It is two nights before Christmas and the hapless family trio plan to rob a butcher’s shop in the upmarket neighbourhood of Stockbridge. For all the Edinburgh residents in the audience there are lots of local references. Not since Trainspotting have I heard dialogue with quite so many Scottish phrases and street colloquialisms, which are very funny and impactful.

The staging is sparse but very clever in its use of basic props, lighting and scene setting music. This ensures that the three actors are literally centre stage. Reanne Farley as Karen, Sean Langtree as Thomas, alongside Ruaraidh Murray are perfect in their roles with each displaying on point comic timing as well as portraying a certain amount of vulnerability. There are undercurrents of melodrama and past traumas which we want to learn more about, and there is history beyond the owner of the butchers shop, simply being an ex boss.

This is a hugely enjoyable hour of comedy drama. The three main characters are perfectly brought to life and their portrayal is instantly recognisable. There are subtle nuances that adds depth and leaves the audience wanting to learn more about them. The flawed characters are so endearing but I’m not sure they can pull off the perfect heist!

****
Reviewed by Margot
Until August 31st at 19:00
Gilded Balloon Billiard Room

The post Steak Out 4**** appeared first on One4Review.

The back story to this exclusive club is told by the singers and each tragic tale is followed up by their iconic music. The vocals are outstanding and the crowd have the best time at this impossible concert. It’s hard to comprehend how much these talented individuals achieved by the time they reached the grand old age of 27 years.

The musical arrangement is fantastic, and you can tell that the band are having an absolute blast on stage. There’s a real feeling that we’ve been invited to an exclusive gig in a secret basement club. This show is magnificent and it really does bring to life the creative talents of these legendary musicians, genuinely moving at times, as we discover the struggles behind each artist.
What makes “27 Club” a stand out show is the passion and emotion of the live performance, a truly up close and personal experience.
*****
Reviewed by Gavin

Gordon Aikman Theatre at Assembly George Square

22.25

5th to 30th August

The post 27 Club – Amplified House and Assembly Festival 5***** appeared first on One4Review.

The aim is to bring together Black comedians who may not be able to bring a full Fringe run and give them a platform to entertain.

Che Burnley
You need a killer MC, and Che Burnley, from Oldham, delivers. He’s playful, fun and commanding, with a real sense that Daddy is talking. His experiences in Edinburgh and his family all land well and he’s a lovely dovetail between acts too.

Bucky Carson
“I’m American, you can’t take the applause back.” Huge laughs. It’s a short set and hits. Being American, he’s also brought a support firearm in the form of a massage gun with attachments so he feels more at home, His set, much like the attachments, soothes as well as destroys where required.

Selam Amare
The Ethiopian-Swedish-born comedian is the best in show. Covering becoming a UK citizen, red flags in dating that apply to others and herself, and stereotypes of Ethiopians being preserved by the British. She delivers with certainty, leaving you with the feeling there’s a lot more to come.

Sammer Elzubaidi
His set consists of visa-picture mishaps, the dynamics of the barber’s chair, and a brilliant AI wife bit with chatbots. Brief, but a clever refreshing sorbet.

Gimp Simpson
These compilation shows need a left-field choice, and the token white guy is this American. His full-mask gimpy slave routine is bizarre, with material around pegging and sexual kinks, is exactly the sort of thing this bill needs. Some of the audience look like they’re watching Springtime for Hitler, which only makes it funnier.

Moe Singleton
Another American delight. Coming to Scotland, bagpipe etiquette, spectacles making out, even a lovely bit on Robert Louis Stevenson. Well-written material and delivered with confidence.

The show has both an early-afternoon and a late-night slot, rendering it accessible to different Fringe crowds. More importantly, it gives comedians who might not otherwise get the chance to do a full run a stage to show what they can do.

Overall, it’s very Fringe: rough around the edges and, at times, completely deranged, but that’s part of the charm. Edinburgh is about discovery, not algorithms or necessarily the same big names year in and year out. This is the perfect place to start with some serious talent on show and exactly the sort of thing you should be supporting.
****
Reviewed by Steve H

Bannerman’s  

The post The Alternative Black Cabaret Showcase 4**** appeared first on One4Review.

It gets quite personal at times and we see a glimpse of his childhood, growing up in Wales in a very Christian household. Now he’s more of a metal-head and there are more than a few references to his music of choice throughout his set.

His delivery a lot of the time is quite dead-pan, but it’s very entertaining and you literally have no idea where the next gag or song will take you to. It may not be the most polished of shows and it may be a little rough around the edges, but he’s a talented comedian and songwriter and the audience really enjoyed his show.

Paul comes across as a very amiable chap, you’d have beer with him, he would share a few stories and he’d pull out the guitar and keep everyone in the room laughing.

***1/2
Reviewed by Gavin
Hoot 4 at Hoots @ The Apex
21.45
7th to 31st August

The post Autistic Musical Comedian Paul Dennis -3.5*** appeared first on One4Review.

First to take to the stage is the awkwardly brilliant, Paul McDaniel. He beautifully lays out the disasters in his life with style and happily puts himself down. A true underdog that you can’t help but like.

I was lucky enough to see Aidan Greenes full show earlier in the Fringe, so this was a lovely reminder of how he manages to use his stammer to great effect. Uncomfortable for his audience, he knows exactly what he’s doing and puts us all on edge waiting for punchlines, his timing is absolutely spot on.

Young Belfast comic Rob Nother is next on the bill, and he has a confident swagger about him which is great to see for his first Edinburgh Fringe outing. Nice content that went down well with the crowd, definitely one to watch.

And last but by no means least, Chris Kent took to the stage and smashed it out of the park. This softly spoken Irishman had the crowd in the palm of his hand. His material was strong and relatable, funny as hell and on the money. The perfect end to a very, very funny show.

Big shout out to Ian Coppinger, who was one of the best MC’s I have seen in a long time.

****1/2
Reviewed by Gavin
Just Up The Road at Just The Tonic at The Caves
14.55
15th to 30th August

The post Irish Comedy Headliners – 4.5**** appeared first on One4Review.

No doubt his massive on-line following helps fill the room for him, but for me he is the new king of the one-liners. Wickedly funny, every gag told with a wry smile a the end or a cheeky grin as he knows he’s landed another cracker. The show was set up on the premise that he was trying out material for his upcoming UK tour, testing out material on the unsuspecting punters.

Well, it’s gonna be a brilliant tour if this is anything to go by. It’s the perfect blend of silly, naughty and dark. He’s categorised his work under several headings for us to give feedback on in the way of gales of laughter.

He has a special gift for turning words and phrases on their head and boom, out comes another joke that none of us saw coming. Truly one of my favourite shows of Fringe 2026, so much in fact that I am going to make the effort to drive to Forfar to see him when his tour kicks off.

*****
Reviewed by Gavin
Liquid Room Studio at PBH’s Free Fringe @ Liquid Room
Various Times
8th to 29th August

The post Mark Simmons – Jokes at Noon 5***** appeared first on One4Review.

First to amaze us with her contortion skills and comedy is Krystal Amber. This incredibly flexible artiste, at one point had her chin on the floor and was able to walk her entire body around her head!! Clearly, she has no internal organs. Rather naughty at times, but entertaining and funny none-the-less.

Comedian Alessio Carducci gives us a sample of his comedy show, not completely naked to be fair, he kept on his beanie hat! Punchy jokes from the nude Aussie he gave a good account of his much longer show. Confident and comfortable performance despite the lack of clothing.

Burlesque Grace Mezak performed for us as Sunshine and shine she did. Sassy and provocative, naked burlesque brought a new dimension to the art form we all know. Nothing to tease with really when you’re already disrobed.

Hula Hooper Claire Million put everyone in a spin with her skills. There wasn’t a part of her body that didn’t whirl a hula hoop at some point, quite mind boggling to be honest.

Magician Chris Cook definitely had nothing up his sleeves, as he wasn’t wearing any, incredibly entertaining set from him, and I’m still unsure as to where he managed to pull a pack of cards from!!

Was it rather risqué at times, yes definitely, but it was light-hearted fun and a good laugh. A show for those who don’t take life too seriously.

****
Reviewed by Gavin
Slice 3 at Hoots @ Hilton Bread Street
22.20
7th to 31st August

The post Big Naked Variety Show – 4**** appeared first on One4Review.

This is not where improv shows normally begin, but it is exactly where medieval fantasies often do. Gareth O’Connor, Josh Tyas, Karlie Menzel, Megan Rose McCarthy and Michelle Fahrenheim immediately immerse us in a world that feels as though it genuinely exists if it is a little bit bonkers.

Josephine’s quest takes us through tarot shops, romances and old timey inns. There are two men secretly in love, a dragon, a Pokémon wind whisper, and eventually, “the” song.

Some scenes end after one perfect line; others expand into entire subplots. By the conclusion, the dragon has been vanquished in an unusual fashion, a baby has evolved to become a boyfriend and Josephine has returned to finishing school. Absurd as this sounds, every development feels completely earned.

The performers are calm, confident and tremendously funny. They never strain to make us laugh or invite us to giggle simply because everything is being invented. Each new detail grows from something another performer has offered, if it doesn’t build the story usually it makes us laugh.

They listen, accept every choice and build upon it, creating long-form improv that is equal parts skillful witty and silly.

The cloaks, tableaux and live backstage voices integrate beautifully, but it is the interaction between the cast being equal parts witty and engaging that creates this delightfully funny medieval world.

Musician Laila Woozeer takes the entire performance up another level. The accompaniment reacts in the moment without encroaching upon the action. Woozeer’s deft approach exemplifies the subtle, gentle way everyone supports one another to crack people up, consistently throughout.

As I left, I heard someone say, “That was just so damn good. I didn’t really know what to expect.” For most audiences, this would unquestionably be a five-star experience.( I’ve seen about 1000 improv shows and I’d place it in the top 5%)

Fabled is high-level comedy, beautifully acted and expertly improvised. It skates across the silly but occasionally lands on the profound.

Catch it in London at the free association or the final performance this fringe on Monday.

★★★★
Reviewed by Stephen “Sharpie” Sharp
Gilded Balloon Teviot
Until 31 August
14.20 (1 hour)

The post Fabled: The Improvised Fantasy Adventure 4★★★★ appeared first on One4Review.

His delivery is fast and quick witted, and he manages to whizz through his show at breakneck speed. Lots and lots of very good content, and as promised there is absolutely No Shame! His set is sharp and observational and although it maybe still needs a bit of polish, he delivers a well put together show.

We get to sample his guitar playing and singing skills with a funny religious song, which mixes up the content a bit. His themes in general are fairly universal, family, relationships, religion, but he successfully squeezes out some comedy in each of them very well indeed.

He’s off to a good start on his comedy journey; his charm and energy will stand him in very good stead for the future. Also big shout out for handling the Norwegian heckler on the front row incredibly well. Nice job!!

***1/2
Reviewed by Gavin
Lower at PBH’s Free Fringe @ Canon’s Gait
22.45
8th to 30th August (not 10th, 17th or 24th)

The post 0% Shame, 100% Irish- 3.5*** appeared first on One4Review.

Like all their work, Book of Shadows is a live shadow play, making use of projection and hundreds of beautifully illustrated drawings, often with hinged joints for arms or mouths or anything else the performers need to move. Narration and dialogue are provided by the performers, and Wishes in particular is more than happy to do a range of silly voices to help him jump between characters. Overall, the experience of a Mochinosha show gives you a feeling like you’re watching a living cartoon (or, due to the art style of the Japanese illustrator, an anime), complete with the fantastic visuals and colours.

Book of Shadows tells the story of talented but repressed Vi, who’s loving but overly skeptical father has drilled within her the belief that nothing outside of what can be scientifically observed exists. This is a bit of a problem for Vi because she’s always followed by a tiny wizard frog (called Tiny Frog Wizard) that only she can see and she doesn’t want to be considered delusional. When a crisis strikes her father, Vi is reluctantly sent off to stay with her Grandmother who may or may not be real-life Ukrainian mystic Madam Blavatsky and teaches classes in magic (with a k). As the story continues and the action ramps up, Vi will have to confront the big question – “is magic real?” Or perhaps the question is simply “what is reality?”

The previous shows I have seen from Mochinosha have been soundly aimed at a family audience which, given the visually impressive style of the performance and imagination-heavy stories with a cheeky sense of humour did seem appropriate. Book of Shadows, however, feels like a deliberate attempt to step away from this and into more “adult” territory, complete with a 14+ age rating. But, honestly, I didn’t feel that the tone had changed all too much minus a bit of bonus swearing and some light references to murder and cannibalism. What has changed however is that, not being set in as overtly a fantastical world as some of their other shows, all the action and imagery is a lot more grounded (shoot-outs on mega-yachts and invisible tiny wizard frogs not withstanding) with most characters being human and most settings being mundane houses and streets. This feels like a bit of a loss as the true power of the illustrations was how they could show audiences impossible things that you just can’t get on stage. As it is, this show could easily be turned into a show with human actors without the need for shadow puppets at all.

The core of the show is not really the story but an exploration of the practice and history behind gnostic magic, featuring many of the more famous practitioners of the craft, from Blavatsky to Aleister Crowley. The title “Book of Shadows” is more than just a pun, it’s a mission statement – it intends to be a primer for the uninitiated to a world of practical magic. However, at points these attempts to impart information through dialogue and narration make it feel more like an edutainment programme about how magic (with a k) works and this does rub a little bit against the enjoyment of it as a story.

The show is ambitious in its reach, but there’s no denying the level of skill and craft involved at every level. Perhaps I’ve become a little jaded having seen Mochinosha’s other shows, but even so there are parts of this one that shocked me with their cleverness and add to that the tongue-in-cheek humour, excellent score and tight pacing, this show remains a masterclass that anyone looking to do shadow puppetry should look to for their inspiration.

****
Reviewed by Tom
Underbelly Cowgate
Until 30 August

The post Book of Shadows – 4**** appeared first on One4Review.