Edinburgh festival fringe: Ahir Shah’s Ends wins best show at comedy awards

32-year-old comedian whose set explores race, class and migration becomes first British-Asian to take prizeA show about multiculturalism has won best show at the Edinburgh comedy awards. Ahir Shah, the first British-Asian to win the prestigious award, …

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Lorna Rose Treen’s ‘stupid joke’ named funniest of the fringe

Comedian ‘blooming chuffed’ as she becomes the second woman to win the award in its 14 yearsA one-liner described by its author as “stupid” has topped the poll for best joke of the Edinburgh fringe.Lorna Rose Treen was voted winner of the annual compet…

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‘It’s a zeitgeist-capturer’: climate crisis and trans rights are talk of Edinburgh festival

Walkout by authors over fossil fuel links plus controversies about identity, racism and sexism are hot topics at politically charged eventWhen Jessica Gaitán Johannesson led a mass walkout at an Edinburgh book festival event last weekend, she told the …

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Graham Linehan show staged outside Scottish parliament after second venue cancels

Makeshift outdoor show held after two venues cancel booking of comedian known for his gender-critical beliefsA comedy event featuring Father Ted creator Graham Linehan was staged in the open air outside the Scottish parliament on Thursday evening, afte…

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Graham Linehan mulls legal action against Edinburgh arts venue

Leith Arches cancelled scriptwriter’s comedy show after complaints from customersThe scriptwriter Graham Linehan is considering legal action against the Edinburgh venue that cancelled his comedy show after complaints from customers.On Tuesday morning L…

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The hell and humanity of touting myself at Edinburgh: ‘I sidle up to strangers like a stray dog’

For all but the biggest names, handing out flyers in the street is still essential. That doesn’t make it any less awkwardThe key to performing standup is to convince your audience that you don’t want their attention or approval as much as you obviously…

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Some people just won’t like you, but don’t take it personally: what surviving the fringe taught me about life | Natalie Haynes

Performing at the Edinburgh festival is hugely stressful, but the things I learned there have been useful offstage tooIf the beginning of September still makes me think I need a new notebook and pencil case, the beginning of August makes me think I sho…

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Cosy crime dramas are killer tickets at the Edinburgh fringe

Musical whodunnits and political backstabbing dominate the escapist agenda this yearA sleuth in search of clues to putting on a successful show at the Edinburgh fringe will not need to reach for a magnifying glass. There is already proof positive that …

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Robbie Coltrane, star of Cracker and Harry Potter, dies aged 72

Scottish actor who graduated from the alternative comedy scene to become a major performer known for taking on complex and difficult roles Robbie Coltrane, whose acting career spanned everything from Bond films to Cracker to Harry Potter, has died aged…

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Jerry Sadowitz hits back after show cancelled: ‘My act is being cheapened’

Comedian says his show ‘is what it is, for those who enjoy it,’ after complaints at Edinburgh fringeThe comedian Jerry Sadowitz has hit back at Edinburgh fringe promoters who cancelled one of his shows, accusing them of “cheapening and simplifying” his…

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