THE BITTER FRINGES

It is that time of the year again. While many are heading to Edinburgh for the festival the rest of us are staying behind to enteraint you. The Bitter Fringes is a series of stand up and comedy shows by new and local commedians, testing out their stuff before they head to Scotland or just trying their hand at a full show for the first time. Some are too scared to go, some are too lazy and most simply can’t afford the flight. So come on down and help them live their showbiz dreams if only for a night.

THIS YEAR…

Sizable Chunks, Peter E Davidson Edinburgh Preview, with Fintan Harvey and Paddy McGaughey double bill. Wednesday 23rd July 7.30pm.

Peter E Davidson is a writer, actor and comedian from Derry, Northern Ireland. As a stand-up he is the regular MC at 'Laughs@TheLoft' comedy club in Derry. He has been a guest on BBC Radio Ulster's  'The Blame Game' and 'Live At The Sunflower With Shane Todd.' He has performed six solo runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with 'Guns N' Rosé (2017),' 'Fopical (2018),'  'Peeved (2019)',  'Sleepyhead' (2022) , '#BigDerryEnergy' (2023).' and 'Manifest Density' (2024). He also wrote and performed an online special during lockdown entitled '2020 Vision.'Peter also MC'ed and curated at the Fringe the 'Northern Irish Comedy Protocol (2023).' A showcase for the latest Northern Irish comedy talent.As a writer Peter has written sketches for BBC NI, BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Radio 4 Extra as well as having a sitcom in development at Radio 4. He was selected for the prestigious BBC Comedy Writersroom programme in 2020.

Fintan Harvey is a writer, podcaster and stand-up comedian from Claudy, Co Derry, and has been performing stand-up comedy across the country for 10+ years. Fintan is one of the most popular comedians on the circuit, having played the Waterfront, Millennium Forum and the SSE, to name but a few, aswell as running some of the most popular comedy clubs in the country. Fintan is an act to see.

The legendary Paddy McGaughey! Has been performing for 25 years, supported acts like Patrick Kielty & Tim McGarry on tour and played all the big rooms – Grand Opera House, Millennium Forum, and … even the GAA Hall in Rasharkin. He’s been running The Braid Comedy Club in Ballymena for 15 years so expect wit, warmth, and wild crowd chat.

Shinanne Higgins Edinburgh Preview plus support. Saturday 26th July 7.30pm.

Shinanne Higgins, is bringing her Edinburgh Fringe Show to Accidental for one night only. You may recognise her from First Dates but Shinanne has been performing with acts such as Karl Spain, Emma Doran and John Colleary to name but a few. She is fast becoming one of Ireland's comedians to watch. Don't miss Shinanne's fast paced wit and storytelling in this hour of irreverent comedy.

Miami Nice, Ciaran Franco and Luke McGibbon Friday 31st July 7.30pm.

If you've seen stand up in Northern Ireland in the last 10 years you've probably seen Luke McGibbon onstage at some point, bringing the energy and personality of an unemployed town crier. Luke has been on TV (stand up at the sunflower) and performed at the ulster hall and waterfront hall.

Ciaran Franco quickly establishing himself on the Irish comedy scene with his off-the-cuff, bumbling observational style. He has supported notable comedians such as Chris Kent, Paddy Raff, and Peter McGann. In August 2022, he performed a joint show titled ‘Speakeasy’ at The Sunflower, selling out back-to-back shows before taking it on the road to Newry. Following that, Ciaran had his first sold-out solo show, ‘Mooncat,’ in July. He has also made notable appearances on the BBC New Comedy Awards, reaching the semi-finals in 2024. More recently, he has played at highly regarded venues like Lavery’s Comedy Club and The Empire.

Chicken Box at Bennigan’s Accidental Takeover. Sunday 3rd August 7.30pm.

Chicken Box is Derry's only weekly comedy club. It's been a stage for up and coming stand-ups and established comedians since 2018. Winner of promoter of the year at Northern Irish Comedians awards 2025, Chortle UK luminaries of lockdown and Foyle Pride Helen Harris Freedom award.  Rory McSwiggan is a great believer in the power of stupidity, especially his own. He's delivered naive surrealism to audiences for over 20 years in street theatre, stand-up and improv. He has gigged across the UK and Ireland and hosts the Triple award winning Chicken Box Comedy.

Three Men and a Mic. Wednesday 6th August 7.30pm.

Three comedians. One mic. Absolute chaos. Comedy comes in threes—and Conall Rimes, Daniel Quinn, and Martin Barkley are the three heads of the dragon behind Belfast’s own Manic Comedy Club. They’ve been making a name for themselves at gigs across the country, and now they’re bringing the madness to Accidental Theatre. Three Men and a Mic — one night only. Don’t miss the mayhem!

Ladies Day, Saturday 9th August

Tripple bill with Heather Anderson, Jay Fitzsimmons and Meghan Halpin. 3.30pm.

Tripple bill with Wafa Daldoul, Jo Jarvie and Roleen Conn. 7.30pm.

After a 12-year hiatus, Jo Jarvie returned to the comedy scene with a vengeance, crafting hilarious anecdotes that resonate with audiences. She was the first-ever English person to place in Ireland’s history at “Show Me The Funny”. A runner-up in the competition, Jo is known for her high-spirited performances and unapologetically dirty jokes. A graduate of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and a devoted West Ham United fan, Jo brings a unique blend of theatrical flair and football fanaticism to her comedy. Her fearless approach to stand-up has earned her accolades and a growing fan base. Come on the journey of what you learn when it all goes wrong! “Watch out for Jo Jarvie, she’s funny, fearless and funny as f**k”- Dapper Laughs “Jo is a great act with a great stage presence and delivers hilarious material”- Phil Chapman “Cockney chats with Belfast bite”- Paddy Raff

Hi I’m Roleen Conn! I’m a proudly South African & a stand-up comedian based in Belfast. With a background in theatre and years of experience in educational performance, I’ve always loved being on stage. After feeling stuck in the world of acting, I finally took the leap into comedy in March 2025. I did my first set at the PAV, and since then it’s been a fast and thrilling ride. I’ve performed all over Belfast and even taken my set to Boston, including a show at Harvard The Comedy Studio. Comedy has completely captured me. It’s all I think about and all I want to do. Making people laugh and giving them a moment of joy and escape is the most beautiful thing I can imagine. I’ve always done that offstage, but now I get to do it with a mic in hand and I’m completely hooked. I’m working hard to grow, write, and become the best comedian I can be. It’s been a Wild ride but finally finding a community that has the same fire in them has been an absolute gift the friendships & adventures are just magical I couldn’t imagine doing anything els this is my calling my passion my dream & I’m so greatful I get tell my stories & they happen to make people feel seen & laugh, what more could a girl want! 

Big Derry Day, Sunday 10th August

Big Derry Night with Constance Jordan and Margo Carr. 3.30pm.

Darren McCay and Max Roddy. 7.30pm.

MORE DATES TO BE ADDED!

Show Info

In-Person

Venue: 12-13 Shaftesbury Square, Belfast, BT2 7DB

Access: Directly from Shaftesbury Square

Performance(s): Various

Doors: Early shows 3.30pm BST, Late shows 7.30pm BST

Starts:  Early shows 4.00pm, Late 8:00pm BST

Age Guidance: 12+

Run Time: 2+ Hours

Disabled Access: Theatre (ground floor) is fully accessible. Toilets & Book Bar (1st floor) are accessible via a wheelchair platform lift please not The book Bar will not be open and this is a BYO venue Carer tickets available: Call 028 9032 5881 to book.

Online

These shows are not available to stream.

*The Book Bar is our charity bar, run to help support Accidental & the new building.

Ticket Info

Please book a ticket per person watching to avoid viewing issues.

£10 WATCH IN-PERSON TICKET - a standard ticket that gives you in-person access to watch the show in the theatre.

£15 - DONATION TICKET - a special ticket that gives a little extra to the exceptional and hardworking artists creating the show.

FRINGE PASS- this ticket gives you access to several shows throughout the festival. Select a pass for 3, 6 or 9 performances.