Elf Lyons – Raven 3.5***

I first saw Elf Lyons doing stand-up 11 years ago when she was barely out of her teens and it was obvious that there was real potential, some of which was when her Fringe offering from 2017 was nominated for … Read More

Ali Brice: I tried to be funny, but you weren’t looking 3***

Ali Brice starts out strong and silly with some lovely clowning around a Venetian blind. The show is a heartfelt account of his experience of trying to take his life three years ago by overdose and his subsequent experiences of … Read More

In the Weeds 4****

‘In the Weeds’ is a poetic and macabre duologue deeply rooted in the landscape in which it was created. Produced by An Tobar & Mull Theatre and Deftly directed by Rebecca Atkinson Lord, it is a tense thriller which plunges … Read More

Patti Harrison 4****

This show takes place in one of the larger venues on the Fringe, and it was about full to capacity. But I’ve never seen so many people leave during a show, especially not in such a large venue, where one … Read More

Sheeps: Ten years; Ten laughs 4****

Sheeps sketch group are a well-oiled meta machine. They have built up an incredible amount of critical acclaim over the years and with it comes a packed and eager audience for this show. It is pitched as a ‘best of’ … Read More

Ellie MacPherson, Happy Birthday, Mr. President 4****

Ellie Macpherson has created a jam-packed hour of entertainment. She’s a patriotic American y’all and has given herself the task of choosing which president she wants to bang. She does a thorough job, starting with ‘Simply the Best’ George Washington … Read More

Boom 5*****

For me, Boom is what the Edinburgh Festival is all about – loads of creative energy, extraordinary talent, bravery and originality.

In March 2022, young artists from the Cirk La Putyka ensemble in Prague and the Kyiv Municipal Academy of … Read More

The Anniversary 5*****

Jim and Barb are no ordinary elderly couple. They begin by preparing their house for a party to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary, complete with banner and a series of rooms with an exaggerated perspective. Birds are twittering in the … Read More

Briefs: Bite Club 4****

My very first review in 2016 was Briefs Factory at the Assembly Hall at the Mound and what an experience it was (I’ve only just recovered).

The atmosphere in the Lafayette tent was electric and at least this time around … Read More

Sian Davies: About Time 3***

There are subtle shifts in the tone and emotion of this show, which Ms Davies creates without you noticing: we start out watching a stereotypical slightly disgruntled northerner during the introductory bit, who morphs into a young person with optimism … Read More