Many people involved in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe will like to tell you it’s the largest arts festival in the world.
That sense of a global festival is seen in the range of nationalities among the thousands of performers taking to the stage in August.
We’ve compiled some of our favourite international comedians who will be putting on shows at the Festival this year.
David Huntsberger
Big Nothingness
We first discovered U.S. comic David Huntsberger on the excellent podcast Professor Blastoff, where he discussed the big questions in science, philosophy, art and psychology with fellow comedians Tig Notaro and Kyle Dunnigan. With his debut Fringe hour, David looks to continue that exploration of big ideas by asking how we got here and what other worlds might exist between our physical existences.
David Huntsberger: Big Nothingness
Just the Tonic @ The Caves
3-26 Aug, 5.25pm
£5
Hannah Gadbsy
Nanette
Australian Hannah Gasdby has long produced intricate shows that tackle tough subjects in a witty, warm way. With this year’s effort Hannah looks to have taken things to a new level, winning huge acclaim and Best Show at the Melbourne comedy festival for a show that takes a very personal look at growing up while tackling homophobia.
Hannah Gadbsy: Nanette
Assembly George Sq
2-27 Aug, 5.30pm
£11-£12
Sarah Kendall
One-Seventeen
Sarah’s Australian trilogy of compelling stories from her teenage years in Australia must have been among the impressive shows in recent Edinburgh Festivals. This year Sarah’s show is more of a compendium of short, linked tales that still manage to be as heartfelt and funny as anything she’s done before.
Sarah Kendall: One-Seventeen
Assembly George Sq
2-27 Aug, 7pm
£10.50-£12.50
Anne Edmonds
No Offence, None Taken
A new act to us, but another Australian who had major success at the Melbourne Comedy Festival, receiving a nomination for Best Show for an hour of storytelling that explores the many quirks her home country has to offer.
Anne Edmonds: No Offence, None Taken
Underbelly Med Quad
2-27 Aug, 7.55pm
£11-£12
Damien Power
Utopia: Now in 3D!
And yet another Melbourne Comedy Festival Best Show nominee from Australia! Damien also won the Pinder Prize in 2017, a newer award in Melbourne honouring the late festival co-founder John Pinder,
Damien Power: Utopia: Now in 3D!
Assembly George Sq
2-27 Aug, 8.20pm
£11-£12
Andy Daly
Monsters Take Your Questions
A legend of comedy podcasting in the U.S., Andy Daly is a must-see for anyone who has enjoyed his menagerie of misfits and nonsense-merchants he portrays on Comedy Bang Bang. We are very excited for this one.
Andy Daly: Monsters Take Your Questions
Gilded Balloon Teviot
3-13 Aug, 8.30pm
£11.50-£13.50
James Adomian
Lacking in Character
Comedy Bang Bang fans will also be familiar with James Admonian, whose oeuvre of oddballs includes Jesse Ventura, Tom Leykis and Huell Howser. He’s more than just funny voices though, with a show that promises to explore “the twin nightmares of politics and pop culture from a queer – and distinctly weird – point of view”.
James Adomian: Lacking in Character
Gilded Balloon Teviot
2-27 Aug, 9.15pm
£10.50-£12.50
Demi Lardner
Look What You Made Me Do
A young but fast-rising Australian comic who picked up the So You Think You’re Funny Award on her Fringe debut in 2013. She’s back with a show where she introduces the world to Gavin, a 46-year-old trapped in his basement.
Demi Lardner: Look What You Made Me Do
Underbelly Cowgate
3-27 Aug, 9.20pm
£10-£11
Green in English, Blue in Japanese
A Japanese comedian who’s fast gaining prominence in the UK, winning BBC Radio New Comedy Award 2015.
Yuriko Kotani: Green in English, Blue in Japanese
Dragonfly
3-27 Aug, 9.40pm
PWYW/£5
Rose Matafeo
Sassy Best Friend
Yet another act with a show that has gained huge acclaim at international comedy festivals, New Zealander Rose Matafeo won Fred Award at her home country’s comedy festival.
Rose Matafeo: Sassy Best Friend
Pleasance Courtyard
2-27 Aug, 9.45pm
£8-£9
Desiree Burch
Unfuckable
2016 was a breakthrough year for this confident, frank comedian from New York who regularly packed out the top of her bus venue for a compelling show about sex, drugs, body image and religion. She’s back on the bus this year, so we’d advise booking tickets early.
Desiree Burch: Unfuckable
Bob’s Blundabus
3-27 Aug, 10pm
PWYW/£5
