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!

Andy Barr: The Hotly-Anticipated 4th Debut Hour from Rising Star, Andy Barr

Location: Cellar – Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33)

Dates:  Jul 30th -12th, 14th – 24th

Time: 20:00

Price: £12 Concession £11

Ticket Link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/andy-barr-the-hotly-anticipated-4th-debut-hour-from-rising-star-andy-barr

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

Hello! I am award-winning television comedian Andy Barr. I’m a performer, writer and school administrator from Kent, but don’t hold that against me.

Tell us all about your show!

My show (The Hotly-Anticipated 4th Debut Hour from Rising Star, Andy Barr) is my fourth full-length show at the Edinburgh Fringe. However, the previous three were high-concept, narrative, character-based shows. This year’s show is a stand-up show, performed by real person, Andy Barr. As such, I consider this year’s show to be my debut, and advise awards bodies to do the same.

The show has been in development for a number of years – much of it dating back even before my 2017 ‘debut.’ It used to be about grief over a friend’s passing, but it’s been a while and I’m over it now. The show found itself without a hook – just solid gold material (seriously – knockout stuff), so as a result it became about filling a hole, striving for meaning and motivation. But the casual viewer won’t necessarily notice this they’ll be too busy laughing at the material.

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

Due to a direct clash, I will not be able to see my director, Joz Norris’s show, but I’d be there with bells if I were free.

I’ve seen previews of Johnny White Really-Really and Sam Nicoresti’s shows, both of which are superb.

I’m really looking forward to seeing Soft Play Area and The Mayor and His Daughter, Ali Brice (a gossamer thin character act played by northern man, Eric Meat). Tons more – stop me in the street and I’ll chew your ear off with endless recommendations.

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. 

I went to the Fringe (in some capacity) every year from 2013-2019. I’d advise first-time visitors and performers that I buried a bitcoin at the top of Calton Hill in 2019 – beat me there and it’s yours…

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

First up: prayer, affirmations or journalling, dependent on mood. I’m in shared, student accommodation, so after that I’ll probably have a two hour bath in the only bathroom in the flat. This establishes dominance over the flatmates and gives them a clear understanding of the pecking order. I will have batch-cooked a pungent fish stew at the beginning of the month, so after my bath I will defrost my breakfast portion of stew and microwave it (uncovered) in the communal microwave.

Then it’s time to head out! I visit each of my posters, scrub them down and stand near them, pointing and saying loudly things like: ‘I hear this show is excellent,’ ‘magnificent,’ ‘a performer without equal!’

After my rounds, I retire to a coffee shop for a series of three, strong, black coffees – for gut health and regularity. I chat to fellow performers, sit patiently during their griping, and then tell them how well I am doing. I imply that ‘Fleabag has bought a ticket for every night of the run,’ and ‘Quincy Jones is coming.’ Then I race back to the flat for gut health.

Some hours later (8pm) it’s time for my show – at this point I am possessed by the very spirit of genius and black out for the duration. I awake in the Pleasance Courtyard nursing a pint of lager. My tech informs me that Quincy has once again failed to show.

I return to the flat for my midnight portion of stew and climb into my hyperbaric chamber for my rest period.

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

I’m a big fan of taking chunks out of The Hand That Feeds Me, but if we’re talking about actual physical restaurants, I’ve had wonderful meals at Macau Kitchen and Kim’s Mini Meals.

Best thing about performing at the fringe?

The audible whooshing sound of the hot air escaping from your pumped up ego when it is punctured by returning to your day job, and the cold indifference of your colleagues.

What is the hardest part about performing at the Fringe?

Staying grounded and normal.

Do you bring anything special from home to make it feel more special whilst you are away?

I bring my hair shirt and whip so that I can ensure that I remain grounded and normal.

What are your best hacks to save money whilst at the Fringe?

For just a little outlay at the start, you can hire an industrial kitchen for the day and cook all of your fish stew for the month.

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

People are welcome – and I’d almost say, encouraged – to follow me on most popular forms of social media – I post my most terse nonsense on ‘X’ (@SomeNiceFun) slightly more sanitised gags, slightly more often on Bluesky (@barrstard), reels on Instagram (@catballbag) and dances and lies on TikTok (@barrstard) – some might suggest that this is undignified for a 35 year old, and I would agree. It might be sensible to use one handle for all social media, but I like to stay one step ahead of the haters.

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

Solid. Gold. Gags.

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