PLEASANCE COMEDY RESERVE ★★★★

Pleasance Comedy Reserve has a well-earned reputation for giving a stage to breakthrough talent, and this year's four comedians certainly suggest the tradition continues.

Laura Walsh comperes energetically, warming the audience with amusing stories, including about three tapas restaurants in her hometown that sell no Spanish food.

Low-energy Eli Hart charms us with his theory that he would make an excellent Grim Reaper, observations about men in their 30s sticking loyally with ill-matched friends, and a wonderfully vivid tale involving a sleeping breastfeeding mother in a cafe.

Ciara O'Connor admits she loves lying, leaving us wondering whether anything she tells us is true, including whether she did meet her partner while attending a boys' school.

Roman Harris brings dynamic energy and really excellent standup. As a Pastor he enthusiastically involves us, before roaming backstage and suddenly reappearing behind us, which leads into an hilarious story of losing his dad in IKEA.

Altogether a lively, accomplished showcase with plenty of genuine laughter and promise.

Pleasance Dome, at Edinburgh Fringe: August 2026 ©RoxyReviews (also published by One4Review)