Comedy
Phil Wang: The Real Hero in All This
The British-Malaysian comic’s routines about race and cultural difference aren’t just fascinating and insightful – they also manage to be uproariously funny and unexpectedly relatable, too. His new show is sure to cement his reputation as one the standup greats of his generation. Rachel Aroesti
9pm, Assembly George Square, 15-21 August.
Jacqueline Novak: Get on Your Knees
The US comic’s densely worded, soul-searching and extremely clever deep dive into the cultural baggage of the blowjob might be a tad more chin-stroking than your standard standup show, but Novak never skimps on the gags: Get on Your Knees is a highly intelligent hoot. RA
10pm, Pleasance Courtyard, 11-14 August.
Chloe Petts: Transience
New school meets old school in the standup of this Kent-born newcomer, who wrings warm, accessible humour from her complex relationship with gender. A footie obsessive with a blokey style of delivery and a queer radical feminist, Petts is also distinctly non-preachy approach to identity politics-adjacent comedy is a joy. RA
6pm, Pleasance Courtyard, to 28 August.
Jordan Brookes: This Is Just What Happens
The fringe’s reigning champ – he won the Edinburgh comedy prize when it was last awarded in 2019 – is known for his relentlessly meta but viscerally hilarious standup. He returns with a marginally more straightforward hour, focusing on promiscuity, his own face and an insult that’s haunted him for years. RA
9.55pm, Monkey Barrel Comedy,to 28 August.
Jen Ives Peak Trans
Fresh off Joe Lycett’s Big Pride Party, standup Jen Ives is gaining the attention that anyone who’s seen her live knows she deserves. Her debut hour Peak Trans promises to sort out the UK’s toxic rise in transphobia with creativity, intelligence and lots of laughter. Rachael Healy
7pm, Gilded Balloon Patter Hoose, to 14 and 16-28 August.
The Delightful Sausage Nowt But Sea
Hilariously creepy Butlin’s-esque adventure Ginster’s Paradise earned this sketch duo an Edinburgh award nomination in 2019. Previews of their follow-up, in which Chris Cantrill and Amy Gledhill are lured to an island by a mysterious letter, are already delivering a similar mix of the dark and absurd. RH
12:45pm, Monkey Barrel 4, to 16 and 18-28 August.
Bilal Zafar: Care
He led a wave of genre-bending comedy on Twitch during the pandemic; now Bilal Zafar is back at the fringe, where he was nominated best newcomer in 2016. Care explores his time spent working in a care home, getting paid minimum wage while looking after wealthy elders. RH
5.30pm, Underbelly Bristo Square Jersey, to 14 and 16-29 August.
Ania Magliano: Absolutely No Worries If Not
It’s already won Leicester comedy festival best new show – now Magliano is taking her meditations on identity and Gumtree cats to the fringe. A surreal segment about horse girls will have you crying with laughter, while her assured stage presence belies her debut status. RH
4.35pm, Pleasance Courtyard, to 28 August.
Dance
Circa Humans 2.0
You can always rely on Australian circus troupe Circa for an experience richer than your average acrobatic display. The breath-stealing tricks here come alongside a contemporary dance sensibility – rather than elaborate sets and characters the focus is on the possibilities of bodies and connections between people. Lyndsey Winship
6.35pm, Underbelly’s Circus Hub, to 9, 11-14, 16-21, 23- 27 August.
Akeim Toussaint: Buck Windows of Displacement
A show that’s been building steam for a few years now gets a platform on the Edinburgh stage. Toussaint Buck explores the legacy of slavery and colonialism through his own journey from Jamaica to the UK in a mix of spoken word, song and compelling dancing. LW
8pm, the Studio, 12 & 13 August.
Theatre
This Is Not a Show About Hong Kong
Using physical theatre to explore Hong Kong’s terrifying extradition laws, this intense new piece of choreography from Max Percy and Friends is part of New Diorama’s Untapped scheme for emerging companies. It’s a dangerous game; were the show to be performed in Hong Kong today, the team could face up to five years in prison. Kate Wyver
2pm, Underbelly Cowgate, to 14, 16-28 August.
Happy Meal
The world needs as many stories of trans joy as possible, Happy Meal by Tabby Lamb (Since U Been Gone) promises a sweet and funny love story of a transitioning teen. KW
Times vary, Traverse theatre, 7, 9-14, 16-21, 23-28 August.
