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10 comedians off the telly to see at the 2015 Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Our pick of the famous comedy faces playing north of the border

Written by
Ben Williams
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Alun Cochrane: A Show with a Man in it
© Avalon

Alun Cochrane: A Show with a Man in it

Stand-up. Off the telly. Award nominee.

This Absolute Radio star was nominated for Best Newcomer at the Perrier Awards back in 2004 and since then has popped up on all the panel shows. We like to call Cochrane the ‘everyman philosopher’, because his no-nonsense meditation on everyday things is just plain funny.

6.30pm, The Stand Comedy Club.

Ed Gamble: Lawman
© Idil Sukan Draw HQ

Ed Gamble: Lawman

Stand-up. Off the telly. Free.

You might’ve seen Ed Gamble’s impressive acting and improv skills at work on E4’s mockumentary series ‘Almost Royal’. He’s a terrific stand-up, too. This year, Gamble’s focusing on his love of rules, and why following them is way cool. Couldn’t agree with you more, Ed.

1.15pm. Canons’ Gait.

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Get Your Own Back: Live!
© Jake Turney

Get Your Own Back: Live!

Off the telly.

Remember, in the ’90s, when you wanted your teacher to get gunged SO BAD? (Or perhaps you were a teacher hoping not to get gunged?) Now you have a second chance… Dave Benson Phillips is reviving his CBBC gameshow as a chaotic, live action Fringe gameshow, with performers from other Edinburgh shows taking part as the contestants.

4.30pm, Gilded Balloon.

Katherine Ryan: Kathbum
© Idil Sukan Draw HQ

Katherine Ryan: Kathbum

Stand-up. Off the telly.

If you want to see Katherine Ryan’s brand new show at the Edinburgh Fringe, stop reading this immediately and book a ticket – her run’s pretty much sold out already. This is your first chance to catch ‘Kathbum’ before it heads out on tour this autumn.

4.25pm, The Stand Comedy Club 3 & 4. (Aug 6-16 and 18-22 only.)

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Michael Che: Six Stars
© Phil Provencio

Michael Che: Six Stars

Stand-up. International. Off the telly.

Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Jimmy Fallon, Chevy Chase… They’ve all been anchors of ‘Weekend Update’ – the most famous segment of ‘Saturday Night Live’. The latest name to join that list is Michael Che, a 32-year-old New York native who’s quickly becoming a big deal across The Pond. Che’s in demand over there (he was briefly a correspondent on ‘The Daily Show’, too), so catch him in Edinburgh while you can.

7.40pm, The Stand Comedy Club 3 & 4. (Aug 6-20 only.)

Nina Conti: In Your Face
© Matt Crockett

Nina Conti: In Your Face

Off the telly.

Puppets? Who needs puppets when audience members make perfectly good ventriloquist dummies? Conti’s always amusing trick is to strap a mask to her punters and make them her new puppets for some improvised larks.

9pm, Pleasance Courtyard.

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Paul Sinha: Postcards From the Z List

Paul Sinha: Postcards From the Z List

Stand-up. Award nominee. Off the telly.

Fans of teatime TV might recognise Paul Sinha as one of the sardonic ‘chasers’ on ITV game show ‘The Chase’. He’s just as smart a stand-up as he is quizzing champion. This is his first Fringe show for four years. Expect dry opinions and skilfully told stories.

5pm, The Stand Comedy Club.

Reginald D Hunter: Bitchproof
© Kash Yusuf

Reginald D Hunter: Bitchproof

Stand-up. Off the telly. Festival favourite.

This contentious household-name stand-up needs no description here. Reggie D’s blissfully funny unfiltered opinions are a guaranteed safe bet this Fringe.

8pm, Pleasance Courtyard.

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Stewart Lee: A Room With a Stew
© Graham Whitmore

Stewart Lee: A Room With a Stew

Stand-up. Festival favourite. Off the telly.

Another show that’s a book-right-this-second-if-you-don’t-want-to-be-disappointed deal. Slee’s been workshopping these new routines (that will eventually become the next series of his ‘Comedy Vehicle’) for months and months.

2.15pm, The Assembly Rooms.

Trevor Noah: Lost in Translation

Trevor Noah: Lost in Translation

Stand-up. International. Off the telly.

Just three chances to catch this South African star, and it could be his last trip to Edinburgh for quite a while. Trevor Noah blew us away in 2012 with his Fringe debut, ‘The Racist’. Since then, he’s been making a name for himself in the States, and has now landed a job as host of ‘The Daily Show’, taking over from Jon Stewart. Pretty. Big. Deal.

10.30pm, Assembly Hall. (Aug 28-30 only.)

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