festival of bad ideas
daily lineups now announced!
EDINBURGH 2017 | 15th - 27th August | Pleasance Beneath | 10:45pm
Mark Watson has asked a range of top comedians: 'What is your bad idea? What show would you like to put on, but never dare?'
Now, one a night, they attempt these projects.
Shows – or sort-of-shows – that have never been seen before and maybe never will be again. Some will be good. Some won't. But come on, it's a FIVER.
August 15 | MARK WATSON: HITMAKING
Apparently George Michael wrote 'Last Christmas' in an hour, with Match Of The Day on in the background. Watson's really keen to have an international hit at some point, so - with guest musicians - he attempts to recreate this feat.
August 16 | TIFF STEVENSON: BRIDGET TRUMP'S DIARY
The Twitter-meme sensation comes to life, days before the real Trump brings an end to civilisation.
August 17 | SANDERSON JONES: RYSE AND SHYNE
In 2013 Sanderson ran away from the circus to run Sunday Assembly, a global non-religIous congregational movement. Now he's back at the Fringe smashing everything he loves into one hour and seeing what happens. Expect JOKES! SINGING! DANCING! MEDITATION! CONTEMPLATING! YOUR! OWN! DEATH!
August 18 | THOM TUCK SINGS THE MOUNTAIN GOATS
Edinburgh institution Tuck and his band present a love-letter to John Darnielle's gigantic bank catalogue. The tribute show you didn't know you were waiting for, but now realise you definitely were.
August 19 | JOHN LUKE ROBERTS: THE END OF HISTORY
Francis Fukuyama's socio-political classic gets the stage adaptation it was always asking for, in the hands of unhinged polymath Roberts and some friends he persuaded to do it while they were drunk.
August 20 | HOWARD REED: DUCKS
Howard Reed says: "Having carved out a niche for myself creating shows with interactive cartoons, a couple of years ago I decided to write an stand-up show about ducks. My friend Rob Rouse however had a pet duck at the time, and had lots of duck-related stories to tell, so he asked me nicely not to do a show on the topic. Rob's duck is no longer with us and so I'm free to fulfil my dream and to finally do my duck show.
I have overlooked the fact that I know almost nothing about ducks, and have very little time to find out about them.
This is an awful idea, and I'm very sorry that I have committed myself to performing it."
August 21 | VERY SPECIAL GUEST TO BE CONFIRMED
August 22 | GOOSE: GAMESHOW
Award-winning one-man show Goose have smuggled their schtick into a gameshow. Come witness the anarchy unfold. ('A distilled version of the most interesting developments in British comedy' **** Sunday Times).
August 23 | MARCEL LUCONT: GAELIC SYMBOL
Professional Marcel Lucont impersonator Alexis Dubus performs the French comedian's acclaimed 2012 œuvre "Gallic Symbol" entirely in a Scottish accent.
August 24 | PIERRE NOVELLIE: LET'S TALK ABOUT SAX
Pierre Novellie is a stand up comedian with a degree in Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic Studies. He has written stand up about these topics, partially because it's funny, partially to justify his years of learning. It's ideal for you if you like north European history between 400-1200 and Vikings.
August 25 | BEC HILL'S 'EXTRAS' LIVE
An unofficial word-for-word reading of an episode of Extras with zero rehearsal. Featuring impressions of celebrity cameos and Spencer Jones as Ricky Gervais.
August 26 | ABIGOLIAH SCHAMAUN: RENT THE MUSICAL PERFORMED IN 45 BACKBENDING MINUTES BY ONE YOGA INSTRUCTOR
We feel the description of this show is adequately covered by the title.
August 27 | MARK WATSON: WATSON
Watson will explain this one when you get there.