Every year at the Adelaide Fringe The Best of The Ed Fest is a must-see.

Showcasing the talents of celebrated UK comedians at the top of their game, it’s always a great night with many belly laughs.

Dara Ó Briain, Dylan Moran (Black Books) and even Simon Pegg (Hot Fuzz) are just a few of the comedy legends that have performed as part of Best of The Ed Fest. One might say that this show is the comedic manifestation of “striking while the iron is hot” so to speak…

The first comedian to take the stage was Irish talent Danny O’Brien. Fortunately for Danny, this was not his first rodeo having been part of The Best of The Ed Fest in 2016, 2018 and back again for this year’s sell-out show. The Dublin based comic had Aussie audiences laughing with his land down under material. Almost all of Danny’s set was a piss-take on our Australian-isms. Whether it be our perfect pies, DGAF attitudes or scorching heat – that in Ireland could only result in a sea of dead gingers! – Danny delivered all the dry, sarcastic and self-deprecating humour that the UK is renowned (and loved) for.

Second to take the stage was newcomer to The Best of Ed Fest London based comic Kelsey De Almeida. Kelsey, who you will quickly refer to as “the virgin” was performing for the first time in Australia and fortunately for us, it was with The Adelaide Fringe Festival. Kelsey’s has no qualms about being the punchline of his own jokes, which he explains is easy to do when you’re a 23-year-old virgin (by choice?!) and often referred to as “the gay one in the family” by his openly gay cousin.

Finally, the last comedian of the night was Jimmy McGhie an audience favourite as well as probably my favourite stand-up of the evening. Jimmy has ‘been there, done that, got the t-shirt’ when it comes to being part of international comedy festivals and this year’s Adelaide Fringe Festival is no exception. Jimmy is a stone cold ‘Gen Y’ crusader and tells audiences the pains of trying to deliver his routine to people who have never even used a landline. The 30-something comedian has sides-splitting as he openly discusses trying to navigate his life being in his thirties, childless, alone and annoyed.

The Best of The Ed Fest is truly iconic and will remain to be so every year at the Adelaide Fringe Festival. Tickets sell themselves! Go and enjoy this year’s instalment of The Best of The Ed Fest. You won’t be disappointed.

4 stars

By Daisy Sumersford

https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/best-of-the-edinburgh-fest-af2019