It is festival season and that means that in the next month there is so many great comedy festivals to look forward to! This month we are looking at some of the great shows that you can see at the Edinburgh Fringe. So take note because we are going to give you all the information you need for just a handful of some of the great shows happening this year!

Larry Owens Live

Location:   Assembly Roxy – Upstairs (Venue 139)

Dates: Aug 2nd-13th, 15th-27th

Time: 20:35

Price: £14 Concessions £13

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/larry-owens-live

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

Oh, hi! My name is Elton John. Not really but that’s the type of performer I am—quiet and understated. 

Tell you about myself, oh gosh— I’ll keep this strictly professional. 

Niche: I received the Off-Broadway triple crown (Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, and Obie award) for the original production of A Strange Loop which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and eventually the Tony Award for Best Musical.

Less niche: I’m Zach (BLACK!) on Abbott Elementary, America’s current number one groundbreaking network sitcom. 

I’m debuting at the Fringe this year! 

How did you come up with the name of your show that you’re taking to the fringe?

@LarryOwensLive is my social media handles (follow me! i know Madonna!) and I love that the acronym is LOL = laughter out loud…which you’ll be doing at my show. 

Meanwhile ‘POC: PROOF OF CONCEPT’ is a subtitle referencing the comedy piece I do inside the show which examines identity of hierarchal structures in Hollywood and global entertainment’s expectations. 

Further, ‘POC’ cheekily points to the overexploitation of trauma used to sell products in a way that signals “other.” 

And, finally,  a ‘proof of concept’ is a type of pitch document in which you prove yourself. In this show I will…

Tell us all about your show!

I’m presenting a stand up comedy hour with original music that spans genre. And a few characters. Oprah. Ever heard oh her? 

Hopefully this show feels like an indescribable mélange of storytelling that both brings you closer to my sensibilities as a performer, while also utilizing a universal framework to elicit laughter. 

The shows protagonist ‘Larry’, who admittedly represents a younger part of my journey, strategically utilizes comedy in order to make a professional dream come true. At the show’s end, however, he’s questioning the cost of laughter.

What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at the fringe?

Absolutely Greta Titelman, genius! Patti Harrison the G.O.A.T. And of course Cat Cohen. 

Have you done the fringe before? What are the key pieces of advice you have been given or would give to new groups or people performing at the fringe. 

It’s my first time! If you see me show me around please! I’ll be the one constantly making Elaine Stritch references in the pub!

Favourite one liner you have done in a show and why?

“I am what would happen if Billy Porter bottomed for Biggie Smalls and had a baby.”

Classic identity joke opener that disarms the audience to laugh at/with you on bristly subjects. Also, It’s a pretty silly notion but the alliteration absolutely sends it home for me. 

What have been some of the most unique and different comedy shows you have seen this year and why?

All of my references are from stateside, but you should be looking these people up because I’m sure they are imminent for Fringe or alums!  

Sydnee Washington’s ‘How To Start A Fire’ and Jordan Temples ‘Sweet Lorraine’ are two shows that really astounded me. Both touch on grief in unique ways. Temple is wistful and elegiac while Washington is a pistol who changes on a dime from sweet to savage. 

I got to watch the suis generis John Early run material for his HBO special while I wintered in LA and that’s someone will be in awe of forever.

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Jack Whitehall, who I starred opposite in the movie Silent Retreat directed by Todd Strauss-Schulson. 

Jack, if you’re reading this, I made it to Edinburgh! 

If people want to find out more about you, where can they follow you on social media?

On Instagram and TikTok: @larryowenslive

And finally in three words – Why should people come and see the show? 

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