Fringe-bound acts showcasing in Bristol next week

The line-up has been announced for the first Chortle Hotshots showcase in Bristol next week. 

Giving a sample of their future Edinburgh Fringe shows at The Gaffe Comedy Club on Wednesday February 25 will be: 

Dan Close: The Devon-based comic’s show is about his adventures in Fatherhood, all the good and bad, all whilst having an awesome ‘dad bod’

Gaz Lawrence: Gaz goes through life hoping that his charm will make up for his ineptitude… His Fringe show, Don't Smut Shame Me, is about a break-up  that leaves him disillusioned with monogamy 

Gurpreet Singh Dhesi:  This Midlands-based comedian wants to challenge pre-conceived ideas of how a ‘Singh’ should behave or act. 

Jonas Jamarik: Jamarik's debut show is called An Evening with Jonas Jamarik and a Furry Friend where he is joined on stage by none other than Conker - his own cat! Audiences can expect an hour of jokes from Jonas (and Conker) and a chance to pet Conker (and Jonas).

Lily Maryon: Performing as Princess Sparkles, a professional princess for hire, throwing the audience into a chaotically fun-filled birthday extravaganza complete with games,’magic,’ and stories gone wildly off-script. Not be suitable for children… or adults… or anyone, really.  

Paul Hilleard: BBC New Comedian of the Year 2024  and a 2025 Channel 4 Sean Lock finalist 2025 will be performing a show about  growing up in the South Wales vallies then moving to Bristol and the weird characters and cultures  he’s experience.

Raj Poojara: Tour support for Aurie Styla, Josh Pugh, Laura Smyth, Jamali Maddix and Milton Jones, his Fringe show Dice is a sharp, personal stand-up show about identity, expectation and finally taking control of your own life. Raj explores growing up in a Ugandan-Indian immigrant family where success meant doctor, engineer, banker… or disappointment.

Sam Hickman: A singer-harpist-showgirl comedian, looking at motherhood, childhood trauma and medical transition with the aid of her harp. 

And the gig will be compered by Rich Wilson. Tickets are available here

One of the acts will be chosen as one of our official Hotshots for 2026, with the Fringe registration free paid and a packaged of promotional help'.

Further gigs – with line-ups to be announced – are as follows:

March 4: London Top Secret. Tickets
March 8: Manchester Fairfield Social. Tickets
March 11: Birmingham Glee. Tickets.
March 24: Edinburgh Monkey Barrel. Tickets.

Eligible Fringe-bound acts wanting to apply have until February 25 – use the form below.

The scheme is open to any stand-up, sketch team or musical, character or clowning act performing a 50-minute-plus show in the comedy section of the Fringe programme for at least 12 dates. It must be either your first show altogether, or your first show beyond the Free Fringe/Free Festival circuit.

The bursary package also includes guaranteed coverage on Chortle, including an impartial review, directorial-style help putting the show together, if wanted, help putting a press release and an invitation to perform at Chortle’s Fast Fringe gig in London this summer, and at the Pleasance during the Fringe. 

Published: 19 Feb 2026