Edinburgh Fringe 2024 Preview – Part Three
Need a Laugh? I think I can help
Josh Jones
The Edinburgh Fringe has become renowned as the place where comedians have an opportunity to take themselves seriously, with extended sets where they can explore their origin stories, their troubled past, their difficult family or their mental health issues. But there are also comedians who just walk onto the stage and make you laugh until it hurts. In a good way of course. Josh Jones is one of those stand-ups. He picked up a Best Newcomer nomination in 2022 and is now back with his third show, Put A Sock In It.
Jones has a friendly, gossipy, over-the-garden-wall chatty style which immediately endears him to the audience. Sit close to the stage and you might even become part of the show. In this show he doesn't talk about his own past so much but does talk about his love of history. Among other things he’ll be taking a cheeky look at Henry VIII and his many wives and the drama that surrounded Elizabeth I and her court. He's also recently fallen hard for rock climbing so you might well get some stories about that. Take it from me, Josh Jones has funny bones.
Monkey Barrel at The Tron, July 30 - August 25
Jazz Emu
Musical comedy might be a love-it-or-hate-it genre, but everyone seems to love Jazz Emu. The creation of performer Archie Henderson has been getting rave reviews ever since he first tooted a tune onstage. Some have even suggested that he should ditch the comedy and focus on a musical career his songs are that good.
But in Knight Fever, Jazz Emu is definitely going for the comedy jugular with his spoof so-uncool-he's-cool crooner creation, with running gags about his sinister agent and his attempts to control his technology which appears to have a mind of its own. A bit of synth pop here, a bit of ultra smooth saxophone there. Maybe more Curtis Stigers than Simon Le Bon. If anyone can get the party started in style in Edinburgh it's Jazz Emu.
Pleasance Courtyard, July 31 - August 25
Chloe Petts
I've been banging on about Chloe Petts ever since I saw her doing a self-mocking routine in the cafe at a literary festival in north London. Sometimes I wonder if I'm only championing her so that when she gets some awards I can run the headline Petts Wins Prizes. But then I catch her again, most recently wowing the crowd as the warm-up on Ed Gamble's tour, and I remember that I'm actually championing her because she is honest, thoughtful and sidesplitting funny.
In How You See Me, How You Don't Petts takes stock of events in her life in recent years. most notably how she took on internet trolls head on. Petts is never one to shirk a challenge, but then as fans of her will know, she is a devoted supporter of Crystal Palace so she has plenty of experience of having to stand up to the opposition. Her last show at the Fringe was so popular I struggled to get a press ticket. If you want rock-solid guaranteed giggles tackling the vagaries of the modern world look no further – but make sure you buy your tickets well in advance.
Pleasance Courtyard, July 31 - August 25.
Read more Fringe recommendations here.
The Edinburgh Fringe runs from August 2- 26, previewing from the very end of July. for tickets and more details of all the shows here go to edfringe.com.