We’ve all seen stand-up on Live At The Apollo. It’s some probably quite neat-looking person with a microphone talking about normal things that happen to all of us in a way that makes us laugh because it’s so relatable. Right?
If you’re not familiar with comedians who aren’t afraid to let things get weird, then you are missing out. Luckily for you, there are plenty of options for you to get acquainted with some of our favourite weirdos at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Alasdair Beckett-King – The Interdimensional ABK
At the very least, make sure you watch the trailer for The Interdimensional ABK. It will tell you everything you need to know about the show and is an experience in and of itself. This is one of the very few comedy shows at the fringe this year with its own theme song. It deserves it. It’s wonderful. Go see the show.
The show runs from August 1-18 and 20-26 at the Pleasance Dome.
Harriet Dyer – The Dinosaur Show
There are few acts in the UK’s comedy scene today that are as wholesome and wonderful as Harriet Dyer. She goes out of her way to make sure everyone at her shows is having a good time, in terms of feeling safe as much as pissing themselves laughing. This year, she’s wearing a dinosaur costume at the fringe. She’s not just putting on a show. She’s going to take you on a journey.
The show runs from July 31-August 26 at the Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose.
Joz Norris Is Dead. Long Live Mr. Fruit Salad
If you’ve never seen a show hosted by a veritable cryptid, then this is your chance to experience something truly unique. Much like the Abominable Snowman and the Loch Ness Monster, Mr Fruit Salad is a mystery that has only ever been glimpsed, but never effectively photographed. This might be your only chance to find out what the hell is really going on.
The show runs from August 1-8 and 11-25 at Heroes @ The Hive.
Rob Kemp – Moonraker 2 Moonrakerer
Creator of the smash hit rock-n-roll-horror mash up Rob Kemp is returning to the fringe with a show that promises to be just as bizarre and brilliant. While this is of course an entirely new and original thing, it is built on the same foundation of doing stuff to something that you expect to be familiar that makes it unique and surreal.
The show runs from August 2-13 and 15-26 at Monkey Barrel Comedy.
Tom Short’s Wheel Of Misfortune
If you haven’t seen Tom Short before then you are being deprived of one of the most innovative acts working today. Blizzard alumni and all round good dude, Tom is a master of physical comedy that makes you wonder why anyone even bothers with traditional stand-up.
The show runs from August 1-26 at Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters.
Tony law – Identifies
When it comes to masters of absurdist comedy, Tony Law is one of the first name that springs to mind. This is his sixteenth fringe show. At this point, you shouldn’t need to be told to go see Tony Law. It should be taken as a given that he’s going to do something amazing and that you are going to want to be there when it happens.