Articles by James Macfarlane

BOBBY WINNER

Colin Cloud: After Dark

Let’s just get this out the way: Colin Cloud’s After Dark is the most powerful, impressive and poignant magic and mentalist show I’ve ever seen.

Amelia Bayler: I Work in Customer Service but I’m Actually a Pop Star

Review
★★★★
James Macfarlane
Edinburgh Fringe
BlundaGardens: BlundaBus & Magical SpiegelYurt
15th Aug, 2023

The Blundabus is absolutely packed for Amelia Bayler’s I Work in Customer Service but I’m Actually a Pop Star.

An Asian Queer Story: Coming Out to Dead People

With such an emotionally heavy title as An Asian Queer Story: Coming Out to Dead People, I was a little worried what to expect from this comedy show.

Wildcat's Last Waltz

If you had told me that halfway through Wildcat’s Last Waltz, I’d be witnessing a Northern grandmother and three audience members performing wild dance moves combined with yoga…

Phil Ellis's Excellent Comedy Show

Phil Ellis.

David Ian: (Just a) Perfect Gay

In his debut hour, David Ian attempts a huge feat: to answer the question that many gay men think about their entire lives.

Robin Tran: Don't Look at Me

As Robin Tran walks on stage, she greets us with a warm smile and soft voice.

Adults Only Magic Show

The vibe is wild as I sit down for Adults Only Magic Show.

André de Freitas: What If

It’s a little dark and drab as the audience politely waits in Bunker Two at the Pleasance.

Jay Lafferty: Bahookie

A microphone stand and a metal pole await a grinning Jay Lafferty as she takes to the stage.

Queer Folks' Tales

As the audience enter the auditorium at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, the four storytellers are already on stage: poet Janette Ayachi, powerhouse crime author Val McDermid, bur…

Drag Queen Wine Tasting

As I take my seat in Mono Restaurant for Drag Queen Wine Tasting, I’m immediately struck by how professional everything looks.

Sam Nicoresti: Cancel Anti Wokeflake Snow Culture

Zany music and a psychedelic multimedia screen await the audience as we take our seats for Sam Nicoresti’s show Cancel Anti Wokeflake Snow Culture.

Sugar

After a year away, Mabel Thomas brings her acclaimed show Sugar back to the Fringe, this time in person.

Aliya Kanani: Where You From, From?

“Excuse me sir, would you mind if I gave this gentleman the free seat beside you?” says a keen and kind Aliya Kanani before the beginning of her sold-out show.

Chelsea Birkby: No More Mr Nice Chelsea

As we enter the venue, Chelsea Birkby is waiting at the entrance with a tray of glasses of water for us because it can get pretty hot inside the room.

Finlay Christie: OK Zoomer

When Finlay Christie won the prestigious So You Think You’re Funny? competition in 2019, it seemed like his next year would be filled with preparation for his first Edinburgh sho…

Adults Only Magic Show

The vibe is wild as I sit down for Adults Only Magic Show.

Tom Ward: Anthem

It’s a loud and rowdy Saturday night at Monkey Barrel.

Glenn Moore: Will You Still Need Me, Will You Still Feed Me, Glenn I'm Sixty Moore

There’s not really any way to describe how much I enjoyed Glenn Moore’s show other than to say that by the halfway point, I had put my notepad away and was just enjoying the ri…

Tiff Stevenson: Sexy Brain

Sexy Brain is Tiff Stevenson’s tenth Edinburgh show – a mighty feat for any comedian.

Morgan Rees: Bi and Large

As the audience arrives for Morgan Rees’ show at the Pleasance, there’s a pair of shoes sticking out behind the curtain.

Sam Morrison: Sugar Daddy

Dealing with grief is something that is very difficult because it’s so personal and particular to the individual.

Alison Spittle: Wet

The Pleasance Attic on a sunny afternoon is hot, especially sitting in a sold-out crowd.

Wilf

Edinburgh’s Traverse Theatre continues its tradition of being non-traditional this Christmas season.

Krapp’s Last Tape with Go On

Review
★★★★
James Macfarlane
Glasgow
Trongate
8th Oct, 2021

As director Dominic Hill welcomes us to the Tron theatre for this triumphant double bill, the audience cheers midway through his announcement at his mention of the return of live t…

Amy Matthews and Krystal Evans (WIP)

There was a comment made in an article in the Edinburgh Evening News just before the Fringe began about how, after the amount of time comedians have had to prepare for the 2021 Fri…

Laura McMahon, One of the Gals

Review
★★
James Macfarlane
Edinburgh Fringe
PBH’s Free Fringe @ Banshee Labyrinth / PBH’s Free Fringe @ The Street / Yotel Edinburgh
14th Aug, 2021

One of the Gals is completely packed.

The Preacher

One of the strangest Fringe shows of recent memory is A Young Man Dressed as a Gorilla Dressed as an Old Man Sits Rocking in a Rocking Chair for 56 Minutes and Then Leaves – a sh…

Sugar

At just 22 years old, writer and performer Mabel Thomas brings her debut solo show Sugar to the Fringe.

Jay Lafferty: Blether

There is an incredible sense of comfort that I feel upon entering the Dining Room at Gilded Balloon to see Jay Lafferty’s Blether.

Henry Churniavsky: Lockdown Diaries 2020-2021... Any End?

Let’s admit it – Zoom calls are not ideal for stand-up comedy.

Heads or Tails

The topic of death is so incredibly subjective, with reactions ranging from resignation and acceptance to angst and fearfulness.

The Queen's Court with Monét X Change

Feature
James Macfarlane
Edinburgh Fringe
7th Aug, 2023

Comedy Editor and Scotland Editor James Macfarlane sits down with RuPaul's Drag Race royalty Monét X Change to discuss her debut Fringe show Life Be Lifein', why audiences today a...

One on One With The Portuguese Papi!

Feature
James Macfarlane
Edinburgh Fringe
4th Aug, 2023

James Macfarlane sits down with André De Freitas to discuss his Edinburgh debut What If, some of the best advice he's received from his peers and the unexpected moment that got hi...

Phil Ellis : A Very Excellent Interview

Feature
James Macfarlane
Edinburgh Fringe
2nd Aug, 2023

James Macfarlane chats with Phil Ellis about his new show Phil Ellis' Excellent Comedy Show, celebrating 10 years at Edinburgh and his biggest achievements outside of comedy

Dominique Salerno - I'm what would happen if Jack Black and Tina Fey had a baby.

Feature
James Macfarlane
Edinburgh Fringe
25th Jul, 2023

James Macfarlane chats with Dominique Salerno about her debut Fringe show The Box Show, the relationship between creativity and constraint and just what she gets up to in that box.

Sid Singh on comedy, law and beating Donald Trump!

Feature
James Macfarlane
Edinburgh Fringe
25th Jul, 2023

James Macfarlane interviews Sid Singh about his new Fringe show Table For One, the differences between UK and American audiences and standing up to the government.

A Baptism of Fire - the Edinburgh Fringe Debut Show

Feature
James Macfarlane
Edinburgh Fringe
25th Jul, 2023

We've seen from shows such as Fleabag in 2013 that success at your Edinburgh debut show can lead to worldwide success.

The Impro Chums are back celebrating 20 years!

Feature
James Macfarlane
Edinburgh Fringe
25th Jul, 2023

James Macfarlane chats with the one and only Paul Merton about 20 years of Impro Chums, how to succeed in improvisational comedy and some of his favourite on-stage moments.

Tania Lacy - there may be no roses, but it turns out the Germans like a laugh

Feature
James Macfarlane
Edinburgh Fringe
9th Jul, 2023

James Macfarlane chats with Tania Lacy about returning to the Fringe after 29 years with her show Everything's Coming Up Roses, her love of home crowds and her illustrious showbiz ...

David Ian - I got death threats from my flatmates after losing my virginity

Feature
James Macfarlane
Edinburgh Fringe
9th Jul, 2023

James Macfarlane chats with stand-up comedian David Ian about his debut Fringe show (Just a) Perfect Gay, queer role models and just what it means to be 'a perfect gay'.

Why Robin Tran wants to make us laugh at terrible things

Feature
James Macfarlane
Edinburgh Fringe
9th Jul, 2023

James Macfarlane chats with comedian Robin Tran about her Fringe debut, how she deals with praise from big comedy names and her favourite way to control her audiences.

Colin Cloud on his most real and honest show yet

Feature
James Macfarlane
Edinburgh Fringe
9th Jul, 2023

Comedy and Scotland Editor James Macfarlane sits down with magician and mentalist Colin Cloud to discuss his new Edinburgh Fringe show After Dark, adjusting to Zoom life and why he...

An interview with the fabulous Danny Beard

Feature
James Macfarlane
Edinburgh Fringe
3rd Jul, 2023

James Macfarlane sits down with the one and only Danny Beard to discuss their debut Fringe show Danny Beard and Their Band, life since winning RuPaul's Drag Race UK and why the art...

MC Hammersmith: Straight Outta Brompton - INTERVIEW

Feature
James Macfarlane
Edinburgh Fringe
3rd Jul, 2023

Comedy and Scotland Editor James Macfarlane sits down with MC Hammersmith to discuss raps, rhymes and his new Edinburgh show Straight Outta Brompton.

A Super Girly Interview!

Feature
James Macfarlane
London Fringe
1st Jun, 2023

"I think it just reminds people of a simpler time. So it is comforting. And not so politically correct!"

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