea what Chris has up his sleeve this year, but it’s a guaranteed good time, so check out Chris Grace: 88% (or any of his other shows, Grace & Gracy, Holy Sh*t Improv, and he guests in all kinds of shows, so be on the lookout). I had so much fun at Fly You Fools last year; if you’re a fan of LOTR, do not miss this. Hold On To Your Butts a classic from Recent Cutbacks; grab your tickets to this limited run. I’ve said it once, I will say it again: one of the funniest women in comedy, Olivia Raine Atwood: Oops!; drink a cup of coffee and try to keep up. The Faustus Project is one of the wildest rides you will take at the Fringe; if you are OK with something that might make you squirm and giggle, take a chance on this show. Waiting for Wonka will be wrapped in nostalgia and take you down a fan fiction rabbit hole.
Check out these artists on the PODCAST.
For a few more fun shows to consider, check out our World Fringe Day podcast episode, featuring dozens of Edinburgh artists.
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