It’s very nearly August, which means it’s time to scour the Edinbugh Festival Fringe programme for the best shows to see.
The physical programme has over 3,350 shows across 265 venues, meaning it can be a daunting task to work out what exactly you are going to see.
While it’s fun to take a punt and hope for the best, it’s sometimes nice to go for a known quantity - a performer who has delivered acclaimed shows in the past.
At The Scotsman we review hundreds of shows every year, with the best receiving a sought-after four or five star rating.
While previous success is no guarantee that they will deliver the goods again, it’s as good an indicator as any - particularly since many of the shows in Edinburgh have never been performed before.
So, here are all 31 returning comedians who earned a four or five review from us in 2024 - and what we said about their shows.
9. Ed Night: Your Old Mucker
What we said about last year's show: "Saturated with intelligent insight about mental and physical health, the hungry algorithm (or “algotross”) and revealing his own version of toxic masculinity, this is a thrilling and original hour." (Four Stars) | Contributed
10. Furiozo: Man Looking for Trouble
Furiozo is bringing his 2024 critically-acclaimed show back to Edinburgh this year. What we said last year: "Bullet-headed and muscled in boxer shorts, with a penchant for cocaine, crime and violence, Furiozo is an almost wordless, toxic hooligan, pure, selfish id as he helps himself to audience members' belongings and goes on the run from the police." (Four Stars) | Contributed
11. Garry Starr: Classic Penguins
Garry Starr is also bringing last year's show back for a well-deserved encore. What we said last year: "This is a show about literature – particularly Penguin classic paperbacks – which are lined up in a bookcase at the front of the stage. It also features Garry Starr, a very funny man who is peculiarly averse to wearing trousers." (Five Stars) | Contributed
12. Gavin Webster – The Gathering of The Gav
What we said about last year's show: "A magnificent display from what I can only describe as shouty, sweary comedy genius." (Four Stars) | Contributed