Punchline recommends Mr Swallow – Houdini

Words by Suzy Romer From the moment you enter the room to the beautiful, haunting sound of Joplin’s “The Entertainer” and set eyes on the sumptuous backdrop of rich red curtains, you enter a different world. Nick Mohammed, in the guise of Mr Swallow and Harry Houdini, is present right from the start, with a

Punchline Recommends: John Hastings – Integrity

Words by Iain McLaren What do you get when you cross David Cameron, a pig, a working visa, a pussy, a family crisis and some strange friends? An epic tale delivered with the flair and comedic panache that could only be John Hastings and his new show, Integrity. In this insightful hour John shares his

Punchline Recommends Tom Binns is Ian D Montfort: How to Touch Dead People

Words by Iain McLaren In a world ruled by science let go of your inner sceptic and give yourself over to the brilliant and ethereally tuned Ian D Montfort. In his new show he attempts to explain his gift from his own unique perspective with “real” life laugh a minute examples. Whether it’s speaking with

Punchline recommends Larry Dean: Farcissist

Words by Iain McLaren Most of us have had a bad date or two in our search for that special someone, but few can share those stories in the same hilarious and engaging manner as Larry Dean. Join him for an hour of honesty delivered by a someone with a keen eye for the funny

Punchline Recommends Adam Hess: Feathers

Word by Ross Stark Adam Hess gives his all in this fast paced, frantic but wonderfully funny hour. Like a toddler high on Haribo, he runs down the aisle and leaps to the stage. The first 30 minutes are frantic, in fact the whole show is; so many stories, so little time. Without pause he

Felicity Ward answers Punchline’s Burning Questions

What is the best advice for a new performer in Edinburgh? You will cry. It’s just a matter of when. What is the best advice for a new festival goer? You will cry. It’s a matter of when. What do you have to have in your fridge during August? The illusion that I will eat

Sofie Hagan Answers Punchline’s Burning Questions

What is the best advice for a new performer in Edinburgh? Watch shows. Especially those by your friends. Take pleasure in the fact that we are all up here, actually doing comedy – our favourite thing in the whole world – every single night. Oh, and don’t drink. You need all your brain cells. What

Punchline Recommends: Lazy Susan – Crazy Sexy Fool

There are heaps of self-help videos out there on YouTube, but if Dinky and Baby ever decide to put up their sex advice videos, I will subscribe. The double act (real names Freya Parker and Celeste Dring) catch so perfectly the ditzy, wide-eyed eagerness to help, with soft American accents and squeezable cuteness. As you

BEASTS answer Punchline’s Burning Questions

What is the best advice for a new performer in Edinburgh?   See as much as you can. What is the best advice for a new festival goer? See as much as you can. Or alternatively, just come and see BEASTS every single day. What do you have to have in your fridge during August?

Punchline Recommends James Acaster – Reset

Words by Susan Ford Is it worth recommending a run of sell out shows? Yes, definitely when it comes to James Acaster, because it would be an absolute crime not to. This multi-award nominee has never put on a bad show, and is consistently the highlight of the Fringe.  James Acaster is an absolute genius