
Comedy / Ahir Shah
Edinburgh previews at the Wardrobe Theatre
Ace comedy promoters Chuckle Busters have invited 16 of the nation’s best rising comics to the Wardrobe Theatre to roadtest the shows they’ll be taking to Edinburgh this year. CB’s Ed Strong runs us through the lineup
Mat Ewins: What Sorry? My Mistake! The Doors Are Not Open; The Show Has Been Cancelled. Do Not Have Your Tickets Ready! / Adam Hess: Seahorse
“A classic Chuckle Busters pairing. Manic silliness and hyperactive one-liners from Adam Hess (as seen on Tonight at the Palladium and Live at the BBC), plus one-man narrative character sketches with a heavy dose of interactive video from 2017 Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Mat Ewins.”
July 1
thewardrobetheatre.com/livetheatre/mat-ewins-adam-hess

Mat Ewins & Adam Hess
Ed Gamble: Blizzard / Micky Overman: Role Model
“Exciting acts at very different stages in their careers. Ed Gamble will be familiar to millions as a regular on Mock the Week, and has been producing a top-notch hour every August for the last few years. And Micky Overman is bringing her hotly anticipated debut show to the Edinburgh Fringe after reaching the final stages of every new act competition there is.”
July 8
thewardrobetheatre.com/livetheatre/ed-gamble-micky-overman

Ed Gamble & Micky Overman
Strictly Carl Donnelly / Sean McLoughlin: Hail Mary
“Two comedians at the very at the very top of their game. Carl has been on the scene for a while – this is his tenth solo show – and just keeps getting better, his musings on life becoming more perfectly nuanced with each passing year.
“Sean has been winning over thousands of fans with his beautifully constructed ranting after supporting Ricky Gervais, Bill Burr and Doug Stanhope in the past 12 months.”
July 9
thewardrobetheatre.com/livetheatre/carl-donnelly-sean-mcloughlin

Carl Donnelly & Sean McLoughlin
Matt Forde: Brexit Through The Giftshop / Alfie Brown: Lunatic
“Different outlooks but equally forthright in their opinions. Matt Forde has made a name for himself as Britain’s foremost political comedian, expertly dissecting the hypocrisies and idiocy of modern-day government. Alfie Brown’s particular brand of intellectual polemic is always fascinating to watch and this year’s show will be no different – exploring ideas of identity and individualism.”
July 15
thewardrobetheatre.com/livetheatre/matt-forde-alfie-brown

Matt Forde & Alfie Brown
The Problem With Faye Treacy / Evelyn Mok: Bubble Butt
“Fascinating shows from newer acts just beginning to make a splash. Faye Treacy’s story – fully orchestrally underscored – of growing up in a South London foster family, and her life as a trombonist, promises to be a show like no other. Evelyn Mok’s exploration of agency, the third-culture-kid-experience, weight loss and what this shift means for her as a woman of colour will have something for everyone.”
July 20
thewardrobetheatre.com/livetheatre/faye-treacy-evelyn-mok

Faye Treacy & Evelyn Mok
Tez Ilyas: Life is a Tezt / Suzi Ruffell: Nocturnal
“Both on the cusp of stardom, these guys will undoubtedly be household names in the not-too-distant future. Every show that Tez Ilyas writes brings something new to the table, always presented through the prism of his unique mind. Suzi Ruffell has found her comedic voice in a big way over the last year and this show is sure to win acclaim from all quarters.”
July 23
thewardrobetheatre.com/livetheatre/tez-ilyas-suzi-ruffell

Tez Ilyas & Suzi Ruffell
Ivo Graham: Motion Sickness / Kiri Pritchard-McLean: Victim, Complex
“Two huge headliners in one night, this is a show not to be missed! Ivo Graham has recently appeared on Live at The Apollo, sold out his Edinburgh Fringe run and received glowing reviews. Kiri Pritchard-McLean’s smart, insightful comedy is rapidly marking her out for imminent stardom and won her two Chortle Awards at the 2018 ceremony.”
July 24
thewardrobetheatre.com/livetheatre/ivo-graham-kiri-pritchard-mclean

Ivo Graham & Kiri Pritchard-McLean
[pictured top] Angela Barnes: Rose-Tinted / Ahir Shah: Duffer
“Going out on a high with the first lady of Radio 4 and a 2017 Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee. With the rate at which Angela Barnes consistently delivers high-quality stand-up it’s no surprise that she’s a regular on radio and TV, however it’s on stage that she shines brightest. Ahir Shah’s fierce political knowledge and social conscience have seen him nominated for comedy’s top award and complete a sell-out UK tour.”
July 25
thewardrobetheatre.com/livetheatre/angela-barnes-ahir-shah
Chuckle Busters Edinburgh Previews 2018 July 1-25, Wardrobe Theatre. For the full rundown, visit thewardrobetheatre.com/whats-on
is needed now More than ever
Read more: Preview: Nachos, Wardrobe Theatre