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.

We Put the Ick in Autistic! Sunday 24th August, 3.30pm

Newcomer Sam Mc Vea Mc’s his first show bringing together NI’s best neaurodivergent comic’s. Featuring Martin Barkley, Lauxley, Angela McGregor, Jay Fitzsimmons, Conall Rimes and Ross Mitchell.

STIR -BAN A -CRAZY, Eamon McElwee and Ronan Boyle. Sunday 24th August, 8.00pm

Eamon McElwee is one of the best comedians on the circuit and can most usually be found in his natural habitat - The Boiler Room, Strabane, where he acts as Boyle’s (less than) glamorous assistant of sorts - think a meth-ridden Debbie McGee to Boyle’s Paul Daniel’s. In his fourth year of comedy he has already released his debut solo show, Hot Mess, to fantastic review and toured it across the NW. Eamon has played regularly with all the top acts on the circuit and has played pretty much everywhere from The Empire to Stendhal festival.

‘Eamon McElwee is so funny he makes me shit my pants’ Micky Bartlett ‘One of the very best new comedians on the scene’ Paddy McDonnell ‘Sublime. Like a wild Irish poet. One of my favourite Irish comedians’ Paul Currie ‘Wan of them comedians ye have to listen to’. Cyril, Donemana.

Known for his comedy page The Strabanter, Comedy play Orange is the new Green, and co-host of the Big Massive Podcast. Ro Boyle is fast becoming one of the best new comedians on the NI circuit. He runs two of the best clubs around with the Boiler Room, Strabane and the Cosh, Derry. Ro has supported some of biggest acts in the country, touring with Mickey Bartlett, Ciaran Barlett, Conor Keys, Paddy Raff and Paddy McDonnell. Ro is a regular at Lavery's Comedy club and has performed in top venues like the Empire, and Millennium Forum. Ro did a run of his first one hour special (sold out). Touring the NW, which won him comedian of the year 2023.

“There are people you’re supposed to meet in your life…and Ronan Boyle is one of mine…AND he’s funny as fuck!" Micky Bartlett "Ro is fast becoming one of Tyrones best known comics" Ulster Herald "He has comedy gold in that bake of his.. Not many comics have that!" Paul Currie "Ro Boyle fu*king Smashed it. Haven't laughed as much since I seen Tommy Tiernan at Vicar Street" Ryan Kelly (All Folk'd Up) "Is a full hour listening to Ro Boyle a hate crime under the Geneva Convention?" Brian Forbes (unknown punter)

Buck wild! Wednesday 27th August, 8.00pm

Buck Wild - Weird Wonderful Whackos It's gonna be a night of tomfoolery, as Belfast's weirdest bring their wildest, whackiest stories on stage. Hijinks will ensue as this isn't your normal comedy show, with twists and turns along the way!

Chicken Box Takeover. Sunday 31st August, 3.30pm.

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.

Defiling Gravity, Dan Leith, Sunday 31st August, 8.00pm.

Another chance to see the critically acclaimed 'Defiling Gravity' after sellout shows in Belfast and London and a run at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Dan Leith's brand-new musical comedy show is an uproarious journey through life's ups and downs. With catchy tunes, witty lyrics and a clever twist on everyday struggles, this award-winning comic offers a performance filled with wry wit, humour and turbulence. Audience members are invited to strap in, pay attention to the safety announcement, and enjoy an unforgettable flight full of laughs and entertainment. Perfect for those who love captivating comedy and clever songs, Defiling Gravity is a must-see that will leave you smiling and humming all the way home.

Big Girl’s Blouse, David Doherty-Jebb. Wednesday 3rd September, 8.00pm.

Support from Jessie Fletcher and Ceili-Rae Minogue.

Ross Mitchell, William Callahan & Mustafa Saed. Saturday 6th September, 3.30pm.

Peter E Davidson, Cianran Flanagan and Paddy McGaughey. Saturday 6th September, 8.00pm

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.

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.

Miami Nice, Ciaran Franco and Luke McGibbon Sunday 7th September, 8.00pm.

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.

WEELIGIOUS, ADAM LAUGHLIN, Sunday 7th September, 8.00pm.

Weeligious is a hilarious and thought-provoking new comedy show that dives into the surreal ideas of religion and idolatry and dares to ask the big question: what happens after we die? Blending the absurd with sharp, existential musings, this deeply original hour is delivered by Adam Laughlin, a seasoned comedian with over 15 years of stage craft—and a firm favourite with audiences around the country. Equal parts ridiculous and profound, Weeligious is stand-up at its most unexpected.

Show Info

In-Person

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

Access: Directly from Shaftesbury Square

Performance(s): Various

Doors: Early shows 3.00pm BST, Late shows 7.30pm BST

Starts:  Early shows 3.30pm, 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

An Evening with Aaron & Marcus are avaialbe to stream live.

*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.

£10 - WATCH LIVE ONLINE TICKET - a standard ticket that gives you access to the live stream on the night.

£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.