Fear of the front row is a common thing. The average comedy punter wants to feel safe, not exposed, and if that means skulking in the back rows, so be it. But you'd be missing out – it's no coincidence that the front rows of a comedy show are where you'll find people laugh the most: they're closer to the action, so they're more invested in it, which means the comic payoffs are bigger.
It's the prospect of being picked on that puts people off, but some shows are designed to include a bit of audience interaction, whether it's a bit of harmless chit-chat or full-on stage time. Here are a few shows at this year's Edinburgh festival with an interactive angle. But remember the golden rule: no trying to be funny – you're just a foil.
Jason Byrne
The title – You Name the Show – says it all. In among the mayhem that the Edinburgh institution Jason Byrne whips up, the audience will be asked to suggest a name for the show. There's £500 in it for the winner at the end of the Fringe.
Assembly Hall, until 24 August
Red Bastard
In truth, you can sit at the front, you can sit at the back, you can sit bang in the middle: it makes no difference. In his utterly extraordinary show, the Red Bastard will get you eventually – and he'll attempt to change your life.
Pleasance Courtyard, until 24 August
Adam Riches
This year's king of the Pleasance Queen Dome (one of the best venues at the fringe) is Adam Riches – the 2011 Fosters Comedy award winner and a true great of interactive comedy. In his comeback show, he gets the front-rowers to do some bizarre stunts, but ever the lionhearted performer, he makes sure they end up a hero.
Pleasance Dome, until 24 August
Kraken
A master of physical comedy, Kraken, aka Trygve Wakenshaw, is in a similar mould to the physical comedy genius Dr Brown, and is playing the same room as the one Brown did when he bagged the 2012 Fosters award. But while Brown would provoke and bulldoze barriers, Kraken keeps things strictly playful.
Underbelly, Cowgate, until 24 August
Candy Gigi
If Estella from Great Expectations had gone on to do an Edinburgh show, this would be it: cathartic, anguished, messy, and performed in a mucky wedding dress. Candy Gigi is a far more raw performer than any other on this list, but her show is a hoot – and all she wants is a kiss.
The Hive, until 24 August
Comedians' Cinema Club
A fun, chaotic show in which comics enact a classic film with the help of the audience. In Indiana Jones, punters became elephants to ride the cast through India; in Jaws they were cast as the ocean, beach dwellers, underwater corpses and John Williams. In Pulp Fiction, one man who was chosen to chip in as Harvey Keitel took over the show, after it became apparent he knew every line of the film.
The Tron, until 23 August
Catriona Knox
Catriona Knox is a fine character comic who this year has ramped up the crowd work. Look keen during Catriona Knox Thinks She's Hard Enough and you could find yourself onstage being a sous chef, Prince George's finger painting buddy, and a TED talker's sidekick.
Pleasance Courtyard, until 25 August
Knightmare Live: Level 2
This unashamed nostalgia trip – a live reprise of the 1980s children's TV show – returns for a second year. You could be the one plucked from the audience to be guided through Treguard's dungeon by two comedians, while Lord Fear (Tom Bell) attempts to thwart your progress. Over at the Laughing Horse free festival, Choose Your Own Comedy Adventure walks a similar line.
Pleasance Courtyard, until 24 August
