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Catching up with the American shows in the Edinburgh Fringe 2011

If you’re in the UK, August means time for Edinburgh Festival Fringe, four weeks in which comedians from around the world descend upon this Scottish city and compete for your attention, money and laughter.

The 2011 Fringe would tell you, through its searchable database, that there are 26 comedy shows to choose from that arrived from America. Somehow they missed several other U.S. comedians.

From that first list of 26, we learn that musical improv comedy troupe Baby Wants Candy is pulling double-duty on both sides of the pond this week, performing both in Edinburgh and NYC! Boston’s Chris Coxen and his eccentric cast of characters compete with himself in Chris Coxen’s Space Clone Audition. Henry Rollins does his spoken-word thing for a limited run. Austin’s Parallelogramophonograph is improvising plays all month. Politically aware Lee Camp headlines a full hour of stand-up late nights at The Stand. Todd Barry has a daily afternoon gig at The Stand, too. Michael Winslow is there. Yes. That Michael Winslow.

But don’t let that let you overlook these other Americans in Edinburgh:

Of course, I know I’m overlooking a few lesser-known American acts, as well as some international stand-ups who Americans already may be familiar with (Rich Fulcher, Glenn Wool, Matt Kirshen, Omid Djalili and Tom Green among them). Perhaps someone will break out from this overwhelming pack of shows at Edinburgh.

REVIEWS? You can also see how well they’re faring by keeping up with reviews courtesy of The Guardian and Chortle.

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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2 thoughts on “Catching up with the American shows in the Edinburgh Fringe 2011

  1. I’m a UK comic with 20 years experience across 40 US states. My show is themed around a night at a redneck club that went horribly wrong in Tennessee. ‘Jokes that Got Me Kicked Out of Tennessee’ is at Dragonfly on West Port Street. It’s at 6.40 pm each night until Aug 27th (Not 15th) and runs for an hour. It’s part of the PBH Free Fringe so there’s no cover. Donate what you think it’s worth at the end.

  2. Leave us not forget to add to these luminaries, those two New Yorkers who are in the eponymous “Chris and Paul Show”. As it says in a linked item, they’re amongst the Best Newcomer finalists, so they’ve already distunguished themselves from the bunch (as they well might; they;re very funny).

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