Tedinburgh Fringe - Top Tips

Hello Folks. 

It's me, Ted, the real brains behind Rural Roars. Last year I wrote up some of my picks for the Tedinburgh Fringe.  This year we have a proper website so I'm going to do it again. Most of the shows I recommend are free where you'll be asked for a donation at the end. 

Blake AJ - Blake it Until You Make it, 13.25 Doghouse Hotel, (PBH Free Fringe)

  Kicking off with a Rural Roars fave, Blake has been smashing the circuit for a few years now. Blake did a short spot with us last year and has worked his way into our regular pool of acts. His very relatable material is delivered by his very likeable persona. A killer combo in comedy.... 

CJ Hooper - Impro Poet What if History 16.20, Carbon, (PBH Free Fringe)

CJ is a complete one off. He writes fully improvised poems about history that are hilarious. He needs to be seen. He asks the audience for a time period or an event from the past and then smashes out a funny rhyme. His historical knowledge is on par with his poetry and humour skills. 'A gifted wordsmith... underestimate his talent at your peril' (YourHarlow.com).

Cheeky Kita: Batshit, 15,00 City Cafe, (Laughing Horse)

 We've been wanting to book Cheeky Kita for Rural Roars for some time now. She is something else. Part alternative comedy, part clown, all WTF! We love her, maybe we'll ask if she's free to do our Christmas show. Set in woods in Manchester, there's a bat with songs, dances and daftness. Come meet the Batshit! 

 'It's brilliant' (BBC Radio 4)

Tom Mayhew - What On Earth Are We Doing? 13.30, Bar 50 (Laughing Horse)

Tom is another act who has become a firm favourite with our audiences. He's well known for his two series on Radio 4 called I, Tom Mayhew. The highly regarded act has decided to use the Edinburgh Fringe as a testing ground for his new show. Considering his last Fringe show transferred to the Soho Theatre, we reckon that anything Tom has to say is well worth listening to. 

 Late With Kate, 01.00, The Canon's Gate (PBH Free Fringe) 

  1am! That's right, you heard me..... The Free Fringe's long-running late night comedy and cabaret show with games and chat. It's a rite of passage for any veteran Fringe goer.  Host Kate Smurthwaite is joined by guests from all over the Fringe. Some call it a cult, we call it the perfect end to the Fringe day.

Steve McLean - LOADS OF SHOWS ALL OVER THE FRINGE. 

Our resident host has decided he has no need for sleep and will find himself hosting or producing FIVE shows at this year's Fringe. 

He's hosting a comedy poetry show at 11.00 in the Doghouse Hotel (except Tuesdays), 16.00 will see the return of his popular Aerosmith to ZZ Top show at the Slow Progress Cafe (except Tuesdays), at 6pm he'll be producing (but probably not appearing in) Ageing Disgracefully which is a showcase show for acts over 35 (it's designed to help break the age glass ceiling in comedy) which is every day in the Globe Bar (13th of August onwards) and then at 22.00 for the whole run he'll be hosting The West End New Act of the Year Comedy Showcase in the Voodoo Rooms. As if that wasn't enough, on the last Sunday of the Fringe (24th) he'll be curating and starring in Comedians Perform Rocky Horror From Memory, also in the Voodoo Rooms (23.30). After the smashing success of the event last year, the show has transferred to a bigger venue and is now designed to be a FRINGE CLOSING PARTY! All of McLean's shows are co-produced by the PBH Free Fringe who are amazing. 

Free shows will ask for a donation at the end, you're not obliged to donate but it's a dick move if you don't. 

If you go along, tell them Ted sent you. 

Ted Teddington