Michael Porter: Day One of the Fringe. Here We F*cking Go

DAY 1 OF 23: OFFICIALLY DAY ONE, BUT FRINGE TIME IS STRANGE

It’s officially Day 1 of the Edinburgh Fringe — but I’ve been at it since the 31st.Three days of shows already done, but today’s the official start. And somehow… it already feels like it’s been a week. In three days Ive had comedy Judges, reviwers in the show & did a cheeky wee interview for the East Coast FM

That’s the magic — or madness — of Fringe time. Days blur. Time bends. And you find yourself staring at a thermos flash in a pub toilet wondering how the hell this is your life.

I kicked things off by performing on Ian Christopher’s Irish Headliners on the 31st. Solid show. Small crowd. Great room. Always a good vibe

Then came The Comedy Cellar on the 31st and 1st — which I’m running nightly at 8:15pm down in Canons’ Gait. On those first two nights, I ran my solo show Generational Trauma in the second half of the show. Nice tester. Real audience. Solid feedback.

Gary Lynch joined the lineup both nights. Brilliant comic and a mate I’ve known for years. Still absolutely nails it. Always a buzz getting the Irish crew over for the Fringe.

So yeah, this may be Day 1 on paper, but physically? Emotionally? Spiritually? It’s Day 7.

Let’s talk about the start. Left the house with Ian, thinking we had loads of time. Supposed to be a 10-minute car ride. Took an hour and a half. Classic Fringe gridlock.

Highlight of the journey? A lad in a robe, holding a flute and a backpack, marching down the Royal Mile like he was blessing the cobblestones. At one point he threw the flute into the air, locked eyes with us, and started doing an aggressive haka in the middle of the road. Just standing there. Fringe is back, baby.

Then there’s the toilets…At the venue, someone — another PBH act — has taken it upon themselves to completely cover the bathroom in cryptic posters for something called The Thermos Museum. That’s it. No time. No date. No performer name. Just image after image of a flask. Every cubicle, every mirror, every corner. Like a caffeine-fuelled Banksy had a breakdown in a kitchenware aisle.

At first, I thought: “Yep. I’m going to die here.”But honestly? I’m starting to get curious. As someone who actually supports fellow performers, and because I genuinely want to know what kind of show comes out of a mind like that…

I think I might go see The Thermos Museum.Yeah, it's mental — but it could be absolutely hilarious. And isn’t that what we’re all here for?

Every year I say “This is my last Fringe.”This time I might mean it. I’m 41. I run a comedy club seven nights a week. I’ve nothing to prove anymore. Next year I want a sun lounger and a drink in my hand — not a thermos and trauma flashbacks.

But while I’m here — the shows are on, the rooms are filling, and the laughter’s coming in waves. Come catch me if you’re in town: The Comedy Cellar – every night at 8:15PM

Generational Trauma – every Saturday only

And if you want to see more killer comedy — here are my top picks:

🔥 FRINGE 2025 RECOMMENDATIONS

• Ian Christopher 0.0 Billionaire – Sharp, fast, and fearless.

• Liam Jackson, George Anderson & Grant Barr: 0 AD After Dairy – Fantastic three-hander at The Wee Room, Three Sisters.

• Gary Lynch & Paul Marsh - Irish Comedy Carnage

• Irish Headliners

  
  

• and of course the Shameless Self promotion The Comedy Cellar – Grassroots, raw comedy. Hosted by me every night at 8:15pm.

  
  

Great acts. Great people. Get out and support them.Especially the weird ones. They're the ones you remember. Wishing all the comics of the fringe full rooms, warm laughs and managable hangovers!

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