Fringe Monkey

I post about stand-up comedy and during the Edinburgh Fringe I try to help people find interesting shows. I'm on Bluesky too if that helps at all.

[Fringe Monkey @FringeMonkey]

There's no happy hour.

[Fringe Monkey @FringeMonkey]

@marknelsoncomic @TroyHawke Think of it as praise for him rather than (warranted) criticism of you.

[Fringe Monkey @FringeMonkey]

That didn't take long.

[Fringe Monkey @FringeMonkey]

The scaffolding is down but the Comedy Cellar's biggest venue (200 seats) is still a couple of months from opening. Not the prettiest of new builds but they'll probably put a snazzy sign up.

[Fringe Monkey @FringeMonkey]

New York Comedy Cellar's newest, biggest venue is certainly progressing but still has some way to go. Apparently scheduled for January, it will be a single performance space with a mezzanine.

[Fringe Monkey @FringeMonkey]

The Jan 8th edition of the @GoodOnePodcast where Chris Gethard discusses the state of the comedy industry is one of the most interesting things I've heard recently. He's eloquent and impassioned. If you're a comedy nerd it's really worth your time.

[Fringe Monkey @FringeMonkey]

@marknelsoncomic Worst beer ever.

[Fringe Monkey @FringeMonkey]

Might have found NYC's worst comedy club. Cheap plastic chairs, like you'd find in a shit Free Fringe venue on the Cowgate, spaced with no thought for the punter.

[Fringe Monkey @FringeMonkey]

@marknelsoncomic Jaws

[Fringe Monkey @FringeMonkey]

Entirely on brand, I turned up for a European comedy show and no other fecker did, so it was cancelled. It's a spectacular entrance tho.

[Fringe Monkey @FringeMonkey]

New York Comedy Cellar's newest, biggest venue is certainly progressing but still has some way to go. Apparently scheduled for January, it will be a single performance space with a mezzanine.

[Fringe Monkey @FringeMonkey]

After due consideration, the 2025 Fringe Monkey Talented but Ignored Award goes to Jake Baker! Congratulations @JakeB_Comedy. If you DM me an address I'll send you a small, underwhelming trophy.

[Fringe Monkey @FringeMonkey]

@MattSwynnerton Thanks Matt. It's not all about prizes but I can't imagine PN saying a better set of words in a row than he did this year. It was exceptional. Maybe the judges saw him on an off night. Didn't see Thor but caught a couple of club sets recently. He's really good.

[Fringe Monkey @FringeMonkey]

I'm done with Fringe 2025. Hopefully the reviews were of some help & you found something interesting/dodged a bullet as a result. I don't post much Sep-Jul so feel free to Unfollow. I'll hopefully be back in 2026. Thanks to all the performers & to the venue staff. Cheers!

[Fringe Monkey @FringeMonkey]

@jarv_burns Thanks Stephen!

[Fringe Monkey @FringeMonkey]

2025 Fringe Stats

Shows entered: 74
Shows abandoned: 4
Reviews posted: 67
Average mark allocated: 2.9
Smallest audience I was part of: 2
Shortest Hour Show: 31 mins
Best Show: Pierre Novellie
Best Show Title: It's Pronounced "Ruaridh"
Main downtime location: Monkey Barrel Bar

[Fringe Monkey @FringeMonkey]

@gregorsim Glad you enjoyed Ayo. It'll be interesting to see how he develops.

[Fringe Monkey @FringeMonkey]

Paul Hilleard (WIP): He's the reigning BBC New Comedy Award winner working out material for his first proper hour. His short run is over but if you enjoy oddball characters saying unusual things in a lo-energy but charismatic way, get him on your list for 2026's Fringe.

[Fringe Monkey @FringeMonkey]

@walshy296 Thanks very much, that's nice of you say. I've got one show left, then I'll return to virtual silence for 11 months.

[Fringe Monkey @FringeMonkey]

Pretty successful day at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards. Ate too many sausages, drunk too much white wine, bothered Mark Watson, laughed at Amy Gledhill & hung out with the Monkey Barrel cool kids.

[Fringe Monkey @FringeMonkey]

Dan Tiernan: Blimey, there's a lot going on here. The material, initially autobiographical, is relayed around a Glastonbury story. He ramps things up during a psychosis section that could be an unhinged Rob Auton piece & ends on a musical callback. Ambitious/impressive. PWYW. 4/5