Latest news with #AyoAdenekan
Scotsman
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
New Scottish comics to see this Fringe
With thousands of international acts descending on the city this Edinburgh Festival Fringe, there's a host of top comedians to choose from. The Scottish comedy scene is going from strength to strength, with five of the top new comics set to make their debuts. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Ayo Adenekan A Leith local, Ayo Adenekan is already making waves on the comedy scene having supported the likes of Sarah Keyworth and Olga Koch and performed everywhere from The Stand comedy club to the King's Theatre in Glasgow. His debut hour tells the story of growing up Black and queer in Edinburgh, the ways he tried to fit in and find identity and belonging, and all the awkward moments in between. A star on the rise, Ayo is set to be a big name in the Scottish comedy industry. 'Black Mediocrity', 30th July - 24th August, 1.30pm at Monkey Barrel Jack Traynor 'Before I Forget' Alana Jackson Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Glaswegian comic and 2024 winner of newcomer comedy competition So You Think You're Funny?, Alana Jackson's debut hour features tales of her time drinking and working in pubs. Alana's Glaswegian quick wit,sense of humour and on-the-nose impressions paints a hilarious picture of living in London as an aspiring actress and the characters she meets along the way. 'Last Orders', 30th July - 24th August, 5pm at Gilded Balloon, Appleton Tower Jack Traynor Alana Jackson 'Last Orders' Hailing from Cumbernauld, Jack Traynor has made waves in LA and London, placing 4th in a global Roast Battle League and performing against top comics from around the world. Now, Jack's debut show combines his razor-sharp wit and rollercoaster comedy to tell audiences the stories he does and doesn't want to forget - from the bizarre to the brilliantly relatable. 'Before I Forget', 30th July - 24th August, 9.55pm at Pleasance Amanda Hursy Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A highly anticipated Fringe debut, Glaswegian stand-up Amanda Hursy brings a fearless, riotous hour of comedy to Edinburgh with the real-life story of making it from the back of a police van to the front of the stage. A show which navigates the funny side of failure and the chaos of real life. Ayo Adenekan will make his debut with 'Black Mediocrity' 'Carted', 30th July - 25th August, 6.20pm at Gilded Balloon, Patter House Hannah Campbell Local Edinburgh comic Hannah Campbell's debut hour is a Fringe show that avoids the trama and instead focuses a joyful, offbeat take on life, identity and embracing your selfhood. Making a name for herself at top venues including The Stand and Monkey Barrel, Hannah's debut is a feel-good hour of comedy. 'Me!', 30th July - 25th August, 4.20pm at Gilded Balloon Patter House
The Herald Scotland
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
A wise man might even consider this comedy gold
The Monkey Barrel, Edinburgh Learning new facts at a comedy gig is always an added bonus. Someone who can simultaneously educate and entertain is undoubtedly a double threat. At the start of his show, Ayo Adenekan informs us that only around 2% of Edinburgh's population identify as Black. The 23-year-old Nigerian-Scottish comedian goes on to describe what it's like to be a Black, queer man growing up in such an overwhelmingly white city. There's a gentle ease to Ayo's story-telling. A laid-back charm. We're soon hanging onto every softly-spoken word. At primary school, he desperately wanted to stand out, not stick out. Tales of his auditions attempts for the Years 1-3 Nativity play would melt the hardest of hearts. A wise man might even consider it comedy gold. Read More: Difficult issues are dismantled with razor-sharp wit and class. At the barber's, Ayo throws shade on the fade as well as the accompanying casual racism. Activism is acknowledged and explored via the back seat of the school bus. It turns out the cool kids always have the best punchlines. A few stories need filled out and finished off, though. It would have been good to learn more about that distressing lads' holiday to Magaluf, for example. The individuality of much of Ayo's material is genuinely exciting. Many of his friends have recently become pet or baby parents. His take on trying to bringing them up to speed on his dating exploits adds some superb physicality to proceedings. This Leith local's come a long way in a short space of time. His first steps in stand-up were in 2023. Last year, he came third in Gilded Balloon's comedy competition, So You Think You're Funny? This year, as recipient of Brass Tacks Debut Fund, his Fringe costs for this much-anticipated first hour will be met by Red Bull UK. Here's a thing. During a show, I like to jot down my observations and comments. I do it old-school, using a pen and paper. I've noticed that the more I'm enjoying a performance, the less I tend to write. Looking back at my notes from one didn't take long. All it said on the page was, 'the real deal.' Here's another fact I learnt at the gig. Scottish comedy has a new rising star. Ayo Adenekan is appearing at The Monkey Barrel July 30-August 24.
