Edinburgh Fringe 2018: Where to see the best of the festival in London

Comedians pour everything they’ve got into delivering the best shows at Edinburgh Fringe for a whole month. It’s intense and thrilling and exhausting and surely, when it’s over, they’ve earned a bit of a rest?

No! We need more!

Insatiable comedy fans will be delighted to know that the fun does not stop when the Fringe does. In fact, it’s just the beginning. Maybe you couldn’t make it up to Scotland (still crying about this), or missed the boat on that sell-out show. Maybe you just want to do it all over again. Whatever your reasons, you can catch this lot when they’re back.

Here’s where you can see your favourite comedy shows from Edinburgh Fringe in London.

Felicity Ward: Busting a Nut

It is impossible not to like Felicity Ward. If you don’t, there’s probably something wrong with you. She took a break from the Fringe last year but it hasn’t put her off her stride. Her show is called Busting a Nut, which doesn’t refer to a lot, but she packs in everything she’s done with her time away including holidays and getting married, delivered in her uniquely charismatic way.

November 12-17, Soho Theatre, W1, sohotheatre.com

Nish Kumar, Fin Taylor

The London arm of his tour is already sold out, but Kumar is headlining 100 Club Presents with the Pick of the Fringe, so you’ll get a snapshot of his show, It’s In Your Nature to Destroy Yourselves there. He’s joined by another Fringe favourite, Fin Taylor, whose show When Harassy Met Sally tackles post-MeToo gender politics. More to be announced.

September 6, 100 Club, W1, showandtelluk.com

Jessie Cave: Sunrise

Unsurprisingly after the success of last year’s shows by a recently separated couple (Sara Pascoe and John Robins, who won the Edinburgh Comedy Award), Jessie Cave has been in the spotlight for Sunrise, which details her breakup with Alfie Brown, also at the Fringe. But it’s a fantastic show in its own right, talking about trying to have it all and returning to the dating pool as a mother.

November 12 to December 1, Soho Theatre, W1, sohotheatre.com

Jen Brister: Meaningless

Entitled Meaningless, Brister’s show is anything but. As ever, her comedy is honest and she picks apart all those ridiculous rules women have to deal with (“don’t talk about periods”). She’s angry about a lot of things but only because she cares, and is committed to tearing down the patriarchy in as hilarious a way as possible. We will help.

October 6-7, Soho Theatre, W1, sohotheatre.com

David O’Doherty: You Have to Laugh

You know what you’re going to get with David O’Doherty and that’s no bad thing. His shows, combining stand-up with songs played on his little keyboard, are all unfailingly hilarious. In You Have to Laugh his aptitude for storytelling comes to the fore. He’s one of the best.

November 2, Hackney Empire, E9, hackneyempire.co.uk

Rose Matafeo: Horndog

The New Zealand born comic is drawing wide praise for her show Horndog. (The Standard said it “feels like her moment”.) With mid-20s angst and packed full of pop culture references that many will relate to, Matafeo is a natural on the stage.

September 17 to 29, Soho Theatre, W1, sohotheatre.com

Lou Sanders: Shame Pig

Lou Sanders is weird and loud and it’s why we love her. She has an infectious confidence on stage, even when talking about things that would make even the hardiest of us cringe. Shame Pig is about owning your shame, and not being controlled by it. She takes the audience on a journey through sobriety and sex, all the while sharp and off-beat.

September 25-29, Soho Theatre, W1, sohotheatre.com

Ahir Shah: Duffer

Nominated for last year’s best show award, Ahir Shah returns with Duffer, delivering equal comedy and compassion, with some Bohemian Rhapsody in there for good measure. Some have made comparisons with Hannah Gadsby’s Nanette in terms of style, so this, combined with Queen (a favoured topic for Gadsby’s joint award winner John Robins), could be the recipe for success.

October 11-27, Soho Theatre, W1, sohotheatre.com

Lost Voice Guy: Inspiration Porn

Lost Voice Guy aka Lee Ridley is the first stand-up comedian to use a communication aid. He won the last Britain’s Got Talent, but this show was booked in long before that happened. In Inspiration Porn, he takes advantage of the lack of TV crew to amp up the politics, and takes aim at the Paralympics for making him look like a “lazy arse”.

January 23-26, Soho Theatre, W1, sohotheatre.com

Natalie Palamides: NATE

Winner of the best newcomer award at last year’s Fringe, Palamides is back with a smashing show. This time, she’s Nate, a bolshy man with a moustache and penchant for (consensually) touching audience members. The show explores consent and masculinity with added fake genitals.

November 13 to December 1, Soho Theatre, W1, sohotheatre.com

Sam Campbell: The Trough

Don’t expect anything particularly deep or political for Sam Campbell’s The Trough. Here’s a show for the nonsense lovers and it really delivers. Farcical to the extreme, he throws everything but the kitchen sink at this show, props and all. And you’ll love it.

September 25-29, Soho Theatre, W1, sohotheatre.com