Explore every episode of the podcast The Edinburgh Fringe Comedy Podcast

In this episode Ollie Horn is joined by Stuart Laws. Stuart is an acclaimed stand-up comedian, director, and comedy producer.

They talk about:

• Directing live comedy, filming stand-up specials, and visual storytelling techniques.
• The creative mechanics, economics, and chaos of running concept Fringe shows.
• How venue layout, room setup, and environment shape audience psychology.
• Audience interaction, performance etiquette, and connecting with neurodivergent crowds.
• The role of a director in structuring solo stand-up and storytelling shows.
• How much Mr Blobby costs. 

They recommend:

• Kate Hammer
• Jennifer Jane
• John Kearns
• Elouise Eftos
• Li Jin Hao
• Bella Hull
• Sam Eley
• Phil Ellis

In this episode Ollie Horn is joined by David Hoare. David is an award-winning musical comedian bringing the show How to Live to 100 this year. 

They talk about:

• The learning curve of writing multi-year Fringe shows and comedy "boot camp."
• The concept and strategy behind the "Coward's Hour" versus full one-hour shows.
• PR, joke list submissions, and how national press coverage actually works at the festival.
• The financial realities, tax returns, and administrative side of freelance comedy.
• Handling gig mishaps, crowd work, and the craft of reading an audience.

They recommend:

• Chelsea Birkby
• James O'Donoghue
• Paul Hilleard
• Alex Kitson
• James Trickey
• Jordan Brooks
• Tom Neenan
• Andrew White

In this episode Ollie Horn is joined by Nathan Cassidy. Nathan is an award-winning stand-up comedian and founder of the ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards.

They talk about:

• The financial realities and business models of the Edinburgh Fringe.
• Review scandals and promotional stunts.
• Stand-up comedy as an art form versus viral social media clips.
• The purpose and structure of the Ish Edinburgh Comedy Awards.

They recommend:

• Elf Lyons
• Gary Starr
• Julia Masli
• Paul Foot
• Phil Ellis
• Mark Ford

Ollie Horn is joined by Tom Little. Tom is a stand-up comedian and actor presenting his Edinburgh Fringe show Tom Little in His Comfort Zone.

They talk about:

• The rising financial costs and changing landscape of the Edinburgh Fringe.
• The differences between performing a 20-minute comedy club set and developing a 1-hour festival show.
• The mechanics, history, and economics of PBH's Free Fringe and bucket donation models.
• Online comedy videos and social media vs. the traditional live stand-up circuit.
• The fragmentation of media monoculture and how different generations consume comedy.

They recommend:

• Tom Towling
• Rachel Baker
• Mary Flanigan
• Anna Thomas
• Kyla Cobbler

In this episode Ollie Horn is joined by Amos Gill. Amos is a New York-based Australian stand-up comedian known for his unfiltered, high-energy comedy. 

They talk about:

• How the Edinburgh Fringe compares to Australian and American comedy circuits.
• The financial realities and creative freedom of performing at international festivals.
• Navigating political correctness, progressive culture, and boundary-pushing stand-up comedy.
• The rise of independent comedy, social media virality, and circumventing traditional industry gatekeepers.
• Crazy festival experiences, death threats from going viral, and an encounter with the FBI.

They recommend:

• Geoffrey Asmus
• Dan Tiernan
• Jessica Brodkin
• Kyle Legacy

Bennett Aaron is a stand-up comedian presenting his show I Regret This Already at this year's festival.

They talk about:

• How the comedy circuit was in the olden days
• Becoming the UK's first major victim of identity theft and how that show skyrocketed his career
• Writing and teaching sitcom structure
• How to process personal grief on stage 
• How comedians make money these days

They recommend:

• Ignacio Lopez
• Milton Jones
• Mark Simmons

Abbie Carter Simpson is a stand-up comedian, singer, and actor presenting her Edinburgh Fringe show Stand-up Couple alongside her partner Joe McTernan.

They talk about:

• Performing a joint double-act show as a romantic couple, delegating show management duties, and navigating trust on stage.
• Writing comedy together, adapting jokes to fit individual performance voices, and the ethics of "punching down."
• Transitioning from musical theatre and drama school into stand-up comedy, commercial castings, and how the audition process works. 
• Abbie's experience performing on Britain's Got Talent, writing family-friendly comedy songs, and live television production logistics.
• The importance of supporting arts and music education in schools.

They recommend:

• NewsRevue
• James Beatty's Comedy Brunch
• Aidan Jones
• Becky Umbers
• Milo Edwards
• Massioke

Ollie Horn Horn is joined by Kate Hammer, a stand-up comedian, writer, and director presenting her debut Edinburgh Fringe show Kate Hammer: Government Approved Comedian.

They talk about:

• The definition and industry pressure of an official Edinburgh Fringe "debut" hour compared to work-in-progress runs.
• Her background writing and developing for television (EastEnders, River City, Bridge of Lies) and the funding challenges facing independent Scottish comedy productions.
• Collaborating with comedian and director Stuart Laws to sharpen her show's narrative structure, pacing, and callbacks.
• Gender dynamics in comedy, confronting reviewer biases, and using stage presence and costuming to connect with audiences.

They recommend:

• Stuart Laws
• Rosco McClelland
• Jack Ansett
• Tom Ballard
• Tom Cashman
• Grace Mulvey

John Robertson is the face and brain behind the hugely successful show, 'The Dark Room.' He is currently performing both this, and a straight stand-up show at the Edinburgh Fringe.

They talk about:

• The challenge of bringing the same show every year, competing with new concepts
• The perils of putting your face on your merch
• The Evolution of The Dark Room, and how it has transformed over 15 years
• TV deals, development hell, and failures we don't mention

David Correos is a New Zealand comedian currently performing his show 'Noise Zealand' at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

They talk about:

• Show evolution and the importance of flexibility in your concepts
• Whether drinking alcohol helps or hinders your comedy performance
• The balance between absurd alternative bits and traditional observational stand-up, and how one might feed the other
• The psychology of the audience and how to 'trap' them
• How to get a crowd to 'buy in' to your show

They recommend:

• Dan Rath
• Ray O'Leary
• Hoani Hotene
• Booth the Clown
• Jack Ansett

Multi-award winning comedian Adele Cliff has brought a WIP to the Fringe this year. She joins host Ollie Horn to discuss.

They talk about:

• Ever-decreasing Fringe attendance, including the huge amount of shows this year that have been heavily impacted by low attendance
• The importance of brand consistency as a comedian, and building a recognisable identity
• Growing and changing over 12 years of the Fringe - from student sketches to international solo shows
• How to build a joke that'll win you a 'Best Joke of the Fringe' award

Harry Jun is a critically acclaimed Sydney-based comedian, who has sold out his whole run of shows this year at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

They talk about:

• Navigating identity as an Asian-Australian comic performing internationally
• The difference between Edinburgh Fringe versus the Australian Fringe festivals
• Farming your shows for content
• Social media strategies for comedians - converting one-off viral viewers to longterm fans

Stuart Goldsmith has his own wildly successful podcast, alongside his thriving comedy career, and joined us to discuss all things comedy, climate and corporate.

They talk about:

• Money or vibes - which of these is more important to your shows?
• Discovering through an ADHD coach the importance of financial resilience
• The outdated career blueprint for comedians
• Redefining success as you level up in comedy, and Elf Lyons, queen of Edinburgh
• Evolving the comedy business model and building new landscapes for production