One of the fun things to do in Edinburgh during festival season is to see a well-know comedian work through new ideas that will end up being performed in venues across the UK - and the world.
Work in Progress shows are often fairly haphazard affairs, where the performers may refer to notes, happily follow comedic dead ends, and guage the audience’s reaction to different material and punchlines.
The positives for an audience is that for a small price they get to see a big name in a tiny venue deliver what is often an entirely unique performance never to be repeated.
It’s often also the case the the material has actually been pretty well developed between the listing being submitted for the Fringe programme and the show itself – equating to even more of a bargain. In 2023 Ahir Shah even won the Edinburgh Comedy Award for a show that was originally listed as a work in progress.
This means they often sell out quite far in advance, so if you fancy any of these, don't delay booking them on the Edinburgh Festival Fringe website.
Here are 18 of the best in this year’s programme.
17. Sindhu Vee
Former investment banker Sindhu Vee swapped hedge funds for quips and it's working out pretty well for her - she's been on 'Live at the Apollo' and been nominated for an Edinburgh Comedy Award. Find out what the fuss is about with her work in progress at the Monkey Barrel from July 31-August 10. | Contributed
18. Josh Glanc
Aussie Josh Glanc was one of the feel-good hits of last year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe, bagging an awards nod for his genre-surfing hour 'Family Man'. Entitled 'Current Progress = Zero', find out what he's been up to since at the Monkey Barrel from August 15-19. | Contributed