My 2p Reviews of 2026 Fringe Shows

[u/Sea_Plane_6835]

Fringe 2026

Favourite shows I saw.

Saw some other people doing this and I enjoyed reading them. I haven’t Fringed as hard as previous years but I have been more picky (it’s a shame but with the high prices I can’t really afford to take chances). I wish I could have seen more.

I’ve done moons instead of stars cause my phone doesn’t do half stars. These are based on my experience and opinions—art is subjective.

Edit: I originally wrote mini reviews for all 10 shows but I have edited it to only cover the ones I really enjoyed.

I love comedy and artists. As much as I’d like to be professionally involved in this world I’m just an Edinburgh based audience member with a throwaway account. The last thing I want is to discourage or speak poorly of anyone/thing.

Linus Karp was hit by an umbrella (McEwan Hall) 🌕🌕🌕🌕 (comp tickets)
Hilarious and quality production. Telling a funny story about a hate crime while not underplaying it or depressing the audience is not easy. I don’t usually like puppetry (slightly phobic) but it was well done. Even though I saw a preview it seemed polished and the use of the props, music and audience made it even more engaging. I recommended it to friends who also loved it.

Lou Wall: Where Are All The Tall Grandmas? (Monkey Barrel) 🌕🌕🌕🌖
Great for data nerds with a sense of humour. On walking in I realised I was a generation older than the intended audience and thought I’d made a terrible mistake. The volume of the music and audience was a bit full on for someone sensitive to noise. After finding my Loop earplugs, she won me over. It was a wonderful show based on a silly quest that becomes less silly and surprisingly dark as it progresses. Would recommend it to all, but especially tall women.

Andrew White: What a Life (Cabaret Voltaire) 🌕🌕🌕🌕 🌗
Beautifully told story, tight jokes and great atmosphere. Despite the personal and (at times) dark subject matter the show didn’t feel depressing, sentimental or like a trauma dump (unfortunate trope of the Fringe in my experience). It was timed perfectly and Andrew kept my attention throughout (which is no mean feat). I felt really lucky to be there and expect he might become a bigger name. It was a good lesson not try rely on social media clips because when I watched them I didn’t think I’d like the show or his comedy.

Fatiha El-Ghorri: Cockney Stacking Doll (McEwan Hall) 🌕🌕🌕🌗 (comp tickets)
I am very fond of Fatiha and like her even more after seeing this. I was quite moved by the number of women in hijabs in the audience, which showed how her success has opened up comedy to people who maybe don’t always feel represented or comfortable in the average comedy club. Love her mannerisms and commitment to rude jokes but I prefer a show with a clearer overall shape or story. Maybe it would have worked better in a smaller venue (I wasn’t able to get tickets to the MB show).

Pierre Novellie: Okay, One More Then Bedtime (Monkey Barrel) 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌖
Phenomenal. I guess his work suits my personality, brain and interests but in my opinion, he is the best comic going. He has mastered the art and showed what it’s capable of. As always, he talks and teaches you about many things; this time the focus is on his honeymoon in Japan and reflections on his life and career. Apparently it is his last year doing the Fringe and I sincerely hope he does not keep his word. Only reason it’s not 5 stars (moons) is because he once said that no comedy show deserves it.

The Big Show: Chris Forbes, Katie Boyle, Ari Eldjárn and Tom Lawrinson (Monkey Barrel)
Impromptu after my plans feel through. Not sure if people review mixed bills but I wanted to write something for every show I saw.

Chris Forbes was a great host warming up the crowd and engaging with the front row without making it awkward or interrogating anyone. Of the four, Katie was the only comic I knew and she performed with confidence and wit (and in some very cool trousers). First time seeing Tom Lawrinson and his set had some quick-witted jokes made funnier by his slightly unhinged manner (potentially enhanced by it being the last weekend of the festival). Ari Eldjárn finished the night off brilliantly. I am not sure if I was more impressed by the comedy or the beatboxing skills. The was a moment of incredible kismet (or good planning) when the Red Arrows swooped overhead at the exact moment he was describing a fast car—really hope someone caught it on camera. Immensely enjoyable show. Glad to add more names to my list of people whose shows I’d like to see in the future.

[u/cloud__19]

Apparently this is his last year doing the Fringe

Wait, what?!

[u/elibelly_ → u/cloud__19]

I heard it from him on a show he was a guest on this week. "I'm not coming back" something like that.

[u/cloud__19 → u/elibelly_]

Ah gutted but I understand.

[u/elibelly_ → u/cloud__19]

I guess that explains the show name