Make Me Laugh
What might be the explanations that people provide to back up their affirmation that the best chance to see stand-up in Edinburgh is in the Festival? One reason is the volume of performances that are on. Instead of the usual selection of standup shows, there are tons during the Festival. But my point is that volume does not always mean great material.
In my time I have been to loads of stand up comedy events during the Festival, and a large proportion of these were dreadful. I have walked out of a number of shows after sitting for over half an hour without ever having the urge to smile, let alone giggle.
Simply due to the fact that a stand-up performance is in the Festival does not mean it is going to be entertaining. I see a lot of comedy gigs throughout the year, and from my standpoint there are much less really dreadful performances on at other times of the year.
A main reason which folk offer for going to the Festival is that you can catch the best known comics, and get to watch the up and coming acts in stand-up before anyone else.
My personal experience is somewhat different.
The most famous stand-ups' shows inevitably end up being sold out before you have actually heard they're performing, so you're no more likely to catch them doing their act compared to any other time of the year. And the point that you can get to see the up and coming acts as they're discovered: in truth, I guess it is possible, however you're probably going to watch someone that gives you 20 mins of pretty funny material, and 40 minutes of rubbish. None the less, they got a fantastic review because the journalist only had time to see the beginning of the performance.
Sometimes you are able to find low-priced comedy tickets in the Edinburgh Festival as there are loads of two-for-the-price-of-one promotions on. What that genuinely means is that when you use a two-for-one promotion, it costs you the same price to see a gig as it does ordinarily, as throughout the Fringe all of the ticket prices multiply by two.
I'll take open mic night at my local stand-up venue any day.
The majority of people are of the opinion the best opportunity to watch stand up comedy in the capital of Scotland is in the Festival each year.
I am one of those who disagree with this reasoning.
Enjoy the Festival if you get the chance, but see beyond it as well.
Occasionally the warm up comedians elsewhere would be more entertaining.