Our Top Ten Picks of Week 1 at the Edinburgh Fringe 2019!
The Edinburgh Fringe is finally here and picking which shows to see can be very overwhelming, so we’ve chosen our Top Ten Picks of the Fringe 2019 (week 1) to help you out! You’re welcome. Check back here next Friday to find some more recommendations for week 2.
Sophie Duker - Venus
Pleasance Courtyard - Pleasance Below 19:00
Sophie Duker is your Venus, she’s your fire, your desire. Or is she? Silly, sexy, savage stand-up from a girl who’s definitely not a goddess. In her hotly anticipated full-fat woke debut hour Sophie takes her audience on an unconventional journey of self-discovery. Strap in. Sophie co-hosts GrownUpLand on BBC Radio 4 and is the creator and host of the Evening Standard recommended comedy night Wacky Racists. As seen on Channel 4’s Riot Girls, E4’s 8 Out of 10 Cats, Comedy Central and BBC Three. ‘Laugh out-loud funny’ **** (Telegraph). If you can’t catch her in Edinburgh, then you can join us on her monthly comedy night ‘Wacky Racists’ here at 2Northdown!
2. Stand Up with Janine Harouni (Please Remain Seated)
Pleasance Courtyard- Bunker Three 17:45
Janine's father is a lifelong New Yorker and son of Middle-Eastern immigrants. He's also an avid Donald Trump supporter. Attempting to reconcile those things makes for one tense Sunday dinner. Catch multi award-winning newcomer Janine Harouni in her debut show about standing up for what you believe in, even if you have to do it really nicely. Winner: Laughing Horse New Act of the Year 2018 and 1/3 of award-winning sketch trio Muriel. Seen/heard on Comedy Central, Comic Relief, BBC Three, and BBC Radio Four. 'Brilliant' (Chortle). **** (Evening Standard). **** (Skinny).
3. Marc Jennings: Getting Going
The Stand Comedy Club- Stand 4 20:15
Join rising star of Scottish comedy Marc Jennings for his debut solo show at The Stand Comedy Club. In addition to appearances on both BBC Scotland’s The Comedy Underground and topical panel show Breaking the News, Marc has garnered a significant online following after releasing clips of his stand-up, including one which has been viewed over two million times. Described as 'an astute observer who’s accomplished at channelling his frustrations into a wider social critique' (Chortle.co.uk). Catch the three-time Scottish Comedian of the Year finalist while you can in this honest and hilarious hour.
4. Katie Pritchard: Storm Stud
PBH’s Free Fringe @ Globe Bar 18:00
Our very own New Act of the Year winner! Brand-new musical comedy show from carnage wielding, storm stud of a snazzy idiot: Katie Pritchard. Ever been given unsolicited advice? In this show, Katie explores all the awful advice she's ever received, by doing the exact opposite. Expect incredible (very handmade) costumes, chaos and some pumping original tunes in this high-octane romp through Katie’s synapses; enjoy observational comedy from a completely different angle. Musical Comedy Award winner. 2Northdown New Act of the Year winner. Sketch Off finalist. 'Mind-blowing' (Herts Advertiser). 'Inventive and hilarious' (BroadwayBaby.com). 'Always original and entertaining' **** (FemaleArts.com). 'A veritable Sizewell B' (Chortle.co.uk). You can also catch her in Nick Helm’s I Think, You Stink Musical. On at Assembly Roxy at 9.45pm.
5. Jack Barry- Alien
PBH’s Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth- Cinema Room 20:55
Your best friend and our best friend (and acclaimed stand-up) Jack Barry is worried about you. The world’s turned to shit and you haven’t been laughing enough. He’s going to roughly slap you around the face with his jokes and tell you to get a hold of yourself. Don’t worry – everything is going to be okay. As seen on The Russell Howard Hour and in Catastrophe, Cuckoo and Netflix’s Turn Up Charlie. Writer for Mock the Week. ‘The finest of British comedy… effortlessly endearing’ ***** (EdFestMag.com). **** (Sunday Times). **** (List). **** (Skinny).
6. Alison Spittle: Mother of God
Gilded Balloon Teviot: Balcony 17:15
It's 2001, the world has changed irreparably and somewhere in the middle of Ireland, a girl fights for the meaty role of Mary of Nazareth in the school nativity. This is a show about righting a wrong and looking like you want it enough. Light a candle for a ticket. Star of RTÉ's Nowhere Fast. As heard on The Guilty Feminist and Radio 4's GrownUpLand. 'Whether character or citizen, Spittle comes across as a kind of genius' **** (Irish Times). 'A master class in stand up comedy' (Meg.ie). Irish Tatler Comedian of the Year.
7. Lou Sanders: Say Hello to Your New Step-Mummy
Monkey Barrel: Barrel 3 15:15
After 3 sold out previews at 2Northdown and her recent victory on Taskmaster, we think you should book fast for this one! Loulie, AKA the face that launched a thousand dicks, examines conduct (in the media, baby), mental health (other people's, I'm fine) and perverts (that one is mainly me, actually). I’ll be oversharing, wanging on about spirituality and giving everyone some much unwanted advice. As seen/heard on Taskmaster, QI, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Hypothetical, The Russell Howard Hour, The Unbelievable Truth, Ultimate Worrier and more. ‘A comedian who leaves you wanting more’ **** (Times). **** (Guardian). **** (Evening Standard). **** (Chortle.co.uk).
8. Tom Houghton: That’s What I Go To School For
Pleasance Dome- Jack Dome 20:10
Tom was sent to all-boys boarding school at age six. A world where ‘day kids’ are shunned and girls? None existent. But when, in his second last year the school decided to go co-ed, everything was to change. The total Fringe sell-out, star of Comedy Central’s Roast Battle and ultra-privileged Tower of London resident, Tom Houghton lifts the controversial lid on the incubators responsible for producing many of our country’s leaders. With a little help from 00s pop sensation Busted. ***** (The New European), ***** (One4Review), **** (Daily Telegraph), **** (Chortle).
9. Phoebe Robinson: Sorry, Harriet Tubman
Assembly George Square Studios- Three 18:45
Best known as the co-creator and co-star of hit podcast 2 Dope Queens, interviewing the likes of Jon Stewart, Tig Nataro and Michelle Obama to name just a few. Phoebe is also a New York Times best-selling author of You Can't Touch My Hair & Other Things I Still Have To Explain and her second book Everything's Trash, But it's Okay and stars in Netflix film Ibiza and Paramount's What Men Want. Sorry, Harriet Tubman marks her UK stand up debut.
10. Catherine Cohen: The Twist…? She’s Gorgeous
Pleasance Courtyard - Beneath 22:45
Cat is the perfect mix of Comedy and Cabaret, and after following her on Instagram for my whole life, I can’t wait to see what her first Fringe Show brings. A show about living, laughing, loving and losing your debit card five times in one year. Through original songs and stand-up, New York sensation Catherine (with Henry Koperski on keys) explores life as an immortal millennial who is tragically unverified on Twitter. Comics That Sum Up 2019, Guardian. 'Bringing back comedy cabaret in a big way' (Forbes). 'Cohen radiates a gee-whiz star power, Carol Kane-level charisma and enough between-song banter to make Carol Burnett blush', Five Comedians to Look Out For (Time Out NY). 'One of this year's most promising rising comedians' (W Magazine).
