Comedy Top Picks Fest comedy critic Lyle Brennan picks out the best and most promising comedy shows of 2015
Kyle Kinane Underbelly Cowgate, 10:10pm 6-30 Aug, not 18 Celebrated in the States for his deliciously bleak “scumbag stories”, this low-key master of confessional stand-up was on fine form on recent sorties into the UK. He’s at his best when articulating the tragicomedy of life’s little low points – beer-fogged tales hinging on a moment of clarity that arrives with a weary, gruffvoiced groan.
Adam Hess Heroes @ The Hive, 5:20pm 7-31 August Fest slunk unbidden into Hess’s 40-minute work in progress last August, and even then it looked strong. Now he makes his debut proper with a frantic scuttle
Joseph Morpurgo
through his dysfunctional formative years. Since starting out he’s traded offbeat one-liners for a more anecdotal style, but don’t expect any compromise on
Pleasance Courtyard, 8:15pm 5-31 August, not 18
the laugh rate.
Sofie Hagen Liquid Room Annexe, 7:10pm 7-31 August Self-doubt, mental illness,
Odessa, a Lynchian fever-dream
body image issues... it takes a
of high art and low nonsense,
special kind of comic to make
was one of the most exciting
these things funny. Judging by
shows of last year. Whereas
the reception she’s had since
then Morpurgo turned some
relocating from Denmark, new-
naff ‘80s ads and newsreel into
comer Hagen is up to the task.
fleshed-out character comedy,
As well as her technical chops,
this time he’s been digging
she’s been praised for her
through crates of vinyl.
warmth, charisma and honesty.
Comedy
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