Fringe Monkey
@fringemonkey.net
I post about stand-up comedy and during the Edinburgh Fringe I try to help people find interesting shows.
www.fringemonkey.net
www.fringemonkey.net
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Fringe Monkey
@fringemonkey.net
· Aug 26
2025 Fringe Stats
Shows entered: 74
Shows abandoned: 4
Reviews posted: 67
Average mark allocated: 2.9
Smallest audience I was part of: 2
Shortest Hour Show: 31 mins
Best Show: Pierre Novellie
Best Show Title: It's Pronounced "Ruaridh"
Main downtime location: Monkey Barrel Bar
Shows entered: 74
Shows abandoned: 4
Reviews posted: 67
Average mark allocated: 2.9
Smallest audience I was part of: 2
Shortest Hour Show: 31 mins
Best Show: Pierre Novellie
Best Show Title: It's Pronounced "Ruaridh"
Main downtime location: Monkey Barrel Bar
Does anyone have any tips for seeing (English-speaking) standup in Madrid? All roads seem to lead to the Madrid Comedy Lab.
November 11, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Does anyone have any tips for seeing (English-speaking) standup in Madrid? All roads seem to lead to the Madrid Comedy Lab.
New York Comedy Cellar's newest, biggest venue is certainly progressing but still has some way to go. Apparently scheduled for January, it will be a single performance space with a mezzanine.
October 21, 2025 at 1:59 AM
New York Comedy Cellar's newest, biggest venue is certainly progressing but still has some way to go. Apparently scheduled for January, it will be a single performance space with a mezzanine.
After due consideration, the 2025 Fringe Monkey Talented but Ignored Award goes to Jake Baker! Congratulations Jake! If you DM me an address I'll send you a small, underwhelming trophy.
September 4, 2025 at 12:29 PM
After due consideration, the 2025 Fringe Monkey Talented but Ignored Award goes to Jake Baker! Congratulations Jake! If you DM me an address I'll send you a small, underwhelming trophy.
2025 Fringe Stats
Shows entered: 74
Shows abandoned: 4
Reviews posted: 67
Average mark allocated: 2.9
Smallest audience I was part of: 2
Shortest Hour Show: 31 mins
Best Show: Pierre Novellie
Best Show Title: It's Pronounced "Ruaridh"
Main downtime location: Monkey Barrel Bar
Shows entered: 74
Shows abandoned: 4
Reviews posted: 67
Average mark allocated: 2.9
Smallest audience I was part of: 2
Shortest Hour Show: 31 mins
Best Show: Pierre Novellie
Best Show Title: It's Pronounced "Ruaridh"
Main downtime location: Monkey Barrel Bar
August 26, 2025 at 8:43 AM
2025 Fringe Stats
Shows entered: 74
Shows abandoned: 4
Reviews posted: 67
Average mark allocated: 2.9
Smallest audience I was part of: 2
Shortest Hour Show: 31 mins
Best Show: Pierre Novellie
Best Show Title: It's Pronounced "Ruaridh"
Main downtime location: Monkey Barrel Bar
Shows entered: 74
Shows abandoned: 4
Reviews posted: 67
Average mark allocated: 2.9
Smallest audience I was part of: 2
Shortest Hour Show: 31 mins
Best Show: Pierre Novellie
Best Show Title: It's Pronounced "Ruaridh"
Main downtime location: Monkey Barrel Bar
I'm done with Fringe 2025. Hopefully the reviews were of some help & you found something interesting/dodged a bullet as a result. I don't post much Sep-Jul so feel free to Unfollow. I'll hopefully be back in 2026. Thanks to all the performers & to the venue staff. Cheers!
August 25, 2025 at 10:03 PM
I'm done with Fringe 2025. Hopefully the reviews were of some help & you found something interesting/dodged a bullet as a result. I don't post much Sep-Jul so feel free to Unfollow. I'll hopefully be back in 2026. Thanks to all the performers & to the venue staff. Cheers!
Paul Hilleard (WIP): He's the reigning BBC New Comedy Award winner working out material for his first proper hour. His short run is over but if you enjoy oddball characters saying unusual things in a lo-energy but charismatic way, get him on your list for 2026's Fringe.
August 25, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Paul Hilleard (WIP): He's the reigning BBC New Comedy Award winner working out material for his first proper hour. His short run is over but if you enjoy oddball characters saying unusual things in a lo-energy but charismatic way, get him on your list for 2026's Fringe.
Dan Tiernan: Blimey, there's a lot going on here. The material, initially autobiographical, is relayed around a Glastonbury story. He ramps things up during a psychosis section that could be an unhinged Rob Auton piece & ends on a musical callback. Ambitious/impressive in equal measure. PWYW. 4/5
August 24, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Dan Tiernan: Blimey, there's a lot going on here. The material, initially autobiographical, is relayed around a Glastonbury story. He ramps things up during a psychosis section that could be an unhinged Rob Auton piece & ends on a musical callback. Ambitious/impressive in equal measure. PWYW. 4/5
Pretty successful day at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards. Ate too many sausages, drunk too much white wine, bothered Mark Watson, laughed at Amy Gledhill & hung out with the Monkey Barrel cool kids.
August 23, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Pretty successful day at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards. Ate too many sausages, drunk too much white wine, bothered Mark Watson, laughed at Amy Gledhill & hung out with the Monkey Barrel cool kids.
Peter Jones: He starts solidly enough with accessible, generic material. Apropos of nothing he begins to enquire in detail what audience members had for breakfast. This ill-judged, anti-comedy diversion continues for an age & only really ends when the fire alarm goes off, allowing me to escape.
August 22, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Peter Jones: He starts solidly enough with accessible, generic material. Apropos of nothing he begins to enquire in detail what audience members had for breakfast. This ill-judged, anti-comedy diversion continues for an age & only really ends when the fire alarm goes off, allowing me to escape.
Liam Withnail: He takes us through his life, assessing whether the decisions he's made & the challenges he's faced have ultimately resulted in happiness. It's densely-written & expertly-performed. A beautiful example of what can be done in a Fringe show. PWYW. 4.5/5
August 22, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Liam Withnail: He takes us through his life, assessing whether the decisions he's made & the challenges he's faced have ultimately resulted in happiness. It's densely-written & expertly-performed. A beautiful example of what can be done in a Fringe show. PWYW. 4.5/5
It's the last weekend of the Fringe. Here are some of my favourites you might still get into:
Paid: Daniel Kitson, Sam Jay, Rob Auton, James Trickey, Alice Fraser.
Free/PWYW: Pierre Novellie, Ayo Adenekan, Oliver Coleman, Stuart McPherson, Rosco Mcclelland, Ian Smith, Liam Withnail, Jake Baker.
Paid: Daniel Kitson, Sam Jay, Rob Auton, James Trickey, Alice Fraser.
Free/PWYW: Pierre Novellie, Ayo Adenekan, Oliver Coleman, Stuart McPherson, Rosco Mcclelland, Ian Smith, Liam Withnail, Jake Baker.
August 22, 2025 at 9:15 AM
It's the last weekend of the Fringe. Here are some of my favourites you might still get into:
Paid: Daniel Kitson, Sam Jay, Rob Auton, James Trickey, Alice Fraser.
Free/PWYW: Pierre Novellie, Ayo Adenekan, Oliver Coleman, Stuart McPherson, Rosco Mcclelland, Ian Smith, Liam Withnail, Jake Baker.
Paid: Daniel Kitson, Sam Jay, Rob Auton, James Trickey, Alice Fraser.
Free/PWYW: Pierre Novellie, Ayo Adenekan, Oliver Coleman, Stuart McPherson, Rosco Mcclelland, Ian Smith, Liam Withnail, Jake Baker.
Ian Smith: Fans may recognise bits from his R4 show but there's tons to enjoy here. He's still stressing about stress - this time he themes the hour around a medical test. Rest assured, a vividly-realised diversion is never far away. He really knows how to construct a Fringe hour. PWYW. 4/5
August 21, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Ian Smith: Fans may recognise bits from his R4 show but there's tons to enjoy here. He's still stressing about stress - this time he themes the hour around a medical test. Rest assured, a vividly-realised diversion is never far away. He really knows how to construct a Fringe hour. PWYW. 4/5
Fast Reviews:
Sam Lake: Solid start, long sad bit, enjoyable laddish ending. 3/5
Dan Muggleton: Parenting, masculinity, Australia (as always). Dependable. 3.5/5
Laura Davis: Captivating but not her most commercial effort. 2.5/5
CMB: Good at silences. Strong wee guy energy. 4/5
Sam Lake: Solid start, long sad bit, enjoyable laddish ending. 3/5
Dan Muggleton: Parenting, masculinity, Australia (as always). Dependable. 3.5/5
Laura Davis: Captivating but not her most commercial effort. 2.5/5
CMB: Good at silences. Strong wee guy energy. 4/5
August 20, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Fast Reviews:
Sam Lake: Solid start, long sad bit, enjoyable laddish ending. 3/5
Dan Muggleton: Parenting, masculinity, Australia (as always). Dependable. 3.5/5
Laura Davis: Captivating but not her most commercial effort. 2.5/5
CMB: Good at silences. Strong wee guy energy. 4/5
Sam Lake: Solid start, long sad bit, enjoyable laddish ending. 3/5
Dan Muggleton: Parenting, masculinity, Australia (as always). Dependable. 3.5/5
Laura Davis: Captivating but not her most commercial effort. 2.5/5
CMB: Good at silences. Strong wee guy energy. 4/5
The 2025 EDI Comedy Awards shortlist will be out later today. Here are some of MY favourites so far:
Paid: Daniel Kitson, Sam Jay, Rob Auton, James Trickey, Alice Fraser.
Free/PWYW: Pierre Novellie, Ayo Adenekan, Oliver Coleman, Stuart McPherson, Rosco Mcclelland, Chris Cantrill, Jake Baker.
Paid: Daniel Kitson, Sam Jay, Rob Auton, James Trickey, Alice Fraser.
Free/PWYW: Pierre Novellie, Ayo Adenekan, Oliver Coleman, Stuart McPherson, Rosco Mcclelland, Chris Cantrill, Jake Baker.
August 20, 2025 at 8:09 AM
The 2025 EDI Comedy Awards shortlist will be out later today. Here are some of MY favourites so far:
Paid: Daniel Kitson, Sam Jay, Rob Auton, James Trickey, Alice Fraser.
Free/PWYW: Pierre Novellie, Ayo Adenekan, Oliver Coleman, Stuart McPherson, Rosco Mcclelland, Chris Cantrill, Jake Baker.
Paid: Daniel Kitson, Sam Jay, Rob Auton, James Trickey, Alice Fraser.
Free/PWYW: Pierre Novellie, Ayo Adenekan, Oliver Coleman, Stuart McPherson, Rosco Mcclelland, Chris Cantrill, Jake Baker.
Ruaridh Miller: It's an assured hour of generic standup from this promising local lad. There's no theme but the set divides into personal material/things that bother him. Delivery is cheery & he keeps things moving along. No doubt he'll be in a bigger room next year. PWYW. 3/5
August 19, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Ruaridh Miller: It's an assured hour of generic standup from this promising local lad. There's no theme but the set divides into personal material/things that bother him. Delivery is cheery & he keeps things moving along. No doubt he'll be in a bigger room next year. PWYW. 3/5
Dan Rath: Steven Wright is the most obvious reference - think low-energy precision 1 liners but with surreal twists rather than dispiriting puns. He dwells on some topics for a while, allowing momentum to build. Blunt crowdwork displays just how quick his mind works. PWYW. 3.5/5
August 19, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Dan Rath: Steven Wright is the most obvious reference - think low-energy precision 1 liners but with surreal twists rather than dispiriting puns. He dwells on some topics for a while, allowing momentum to build. Blunt crowdwork displays just how quick his mind works. PWYW. 3.5/5
Mark Silcox: He's a gold trader now apparently. It's a deliberately-shambolic PowerPoint lecture, often with irrelevant diversions. He's the poster boy for the phrase "marmite comedian". His hardcore audience are in hysterics while others stumble out early, dazed & confused. FF. 3/5
August 18, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Mark Silcox: He's a gold trader now apparently. It's a deliberately-shambolic PowerPoint lecture, often with irrelevant diversions. He's the poster boy for the phrase "marmite comedian". His hardcore audience are in hysterics while others stumble out early, dazed & confused. FF. 3/5
Mike Blaha: We're firmly in "He's seems nice but..." territory here. He's a well-travelled lawyer who appears to have forgotten to edit these travel tales down for public consumption. He's like a jovial uncle you try to avoid at a family gathering. A misjudged effort. 1.5/5
August 18, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Mike Blaha: We're firmly in "He's seems nice but..." territory here. He's a well-travelled lawyer who appears to have forgotten to edit these travel tales down for public consumption. He's like a jovial uncle you try to avoid at a family gathering. A misjudged effort. 1.5/5
Rosco Mcclelland: If you've not seen him recently, he's got really good. He updates us on his life & what's been bothering him. No strongly-present theme but the material is well-worked & it's a very satisfying hour of accessible, charismatically-delivered standup. PWYW. 4/5
August 18, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Rosco Mcclelland: If you've not seen him recently, he's got really good. He updates us on his life & what's been bothering him. No strongly-present theme but the material is well-worked & it's a very satisfying hour of accessible, charismatically-delivered standup. PWYW. 4/5
Courtney Buchner: Supposedly about her lesbian awakening & her wedding, we get many childhood stories of varying quality. There's strong drama-school energy with this one - she loves an accent & an act-out. The mainly female audience seemed a lot more on board than I was. 2/5
August 17, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Courtney Buchner: Supposedly about her lesbian awakening & her wedding, we get many childhood stories of varying quality. There's strong drama-school energy with this one - she loves an accent & an act-out. The mainly female audience seemed a lot more on board than I was. 2/5
Chris Cantrill (WIP): He's definitely still working the show out but there's much to enjoy meantime. Bob Mortimer fans may enjoy his irregular, compelling delivery & slightly skewed view of life. ATM he's discussing living in the countryside. 2 shows left, so be quick! PWYW. 4/5
August 17, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Chris Cantrill (WIP): He's definitely still working the show out but there's much to enjoy meantime. Bob Mortimer fans may enjoy his irregular, compelling delivery & slightly skewed view of life. ATM he's discussing living in the countryside. 2 shows left, so be quick! PWYW. 4/5
Gareth Waugh (WIP): It's a blend of new stuff (often about his growing family), some older material fans might be familiar with & improvised thoughts inspired by audience suggestions. He's always extremely watchable & quick-witted. If you have a gap at lunchtime he's worth seeking out. PWYW. 3/5
August 17, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Gareth Waugh (WIP): It's a blend of new stuff (often about his growing family), some older material fans might be familiar with & improvised thoughts inspired by audience suggestions. He's always extremely watchable & quick-witted. If you have a gap at lunchtime he's worth seeking out. PWYW. 3/5
Stuart McPherson: It's an accessible hour as he considers ageing, his relationship & the pros/cons of having a child. It's densely-written & he belligerently forces you into laughing through sheer weight of jokes. He's a consistently impressive performer. PWYW. 4/5
August 16, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Stuart McPherson: It's an accessible hour as he considers ageing, his relationship & the pros/cons of having a child. It's densely-written & he belligerently forces you into laughing through sheer weight of jokes. He's a consistently impressive performer. PWYW. 4/5
Jack Traynor: The lad's not short of confidence. Delivery is fast & loud as he paces around the stage. There's no theme or much time spent on transitions. The performance makes a bigger impact than the material but there's clearly talent there. I'll be watching his progress. 3/5
August 16, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Jack Traynor: The lad's not short of confidence. Delivery is fast & loud as he paces around the stage. There's no theme or much time spent on transitions. The performance makes a bigger impact than the material but there's clearly talent there. I'll be watching his progress. 3/5
Pierre Novellie: The delivery is measured & every word has been carefully planned - it's a brutally efficient hour of conventional standup. Nominally about a house move, he's also keen to discuss the state of the nation, all with a world-weary sigh. Unspeakably good. PWYW. 5/5
August 15, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Pierre Novellie: The delivery is measured & every word has been carefully planned - it's a brutally efficient hour of conventional standup. Nominally about a house move, he's also keen to discuss the state of the nation, all with a world-weary sigh. Unspeakably good. PWYW. 5/5