Edinburgh Festival 2018
United Agents are thrilled to have the following shows representing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
22:30 (16th August)
Monkey Barrel
From the multi-award winning agency representing the biggest names in comedy from Ricky Gervais to Alan Davies to Katherine Ryan to James Corden to Rob Brydon and many more. Join United Agents for one night only as we present the next big names in comedy
110% JOHN KEARNS AND PAT CAHILL
00:10 (1 hour 20 minutes)
Heroes, Bobs BlundaBus - Top Deck (Venue 212)
Old friends John Kearns and Pat Cahill have gathered together 110% of their very best talking points, bloopers, songs and fighting talks to discuss at the Blundabus. Also featuring some hand-picked friends from the cream of their alternative comedy price bracket. No interval, no corkage! Previous guests include John Robins, Nick Helm, Sam Simmons, Lolly Adefope, Mat Ewins, Jordan Brookes, Lou Sanders and Adam Riches.
20:15 (1 hour)
Pleasance Courtyard – Beneath (Venue 33)
Ask most people to remember the early 70s and they won't. But for character comedian and tedious party guest Kieran Hodgson, they might hold the answer to the biggest question of our time: Europe? Twice nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award, Kieran returns to the Fringe with the epic tale of how Britain joined Europe in the first place. An overambitious hour of history, politics and enduring friendship punctuated by stunningly accurate impressions of dead politicians you've never heard of. ***** (Guardian, Telegraph). **** (Times, Sunday Times, Time Out, Scotsman). Leavers and Remainers welcome.
23:30 (1 hour)
Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33)
For one night only. Jayde Adams and Kiri Pritchard-McLean host this celebration of all things West End (or Broadway if you're American/better off than us). Accompanied by our house band, Dave and the Quavers, comedians perform their favourite songs from stage and screen and it's up to you to decide who's best. The winner takes home a smug sense of pride as well as closing the show with their ultimate encore song. Come, if you love comedy, musicals and comedians almost certainly getting horribly drunk to cope with the nerves of singing. Proceeds to Waverley Care.
ANGELOS AND BARRY: A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH
15:00 (1 hour)
Le Monde – Venue Le monde (Venue 47)
BBC's Angelos Epithemiou and Channel 4's Barry from Watford return with a new show following their sell-out tour. Barry wants to tell you all about his career in showbiz 'at the end of the pier' while Angelos is onstage to discuss art, poetry, literature and all the other stuff no one is meant to understand. Perhaps it's time for the newly intellectual Angelos to move on. Is their fabulous double act doomed? More hysterical silliness following their last show which the Guardian called 'A puerile delight!'.
14:00 (1 hour)
Pleasance Courtyard – Upstairs (Venue 33)
A brand-new play from Danielle Ward, writer of cult Fringe shows Take-A-Break Tales, Psister Psycho, Gutted and Dani Frankenstein. Starring Anna Crilly (Succession, Lead Balloon). Thirty minutes before curtain up, a double act meet for the first time in over a decade, but whatever happened to cause such a rift? Ambition, friendship, motherhood, ageing and mice are all explored in this tragicomedy. 'The resulting hour of comedy is wonderfully thought-provoking, with the kind of finely crafted writing that you'd expect from a Radio 4 regular' (Guardian). 'The peerless Anna Crilly' (Stage).
22:30 (1 hour)
Monkey Barrell Comedy Club (Venue 515)
Due to filming commitments, Edinburgh Comedy Award Winner Richard Gadd could not write a new show this year and so is coming to the Monkey Barrel Comedy Club for ten dates in which he presents to you a collection of the “Greatest Hits” from all the shows you probably failed to see prior to Monkey See Monkey Do (along with some new bits). It should be an enjoyable affair for all involved bar the audience and himself. ‘A hilarious adrenaline rush of misadventure’ (**** Scotsman), ‘Hilarious knocking over genre barriers and artistic borders’ (**** Evening Standard), ‘Funny, and frankly magnificent’ (***** Fest), 'Wildly inventive' (**** Times), 'A true one-off... constantly riveting’ (***** Telegraph), 'A mercurial talent to watch' (**** Independent)
22:20 (1 hour)
Pleasance
Catch this limited run with some rarely seen friends and the return of some firm favourites (you’d be RIGHT to expect good old Mr Swallow). About to voice a lead character in an upcoming Disney feature and to play a regular role in the new BBC / Netflix series Collateral, Nick is back for the first time since his sold out six-week smash hit run of Mr Swallow: Houdini. As seen in Ridley Scott’s The Martian, Bridget Jones’s Baby, Ab Fab The Movie, and The Sense of an Ending, take advantage of this rare opportunity to see the characters behind the man in Nick Mohammed: Characters. Further credits include BBC’s Uncle, Miranda, Life’s Too Short, Drifters (E4) and Camping (Sky Atlantic). ‘Split-your-sides hilarious… Breathtaking.’
00:10 (1 hour)
Heroes, Bobs Blundabus – Top Deck (Venue 212)
Come and see Pat Cahill ride the midnight Blundabus with his favourite nuggets of neo-music hall entertainment, old clags, new dingles and some ridiculous chunks he just can't jiggle away. 'Stand-up with a difference... Reminiscent of the old great comics' (BroadwayBaby.com). 'Wonderfully weird' (Guardian). 'A near perfect absurdist hour' ***** (EdFestMag.com). Best Show nominee, Leicester Comedy Festival 2016.
17:30 (1 hour)
Pleasance Courtyard – Bunker Two (Venue 33)
You've seen her on Comedy Central, you've seen her on the BBC. Now see Nottingham-born rising star Sarah Keyworth's debut hour. Join Sarah as she tells you about her life with an important little girl and her battle against every expectation of what being a girl means. Think Girls Just Wanna Have Fun but British, deadpan and in no way similar. Tour support for Dane Baptiste, Stewart Francis and Kerry Godliman. Funny Women runner-up. 'Charming' (Independent). 'Excellently deadpan' (HuffingtonPost.com). 'I liked that joke about her fanny' (Sarah Millican). 'A complete breath of fresh air' (EdFestMag.com).
Amrou Al-Kadhi, Guy Woolf, Hugh Wyld & Tom Rasmussen
16:35 (50 minutes)
Assembly George Square Gardens – Piccolo (Venue 3)
Five pop princesses celebrate the power of being yourself. This drag pop concert for kids glows with stunning costumes and live music from animated classics to party hits. Denim is the place to scream, dream, and become a queen. 'A quintet of queens with voices as true as their wigs are fake' ***** (Scotsman). 'Pop legends in their own minds, this swaggering five-piece retool Whitney and Beyonce songs in a smart, uplifting knees up' **** (Guardian). 'UK Drag Supergroup Denim is the Queer Spice Girls we never knew we needed' (NewNowNext.com).
Amrou Al-Kadhi, Guy Woolf, Hugh Wyld & Tom Rasmussen
22:30 (1 hour)
Assembly George Square Gardens – Piccolo (Venue 3)
After a sell-out global pop tour that came to an earth-shattering finale in Edinburgh last year – Denim broke up. Humanity has been in mourning. But now, through pop, laughter and love, these five queens will reunite for one night only. All month. 'A quintet of queens with voices as true as their wigs are fake' ***** (Scotsman). 'Pop legends in their own minds, this swaggering five-piece retool Whitney and Beyonce songs in a smart, uplifting knees up' **** (Guardian). 'UK Drag Supergroup Denim is the Queer Spice Girls we never knew we needed' (NewNowNext.com).
18:40 (1 hour)
Heroes, Boteco – Basement (Venue 516)
As seen on Ricky Gervais’ Derek, Sky’s Rovers and Channel 4’s Gittins. David Earl’s alter ego, Brian Gittins, is a complete berk and according to the Sussex Argus, 'the world’s worst comedian'. However, Brian’s not having any of it and he’s back with a crap show with the might of powerhouse sponsor Rampoo (shampoo of rams) behind him.
20:20 (1 hour)
Pleasance Dome – Queen Dome (Venue 23)
The only winner of the Best Show and Best Newcomer Edinburgh Comedy Awards returns for an encore of his 2017 critically acclaimed hit. Don't Worry They're Here has enjoyed sell-out seasons in London, Melbourne and a nationwide tour. 'Roaringly funny' **** (Scotsman). 'Richly idiosyncratic comedy' **** (Guardian). 'Funny and intellectually ambitious' ***** (Evening Standard). 'A monologue about everyday absurdities, rooted in mundane conversations. It's droll and distinctive – but also full-on hilarious' ****1/2 (Chortle.co.uk). Directed by Jon Brittain.
18:00 (1 hour)
Pleasance Courtyard – Upstairs (Venue 33)
After the sold-out success of Everglow and Everlong, English Comedian of the Year winner, Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and voice of ITV's Survival of the Fittest is back with a lovely story from a loveable boy about loving things. Lovely. 'Unmistakable influences of Daniel Kitson' (Fest). 'A teenage Alan Bennett' (Skinny). 'Very polite passenger' (Uber). ***** (VoiceMag.uk, Define Arts, Glitterati, TheWeeReview.com). **** (Independent, Scotsman, Sunday Times, Herald, Chortle.co.uk, Evening Standard). Over six million YouTube hits. As seen on BBC, ITV and Channel 4. Rob Brydon, Joe Lycett, Jason Manford and Nick Offerman tour support.
18:30 (1 hour)
Monkey Barrel Comedy Club – Monkey Barrel 2 (Venue 515)
2017 Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer nominee Lucy Pearman returns with a new show. Pearman brings the story of a worm who has misunderstood her existence. As seen on Spencer Jones The Mind Of Herbert Clunkerdunk on BBC and heard on Tim Key's Late Night Poetry Programme BBC Radio 4. ‘First steps on the road to household name’ **** (Sunday Times). 'Silent marvelling at the sheer cleverness... Blooming marvellous’ **** (Fest). ‘Almost impossible not to laugh’ **** (Scotsman). ‘Pearman is excellent’ (Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard).
20:00 (1 hour)
Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh
This Canadian abroad is the UK’s 2017 break out star. Katherine recently garnered rave reviews as the presenter and writer of Channel 4s critically acclaimed prime time series, How did you get so rich?, and also regularly appears on all the UKs major panel shows from BBC’s QI, Have I Got News For You and Live at the Apollo to Daves Taskmaster series 2 (Which she won) and Channel 4’s 8 out of 10 cats as wel as co-hostin two back to back series of Comedy Centrals upcoming Your face or mine reboot with Jimmy Carr.
I SPY WITH MY LITTLE EYE SOMETHING BEGINNING WITH WHY HAVE YOU BEEN SLEEPING WITH MY WIFE
19:00 (1 hour)
Pleasance Dome – 10Dome (Venue 23)
Award-winning comedian Rob Carter's cult-hit creation, Christopher Bliss, is back. The worst novelist in Shropshire has written, directed, and cast himself in his first ever play, alongside both of his friends. 'One of the best character shows we've seen for a long time' (Comedy.co.uk). 'This is how character comedy should be done' **** (Chortle.co.uk). 'Pant-wettingly funny' **** (Fest). As seen in Channel 4's Peep Show and Fresh Meat and BBC's Siblings. #ISWMLESBWWHYBSWMW
14:30 (1 hour)
Heroes, The Hive – The Bunka (Venue 313)
You are cordially invited to the grand reopening of Ali Brice's Lemonade Stand. Expect silly characters, daft voices and bizarre audience interaction. Brice has quickly become a master of his own hilarious style of character comedy. Combined with his lightning-fast wit, this makes for a truly unique show from a one-of-a-kind performer. Come and celebrate the silliness! 'A twinkle-eyed comedy natural' ***** (ShortCom.co.uk). 'Eric Meat is a side-splittingly comical entity' ***** (TheUpcoming.co.uk). 'Joyously bonkers... the perfect level of exaggerated oddness' **** (Chortle.co.uk). 'Tear-inducingly hysterical' **** (Skinny). Directed by Spencer Jones.
LLOYDD GRIFFITH MUCKS ABOUT ON STAGE FOR ROUGHLY ONE HOUR. NO REFUNDS
19:15 (1 hour)
Pleasance Courtyard – Beside (Venue 33)
Lloyd Griffith comes back to his favourite Scottish capital to muck about and try some new jokes for his new tour. Expect a bit of incredible choral singing too and possibly some party tricks to pad out the hour. You'll laugh though, don't worry. Host of ‘Soccer AM’ (Sky), host of ‘Taxi To Training’ (BBC3). As seen on 'Live at The Comedy Store' (Comedy Central), ‘Bounty Hunters’ (Sky), ‘Drunk History’ (Comedy Central), ‘The Premier League Show’ (BBC), and ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ (one day) Jack Whitehall and Rob Beckett’s tour support and Diane Griffith’s son.
MR SWALLOW AND THE VANISHING ELEPHANT
19:30 (1 hour)
Pleasance Courtyard – Pleasance One (Venue 33)
Following the five-star, sell-out success of Houdini, Nick Mohammed's alter ego Mr. Swallow is back with another hour of magic, music and elephants. 'Breathtaking' ***** (Guardian). 'Comic perfection' ***** (Stage). 'Split-your-sides hilarious' ***** (Evening Standard). 'Monstrously funny' ***** (Metro). Star of Ridley Scott's The Martian, Bridget Jones's Baby, Ab Fab: The Movie, Netflix's Collateral and Disney's upcoming feature Christopher Robin. Further credits include BBC’s Uncle, Miranda and Cuckoo, Drifters (E4) and Camping (Sky Atlantic). 'Mr. Swallow is a sublime comic creation' (i). Book early to avoid!
NORTHERN POWER BLOUSE – UP YOUR PROMENADE
18:15 (50 minutes)
Waverley Bar – Upstairs Lounge (Venue 438)
Saunter down the promenade with Northern Power Blouse for a show full of sketches, silly songs and larger-than-life characters. Between them they've written for BBC Radio 4, Comic Relief, Comedy Central, popped up on ITV and E4, and have been finalists for the BAFTA Rocliffe and Musical Comedy Awards 2018. Seeing as 'their talents are obvious' (List), why not join them by the seaside, beside the sea!
19:00 (1 hour)
Pleasance Courtyard – The Attic (Venue 33)
Following a whirlwind year of awards, nominations and sold-out shows on top of a run at Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Lastminute.com Best Newcomer nominee 2017 Lauren Pattison is back in Edinburgh. Come see her deliver some new home truths with her wicked, warm and authentic brand of humour. 'Razor wit and brutal honesty' ***** (List). 'Spiky, deliciously bawdy and remarkably assured' **** (Telegraph). 'A breath of feisty fresh air' ***** (Herald). 'Robust and impressive' **** (Scotsman). 'Wickedly engaging company' **** (Chortle.co.uk). Recommended by the Guardian: 'Fast, forthright and filthy'.
SHEEPS: LIVE AND LOUD SELFIE SEX HARRY POTTER
19:00 (1 hour)
Pleasance Dome – QueenDome (Venue 23)
Everything is going well in the wider world. No crises on the horizon. Seeing that the coast is finally clear, the Sheeps three are reuniting, despite never having broken up. It will be lots of new sketches and no old sketches. So if you mainly like our older stuff then this one’s not for you. But if you want to see new (wiser) sketches from some old masters (Time Out’s ‘Ones To Watch, 2011') then see it. ‘Clever, arch and multi-layered… hilarious’ (Guardian). ‘The future of British comedy’ (Skinny).
16:40 (1 hour)
Underbelly, Cowgate – Big Belly (Venue 61)
It's hard keeping it together when your whole life is falling apart. But the pressures of teaching, Tinder and outrageous Irish best mates are a lot to juggle, especially when you're stumbling through the maze of trying to be a grown-up. Stranger danger, heartbreak and piña coladas are on the syllabus in the hilarious debut play Pickle Jar, written and performed by Maddie Rice, the critically acclaimed star of the smash-hit Fleabag UK and international tour. 'Maddie Rice is captivating' (Guardian). 'Maddie Rice oozes presence and exquisite comic timing' ***** (Fest). Directed and developed by Katie Pesskin.
17:55 (1 hour)
Voodoo Rooms – French Quarter (Venue 68)
Multi award-winning comic Harriet Kemsley pulls her skirt out of her pants and shames slut shaming. In a Cornell University study women rated fictional female peer, Joan, as emotionally unstable and less competent because she was sexually promiscuous. If Joan wasn't fictional her name would be Harriet Kemsley and in this deeply personal show Harriet delves into her sexual history. Star of Bobby and Harriet Get Married, Comedy Central’s Roast Battle and Katherine Ryan Tour support. 'A quirky, refreshingly charming comedian at the dawn of her TV career' (Radio Times). 'Joyful’ **** (Scotsman). ‘Effervescent’ **** (EdFestMag.com).
13:15 (50 minutes)
Waverley Bar – Up (Venue 438)
Join Cassie (second place, Musical Comedy Awards 2018) for a few ditties, a little bit of death and a whole lot of fun. Words on BBC Radio 4 and popped up on ITV and E4. 'Future national treasure’ **** (ToDoList.org.uk). ‘Most vivacious presence on stage’ (Financial Times).
12:10 (1 hour)
Banshee Labryinth – Cinema Room (Venue 156)
Join two rising stars of comedy on their journey to the top in an easy-going lunch-time show. Fresh character comedy from Cam Spence, star of Channel 4’s Riot Girls, Funny Women Award winner 2017. ‘Supremely talented and smart’ (Telegraph). Brilliantly surreal stand-up from Funny Women Stage Award finalist Jodie Mitchell’s ‘blindingly obvious comedic talent’ (Skinny). ‘Left me with actual tears of laughter running down my face’ (DIVA Magazine). Both acts are supported by Soho Theatre Young Company.
20:10 (1 hour)
Underbelly, Bristo Square – Dexter (Venue 302)
Masculinity – isn't it, like, over? Or are there new ways to model manliness? Growing up Joe felt less like a boy, more like a Spice Girl. Now he's sort of grown up, and technically a man. This is a show about embracing girl power to create your own brand of manhood. 'Richly entertaining' **** (ScotsGay.co.uk). 'An engaging hour of stand-up with an important message and many laughs to be had' **** (Edinburgh Festivals Magazine). 'So much originality' **** (VoiceMag.uk). 'Oozing star power from every pore' (Mirror). 'Edgy and unpredictable' (ToDoList.org.uk). 'Definitely one to watch' (Chortle.co.uk).
20:00 (1 hour)
Monkey Barrel Comedy Club – Monkey Barrel 2 (Venue 515)
Comedy’s one rule is 'no punching down'. Tim Renkow is a crippled, redneck, Mexican Jew. It’s hard for him to find a group he is not allowed to make fun of, which is insulting. Join Tim as he tries to find a group that is off-limits and prove that he's not the bottom of the social ladder. 'A proper renegade as a comic’ **** (Scotsman). 'Renkow is a smart comedian who also knows how to handle dark, risky material' (Guardian). Star of A Brief History of Tim (BBC), Bobby and Harriet Get Married (VICELAND).
15:50 (1 hour)
The Stand Comedy Club 2- Stand 2 (Venue 5)
Bethany Black is back. And this time it’s personal. Okay, it’s always personal, she’s always banging on about herself ('self indulgent' (List)). In 2018 Bethany was diagnosed with autism and agoraphobia. This is a show about accepting the outcome of what she always knew deep down. 'Teetering on the verge of stellar stardom' (ThreeWeeks). 'One of the best comics on the UK stand-up circuit' (Birmingham Mail). 'Bethany Black should prepare for world domination' (Bruce Dessau). 'Hilariously funny, Bethany Black should be on every TV comedy show' (Russell T Davies). www.bethanyblack.co.uk
TOM ROSENTHAL: WORK IN PROGRESS
22:30 (1 hour)
Monkey Barrel Comedy Club (Venue 515)
The beaky young man from Plebs, Friday Night Dinner and Drunk History tries a new comedy show out with the best of intentions.
22:35 (1 hour)
Underbelly, Bristo Square – Buttercup (Venue 302)
Award-winning comedy troupe zazU presents zazUtinany, an absurdly silly comedy game show incorporating live acts, games, a quiz and even some cheeky prizes. Come as a team, come on your own or come with your pet (no pets allowed) – either way that infamous Haribo trophy could be yours. Expect men with fringes, exquisite choreography and answers to questions such as 'so it's basically shooting stars, right?' (Anon). 'Talented cast' ***** (ThreeWeeks). 'Quick and clever' **** (BroadwayBaby.com). 'Crazy comedy that will have you falling off your chair' ***** (Londonist.com).