Every year, hordes of culture-loving fanatics head up to Edinburgh to sample some of the country’s best talent, and everyone is secretly hoping they’ll stumble across the next-big-thing. After all, Fringe is the festival that gave us Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s now-iconic Fleabag.
If you’re heading to Fringe, we’d highly recommend booking to see the array of wonderful women featured in this list; you’ll laugh, cry and probably do that weird hybrid of snotty-crying-laughing. If you’re not able to make it to Fringe, don’t worry; these ladies all have shows regularly, post A* content on Instagram and will probably all be on your TV screens soon.
1. London Hughes: To Catch A D*ck
Where: Pleasance Courtyard - The Attic
When: 20:15, 31 July – 25 August (except 12 August)
Buy Tickets: Here
London Hughes is probably a name you know by now, after gracing our screens on ITV’s All-Star Musicals, ITV2’s The Stand-Up Sketch Show, BBC2’s Mock The Week and E4’s Celebs Go Dating. London’s Edinburgh Fringe hour-long show this year is all about how to catch a dck; she knows she doesn’t need a man, that she’s s-t-u-n-n-i-n-g, hilarious and great in bed. But hey, sometimes a dck is nice. If you don’t like strong language, this show might not be for you.
2. Stevie Martin: Hot Content
Where: Underbelly Bristo Square - Buttercup
When: 18:35, 3 - 25 August
Buy Tickets: Here
I’m a long-time fan of Stevie’s work, listening to her and Tessa Coates solve our very millennial dilemmas every week on the Nobody Panic podcast. I was lucky enough to catch her London preview of Hot Content, and boy are you in for a treat; I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a show with so many gags. The show is a mix of sketches, stand-up, a bit of acting and so many props. I am not exaggerating when I say, I almost wet myself laughing at this show.
3. Sophie Duker: Venus
Where: Pleasance Courtyard
When: 19:00, Aug 3-13, 15-25
Buy tickets: Here
I first fell in love with Sophie after watching Riot Girls on Channel 4, and then again when I caught her set at Latitude Festival. This Fringe debut is hotly anticipated, ‘full-fat woke’ and an unconventional journey of self-discovery. Trust us, Sophie is going to be BIG.
4. Karen Hobbs: Pussies
Where: PBH's Free Fringe @ Revolution Bar
When: 17:00, Aug 4-9, 11-16, 18-23, 25
Buy Tickets: It’s free, guys!
Pussies is a split bill straddling stand-up and character comedy; Karen Hobbs and her ‘broken vagina’ will be taking care of the stand-up segment. Her work aims to smash the stigma around gynae cancers, which is no small feat. Somehow, Karen manages to make having cancer funny. In a I-shouldn’t-laugh-but-am-howling way.
5. Grace Campbell: Why I’m Never Going Into Politics
Where: Gilded Balloon Teviot - Wee Room
When: 15:15, 31 July - 26 August
Buy Tickets: Here
You might know Grace as the co-founder of The Pink Protest, or for calling her Dad out on national radio (Alastair Campbell), you might even know her as a wanking warrior (starting the #girlswanktoo movement). Expect vagina jokes (naturally), mental health within Parliament, anecdotes of hanging out with Putin’s kids, and why she’ll never go into politics. Funny, thought-provoking and compassionate; Grace is the definition of one to watch.
6. Alexandra Haddow: Sex Question Mark
Where: Sneaky Pete’s
When: 19:30, 12 - 17 August.
Buy Tickets: It’s free, ya’ll.
Alexandra Haddow (Funny Women Semi-Finalist 2018) is joined by Rich Spalding (Runner Up Get Up, Stand Up 2018) for this show about sex and friendship, where they debate whether or not they should have sex with each other. They each state their cases, and then let the audience decide whether they should bang or not. Alexandra regularly hosts nights at Dulwich Hamley and Vauxhall’s Comedy Club, so don’t worry Londoners, you’ll definitely see her about.
7. Sofie Hagen: The Bumswing
Where: Pleasance Dome
When: 15:15, 3 - 11, 13 - 25 August
Buy Tickets: Here
After winning the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Newcomer, Sofie is back to talk about memory and swings specifically for bums. Sofie is doing big things and is set to reach soaring comedy heights (I mean, she’s already had her own episode of Comedy Central Specials). She has a knack for making you go away from her shows with a head swirling of thoughts and a sore stomach from laughing so hard; Bumswing is poignant and a joy to watch.
Women in comedy have a tough gig, being constantly told “men are just funnier” or that “no one wants to hear women talk about sex” by backward thinkers - but, let me tell you, the naysayers are wrong, because shock horror, women are f*cking funny and their comedy is and will, change the world.
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