13 second shows to see at the 2015 Edinburgh Festival Fringe

'Difficult second shows' to catch at the massive Scottish arts festival

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These acts' Fringe debuts all made an impression. They'll be hoping to keep that momentum going this year…

RECOMMENDED: 74 comedy shows to see at the 2015 Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Adrienne Truscott’s a One-Trick Pony!

Award-winner. Second show.

Truscott’s bold, brave show about rape culture and rape jokes – ‘Adrienne Truscott’s Asking For It – A One-Lady Rape About Comedy Starring Her Pussy and Little Else’ – won her the Foster’s Panel Prize in 2013. Her new show examines stand-up comedy itself. After all, we’re still not sure whether to call Truscott a comedian or a performance artist…

8.15pm, Gilded Balloon. (Aug 5-17 only.)

Aisling Bea: Plan Bea

Stand-up. Award nominee. Second show.

This excitable Irish comic has barely been off the telly over the past two years. In 2014 she won a British Comedy Award, her debut Edinburgh show was nominated for the Best Newcomer prize, and now she’s following it up with more motormouth stories.

9.30pm, Gilded Balloon.

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Alex Edelman: Everything Handed to You

Stand-up. Award-winner. Second show.

It’s the ‘difficult second show’ for last year’s Best Newcomer winner, as this smart-arsed American comic speaks directly to the twentysomethings. His neurotic tales and observations are unfailingly funny.

8.30pm, Pleasance Courtyard.

Ali Brice presents: Eric Meat Has No Proof, Only Memories of Pasta

Character comedy. Second show. Free.

Joyfully stupid character comedy in this performer’s second solo show. Eric Meat – Brice’s central character – is a sweet, romantic, heartbroken fool, and he’s joined by a host of idiotic pals.

1.30pm, Heroes @ The Hive.

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Funz and Gamez Tooz

Award-winner. Second show.

The sequel to 2014’s Foster’s Panel Prize winning word-of-mouth hit. Funz and Gamez Tooz takes what is appropriate in a children’s show and does the exact opposite. Kids love it – the adult jokes soar way over their heads – and us grown-ups enjoy how inappropriately these little ’uns are being treated. Funz for all the family.

3.20pm, Assembly George Square Gardens.

Gein’s Family Giftshop: Volume 2

Sketch comedy. Award nominee. Second show.

This dark, depraved sketch troupe (performers Kath Hughes, Edward Easton and James Meehan plus co-writer Kiri Pritchard-Mclean) bagged a Best Newcomer nomination at last year’s festival. Their skits are innovative, debauched, occasionally unsettling, and ridiculously funny. One of our favourite sketch troupes right now.

10.45pm, Pleasance Courtyard.

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John Lloyd: Emperor of the Prawns

Off the telly. Second show.

More after-dinner style anecdotes and ‘QI’-esque facts from the behind the Stephen Fry-fronted panel show. (And ‘Blackadder’. And ‘Spitting Image’. And ‘Not the Nine O’Clock News’. We could go on…)

4.30pm, Assembly Checkpoint.

Lazy Susan: Double Act

Sketch comedy. Award nominee. Second show.

After bagging a Best Newcomer nomination in 2014, this understated sketch duo – made up of Celeste Dring and Freya Parker – return with more superb performances, silly characters and wigs Lots of wigs. Sketch comedy with heart.

8.10pm, Pleasance Dome.

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Mark Stephenson: Amsterdam

Stand-up. Second show. Free.

We’re big fans of his downbeat stand-up who remains upbeat despite his pessimism, and undermines his intelligent thoughts with stupid jokes. This year Stephenson turns to confessional storytelling in ‘Amsterdam’.

2.20pm, Banshee Labyrinth.

Massive Dad 2.0: Step Up 2 Massive Dad

Sketch comedy. Second show.

Just like that street dance crew had to up their game to compete in that underground dance content in ‘Step Up 2: The Streets’ (remember?), we’re expecting this talented sketch trio to move up a gear after last year’s impressive debut. Massive Dad’s slick, traditional skits are chockablock with bold gags.

6.50pm, Pleasance Dome.

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Rhys James: Remains

Stand-up. Second show.

24-year-old stand-up and Twitter favourite Rhys James is on devilishly sharp form at the moment. He’s white, middle-class and male, there’s been no pain or struggle in his life – and that’s exactly his problem. What can he talk about that’s unique and different? See him (seemingly) struggle in ‘Rhys James Remains’.

4.45pm, Pleasance Courtyard.

Ronny Chieng: Chieng Reaction

Stand-up. International. Second show.

Ronny Chieng is refreshingly aloof. Rather than try desperately to charm us over, he simply focuses his energy into slashing apart life’s annoyances with a no-nonsense bravado. Born in Malaysia and based in Australia, he’s becoming a big deal Down Under, selling out 2000-seat venues at the Melbourne Comedy Festival.

7.20pm, Underbelly Cowgate.

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Tom Neenan: The Andromeda Paradox

Character comedy. Storytelling. Second show.

Dapper storyteller Tom Neenan could have a real hit on his hands here. From what we’ve seen, his riveting sci-fi adventure ‘The Andromeda Paradox’ is full of whip-smart jokes, intricately woven plotlines and surprising twists. We can’t wait to see the finished version.

6.40pm, Pleasance Dome.

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