All this month we are celebrating acts that you need to look out for in 2026. Today we speak to comedian Edy Hurst, 2025 was a great year…what does this year have in store?

Hello tell us all about yourself?

It’s me! Edy Hurst, a musical comedian and/or theatre maker/actor/podcaster/ whichever of those makes me sound like i have a personality from Manchester.

You may remember me from my funny at the fringe interview last year.

Will I be able to write answers that are just as funny and compelling? Or will I accidentally write the same thing? What jeopardy!

I am currently touring with my show Edy Hurst’s Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Himself, the show about the Lancashire Witch Trials, the Vengaboys and “Nothing Else.” Before this I did a solo lofi rock opera Edy Hurst’s Comedy Version of Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of H.G. Wells’ Literary Version (Via Orson Welles’ Radio Version and Steven Spielberg’s Film Version) of the War of the Worlds. Yes, programmers have shown varying levels of patience.

I’m also blood type O, and I love pomp, but hate circumstance, and like getting caught in the rain.

How was 2025 for you?

What a year! My favourite one that has the guts to combine both the number 20 and 25 together at last. What a Year! Don’t look at the news. What a Year!

I think I’ll look back at 2025 as a good year professionally, I had a great time with my show at the Fringe for the first full run since 2019, been on my biggest tour yet, and learnt to crochet an owl. It’s all been happening.

I’ve also never spent more time in a van, and I’ve never had to think as much about the logistics of whether a giant cauldron will fit up a flight of stairs.

What a year!

What were the top 3 highlights for you?

1. My youngest daughter’s first birthday
2. My eldest daughter’s fifth birthday
3. When a technician at Norwich got a mini-cherry picker out to zip up to the ceiling and change some lights. Majestic. Transcendent. 

What was the key lesson you learnt from last year?

It’s better to be slippy than it is to be sloppy, but ideally neither.

What are your plans for 2026?

This year I’m working on two new shows. One is a kid’s show all about building the world’s greatest theme park and also planning permission, the other is an electro-punk adaptation of the Odyssey.

They’ll both be at Leicester Comedy Festival in February, but I’m not sure if I’m allowed to say that at the time this will be published.

I’ll also be doing more episodes of my podcast I Pod a Spell On You, and I’m working on another secret project that I’m going to pretend is top secret to create the sense of intrigue, whilst in reality I’m a little worried about my work load and may end up not doing it this year.

What other shows are you looking forward to watching this year?

Well to tell you the truth I’m absolutely raging that Christopher Nolan is also doing a film version of the Odyssey. He never mentioned this to me even though he knew I was trying to lock down Matt Damon for my show. If he’s got James Murphy from LCD Soundsystem to do the soundtrack I am going to lose. My. mind. 

I’m looking forward to Cerys Bradley’s new show about road signs, I caught an early section at a show last year and it was a delightful hyper fixation on a history that has no right to be as interesting as it is.

Rob Kemp, after being peer pressured for years is finally FINALLY doing his follow up to the Elvis Dead, Beatlesjuice. The Beatles and Beetlejuice joined together in what was a throw away joke from the last show come reality.

Also Anna Thomas who is just the best is working on their debut hour and it will be incredible and by the looks of things very slug related.

What styles do you hope to see more of in comedy this year?

I’d like to see people bring back asking the audience if they’re right. It was a nice way for a comedian to say an observation, and immediately check in with the audience but in an established rhetoric that encouraged everyone to come together. Am I right guys?

Which comedian is your one to watch in 2026 and why?

Oh gosh. I think I’m going to mention Ellen Turnill Montoya. They did their debut show Mr. Handsome at the Fringe last year, where they performed as the world’s most famous hand model. It was an absolute treat from a deeply silly and joyful performer, and whether Mr. Handsome returns or there’s a new show I can’t wait to see what they cook up next.

Do you have any new years resolutions? If so, what are they?

I do my resolutions in-line with the financial new year, so I’ve got a good few months, but I suspect my resolution will be to make better tax accounts and remember the deadline is actually in January.

Are you on social media? If so, how can people find out more about your troupe?

My troupe of merry men and I will appear whenever we are needed. The clang of a bell in the forest, the clarion call for aid delivered on the wind a bird’s wings. I’m also available for comedy nights and festivals, and am trying to break into acting work.

You can find me on instagram, facebook, and increasingly at my dismay on tiktok.

Three words to explain why people should come and see you this year?

LIVE YOU COWARD!

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