Discovering New Talent
One principal argument that people give for going to the Fringe is that we are able to see the best known comics, and have the opportunity to witness the next big things in stand-up at an early stage. My personal experience begs to differ. The most famous stand-ups' shows frequently end up being sold out prior to the time when you have actually found out they're performing, so you're less able to see them perform than at the rest of the year. In addition the point that you can get to see the next big things being discovered: in truth, I guess it's possible, however you're probably going to witness someone who gives you 20 mins of averagely comical stuff, and 40 mins of filler. None the less, they got a superb write-up because the journalist merely had long enough to watch the first ten minutes.
Which might be the explanations which people provide to back up their affirmation that the greatest time to see comedians in Edinburgh is in the Festival? 1 argument is the number of shows which are on.
Instead of the normal number of stand-up performances, there are a multitude during the Festival.
However my argument is that quantity does not necessarily imply quality.
Over the years I have gone to scores of stand up comedy events at the Fringe, and well over half of these were hopeless. I have walked out of a lot of shows after sitting for roughly 30 mins without even feeling the need to smile, far less laugh.
Just because a standup show is in the Festival does not necessarily mean it's going to be funny.
I go to a lot of comedy events at all times of the year, and in my opinion there are much less truly dreadful performances on the rest of the year.
Most people believe the optimal opportunity to go and see stand up comedy in Edinburgh is in the Fringe each August. I'm one of those that disagree with that theory. Make the most of the Festival whenever you've got the opportunity, but expand your horizons. Often the warm-up performers elsewhere would be more amusing.
Once in a while you are able to grab low-priced comedy tickets during the Fringe due to the fact that there are tons of buy-one-get-one-free offers on. All this really involves is that when you utilize a buy-one-get-one-free deal, it sets you back the same price to watch a gig as it would normally, due to the fact that throughout the Fringe all of the ticket prices double. I'll take open mic night at my neighborhood comedy club over that.