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!

Richard Cobb: Running Joke

Location:   Laughing Horse @ The Raging Bull – Cellar (Venue 332)

Dates: Aug 1st-11th, 13th-25th

Time: 18:30

Price: Pay What You Can

Ticket Link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/richard-cobb-running-joke

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

Hi! I’m a Scottish comedian and storyteller from the Scottish Borders and currently living in London with my wife Sara and our pug Larry.

Tell us all about your show!

The central theme is about running last year’s Edinburgh Marathon but it’s mainly about setting myself daft personal challenges over the years and pushing myself to the limit but struggling with the balance of being wildly competitive and hard on myself when things go a bit pear-shaped.

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

I wanted the title to find a middle ground between running and comedy with a big focal point of ‘Running Joke’ being last year’s marathon and my debut Fringe hour so it’s a bit of an on the nose play on both of those- also referencing the running joke throughout that I’m competitive but I always seem to struggle being proud of myself once I’ve achieved the thing I set out to do. Plus, I thought it would look aesthetically pleasing if my name and the show name had the same number of letters.

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

I missed the Viking wrestling Mythos: Ragnarök last year so that’s number one on my list. Sad I can’t see Jin Hao Li’s debut hour ‘Swimming in a Submarine’ as we’re on at the same time so I’ll try to catch that on my day off. Also hoping to get along to Sarah Roberts: Silkworm, Rhys Nicholson: Huge Big Party Congratulations, and John Meagher: Big Year.

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. 

Yep- last year I debuted with my show ‘Couple’s Massage’ which was lovely. Be kind to yourself and look after your voice is probably the most ‘I’ve sailed past my mid-30s’ response I can offer. Reaching out to other performers and friends/family is important too.

Last year I got a message from one of my comedy heroes Mark Nelson at the midway point when I was shattered and it really helped put the Fringe into perspective and gave me a boost to keep going. End of the day, it’s a huge privilege to do and for the most part should be fun but it’s all too easy to get swept up in your own head and forget that.   

Talk us through your daily routine for a day at the Fringe

Get up at 6am to let the Red Bulled pug out, go back to bed for an hour, try to forget all about the show until early afternoon when it’s time for a bit of online promo for the night’s show and a check of ticket sales to see how early I need to go flyer.

Hop on a bus to town where I’ll scribble down notes from last night’s show soundtracked to ‘Your New Favourite Band’ by The Hives, get to the Royal Mile- go for a coffee and completely forget to flyer until the show starts. I’ll either go see a show after, grab a drink, or get the bus back out to my sister’s where I’m staying and listen back to bits from the show that need worked on for the following day.

What is the best way to enjoy yourself at the fringe?

Don’t let admin, reviews, or how others are getting on cause you too much grief. Try not to have any regrets so if you’re not sure you want to go to a show or see friends, do your best to make the effort as small things like that can be a huge morale booster.

Ok, where is your favourite place to eat at the Fringe? 

Anywhere quiet away from all the enthusiasm that doesn’t serve a Kestrel Burger which costs £18.

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

People you’ve never met taking a chance on your show and looking genuinely happy throughout. Always quite a buzz seeing friends and family at the shows and how they react throughout too.

Top tips for travelling around the Fringe and getting to shows on time?

Aim for two buses before the bus you NEED to get in case there’s any traffic or delays. Also- Edinburgh’s so walkable and sometimes there’s a quicker route to get places so be sure to chat to performers and share your knowledge with them.

What would be your top three items every performer must take to the fringe?

Headphones, comfortable shoes, and realistic expectations.

What’s the secret to successful flyering? 

No idea, I’m hoping to ask the Viking wrestlers about that because they nailed it last year. Maybe dressing like a viking and looking terrifying?

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

Twitter, Instagram, TikTok etc. @therichardcobb and last year’s show ‘Richard Cobb: Couple’s Massage’ is on YouTube.

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

It’s relatively amusing.