Reuben Kaye on the best and worst of the Edinburgh Fringe

As he prepares to return to the Edinburgh Fringe, Reuben Kaye, he talks about what he can't get enough of at the festival; recalls his most embarrassing Edinburgh experience and complains about the worst thing about the Fringe (apart from the cost of accommodation, obviously).

Edinburgh binge

My Edinburgh binge is seeing shows. I think performers sometimes are so wrapped up/exhausted/overwhelmed by how much work doing their own show is that they’re unable to or forget to see other work. 

And the great opportunity in Edinburgh is to learn, be inspired, have your batteries resparked and support other artists. It’s not just a gladiatorial month-long competition on sales, flyering and who’s done the most gigs. It’s meant to be a trade fair for performance. 

You should come out of Edinburgh having seen something that’s changed you. It makes your show better, your craft better!

Edinburgh cringe

In my first year at Edinburgh Fringe, I snuck into [Underbelly’s performers’ bar] Abattoir and truly believed this was how I would be discovered. 

I was thrown out by security after I vomited on a TV commissioner. 

First impressions count, so as I was being dragged out I told everyone I was Elf Lyons. Luckily we have similar bone structure. 

Edinburgh whinge

I’m going to say it. They don’t want me to but I will. WHY, OH WHY, IS THERE NO WALK-N CLINIC FOR STIs AT THE FRINGE SOCIETY??? Do you have ANY idea how useful that would be?? How much pain and confusion could be avoided?  Just a van near George Square handing out condoms and giving the occasional swab? Is that so hard? (Asking for a friend)

• Reuben Kaye: Hard to Swallow is on at Assembly George Square at 8pm from August 6.

Published: 1 Aug 2026