Tuesday July 30th 2024
Anesti Danelis. Photo credit: Dahlia Katz
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Luke Jackson
If you fancy some music in your comedy this year don’t miss our pick of the best musical comedians and hilarious cabaret shows at the 2024 Edinburgh fringe
Anesti Danelis: Artificially Intelligent
With nearly 1 million followers and over 400 million views this Greek/Canadian musical comedian is one of the most anticipated returns to the Fringe this year. Growing up in a loud traditional Greek family full of souvlaki and dysfunction, while navigating the world as a first generation Canadian, has left Anesti feeling stretched across so many identities that he doesn’t really know who he is. Not wanting to do any of the soul-searching himself, he enlists the help of ChatGPT to write him a super relatable and hilarious musical stand-up comedy show based on his life.
2:15pm – Underbelly Bristo Square, 31st July – 25th August
Tickets: HERE
Ellie MacPherson: Babe Lincoln
Photo credit:Joe Loper
Cabaret star and comedic historian Ellie MacPherson returns to the Edinburgh Fringe with a brand new show. Ellie wants your vote and she’ll get it the only way she knows how, with songs and stories from America’s past (which sound eerily like America’s present).
Having discovered a previously unseen script of Abraham Lincoln’s secret stand-up special, Ellie MacPherson brings his story to life as she becomes Babe Lincoln. Featuring an eclectic range of music including songs by Bruce Springsteen, Billie Eilish, Smash Mouth and more, Ellie uses her incredible vocal talent, unique wit and genuine insight to highlight the parallels between past and present in her fun, and funny, cabaret classroom.
4:35pm Pleasance Courtyard Attic 31st July – 25th August
Tickets: HERE
Chris Turner: Childish
Fresh from performing in Vegas with Cirque du Soleil, multi award-winning comedian, freestyle rapper and viral YouTube sensation Chris Turner returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with a brand new musical comedy extravaganza.
As a child, Chris wanted to be two things: a comedian and a rock star. After 15 years of following the first dream, he’s booked a live band to help him achieve the other! Childish is a high energy, comical celebration of finding joy in our childhood dreams. See Chris Turner as never before, as he shares songs inspired by 80s synth-pop, musical theatre and more as well as the astounding improvised raps that have made him a fringe must-see.
5:45pm Underbelly Cowgate – Belly Dancer, 1st – 25th August (not 12th or 19th)
Tickets: HERE
Flat and the Curves: Rosé-Tinted
With rosé-tinted glasses, award-winning Flat and the Curves piece together bygone years of revelry. Have the debaucherous days of slut-drops, one-night stands and fried-chicken-infused afterparties passed? With original music, they’ll pay homage to friendships forged through wine-induced wisdom. Fresh from their UK tour and as seen on the BBC.
8:20pm Underbelly Bristo Square 31st July – 25th August
Tickets: HERE
Jazz Emu: Knight Fever
Musical supernova Jazz Emu is back with his hotly anticipated brand-new show, Knight Fever, alongside his full live band, ‘The Cosmique Perfectión’ this summer. Following a run at the Soho Theatre from 3rdto 22ndJune, he will then be taking to the stage at Pleasance One for Jazz’s debut full run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe throughout August. Knight Fever sees Jazz and The Cosmique Perfectión’s dreams come true when they secure the coveted slot to perform the headline slot at The Royal Variety Show; at long last, Jazz Emu has a chance to secure his long-coveted Knighthood. But there’s bad news; a series of recent criminal allegations are threatening to snatch the coveted prize from before his very, very, very eyes.
9pm, Pleasance Courtyard–One: 31stJuly–25thAugust: 9:00pm
Tickets: HERE
Dylan Mulvaney: FAGHAG
TikTok superstar and musical theatre actor Dylan Mulvaney plays with all the labels that land at her door – navigating dating, delusion, and her relationship with God through stand up storytelling and a musical number or two.
Known for joyous TikTok series Days of Girlhood channelling her transition, Dylan is back at her day job – where it all began – musical theatre.
9:40pm, Assembly George Studio 2, 2 August – 25 August
Tickets: HERE
Ian Lockwood: The Farewell Tour
Famous musician Ian Lockwood has accomplished everything he’s ever wanted during his illustrious and extremely successful career, and thus, he’s ready to die! See him in concert for his final performance on Earth. From critically acclaimed musical comedian Ian Lockwood comes a new narrative concert experience about life, death and friendship. Featuring 10 hilarious original comedy pop songs, Lockwood examines the fear of abandonment that is hidden so well behind a confident pop star facade, for a touching and earnest show that delivers a laugh a minute.
10:20pm Underbelly Wee Coo, 31st July – 26th August (not 12th)
Tickets: HERE
The Hairy Godmothers Dizney in Drag: Once Upon a Parody & VILLAINS: A Dizney in Drag Parody
Photo Credits: Peter Tsimop
Following their triumphant UK debut in 2023, Australian cabaret collective The Hairy Godmothers return to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with their award winning, internationally travelled flagship show Dizney in Drag: Once Upon a Parody and the brand new sinful sequel: VILLAINS: A Dizney in Drag Parody.
What could be more devilishly delicious and tantalisingly twisted than a vivacious vaudeville of Villains in drag? Come peer into this cave of wonders and find a treasure trove of misunderstood ‘outcasts’ of society and the evils that shape the world. Featuring the hottest and darkest miscreants, scoundrels, reprobates this side of the elephant graveyard.
10:30pm, Assembly Gordon Aikman Theatre, Tues – Sun throughout August
Tickets: HERE
