The best Edinburgh Fringe Preview shows to see in the UK in 2019
This article is from 2019
Catch Fern Brady at The Gilded Balloon this July
Not heading to Edinburgh in August? See some of the best shows before everyone else
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is set to transform the Scottish capital into a month long atmospheric and, rather amused city once again this August. Not everybody can make it for the festival but rest assured, before the festival hits almost every comedian you can think of will be warming up with Preview shows ahead of the epic month of performance that is to come.
Why catch a Fringe Preview show? Its one of the easiest ways to get your hands on cheap comedy tickets and sometimes free (yes free Fringe comedy!) and you may well bag two or more comedians for the price of one. Fringe Previews are an excellent way to get a taste of what's on at this year's Fringe ahead of the crowds.
Here's the best Fringe Preview shows happening in London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Faversham, Irvine and beyond.
Gilded Balloon: Fern Brady, Larry Dean, Dane Baptiste and more
A central comedy hub of the Fringe itself, Gilded Balloon also host a series of cheap Fringe preview shows from May onwards.
@ Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh from Sat 11 May–Thu 18 July. Book Gilded Balloon tickets.
Simon Brodkin: 100% Simon Brodkin
You may know him as Lee Nelson but now he's here, 100% Simon Brodkin making his debut out of character and as himself.
@ Leicester Square Theatre from Wed Thu 30 May–Tue 9 July. Book Simon Brodkin tickets.
James McNicholas: The Boxer
One third of sketch group BEASTS and Horrible Histories star McNicholas is here to tell the story of a boxer who has never boxed.
@ Leicester Square Theatre on Thu 6 June and Fri 19 July. Book James McNicholas tickets.
image: Abandonman
Bear Funny comedy presents: Abandoman, Tony Law, Angelos Epithemiou & more
From May to July, Bear Funny Comedy host an impressive list of comedians great and small preparing for the world's largest Arts Festival and whats more, every show is FREE! This year's preview shows come from: Abandoman, Angelos Epithemiou, David Mills, Ivo Graham, Kae Kurd, Larry Dean, Lucy Pearman, Michael Odewale, Phil Nichol, Rosie Jones Tom Parry, and Tony Law and many more. @ The Finsbury, London from Wed 5 June—Wed 24 July. Book Bear Funny's free tickets.
Ross Leslie & Mark Nelson
Two Previews for the price of one as Scottish comedians pair up. Leslie's presents his Pretty Fly for a Shy Guy show and Nelson is bringing you Brexit Wounds.
@ Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine on Sat 8 June. Book Leslie & Nelson tickets.
image: Harriet Brain
Harriet Braine
Get a taste of Fringe action with Braine's Les Admirables as she looks back over her career as a performer in this historical feminist coming-of-age musical comedy show
@ Leicester Square Theatre Wed 19 June. Book Harriet Braine tickets.
Arden Theatre Preview Double Bills: Maddie Campion, Tom Toal and more
The Fringe comes to Kent throughout May with Preview shows from Maddie Campion, Aaron Simmond, Tom Toad Josh James, Si Deaves and Adam Morrison-Jones
@ Arden Theatre, Kent from Sat 11 May—Fri 12 July. Book Arden Theatre tickets.
Cally Beaton: Invisible
Insight into an age where the world ghosts you. A tale of the invisible or desire not to be from behind the lines of the mid-life resistance.
@ Leicester Square Theatre on Wed 25 July. Book Cally Beaton tickets.
Bear Funny Comedy
Every Wednesday at The Finsbury we bring you some of UK's best comedians trying out brand new material. Entry is free and you can reserve your seat in advance. Or check out our Comedy Pizza Special! Order any pizza on The Finsbury menu and get entry to the show for just £7.95 + bkg fee. This week's line up is: and your…
Fringe Previews: Mark Simmons And Jack Gleadow (Stand-Up Comedy)
Edinburgh Previews: Mark Simmons Jack GleadowTwo rising stars of comedy preview their material for the upcoming Edinburgh Festival, with an hour-long set each.Mark SimmonsAs heard on BBC Radio 4, Mark Simmons is a one-liner comedian. In fact, a master of one liners one4review. It won him a place in Daves prestigious Best…
Fringe Preview Double Bill - Jay Lafferty & Liam Withnail
See a fantastic new Fringe show before anyone else! ‘Engages her audience with such playfulness and genuine curiosity we have no choice but to cling to her every word.' ★★★★★ EdFest Magazine 'warm, wise, witty and occasionally waspish' ★★★★ Scotsman ‘beautifully observed, delightfully written' ★★★★★ One4Review 2018 was a…
James McNicholas: The Boxer (Edinburgh Preview)
James' grandad was world middleweight champion. By contrast, James' school PE teacher once told him he was so unfit he'd be dead by the time he was 23. This is a story about a boxer told by a man who has never boxed. James is one third of sketch group BEASTS and one of the stars of the BBC's Horrible Histories. "Pure…
Cally Beaton: Invisible (Edinburgh Preview)
Invisible is an unflinching, hilarious and unexpected insight into life at an age when the world ghosts you. Cally recalls the time she nearly disappeared in Iceland (the country, not the shop). From behind the lines of the mid-life resistance she gets her shellacked claws into survival, turning gender stereotypes on…
Fringe Preview: Madame George by K R McAllister
Madame George is a psychic in a slump. It’s been 2 years, 7 months and 11 days since her mum died and she’s still not bothered to get in touch. Then there’s the neighbour, the annoyingly persistent and intrusive Mr Doyle, who also happens to be her last remaining client. Things are in a rut when a message from the other…
Fringe Preview Double Bill - Jay Lafferty & Liam Withnail
See a fantastic new Fringe show before anyone else without even having to leave Glasgow! ‘Engages her audience with such playfulness and genuine curiosity we have no choice but to cling to her every word.' ★★★★★ EdFest Magazine 'warm, wise, witty and occasionally waspish' ★★★★ Scotsman ‘beautifully observed, delightfully…
Fringe Preview: Ben Pope and Susan Riddell
Part of our Fringe Preview season. Two of the UK’s best comedians give you a sneak peak of their 2019 Fringe shows. Ben Pope In 2018 Ben brought his “classy, stylish and accomplished debut” – Chortle, first solo hour ‘Baby Sasquatch’ to The Edinburgh Fringe, which received critical acclaim. Get in there early and get a…
Harriet Braine: Les Admirables (Edinburgh Preview)
In this historical feminist coming-of-age musical comedy show, Harriet brings forth a team of rebellious women from the history of science to help her wage battle against ignorance, patriarchy and her inner demons. She also looks back over her career as a performer, from school plays to now, presenting her achievements…
100% Simon Brodkin (Edinburgh Preview/WIP)
You may know him as "comedy legend Lee Nelson" (The Sun) or "some unfunny pillock" (The Deputy Prime Minister) who gave Theresa May a P45, but you definitely won't know him as "hilarious little Jew Simon Brodkin" (someone on Twitter). After three hugely successful BBC series as Lee Nelson, multiple sell-out tours and…
Jayde Adams: Men, I Can Save You
Avalon Change is always hard and what better person to lead the men selflessly by the hand into the new world than TV's Jayde Adams in her brand-new show. The multi award-winning comedian and actress’s critically acclaimed Amazon special Serious Black Jumper was released to worldwide applause and was longlisted for an…
Christopher MacArthur Boyd & Ed Night
Part of our Fringe Preview season. Two of the UK’s best comedians give you a sneak peak of their 2019 Fringe shows. Christopher Macarthur Boyd Born and bred in Glasgow, Christopher has performed stand-up internationally everywhere from downtown Toronto to the Perth and Adelaide Fringe Festivals in Australia, Christopher…
Fringe Preview: Eleanor Tiernan & Alice Snedden
Part of our Fringe Preview Season. Two of the UK’s best comedians perform their Fringe 2019 shows before the madness of August! Eleanor Tiernan “Tiernan has a uniquely oblique angle on the word, and her routines have a touch of whimsy while grounded in astute observation. It means her set sounds fresh and original…
Fringe Preview: Laura Lexx and Stephen Buchanan
Part of our Fringe Preview season. Two of the UK’s best comedians give you a sneak peak of their 2019 Fringe shows. Laura Lexx This award-winning star of Live at the Apollo is “stomach-achingly funny” (Entertainment Focus). This year she’s taking on society’s big issues, wondering how best to change the world without…
Fringe Preview: Jojo Sutherland and Liam Withnail
Part of our Fringe Preview season. Two of the UK’s best comedians give you a sneak peak of their 2019 Fringe shows. JoJo Sutherland Catch a preview of this stalwart of the Scottish comedy scene’s long awaited return to the Fringe. “will mesmerise and unnerve in equal measures, but will certainly leave you considering far…
Fringe Preview: John Hastings and Ray Bradshaw
Part of our Fringe Preview season. Two of the UK’s best comedians give you a sneak peak of their 2019 Fringe shows. John Hastings Over the last ten years John Hastings has appeared at every major comedy festival in the world including Edinburgh (2012-2017), Melbourne (2015-2016) and Just for Laughs Montreal. ‘Never any…
Fringe Preview: Fern Brady and Larry Dean
Part of our Fringe Preview season – an absolute knockout double bill of some of the UK’s best comedians. Fern Brady Fresh of the back of taking the Australian comedy scene by storm, Fern brings a preview of her 2019 Fringe Show to the Basement. As soon on 8 Out of 10 Cats, The Russell Howard Hour and Breaking the News…
Fringe Preview: Catherine Bohart and Maisie Adam
Part of our Fringe Preview season. Two of the UK’s best comedians give you a sneak peak of their 2019 Fringe shows. Catherine Bohart ‘One of the most honest, moving and incredibly funny sets I’ve seen in a very long time.’ ★★★★★ (The Herald) As seen on Comedy Central at the Comedy Store and Roast Battle. Nominee for…
Fringe Preview: Jay Lafferty and Stephen Bailey
Part of our Fringe Preview season. Two of the UK’s best comedians give you a sneak peak of their 2019 Fringe shows. Jay Lafferty Following her 2017, 2018 sell out shows, BBC Breaking The News regular returns with a brand new show taking a satirical swipe at serendipity. ‘Lafferty finds humour in every situation and makes…
Fringe Preview: Gareth Mutch and Michael Odewale
Part of our Fringe Preview season. Two of the UK’s best comedians give you a sneak peak of their 2019 Fringe shows. Gareth Mutch Mutch returns to the fringe with a hilarious new hour chock-full of his trademark comedic tales of personal woe. “Among the big hitters of Scottish stand up” – (Daily Business Magazine) Michael…
Fringe Preview: Rosco McClelland and Rosie Jones
Part of our Fringe Preview season. Two of the UK’s best comedians give you a sneak peak of their 2019 Fringe shows. Rosco McClelland Star of BBC Scotland’s Up For It, “Rosco is a gifted storyteller, with great stage presence and, of course, fantastic gags. His informal, chatty style makes for an exciting show that can go…
Fringe Preview: Gareth Waugh and Lou Sanders
Part of our Fringe Preview season. Two of the UK’s best give you a sneak peak of their 2019 Fringe shows. Gareth Waugh Two-time Scottish Comedian of the Year finalist and winner of Radio Forth’s Big Comedy Audition. Very funny… impressive comic chops… an engaging, friendly onstage manner – Beyond the Joke Tightly honed…
Fringe Preview: Rich Wilson and Scott Gibson
Part of our Fringe Preview season. Two of the UK’s best comedians give you a sneak peak of their 2019 Fringe shows. Rich Wilson As seen on BBC Three, ITV & Sky. WINNER of Best International Act 2017 New Zealand Comedy Festival Rich Wilson has sadly passed away but that’s only the beginning. Join Rich in purgatory as…
Fringe Preview: Rachel Jackson and Sarah Keyworth
Part of our Fringe Preview season. Two of the UK’s best comedians give you a sneak peak of their 2019 Fringe shows. Rachel Jackson Star of the small (Scot Squad,The Comedy Underground) and big screen (Beats), Rachel Jackson brings a preview of her 2019 Fringe Show to the Basement. ‘Light years beyond other comedians…
Ross Leslie & Ray Bradshaw Fringe Preview Double Bill
See two fantastic Fringe previews for the price of one! ROSS LESLIE The long-awaited debut Fringe show from Leslie is here. Nearing 40, he has lived half his life in the 20th Century, and a lot went on. Let's hear about it and how that has shaped his current life. Star of BBC Scotland's Comedy Underground.
Leicester Square Theatre
6 Leicester Place,
London,
WC2H 7BX
Leicester Square Theatre's history includes a late-70s Small Faces residency, appearances from the Rolling Stones and the Who, as well as being the venue where The Clash previewed their London Calling material. However, since re-opening in 2008, the…
