One of the fun things to do in Edinburgh during festival season is to see a well-know comedian work through new ideas that will end up being performed in venues across the UK - and the world.
Work in Progress shows are often fairly haphazard affairs, where the performers may refer to notes, happily follow comedic dead ends, and guage the audience’s reaction to different material and punchlines.
The positives for an audience is that for a small price they get to see a big name in a tiny venue deliver what is often an entirely unique performance never to be repeated.
It’s often also the case the the material has actually been pretty well developed between the listing being submitted for the Fringe programme and the show itself – equating to even more of a bargain. In 2023 Ahir Shah even won the Edinburgh Comedy Award for a show that was originally listed as a work in progress.
This means they often sell out quite far in advance, so if you fancy any of these, don't delay booking them on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe website.
Here are 18 of the best in this year’s programme.
9. Adam Riches
Yet another work in progress from an Edinburgh Comedy Award winner - 2011 chuckles champion Adam Riches. The hugely-entertaining performer last year made the switch to the theatre section with a critically-acclaimed show about tennis player Jimmy Connors. This year he's back to comedy with a typically singular slant, namely "medieval heartstab Sean Bean is going to read 15th century Middle English tome Le Morte d’Arthur out loud, for an hour. That’s it." Discover if that really is 'it' at the Monkey Barrel from August 11-13. | Contributed
10. Larry Dean
Multiple award-winner Larry Dean is a big favourite on the Scottish live comedy scene and a former winner of the Scottish Comedian of the Year Award. Previous shows have taken on a range of topics, including coming out, autism and dementia. This year he's simply looking to "try some jokes" at the Monkey Barrel from August 1-7. | Contributed
11. Ahir Shah
Ahir Sha's poignant, playful and politically-engaged show 'Ends' scooped the Edinburgh Comedy Award in 2023 - despite it initially being billed as a work in progress. He's back at the Monkey Barrel with another work in progress (which, again, is likely to be better than 99 per cent of finished shows) this year from August 14-24. | Getty Images
12. Ania Magliano
Ania Magliano has become a real Fringe favourite in recent years - bagging an Edinburgh Fringe Comedy Award nomination in 2023. This year's work in progress promises "thoughts/jokes/confessions/gossip to share with you before you’ve even had your lunch" at the very civilised time of 11.05am. Catch her at the Monkey Barrel from July 28-August 10. | Getty Images