Cheap Comedy Tickets
Once in a while you are able to find cheap comedy tickets during the Edinburgh Fringe because there are many 2-for-1 promotions on.
What that really means is that when you get a 2-for-1 deal, it sets you back the same price to watch a show as it would under normal circumstances, due to the fact that during the Fringe all of the ticket prices multiply by two. I will take open-mic evening in my neighbourhood standup place any day.
Which are the reasons which people provide to support their statement that the ideal opportunity to witness stand-ups in Scotland's capital is during the Fringe? One argument is the volume of shows that are on.
Rather than the standard number of stand-up performances, there are tons in the Festival.
But my argument is that quantity does not always mean great material.
Over time I've been to loads of stand up comedy performances during the Festival, and well over half of those were awful.
I have left several gigs after being there for as much as 30 mins without ever feeling the need to smile, never mind giggle. Just because a comedy show is in the Fringe doesn't mean it is going to be funny. I go to loads of comedy gigs at all times of the year, and in my experience there are far less really terrible gigs on the rest of the year.
One main reason which folk offer for going to the Festival is that we can see the most famous comedians, and get to see the up and coming acts in stand-up before anyone else.
My personal experience begs to differ.
The most renowned comics' shows frequently sell out prior to the time when you've even heard they are happening, so you're less able to watch them doing their act as opposed to months other than August.
Furthermore the argument that you'll have the opportunity to see the rising stars being released upon the world: in truth, I guess it is conceivable, but you're probably going to watch a comedian that has 5 minutes of averagely funny stuff, and 40 minutes of rubbish. None the less, they had a great review due to the fact that the reviewer only had time to see the beginning of the performance.
The majority of people believe that the best opportunity to go and see stand up comedy in Edinburgh is during the Festival every year.
I am in the minority who doesn't agree with this reasoning.
Enjoy the fringe by all means, but expand your horizons. Occasionally the warm-up performers elsewhere will be funnier.