On the Mic

On the Mic: Five a Day will kick off proper on August 1st. Every day Martin Walker will be reviewing and recommending five Edinburgh Fringe comedy shows. In this pilot, we scoot round Edinburgh, checking out spaces that will become some of the Fringe's main venues. Martin chats to Dani Rae, Managing Director of the Assembly Festival. And we end with a song, from Steve's Big Dumb Show!  We are very grateful to Sorcha Judge, and everyone at the Fringe office. Thanks also to Amanda Emery, Bex Colwell, David Burns, Flick Morris, Gaby Jerrard, Jane Walker, Julian Hall, Madelaine Bennett, Marissa Burgess, Mel Brown and Paul Sullivan. Thanks to the On the Mic Team, Sophie Mitchell, Bret Hart and Tom Brown. PBH Weekender 27th-29th June 2025, in London https://linktr.ee/pbhweekender The twenty three shows mentioned in this episode: Abby Wambaugh: The First 3 Minutes of 17 Shows https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/abby-wambaugh-the-first-3-minutes-of-17-shows Alan Davies: Think Ahead https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/alan-davies-think-ahead Cabbage the Clown: Cinemadrome https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/cabbage-the-clown-cinemadrome Elf Lyons: The Bird Trilogy https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/elf-lyons-the-bird-trilogy Frisky's Reshuffle https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/frisky-s-reshuffle Jason Byrne: Head in the Clouds https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/jason-byrne-head-in-the-clouds Jay Lafferty: Ooft! https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/jay-lafferty-ooft Jo Caulfield – Bad Mood Rising https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/jo-caulfield-bad-mood-rising Jordan Gray: Is That a C*ck in Your Pocket, or Are You Just Here to Kill Me? https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/jordan-gray-is-that-a-c-ck-in-your-pocket-or-are-you-just-here-to-kill-me Kate Dolan: The Critic https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/kate-dolan-the-critic Luke Wright: Pub Grub https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/luke-wright-pub-grub Mark Thomas WD40 https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/mark-thomas-wd40 Nina Conti: Whose Face Is It Anyway? https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/nina-conti-whose-face-is-it-anyway Paul Sinha: 2 Sinha Lifetime https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/paul-sinha-2-sinha-lifetime Police Cops: The Original https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/police-cops-the-original Richard Herring: RHLSTP https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/richard-herring-rhlstp Robin Ince: Ice Cream for a Broken Tooth https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/robin-ince-ice-cream-for-a-broken-tooth Steve's Big Dumb Show! https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/steve-s-big-dumb-show Susan Harrison: Should I Still Be Doing This? https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/susan-harrison-should-i-still-be-doing-this Susie McCabe: Best Behaviour https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/susie-mccabe-best-behaviour Takashi Wakasugi: Comedy Samurai https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/takashi-wakasugi-comedy-samurai Tom Stade: Naughty by Nature https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/tom-stade-naughty-by-nature 2025 Last Chance Saloon with Vladimir McTavish https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/2025-last-chance-saloon-with-vladimir-mctavish  

Laura Corcoran and Matthew Floyd Jones are the multi award winning musical comedy double act, Frisky and Mannish. In this classic interview, Laura chats about their origins and discusses three of our favourite F&M tracks. Featuring songs, LGBTQIA, Do You Want to Build a Landlord? and We Are the Stars. Frisky and Mannish's Profile HERE www.onthemic.co.uk  

To celebrate the release of (Mitch Benn is) All Over the Place: The English Album, we listen again to Mitch Benn chatting about Donald Trump, musical satire, Blade Runner, the Tarra Trilogy and much more. Originally recorded during Trump's first reign, Benn's words are perhaps more relevant now than ever. Featuring classic songs, 'Trump and Macron', 'Happy Birthday War', 'Blade Runner' and 'Everything Sounds Like Coldplay Now'. Mitch Benn's Bandcamp site Mitch Benn on Patreon  Mitch's On the Mic Profile: HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

Boothby Graffoe is one of the UK's leading musical comedians. In a classic interview from the On the Mic archive, we discuss his music - and the origins of his long time collaboration with actor and comedian, Omid Djalili.  Featuring tracks, 'Spelling Sheep', 'Zombies' and the signature song, 'Hartlepool'. Boothby's profile HERE www.onthemic.co.uk    

King Shan is a former film maker and actor, at the very start of his stand up comedy journey. This is his origin story. King Shan's Profile HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

Dave is a number one best selling author, award-winning stand up comedian, presenter and mental health campaigner. He's also one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. In this episode he talks about using comedy to improve mental health and his stand up comedy origin story. Dave's profile HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

Maria Tea (aka Maria Tsartsali) is a stand up comedian, clown, performance artist, and poet from Greece. She has a cult following among comedy fans at the Edinburgh Fringe. This is her origin story. Maria's Profile HERE www.onthemic.co.uk  

Paul Sinha is a hugely talented comedian's comedian, leading quizzer and a household name, best known to millions as the white suited Sinner Man on ITV's The Chase. In a typically honest and frank interview, Paul discuses the success of The Chase, his autobiography One Sinha Lifetime, gay icons, the tabloid press, his Parkinson's disease, his wedding, and the importance of family. Be advised we also hear a brief account from Paul's book of an attempted sexual assault. We start by hearing his origin story. Paul's Profile HERE www.onthemic.co.uk  

Sam has sold out comedy shows in Melbourne, Hong Kong, London, Tokyo, Berlin, the USA and Italy, and featured on Comedy Central Asia's Stand-Up Asia. He has garnered millions of views online, and has crowd-surfed three times. This is his origin story.  Sam's Profile HERE www.onthemic.co.uk  

Becky Fury is an award winning comedian, writer and comic artist. We loved her stand up show, 'Great British C*nts' so much, we invited her on to our podcast. We're so glad we did - this is her very funny and original, origin story. Becky Fury's profile HERE www.onthemic.co.uk  

Narin Oz (née Narin Özenci) is an actor, comedian, writer and prankster based in London, England. She co-starred on the television hidden camera show, Girls Go Trolling (Ch4) with Stephanie O'Keeffe, Annie McGrath and Verona Rose. She acted in the TV comedy drama Man Like Mobeen (BBC Three) and in feature movies Hooligan Legacy (dir. Nicholas Winter, 2016), Finding Fatimah (dir. Oz Arshad, 2017) and several other roles. This is her origin story. Narin's Profile: HERE www.onthemic.co.uk  

Kate Smurthwaite is a left wing, feminist, atheist, polyamorous stand up comedian, writer and activist. She is also the host and star of the News at Kate video series. She's currently performing as a drag king with the satirical character Milo Standards. This is Kate's origin story. Image by Guy Smallman. Presented by Martin Walker Kate's Profile HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

John Dowie is a stand up comedian, writer, composer and author. His act is considered by many to be the precursor to the alternative comedy movement. Indeed, when John first started performing solo stand up, there was no live comedy circuit at all. He has written four books, and his latest Before I Go has just been published.  John talks to Martin Walker about the book, about his influence on comedy, and about his origin story. Image by Steve Ullathorne. John Dowie's Profile HERE (to buy the book, click on the Merchandise link). www.onthemic.co.uk  

Recorded live from the Assembly Club Bar in Edinburgh, Martin Walker talks to Rosie Nicholls and Sullivan Brown - the sketch comics Grubby Little Mitts. Sometimes when it feels like everything is going wrong, its because it is. Recorded on an iPhone, because rather fittingly, the mic wasn't working. The Grubbs Linktree HERE onthemic.co.uk

Darrell Martin runs Just the Tonic - celebrating 30 years... Darrell gives us an open an honest account of its origins, and what he really thinks of the first act he booked under the JTT banner in Edinburgh, comedian Jim Jefferies. Presented by Martin Walker. https://edinburgh.justthetonic.com/ https://www.onthemic.co.uk/

Alex Petty runs the Edinburgh Free Festival - celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024. He is promoting well over three hundred Edinburgh shows this year, but how did it all get started? When the pandemic hit, how did the Laughing Horse survive? Presented by Martin Walker. https://freefestival.co.uk/ https://www.onthemic.co.uk/  

It's episode 100! We wanted to do something special for our century and here it is. An extended interview with the brilliant Shetland-born comedian, Marjolein Robertson. This is her origin story. Marjolein (for English people - its pronounced Marry-Laine) also talks about her exciting 2024 Edinburgh show, 'Marjolein Robertson: O'. Image by John Carolan. Presented by Martin Walker. Marjolein's Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

Mark is one of the greatest left wing satirists working today. Also known as a political activist, he says that comedy and politics are inevitably entwined. This is Mark's origin story. He also talks about his 2024 Edinburgh show, 'Mark Thomas: Gaffa Tapes'. Image art by Tracey Moberly. Presented by Martin Walker. Mark's Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

Elf is an award-winning comedian, theatre maker, director, comedy writer and voice artist. She has gained a cult reputation as one of the most innovative performers on the UK comedy and theatre scene.  This is Elf's origin story. She also talks about her 2024 Edinburgh show, 'Elf Lyons: Horses'. Image by Karla Gowlett. Presented by Martin Walker Elf's Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

James is a multi-award-winning comedian, radio TV presenter, (and gay icon, obvs). He's delighted audiences with his own brand of outrageous and upbeat comedy on-air, on stage and online . This is his origin story. He also talks about his Edinburgh show, 'James Barr: Sorry I Hurt Your Son'. Presented by Martin Walker. James' Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

Bex uses character acting to bring surreal, and yet relatable, characters to life – all struggling to find love while navigating through the barriers that come with being neurodivergent.  This is Bex's origin story. Bex also talks about her 2024 Edinburgh show, 'Bex Turner: Bexual Healing'. Image by Alexander Voodoo. Presented by Martin Walker. Bex's Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

Rachel is a Middle Eastern American from New York City. She began performing at a young age — at age 5, she was on 'The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien', and she started doing stand-up at the Gotham Comedy Club when she was only 9.  This is her origin story. Rachel also talks about her 2024 Edinburgh show, 'Rachel Kaly: Hospital Hour'. Image by Samantha Rae Brooks. Presented by Martin Walker. Rachel's Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

Heralded as an 'incredible joke writer' by Mae Martin, Jewish Canadian comedian Zoe Brownstone is one of London's fastest rising circuit comics. This is her origin story. Zoe also talks about her 2024 Edinburgh show, 'Zoe Brownstone: A Bite of Yours'. Presented by Martin Walker. Zoe's Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

Known to live comedy fans as half of deadpan double-act 'Crizards', comedian Eddy Hare is bringing his debut solo show to the audiences this year.  This is his origin story. Eddy also talks about his 2024 Edinburgh show, 'Eddy Hare: This One's On Me'. Image by Rebecca Need-Menear. Presented by Martin Walker. Eddy's Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

Comedians Laura Daniel and Joseph Moore are 'Two Hearts', a comedy pop music duo who have gained huge success in New Zealand for their wildly funny stage shows and on-screen appearances.  This is Joseph's origin story. He also talks about his 2024 Edinburgh show, 'Two Hearts: Till Death Do Us Hearts'. Presented by Martin Walker Two Hearts Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

After years away from stand-up (due to the global pandemic and a lack of interest in being out late), Alice Snedden, co-writer and co-director of BBC and HBO's Starstruck returns to stand up with a brand new show.  This is her origin story. Alice also talks about her 2024 Edinburgh show, 'Alice Snedden: Highly Credible'. Presented by Martin Walker. Alice's Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

Colin is a celebrated comedian, actor and writer in television, radio and theatre. He is best known to live audiences  for appearing as larger than life characters like Anna Mann. He has numerous TV and radio credits to his name  This is his origin story. He also talks about his 2024 Edinburgh show, 'Colin Hoult: Colin'. Image by Ed Moore. Presented by Martin Walker. Colin's Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

Comedian Derek Mitchell, who has appeared on Apple TV's Ted Lasso and whose online sketches have generated over 250 million views, speaks Double Dutch. This is his origin story. And he chats about his 2024 Edinburgh debut show called, 'Derek Mitchell: Double Dutch'. Presented by Martin Walker. Derek's Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk    

Chris Grace is, without exaggeration, one of the world's leading live comedy improvisers. He's also a stand up comedian and actor - and he's involved with multiple shows at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe. This is his origin story. He also talks about the Edinburgh shows that he's part of this year, including, 'Sardines (A Comedy About Death)' Image by Eric Michaud. Presented by Martin Walker. Chris's Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

Jon is a comedian, host, writer, actor, gamer and theatre director based in the UK. He is a member of YouTube channel, 'No Roles Barred' and created the party boardgame, 'You Know It'. This is his origin story. He also talks about his 2024 Edinburgh Fringe offerings, 'Werewolf: Live', 'Blood on the Clocktower: Live' and 'Grace and Gracey' Jon's Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk  

Chris is a storytelling singer-songwriter with an acerbic wit. Before making his Edinburgh debut in 2024, he cut his teeth at festivals like the Great Escape, Latitude, and Glastonbury. This is his origin story. He also chats about his 2024 Edinburgh show, 'Chris Tavener is Faking Cool' Image by Brendan Clayton Photography. Presented by Martin Walker. Chris's Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

With a 2023 sold-out run at Soho Theatre, and a major role in the first-ever Jewish panto at JW3 in London, Australian, Josh Glanc, has been making waves across the UK.  This is his origin story. He also talks about his 2024 Edinburgh show, 'Josh Glanc: Family Man'. Image by by Marcelle Bradbeer. Presented by Martin Walker. Josh's Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

Caitlin is a stand up comedian and musician who became obsessed with bathroom graffiti while she was studying art history and getting frustrated at the pretentious exclusivity of the art world.  This is her origin story. Caitlin also talks about the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe version of her show, 'Caitlin Cook: The Writing on the Stall'. Image by Arin Sang-urai. Presented by Martin Walker. Caitlin's Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

John Tothill is a comedian from Southend-on-Sea, Essex. He is a former teacher. He deliberately contracted malaria in a clinical trial, to help fund his 2023 Edinburgh Fringe debut. This is his origin story. John also chats about his 2024 Edinburgh Fringe show, ‘John Tothill: Thank God This Lasts Forever'. Presented by Martin Walker. John's Profile and Social Media: HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

The Magic of Terry Pratchett is a book, and a live show, written and presented by stand up comedian Marc Burrows.  In 2020, Marc penned the first-ever biography of Sir Terry. The book received critical acclaim, won a Locus Award and was embraced by fans.  This is Marc's Origin Story. He also talks about the 2024 Edinburgh version of his show, 'The Magic of Terry Pratchett'. Photo by Kim Burrow with illustration by Andrea C White. Presented by Martin Walker. Marc's Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

Michelle is an actor, singer, comedian and screenwriter, best known for her many TV appearances with the comedy group 'Aunty Donna'. This is her origin story. She also talks about her 2024 Edinburgh show, 'Michelle Brasier: Legacy'. Image by Simon Schluter. Presented by Martin Walker. Michelle's Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

Hailing from Australia, Trigger Happy productions presents, 'Swamplesque'. 2024 Edinburgh cast members are Trigger Happy (pictured), Tash York, Henny Spaghetti, Tugboat Tiffy, Bebe Gunn, Chris Nims, Rainbow and Rebel Lyons. This is their origin story. Image by Caitlin Boland © KTB MEDIA 2022. Used with permission. Presented by Martin Walker. Trigger Happy's Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

Anna is an improvisor from the US. She chats about her first improv moment on stage at around nine years old, trying to make her scene partners laugh and why audiences love it when things go wrong. This is her origin story. She also talks about her shows, 'Baby Wants Candy' and 'Shamilton'. Presented by Martin Walker. Baby Wants Candy's Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk  

A masterful storyteller with one of the most amiable and easy-going stage presences on the comedy circuit today, Harry Stachini looks at honesty in his latest Edinburgh offering. This is his origin story. And he talks about his 2024 Edinburgh show, 'Harry Stachini: Grenade'. Image by Lewis Coleman. Presented by Martin Walker. Harry's Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

After coming out in her late 30s, the off-kilter Funny Woman finalist and BBC New Act nominee is returning to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. This is her origin story. She also talks about her 2024 Edinburgh show, 'Amy Mason: Free Mason'. Image by Lucy Ridges. Presented by Martin Walker. Amy's Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

Eric is a stand up comedian and writer based in Birmingham, England. In 2020 he won the Leicester Mercury Comedian of The Year Award. In 2023 he won the inaugural Channel 4 Sean Lock Award. He is an award winning comedian. This is his origin story. Eric also talks about his Edinburgh show, 'Eric Rushton: Real One' Image by Shane Coles. Presented by Martin Walker. Eric's Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

Sian is a stand up comedian from the North West of England. She won the Edinburgh Comedy Award Panel Prize in 2022 for 'Best in Class' as well as several awards for her stand up comedy shows. Sian is working class and queer, and fiercely proud of belonging to both communities. This is her origin story. She also talks about her work with 'Best in Class' and her 2024 Edinburgh show, 'Sian Davies: Band of Gold'. Presented by Martin Walker Sian's Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

Juliette Burton is an award-winning stand up comedian, writer and presenter. She has previously performed six critically acclaimed sell-out solo seasons in Edinburgh and is back this year for a seventh. This is her origin story. She also talks about her three Edinburgh shows for 2024, 'Juliette Burton: Hopepunk', 'Juliette Burton's Talking Crazy' and 'Juliette Burton: Going Rogue'. Presented by Martin Walker. Juliette's Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

Rosco has been twice nominated as The Scottish Comedy Awards Best Newcomer and was the Winner of Scottish Comedian of the Year in 2016. In 2024 he was shortlisted for the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award. This is his origin story. He also talks about his 2024 Edinburgh show, 'Rosco McClelland: Sudden Death'. Presented by Martin Walker Rosco's Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

Grace is an Irish stand up comedian and improvisor based in London. She is the creator of the podcasts, 'The Jump' and 'Fad Camp' and is making her solo debut in Edinburgh in 2024. She sometimes gets scared. This is her origin story. Grace also chats about her 2024 Edinburgh show, 'Grace Mulvey: Tall Baby'. Presented by Martin Walker Grace's Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk  

Elvis is a World Slam Champion and compère of the Blue Suede Sporran Club. He is a regular on BBC Radio 4 including two series of 'Elvis McGonagall Takes A Look On The Bright Side' and the stand-up special: 'Full Tartan Jacket'. This is his origin story. Elvis also talks about his Edinburgh show, 'Gin and Catatonic?' Presented by Martin Walker Elvis' Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

Starting stand up at 17, Liam has enjoyed a very rapid rise through the comedy ranks and has proved himself to be a brilliant storyteller. He's won 'Scottish Comedian Of The Year' and has appeared on BBC's 'Live At The Apollo'. This is his origin story. He also talks about his 2024 Edinburgh show, 'Liam Farrelly: Flipbook'. Image by Gillian Docherty. Presented by Martin Walker. Liam's Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk    

Sam Lake is an Edinburgh based stand-up comedian, writer and host of the Monkey Barrel Comedy podcast 'I've Had a Rosé, Let's Talk About Feelings'. This is his origin story. Sam also talks about his 2024 Edinburgh Fringe show, 'Sam Lake: Esméralda'. Image by Corrine Cummings. Presented by Martin Walker. Sam's Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

Rosie is one of half sketch group Grubby Little Mitts, alongside Sullivan Brown. They met while studying at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, and have since enjoyed success at the Edinburgh Fringe. This is their Origin Story. Rosie also talks about their 2024 Edinburgh show, 'Grubby Little Mitts: Eyes Closed, Mouths Open'. Image by Chris Mann. Presented by Martin Walker. Grubbs' Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk

Lou has been making online sketches for over 5 years, gaining 18 millions views, 25,000 followers and been featured on British Comedy Guide and in Heat magazine as a ‘Content creator of the Year' nominee. This is her origin story. Lou also talks about her 2024 Edinburgh show, 'Lou Taylor: Jeans and a Nice Top'. Image by Michael Julings. Presented by Martin Walker. Lou's Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk  

Stephanie started performing in April 2007 on the Scottish comedy circuit. She quickly established herself as one of the most promising live acts of her generation, and in 2015 appeared as a finalist in the Leicester Mercury Comedian Of The Year competition. This is the origin story. She also talks about her 2024 Edinburgh show, 'Stephanie Laing: Rudder'. Image by Rob Wisken. Presented by Martin Walker. Stephanie's Profile and Social Media HERE www.onthemic.co.uk