It’s febrile Fringe season again: a time of frantic lists and spreadsheets, and that panicked sense you might not be able to catch all the essential shows.

To make life easier, I have compiled a list of the 11 shows that I – an academic specialising in humour and comedy – am most excited about this year in Edinburgh. In the interests of transparency, I should state my tastes skew towards clown and performance art, but hopefully there’s something here for everyone.

1. Soho Theatre: Underground Monk Show

This year sees the return of this clown/performance art supergroup from LA. Top-tier performers, their 2024 work-in-progress show was a cult favourite, and this summer the group are unmissable.

2. Lady Bolognese: Class War

More clowning from the gurning duo Lady Bolognese, winners of the 2026 Leicester Comedy Festival best variety show. This is their Fringe debut as dinner ladies Barbara and Veronica dishing the dirt.

3. Frankie Thompson: Horrible........

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