The 5th Alternative Black Comedy Showcase at Edinburgh Fringe ★★★★★
★★★★★ The 5th Alternative Black Comedy Showcase | PBH’s Free Fringe @ Bannermans | Aug 9-18, 20-25, 27 | 1:30pm
An unmissable hour of Black and underrepresented top-tier talent expertly presided over by Che Burnley (from Oldham).
Oldham’s finest Che Burnley sets the subversive yet accessible tone in a cheeky Mickey-take of white people that is long overdue. It is a timely reminder of the innate white privilege of the Fringe, and takes aim at this fact for a gentle, good-natured ribbing of the mainly white crowd.
Acts wise, Matthew Hutchinson opens with a geeky dad charm to tell us home truths about race, identity and fatherhood. Matthew Ali follows with cheeky LGBT+ camp comedy and is fabulous to spend time with. Stella Graham is a powerhouse provider of lols who is destined for great things and should be hosting TV and radio – BBC listen up. Joe White previews his slick ‘Ethiopian and Still Not Hungry’ show.
Tiziano La Bella (aka yet another white Dave) is the showcase’s tongue in cheek token white male comedian and takes this in his stride delivering hilarious tales of an Italian in the UK.
And then a military coup happens live in the theatre as the hilarious President Obonjo rips up the comedy rulebook, bossing us about and making us die laughing. Join the dictatorship!
Take a chance on this gourmet pick and mix and you will uncover top Black and underrepresented fringe talent. Spread the word and represent the future of a more diverse comedy circuit.
I am Joint Editor at To Do List. I like free, cheap & offbeat London, especially: cabaret, art, theatre, pop-ups, eating out, quirky films, museums, day trips, social enterprise & much more.
