So, Paul Levy, during early morning coffee, turns to Joe Angella and says, “Have a quick look through 387 different comedy shows and pick ten top recommendations for this year’s Brighton Fringe.” That’s like asking an 8-year-old to choose 10 sweets from a pick-and-mix counter. Anyway, the end result is a list of 19 shows I think are well worth your time and money.
Just a quick note: for each show, I’ve given the dates it is on, but not the details. You can look those up online; they’re available on the Brighton Fringe website.
When I do these lists, I usually add a recommendation to go see work-in-progress shows and compilation shows. These tend to be good value for money and give you a good idea about which comedians you’d like to invest your time with. Alternatively, expand your horizons and go and see the next show on in the nearest venue to you!
Let’s get on with it.
Brighton Favourites
Mitch Benn: The Lehrer Effect (13th May). Mitch has been doing his particular brand of topical and satirical musical comedy for many, many years. He’s well worth seeing.
The endlessly inventive Nathan Cassidy has two shows running 2nd–30th May, From the Ashes and Ewwww! My last review rating of his show, Observational, was Highly Recommended. Another pair of must-see shows.
The Treason Show: Festival Special (8th and 9th May). For those of you who appreciate top-quality satire.
Michael Brunstrom: William Tell v the Algorithm (24th May) is a lesser-known comedian, even though he has been around for many years. His last show was reviewed by Strat Mastoris and given an outstanding recommendation on Fringe Review. For those of you who follow us, you’ll know that an outstanding recommendation is very rare.
Running all month is the Fringe Festival favourite Shaggers. In the film Dogma, Alan Rickman responds to the question “Sex is a joke in heaven?” with “The way I understand it, it is mostly a joke down here.” Shaggers sets out to prove the point!
Dave Chawner: Dry Humour (10th to 23rd May). With his cheeky charm, he makes comedy look effortless.
You can catch the unexpected pairing of Dan Evans and Michael Fabbri: Too Little Too Late on 3rd–31st May.
Edinburgh previews & work-in-progress (WIP)
Next up is a work-in-progress show from Paul F Taylor: Cloudcuckoolander (9th to 31st May). The best way I can think to describe Mr Taylor is hilarious nonsense.
Check out Luke Rollason: Fol-De-Rol. (31st May). This is a work-in-progress show. It will be silly, surreal, funny and a little bit different.
There are two evenings of Edinburgh preview shows. On 6th May, Robert Auton and Huge Davies; on 20th May, Sara Barron and Josh Weller.
Nik Coppin: All New Nik Coppin. This is a new material show with a difference. Help Nik build his show by sharing your opinion on the gags during the show! What could possibly go wrong? He’s on 6th–27th May.
Hidden gems and leftfield picks
Robyn Perkins: Comedy for the Curious comes to Brighton Fringe, 5th–18th May. Proof that you can be clever, educational and funny.
For those of you who are familiar with TikTok, you may well have come across Alex Franklin: Kiss Me X, which can be seen on the 26th and 27th May.
Henning Nielsen: A Letter To My Parents is on 18th–27th May. Henning’s delivery style is even more deadpan than the legendary Jack Dee.
Jody Kamali: This Is My Dad is a Brighton Fringe regular and on 10th–17th May.
For those of you who haven’t had the privilege of seeing Samantha Day, I can’t recommend her show highly enough. Her delivery style is completely at odds with the cleverness and inventiveness of her material. Samantha Day: The Great British Menu of Petty Complaints is a must-see show on 21st May.
Nick Elleray: Don’t Bring a Smile to a Frown Fight. Steve Bennett from Chortle described Nick Elleray as an “Underappreciated purveyor of quality downbeat comedy.” This laconic Australian is appearing on the 28th and 29th May.
Spring Day takes to the stage 28th–30th May with My Name is Spring Day and Other Stupid Facts. Anyone who has seen her Live at The Apollo spot knows why she is worth seeing.
Jane Postlethwaite Is Bone Idle (23rd and 24th May). Peter Williams, our resident photographer, has been recommending Jane’s show to me for several years, and I’ve never been able to make it work. This year, I’m going to get there.
This is my list; there are 387 shows listed under comedy, many of which I haven’t seen. Make your own list and have a laugh.
