Fast Fringe 2025
Where you can see the best of Edinburgh
So many comedians, so little time! But you can sample the best of what the Edinburgh Festival Fringe has to offer in Chortle's Fast Fringe showcases.
Fast Fringe London
Pleasance Islington July 3
Binge on the Fringe without leaving London! A jam-packed bill of 28 comedy and variety acts heading to the festival in one frenetically paced gig, all hosted by the living Fringe institution that is Arthur Smith.
The bill includes names familiar from TV and radio including Ian Smith, Tiff Stevenson and Ria Lina – as well as an Olivier-winning improvised musical from Showstoppers
We’ll be showcasing stand-ups Jamie D’Souza, Olaf Falafel, Diona Doherty, Bebe Cave, Mary O'Connell, Barry Ferns, Lulu Popplewell, Marc Jennings, Narin Oz as well as our Hotshots Jessie Nixon and Shalaka Kurup.
There’s plenty of off-the-wall laughs too, with clown, character and sketch acts such as Ali Brice, The Mayor and His Daughter, Cabbage The Clown, Susan Harrison, Ada & Bron
Music comes from London’s long-running satirical show Newsrevue, Katie Pritchard, Amelia Hamilton, A Jaffa Cake Musical, Bennet Kavanagh, Anna Hale, Thomas Currie and Holly Spillar – while ventriloquist Max Fulham adds another note of variety.
Fast Fringe Edinburgh
Pleasance Dome, 6.30pm, July 30 to August 23
In this unmissable Fringe institution, 12 top comedy and variety acts perform ridiculously short sets in one furiously fast-paced showcase, hosted by the best MCs around. There's a different line-up every day, handpicked by Chortle's comedy experts – check the website for daily listings.
Previous acts include: Ed Gamble, Mark Watson, Glenn Moore, Flo & Joan, Jordan Brookes, Paul Sinha, Phil Ellis, Felicity Ward, Jessica Fostekew, Showstoppers and literally hundreds more.
Fast Fringe Family Edition
Gilded Balloon Appleton Tower, 1.15pm, July 30 to August 12 plus August 16 and 17
A new spin-off from our unmissable festival show offers the same manic pace and glorious mix of 12 stand-up and variety acts... but with no swearing nor adult content so it's suitable for all the family (well, 8-year-olds-plus we reckon) or anybody who just prefers their entertainment clean.
Published: 23 Apr 2025
