Fringe 2017...

zweton

Hello folks, first time attending the fringe this year. Anyone recommend some good acts they might have seen saw last year or any new ones? looking through the programme its insane the amount of shows on:) any other tips/tricks welcome. Looking forward to it!

Cheers

Fysh

To be honest, the main advice I'd give from the last couple of years is "be open to taking chances on things you've never heard of". My favourite show from the 2015 Fringe (Moby Alpha) was one I found out about from one of the cast members handing out flyers while I was waiting for a different (but similarly themed) show. So look through the listings, but also be open to people flyering at shows and so on.

Michael D Not Higgins

Really wanted to see the "My Dad Wrote a Porno" show but they were all sold out for their couple of shows. It's a live show of their podcast where they read a terrible erotic novel from one of the podcasters' dads.

Will be seeing Aunty Donna again most likely. A bit surreal if you like that kind of comedy.

Foil, Arms and Hog do a good show too.

jimmii

Roger Swift at Hannover Tap. I'm not sure if it's really good or really bad or both but we went to see him twice last year for some reason! James Loveridge played there too and he was superb so so funny.

razorblunt

Foil, Arms and Hogg for definitethis year.
Game of thrones musical too.

My advice would be to gamble on some shows and not expect everything to be a success.
Shows that have different acts on is a good way to see different acts before deciding to buy tickets to their shows proper.
Keep in mind theymight use their best material inthe variety show.

Any word on where the Spiegeltent will be? I'd heard St Andrew's square won't host it this year.

jimmii

Think there was something a out objections to anything being there which is a bit crap that was a great spot.

I just watched what would Beyonce do on BBC would definitely go see her show absolutely brilliant!

razorblunt

jimmii wrote: »

Think there was something a out objections to anything being there which is a bit crap that was a great spot.

I just watched what would Beyonce do on BBC would definitely go see her show absolutely brilliant!

Yep, that's it, new tenants in the St Andrews development have blocked it it would seem. Apparently they're keen for some of classical music/orchestra venue there instead.

The Stand in particular are heavily affected as they're short on venues now.

ems_12

The Fringe is great  :)  My advice would be to book a "sure thing", so that you have a comedy or show to look forward to. Then either book something a bit different or take a chance on a show from the "Half Price Hut" when you are over (it sells tickets at half price, for shows on the same day.  It's located next to the National Gallery on Princes St).
Download the app; it's great.  You can filter shows that are "nearby now" or "starting soon", and that way see a few random choices.  If you have an account on the website, any shows you have as "favourites" will be on the app also.  
Find a good spot for an afternoon's sitting, eating, drinking and taking it all in........such as St. George Square or the Pleasance.
As for recommended shows, that's a tough one. I've been looking through the programme since the first shows were up on the website & haven't finalised my choice yet!
(Edited to say; I never knew about the Scotland forum, this is great!)

razorblunt

Saw Foil Arm and Hogg last night, highly recommend them.
Its in the Uderbelly so there's a bit of outside noise, especially the fireworks from the tattoo I guess.

jimmii

I went to the opener last night and thought it was fantastic. Much better than last year.

Off to see Jarlath Regan and James Loveridge tomorrow then Driftwood and Paris De Nuit on Tuesday with Tokio Myers on Wednesday. Have Jason Manford and Al Porter on the 16ty but that feels like ages away!

Fysh

So far I've caught Alexei Sayle and Baba Brinkman, and both were well worth it. Next up is Terry Alderton on Friday.

jimmii

Jarlath Regan was worth going to. Think his show last year was better but for those who don't listen to his podcast he's had a hard enough year so not surprising!

Tried to see James Loveridge but some how ended up in the wrong room in the mash house despite asking and showing our tickets so ended up watching some proper crap student comedy!

Tokio Myers tonight looking forward to it.

Fysh

Terry Alderton was fantastic. He's always been quite odd & surreal in his comedy, and since the last time I saw him a few years ago this has become even more pronounced. If you enjoy the likes of Ross Noble or Eddie Izzard, he is definitely worth seeing.

jimmii

Tokio Myers was brilliant would definitely recommend that.

Bebo stunnah

Managed to get to Neil Delamare on the first night, must have been about 20 people in total there but it was good fun, plenty of audience participation!
Also got to see Ed Gamble, James Acaster, Frankie Boyle and Alew Williamson's sets last week, all worth while seeing.
Managed to get to 2 Audible Presents gigs which threw up a bit of a mixed bunch, can't quite remember who they were, but they weren't bad. Andrew Maxwell and Ed Gamble were the hosts of the ones I got to.