2021 Edinburgh Fringe
External press features
New Fringe award to remember producer David Johnson
Crowdfunding drive launched for emerging talent accolade.
Chortle, 26th November 2021Fringe bosses call for root & branch review of funding
Organisers of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe have called for a "root and branch review" of arts funding in Scotland after having to be rescued from insolvency months into the Covid crisis.
Brian Ferguson, The Scotsman, 11th October 2021Underbelly submits plans for Edinburgh Xmas festival
The application includes complimentary additions to the already granted planning application for Edinburgh's Christmas at East Princes Street Gardens and The Mound. The updated 2021 application also incorporates West Princes Street Gardens and George Street into the festive mix.
Gregor Young, The National (Scotland), 21st September 2021Rules proposed to treat Fringe workers better
Robust rules ensuring people working at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe are treated better would be put in place for the first time in its history under a radical overhaul proposed for the event.
Brian Ferguson, The Scotsman, 12th September 2021Fringe boss: We're not measuring success by size
Organisers of the Edinburgh Fringe have declined to reveal how big this year's festival was - saying it's time to 'stop defining success by scale'.
Chortle, 31st August 2021Fringe venues report better than expected ticket sales
As this year's Fringe drew to a close, Shona McCarthy hailed it as a "huge success all round" given the eleventh-hour nature of crucial decisions on what restrictions would be in place during this year's event.
Brian Ferguson, The Scotsman, 29th August 2021Ivo Graham on this year's Fringe
You enter with the knowledge that your professional life (or your self-esteem) could be in a radically different place when you cram yourself back into an equally packed and fatigued train one month later.
Ivo Graham, The Independent, 26th August 2021Edinburgh's (alternative) Festival Fringe 2021
Due to Covid, Edinburgh's 2021 Fringe is more limited than usual - so what do the performers make of it? Lee Levitt found out from folk behind some of the Jewish shows.
Lee Levitt, Jewish Renaissance, 25th August 2021This year's Fringe in the opinion of Sir Gideon Vein
The Edinburgh Fringe - or what passes for the Fringe in this let's-hope-it's-almost-over-Covid-pandemic netherworld - finishes this coming weekend. It started on 6th August. I have not been up there but, when I chatted to performer Tony Green aka Sir Gideon Vein for a blog posted a fortnight ago, I mentioned that he might like to give his view of what it is like this year. He lives in Edinburgh for a lot of the year. I have just received his highly-personal account... I say 'highly-personal'... That is exactly what I asked him for but, in other words, if you are an act who is mentioned, don't send the hit-men to shoot ME...
Tony Green, John Fleming's Blog, 24th August 2021Fringe launches festival fundraising campaign
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has announced the launch of a new £7.5m fundraising campaign to help aid the long-term recovery of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 24th August 2021Sofie Hagen shares what Fringe 2021 is like
"To actually be here, it feels like such a gift. I could be bombing every night and I would still just be super happy."
Rachael Davies, Edinburgh Live, 23rd August 2021Fringe Dog is back with the 5th Terrier Awards
hallo and hooray !!! fringe dog is here to celebrate 5 whole years of the terrier awards at the 2021 edimburgh fringe festival.
Fringe Dog, The Skinny, 23rd August 2021Joe Thomas: the post-Inbetweeners comedown
The ex-Inbetweener's new work-in-progress stand-up show, about breaking beyond being typecast, has a self-lacerating character.
Brian Logan, The Guardian, 22nd August 2021Cast of Bumper Blyton sing the festival's praises
"The Fringe helps me be the best me I can be."
Chortle, 21st August 2021Jake Lambert on his return to the Fringe
"I have about four opinions I believe in, and epilepsy."
Chortle, 20th August 2021So You Think You're Funny? 2021 finalists announced
They are: Farhan Ahmed, Omar Badawy, Rae Brogan, Lottie Field, Kathleen Hughes, Nate Kitch, Caroline Maddison, Kathy Maniura, Phil Marzouk and Andy Watts.
Chortle, 20th August 2021Show may be reduced but it still goes on - Karen Koren
It's the second week of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. It may not be the same as the last Fringe in 2019, but there are live shows on and there are audiences coming to see them.
Karen Koren, Edinburgh Evening News, 19th August 2021Katharyn Henson on her wild year and love of the Fringe
Thought you had a tumultuous pandemic? Wait till you read this!
Chortle, 19th August 2021Q&A with Fringe performer Rachel E Thorn
"Making people literally yelp with laughter is just magical"
Chortle, 19th August 2021Best Joke of the Fringe award revived
At a festival almost ruined by Covid and social distancing, stand-ups are set to have the last laugh with the revival of a famous Edinburgh comedy award. While many annual festival prizes have been postponed until next year, Dave's Joke of the Fringe has been reborn, though without its usual sponsor. Instead, comedian Will Mars has created a "Some Guy Called Dave Joke of the Fringe" award, to be presented to a random person called Dave on the Royal Mile.
Mike Wade, The Times, 17th August 2021Sam Lake recalls a weird Fringe gig
"I did a gig in a van to a Norwegian family".
Chortle, 17th August 2021Olga Pavlova interview
One such newcomer, here all the way from Eastern Europe, is Olga Pavlova. Born in Russia, and now resident in Bulgaria, she's busy forging a career in the world of stand-up comedy.
Caro Moses, ThreeWeeks, 16th August 2021Steve Bennett's notes on this year's Edinburgh Fringe
This festival is chilled and lovely - but it's not the Fringe we love.
Steve Bennett, Chortle, 16th August 2021Elaine Miller steps in after disabled toilet is axed
A special "Mobiloo" toilet fully equipped with grab rails, hoist and adult changing table has been stationed at Appleton Tower, near Bristo Square, in previous years to allow people with diabilities to attend events. But this year it will be there for just one weekend - August 21-22 - and that's thanks to comedian and physiotherapist Elaine Miller, who was so concerned about the lack of provision that she dipped into her own pocket to book the Mobiloo for the only dates it was still available.
Ian Swanson, Edinburgh Evening News, 14th August 2021Laura McMahon interview
Laura McMahon is a former winner of the Edinburgh TV Festival's New Talent Award, while as a stand-up has worked with the Soho Theatre. Her first solo show, One Of The Gals, is currently premiering at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Chortle, 13th August 2021Simon Evans interview
Simon Evans is one of the most established names at the Edinburgh Fringe this year. He's made numerous TV stand-up appearances, is a Radio 4 panel show favourite and creator of the comedy-economics series Simon Evans Goes To Market for the broadcaster.
Chortle, 13th August 2021Fern Brady on returning to the Edinburgh fringe
The festival is back - and so are stage fright and self-loathing. But this year's event has been small and beautiful.
Fern Brady, The Guardian, 13th August 2021Tom Mayhew - Fringe online review
The comic riffs on arts careers and money while playing video games and fending off his spirit animal in a likable show.
Brian Logan, The Guardian, 13th August 2021Joe Thomas interview
Joe Thomas hopes his debut stand-up show will help audiences meet the real person beyond his Inbetweeners character - or show he's a little older and wiser, at least.
Ross Crae, The Sunday Post, 13th August 2021Becky Fury: C*nt! - online Fringe review
This performance is neither slick nor neatly assembled, but Fury is instantly affable, and her explosively expletive monologue does offer some insightful observations and cheeky word play, as well as a meaty fist of genuine laugh out loud moments.
Geoff Mills, ThreeWeeks, 13th August 2021Shaparak Khorsandi: I've just got back from the Fringe
The feel of the festival is very much 'the show must go on'. Audiences pack socially distanced venues, and no one dwells too much on the fact that we have been locked away for so long.
Shaparak Khorsandi, The Independent, 13th August 2021Dave Anderson interview
Dave Anderson, star of Fringe play Chic Murray: A Funny Place For A Window, couldn't quite believe his eyes when he took to the stage of Multistorey at the start of the Fringe, he was under a canopy but the audience were sitting in the open, their umbrellas up as the rain came down.
Liam Rudden, The Scotsman, 12th August 2021Laura McMahon interview
Laura McMahon is a former winner of the Edinburgh TV Festival's New Talent Award, while as a stand-up has worked with the Soho Theatre. Her first solo show, One Of The Gals, is currently premiering at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Chortle, 12th August 2021Fringe venues raise capacities & ease distancing rules
Edinburgh Festival Fringe operators are relaxing social distancing and increasing capacities in the wake of legal curbs being lifted in Scotland.
Brian Ferguson, The Scotsman, 11th August 2021Christopher MacArthur-Boyd celebrates Fringe return
"I love the Fringe... you get to perform for people who love comedy".
Chortle, 11th August 2021Phoebe Waller-Bridge to visit Edinburgh to help Fringe
Fleabag star Phoebe Waller-Bridge is set to visit Edinburgh to help the Fringe bounce back from the impact of the pandemic.
Brian Ferguson, The Scotsman, 10th August 2021Edinburgh Fringe 2021: a crazy comedy experiment
Thanks to Covid, stand-ups at this year's slimmed-down festival have been unable to refine their routines. The results are wild.
Tristram Fane Saunders, The Telegraph, 10th August 2021Rick Molland celebrates the return of live comedy...
"Zoom gigs are terrible, no one likes them."
Chortle, 10th August 2021Edinburgh's festivals "poses risk to heritage status"
The Cockburn Association, a world heritage site watchdog, says a lack of future control over the number of events and their takeover of public spaces could result in Edinburgh following Liverpool in being stripped of its coveted international standing.
Jeremy Watson, The Times, 9th August 2021Edinburgh Fringe - the best of opening weekend
From Henning Wehn to Josie Long, our critic Dominic Maxwell enjoys the festival's long-awaited return.
Dominic Maxwell, The Times, 9th August 2021Q&A with Eleanor Conway
Eleanor Conway is known for her shows about sex, addiction and dating: Walk Of Shame, its sequel, and You May Recognise Me From Tinder. She is currently in Edinburgh unveiling her new show Vaxxed And Waxed.
Chortle, 9th August 2021The fringiest Fringe show returns to Edinburgh
Whether you want to call it comedy, performance art, cult, or just a big waste of time, one thing is certain, this show has staying power. The show has been performed every year at the Edinburgh Fringe since 2009. Not even Covid, could shut it down. This month will see the thirteenth annual performance of the fringe-iest of Fringe shows, one where the long-winded title pretty much sums up the totality of the hour-long theatrical performance: A Young Man Dressed As A Gorilla Dressed As An Old Man Sits Rocking In A Rocking Chair For Fifty-Six Minutes And Then Leaves...13.
edg, Edinburgh Guide, 9th August 2021Q&A with Isabelle Farah
Isabelle Farah is a British-Lebanese actor, comedian, and writer, whose Edinburgh Fringe show Ellipsis, at Assembly Roxy, looks at the public and private faces of grief, suicide bereavement, and authenticity...
Chortle, 8th August 2021Phoebe Waller-Bridge praises "heroism" of Fringe
"We have a lot of time to make up for and this festival is more than ready for you".
Elizabeth Aubrey, NME, 8th August 2021Mark Watson on a very welcome return to the Fringe
The tickets were only booked a week ago, and many things remain up in the air, but comedian Mark Watson can't wait to step onto a train heading for Edinburgh.
Ross Crae, The Sunday Post, 7th August 2021Fringe: It does feel like a different sort of festival
Eighteen months without a gig, and who could imagine the first offer would be in an Edinburgh car park?
Pauline McLean, BBC, 6th August 2021Paul Aitchison on his most memorable gigs
Paul Aitchison of sketch act Mixed Doubles is heading to the Edinburgh Fringe later this month with his character comedy and magic show Could It Be Magic? Here he recalls some of his most memorable gigs...
Chortle, 6th August 2021Olga Koch interview
Olga Koch on her Duolingo stalker and how she makes tech funny.
Francesca Seden, Metro, 6th August 2021Brendan Murphy on Friends & his other favourite comedy
Brendan Murphy is heading to the Edinburgh Fringe later this month with Friend (The One With Gunther)... an hour-long dash through all 236 episodes of the hit sitcom, as seen through the eyes of the Central Perk barista. Here he shares his comedy favourites...
Chortle, 5th August 2021Stuart Goldsmith interview
In town for a short Fringe run, the man who delves deep into the comedy psyche on his podcast wonders if he might have found his own sense of peace.
Jay Richardson, The List, 5th August 202130 best shows to watch at Edinburgh 2021
This year's festival is smaller than usual but there is still much to enjoy - in person and online - from comedy, theatre and dance to music and books events.
Alice Jones and Gwendolyn Smith, i Newspaper, 5th August 2021Why comedians should WiP it
So to the comedians out there who are working on new ideas, trying out new concepts, devices or characters I say WiP it, WiP it good.
Kate Stone, Funny Women, 3rd August 2021Scotland scraps social distancing
Nicola Sturgeon has given a boost to the Edinburgh Fringe and comedy venues across Scotland by confirming that most coronavirus restrictions will be scrapped on Monday.
Chortle, 3rd August 2021Fringe comedy: Use it or lose it
Fringe comedy has been Disneyfied this year, but its spirit is still there if you know where to look.
Kate Copstick, The Scotsman, 3rd August 2021Punchline's top Fringe shows 2021
It's that exhilarating time of year again and wow have we got a great line-up of live comedy shows for you!
Punchline UK, 3rd August 2021Fringe comedy: Use it or lose it
Fringe comedy has been Disneyfied this year, but its spirit is still there if you know where to look.
Kate Copstick, The Scotsman, 3rd August 2021Fringe: Some top picks for 2021....
So, I've finally had a moment to gather myself together and look through the programme for this year's festival - though it's being added to all the time so do keep checking for new additions!
Edinburgh Festivals for Kids, 3rd August 2021Fringe "work in progress" comment whips up a storm
An article in the Edinburgh Evening News has upset comedians heading to the fringe with its comments about work-in-progress shows.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 2nd August 2021Edinburgh Fringe flop is no laughing matter
The Edinburgh Fringe is usually months in the making, but organisers this year have had to throw the August festival together in a matter of weeks.
Tom Rees, The Telegraph, 1st August 2021Jack Docherty on going into straight acting at Fringe
Playing Scot Squad's Cameron Miekelson, the hapless blowhard in charge of Scotland's national police force, Jack Docherty has become an alternative national hero. However, in an another arresting development, the actor who has been making us laugh for more than four decades believes it may be time to get a little more serious.
Murray Scougall, The Sunday Post, 1st August 2021Mark Watson on this year's Fringe
The Edinburgh Fringe is a hothouse of privilege that needs to change - but the show must go on.
Mark Watson, i Newspaper, 30th July 2021More shows announced for Pleasance
Seann Walsh and Rachel Fairburn are among the comedy names just added.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 29th July 2021More Edinburgh shows announced for Gilded Balloon
A further great selection of shows at the Gilded Balloon this August have gone on sale.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 29th July 2021Monkey Barrel reveals more Edinburgh shows
Monkey Barrel Comedy has released their third batch of Fringe shows this week.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 28th July 2021Assembly announces Edinburgh shows
Edinburgh's longest running multi-venue producer returns with a live programme of events for the 2021 Festival Fringe.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 22nd July 2021More Edinburgh Fringe shows for Monkey Barrel
The tickets go on general sale at 12pm, Wednesday 21st July.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 21st July 2021Mark Nelson to present BBC's Fringe coverage
Mark Nelson is to host the BBC's 2021 Edinburgh Fringe Festival coverage with the three-part series Edinburgh Unlocked, on BBC Scotland on 19, 26 & 30th August.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 21st July 2021Underbelly announces first Fringe shows
Underbelly has announced its return to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with live ticketed shows, free open air entertainment, local street food and drinks, all in the welcoming, safe settings of George Square Gardens and Bristo Square.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 21st July 2021Edinburgh Fringe's newest outdoor venue revealed
The garden of Hill Square is set to be transformed into a new outdoor venue by theSpaceUK as the biggest arts festival in the world returns to the Capital after a year off in 2020.
Liam Rudden, Edinburgh Evening News, 17th July 2021Monkey Barrel announces first Fringe shows
Ed Gamble, Nish Kumar, Elf Lyons and more announced.
Chortle, 16th July 2021Edinburgh Fringe round-up - more shows go on sale
Ttickets for a further 114 Fringe shows will be available to book at edfringe.com from midday.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 15th July 2021Comedians to perform Fringe shows in converted car park
Jason Byrne, Fred MacAulay and Maisie Adam have announced Edinburgh Fringe dates - in a converted car park. They are among the acts announced today for MultiStory, a new collaboration between the Zoo, Gilded Balloon, Traverse Theatre and Dance Base venues.
Chortle, 13th July 2021Scotland to relax Covid rules from Monday
For indoor venues, the two-metre social distancing rule has been reduced to one metre, making comedy gigs more viable.
Chortle, 13th July 2021Free Festival unveils Edinburgh Fringe programme
The Laughing Horse Free Festival has announced more than 60 shows for this year's Edinburgh Fringe - most of them in-person.
Chortle, 12th July 2021More Fringe 2021 shows announced
More shows from The Stand, TheSpace and Laughing Horse Free Fringe.
Chortle, 8th July 2021Nathan Cassidy returns to the Fringe - or comes to you
Nathan Cassidy, the only comedian to do a show at the Edinburgh Fringe last year (in the garden of the Three Sisters), has announced a run for this August.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 8th July 2021Nicola Sturgeon throws fresh doubt on Edinburgh Fringe
Nicola Sturgeon has cast new doubt on the Edinburgh Fringe by signalling that the vital relaxation in Covid rules may be delayed. With less than a month to go before the start of the festival the First Minister has said that the date of 'freedom day' is not set in stone.
Chortle, 8th July 2021Assembly announces Fringe comedy on demand
Edinburgh Fringe venue Assembly has announced the first comedy shows to be streamed on its Showcatcher video player for this year's festival.
Chortle, 7th July 2021Waller-Bridge launches Fleabag gin to help Fringe
Fleabag star Phoebe Waller-Bridge is to help the next generation of Edinburgh Festival Fringe artists - by bringing out her own gin inspired by the show's origins at the event.
Brian Ferguson, The Scotsman, 5th July 2021More Edinburgh Fringe tickets go on sale
Tickets for over 170 shows will be released at noon, with more programme details set to be announced weekly in the run up to the Fringe (6-30 Aug).
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 1st July 2021