11 & 1/2 Angry Men Edinburgh Preview Season

The line-up features a host of remarkable comedians, such as Mark Maier, Phil Nichol, Glenn Wool, Tom Stade, Stephen K Amos, Joe Pasquale, Terry Alderton, Spencer Jones, JJ Whitehead, Ian Coppinger, David Calvitto, and Owen O'Neill.

LINE UP:

JEWVENILE | 22 JULY | 7:30pm

Mark Maier’s Jewvenile is a hilarious journey through the labyrinth of Jewish identity and family neuroses, from the peculiarities of family traits to the “tricky art” of Jewish wife swapping. Maier touches on the legacy of his father and introduces a cast of eccentric characters, including the enigmatic Rabbi Schnitzel.

Hailed as “Sublime” by Jewish Renaissance and “One of the UK’s best Jewish comedians” by The Jewish Chronicle, Maier proves that while the subject matter is personal, the humour is universal.

As the reviews suggest, you don’t have to be Jewish to enjoy this masterclass in timing and wit from a performer at the peak of his powers.

NAKED RACIST | 22 JULY | 9:00pm

The Naked Racist winner of Edinburgh Comedy Award 2006, is the true story of one spectacularly misguided night in Amsterdam when Phil Nichol decided to confront a gang of racist skinheads and ended up confronting something far closer to home: his own prejudices. Fast, funny and painfully honest, it’s a tale of ego, fear and accidental rebellion. First told in 2006 and revived for 2026, it asks whether laughter can change the world. Probably not. But it might start a conversation. 

AREN'T WE LUCKY | 23 JULY | 7:30pm

Aren’t We Lucky is a funny, heartfelt look at the strange twists of fate that shape our lives. Inspired by his friend Kevin Hearn’s battle with leukemia and the extraordinary events that followed, it’s a show about luck, loss, love, regret and learning to appreciate what’s right in front of us. Along the way, he shares stories from a life that’s taken him from Glasgow to Toronto and beyond, meeting unforgettable characters and stumbling into situations no sensible person would ever plan. It’s about finding the extraordinary in the ordinary—and wondering how on earth any of us ended up here at all.

LUV (SIC) | 23 JULY | 9:00pm

Glenn Wool is LUV (SIC) is a one hour stand up comedy show about a getting older, surprise divorce, found sobriety, acronyms and ultimately happiness. 

"the best comedian in the UK"-Doug Stanhope

"one of the most important voices in comedy"-Jim Jefferies

"the first time I saw Glenn Wool reminded me of the first time I saw Sam Kinison"-Norm Macdonald

Tom Stade Rules | 24 & 25 JULY | 7:30pm

Canadian powerhouse Tom Stade takes aim at the absurdities of modern times with contagious charm and incisive, gloriously unfiltered wit. Join this free spirit as he grapples with rebellion, responsibility and the tension between the old and new. From unspoken social codes, cultural divides, identity and marriage, Tom dismantles all the rules – and redefines them his way. Rocking audiences for decades with his trademark swagger and masterful stage presence. Consistently magnificent, blisteringly funny – Tom Stade Rules! 'Unmissable' (Edinburgh Evening News). 'Stand-up elite' (Chortle.co.uk). 'Debauched truth-teller' (Guardian). 'Gloriously funny' (Scotsman). 'Master of comedy' (List).

Now We Are Talking | 25 JULY | 9:00pm

How good’s a laugh? My joke book is overflowing, so let’s get talking about what gives me the ick and what makes me tick. It’s time to get down to the nitty gritty. No filter, no limits. The gloves are off and I’m packing a punchline, so let’s speak easy and laugh freely. Join me for an hour of freestyling musings and merrymaking to get your belly aching! After all, in jokes we trust…

The Tao of Lloyd | 28 JULY at 7:30pm | 29 JULY at 9:00pm

Boombox romantic, Lloyd Dobler (Say Anything) returns! Seriously unserious, devoutly disobedient, still refusing to buy, sell or process anything. Now a Zen-punk dissident duct-taping ancient spiritual wisdom to the collapse of the American empire, with deep gratitude and zero credentials, like a sticky note saying: 'Be kind. Rewind. Revolt'. Join Lloyd in a kinda-sorta guided meditation to survive late-stage effin' everything... Like a vinyl record spinning in a microwave of manifest destiny, humming: 'Oh well. Whatever. Never-mind.' Written and performed by Dennis Trainor Jr. (Manifest Destiny's Child), directed by Olivier winner Guy Masterson.

Ludwig: Unfinished Business | 28 JULY at 9:00pm | 29 JULY at 7:30pm

Van Beethoven has unfinished business! Pushed by his relentlessly ambitious father as "Ze next Mozart!", battling a broken heart, broken body, broken ears, and certain he is nearing his demise, Ludwig reincarnates “to put ze record straight!” Combining virtuoso pianism with Teutonic stand-up comedy, concert pianist, Mike Hatchard, provides an hilarious insight into ‘The Mad Pounder' coming to terms with life, death, music, Amadeus, Bach, Chuck Berry, and his wretched final sonata. Hatchard, who has accompanied Spike Milligan, Frankie Howerd, Cleo Laine and David Essex, among others. Directed by Olivier winner Guy Masterson (The Shark Is Broken).

Joe Pasquale In Conversation with Terry Alderton | 30 JULY | 7:30pm

Catch comedy legend, Joe Pasquale, like never before in his unforgettable Edinburgh Fringe debut Preview show, hosted by the brilliantly unpredictable Terry Alderton. Packed with outrageous stories, lightning – fast wit, and spontaneous audience interaction, this unique live event offers a hilarious and revealing look at one of Britain’s best loved entertainers. Alderton‘s an Arctic interview style perfectly complements Pasquale‘s infectious energy, creating an evening full of laughter surprises and classic fringe magic. From behind the scenes tales to off the cuff comedy moments, this is a must see celebration of live entertainment that captures the true spirit of the Edinburgh fringe festival.

The Event | 30 JULY | 9:00pm

Starring Fringe favourite, Mike McShane, this sharply witty, insightful exploration of the unspoken contract between actor and audience skilfully dissects the art of performance whilst exploring the absurdities of life.

Hailed as both a comic deconstruction of theatre and a profound look at human connection in the 21st century, The Event goes beyond the stage, inviting you to think, laugh and reconnect with what matters most. A thought-provoking, entertaining theatrical experience that will leave you talking long after the final bow.

'Incongruously entertaining' Times

'Intelligent and exhilarating' Guardian

'An extraordinary tour-de-force' Scotsman

'Delicious, perniciously mind-bending stuff' Financial Times

11½ Angry Men Preview | 31 JULY at 7:00pm | 1 August at 7:30pm

Edinburgh Fringe 2003's legendary classic 12 Angry Men in hilariously spoofed as 11½ very angry comedians attempt to decide the fate of a boy accused of heinous murder in 1950s NYC... Will a lethal German sausage save him? Or send him sizzling to Old Sparky?

The jurors: Stephen K Amos, Joe Pasquale, Tom Stade, Spencer Jones, Mark Maier, Glenn Wool, JJ Whitehead, Ian Coppinger, Terry Alderton, Phil Nichol, David Calvitto and Owen O'Neill seek a unanimous verdict while the evidence against him stinks, but can they still find their way to a conviction?

11½ Angry Men Comedy Night (Gala) | 31 JULY at 8:45pm

10 of the 11.5 Angry Men All Comedian Cast present a raucous night of signature comedy of the highest order…  Compared by Stephen K Amos and Ian Coppinger, the line up is: Joe Pasquale, Tom Stade, Spencer Jones, Mark Maier, Glenn Wool, JJ Whitehead, Terry Alderton and Phil Nichol!