12 rising stars of comedy to see at the Edinburgh Fringe 2024
Heading to the Fringe? These 12 rising stars are well worth seeking out.
Flight of the Conchords. The Mighty Boosh. Steve Coogan. Rose Matafeo. The League of Gentleman. They were all once young hopefuls trying to make their mark at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Most recently, Richard Gadd’s Baby Reindeer shot him to global fame after originally starting as a Fringe show.
READ MORE: 12 must-see comedy shows at the Edinburgh Fringe 2024
But who will be the biggest and brightest comedy superstars of tomorrow? We’ve trawled through all the hopefuls and handpicked 12 new acts – some in their debut year, others returning with a new show – who we predict will have a breakthrough festival.
Jin Hao Li
The show: Swimming in a Submarine
What is it?: Championed by Always Be Comedy – La Masia for British comedy’s greatest talents – Jin Hao is nothing short of a revelation. His surreal humour and glorious brand of low-key nonsense marks him out as the next big thing. He may be ‘Made in China and marinated in Singapore’ but we’re claiming him now.
Where is it?: 19:10, Pleasance Courtyard – Below
Sarah Roberts
The show: Silkworm
What is it?: Silkworm can initially feel quite superficial (albeit irresistible fun). But it’s soon evident what a talented writer and performer Roberts is. The high-status Mean Girl persona quickly unravels as you begin to realise her girly front is very much a reflection of the male gaze-centric world she’s expected to navigate.
Where is it?: 22:35, Assembly George Square – The Box
Frankie Monroe
The show: Joe Kent-Walters is Frankie Monroe: LIVE!!!
What is it?: Sometimes a talent comes along that makes you want to own them as a personal discovery. Frankie Monroe is a must-see purely so you can brag about it later. This character-based show is the comedy equivalent of Ozzy Osbourne biting the head off a live bat; it’s sinister, disconcerting and wholly unhinged but at least you can say you were there.
Where is it?: 23:25, Monkey Barrel Comedy – Monkey Barrel 2
Kemah Bob
The show: Miss Fortunate
What is it?: The first thing that strikes you about Kemah Bob is how they positively fizz on stage. They’re an explosion of creative thoughts and ideas, and harness them all for this rollercoaster show. From monetising white guilt to misadventures in Thailand (and even the odd musical interlude) it’s a ball.
Where is it?: 19:05, Pleasance Courtyard – Baby Grand
John Meagher
The show: Big Year
What is it?: It’s evident Meagher is a supreme storyteller – his excellent Radio 4 documentary The Divil’s Own is testament to that – but what a fascinating story he has to tell. Expect tales of assimilation, reverse snobbery, troubles (with a big T and small), culture clashes and true love told by the next great Irish comedian.
Where is it?: 16:20, Gilded Balloon Patter House – Blether
Bella Humphries
The show: Square Peg
What is it?: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder may not seem like the most obvious subject for comedy, but Humphries has the lightness of touch and conversational charm to make the most personal of topics engaging and funny. This is a show about not fitting in, told with chatty aplomb and huge warmth.
Where is it?: 18:10, Just the Tonic at The Mash House – Just the Bottle Room
Eddy Hare
The show: This One’s On Me
What is it?: Hare’s gag-heavy material, hilarious musical interludes and deadpan delivery mark him out as a special talent, but where he truly excels is in glorious delusion. Like Ernie Wise and the play-what-he-wrote, Hare is brilliant at bigging himself up to main character status and then slowly pricking at his own pretensions.
Where is it?: 17:30, Pleasance Courtyard – Cellar
Fiona Ridgewell
The show: Believable
What is it?: Ridgewell makes being very funny look utterly effortless. She shares that same rare quality of a Mickey Flanagan or Laura Smyth in that every carefully crafted line feels like a top-of-the-dome aside. Like early Aherne, there’s a smartness to her silliness disguised as your funny best mate nattering away.
Where is it?: 13:10, Banshee Labyrinth – Chamber Room
Mike Rice
The show: Nasty Character
What is it?: Rice is a captivating performer with such a delicious turn of phrase that it’s a good thing he chose stand-up rather than, say, cult leader. Either way he’s gained a legion of fans who revel in his misadventures. Brilliantly funny in a slightly sinister way, he’s like the weirdo in the corner of the pub that you’re glad you sat next to.
Where is it?: The Beehive Inn – Beehive 2 (The Attic)
Hannah Platt
The show: Defence Mechanism
What is it?: They say comedy is all about timing and Platt has certainly timed her Edinburgh debut perfectly. She is in the form of her life and Defence Mechanism sees her positively glowing. Platt has always had great line in the deadpan and macabre, but she’s added a frenetic incredulity that gives light to the shade.
Where is it?: 20:10, Pleasance Courtyard – Bunker Two
Seán Burke
The show: Burke in Progress
What is it?: One of the joys of the Fringe is discovering an act on the cusp of greatness. Of all the many works-in-progress on offer this year, few are more highly-anticipated than Burke’s show in embryo. He’s already made you laugh online – even if you don’t know it – with a remarkable output that’s as prolific as it is hilarious.
Where is it?: 16:15, Just the Tonic at The Caves – Just Up the Road (from 13 August)
Karl Porter and Ben Silver
The show: 2 Sick Guyz (Doing Stand-Up)
What is it?: You’ll probably recognise Karl Porter from his internet-breaking slo-mo goal celebrations, but he’s so much more than that. What underpins his viral success is an acute observational eye, an uncanny gift for parody and massive relatability. As for Ben Silver, he has been touted as a special talent on the northern circuit for a while now – think a millennial Lee Evans but dafter and less sweaty.
Where is it?: 16:35, Just The Tonic Legends – Just the Club Room (from 13 August)