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Ali Woods: Basher

 
Olivia Thompson Review by Olivia Thompson 4 Published: 6 Aug 2025 Underbelly, Bristo Square Show Dates: 30 Jul 2025-24 Aug 2025

Ali Woods returns to the Edinburgh Fringe this year with a confident, crowd-pleasing set. Best known for social media skits across TikTok and Instagram Reels, Woods proves equally at home on stage, effortlessly filling the 60-minute slot with a wide range of observations, anecdotes and asides that keep the audience engaged throughout.

A strong, tightly crafted hour that had the audience laughing from start to finish

A self-proclaimed millennial, much of the material explores the evolving digital world – from growing up sharing a family desktop (now unthinkable) to the inexplicable pride only a millennial can feel from posting successful Instagram content. Likewise, the topic of weddings makes an expected but not unwelcome appearance.

One standout section covers the classic boys' night out, including a surprise shout-out to Watford Oceana (a true millennial tell – Gen Z would know it as Pryzm), which had the room in stitches. Woods is firmly in his element unpacking the inevitable cringe and tragic lack of self-awareness that comes with being a teenage boy. Equally sharp are the jokes targeting men’s attitudes towards mental health, which had many in the audience nodding and laughing along.

Using an “immigrant” Scottish mother as a narrative springboard, Woods smoothly incorporates local themes, including a witty breakdown of Edinburgh’s unapologetic Harry Potter tourism industry.

A confident and seasoned performer, Woods exudes stage presence and immediate likability. While the meaning behind the show’s title, Basher, wasn’t made clear in the reviewed performance, this remains a strong, tightly crafted hour that had the audience laughing from start to finish.

The outro is a particularly charming touch, with Woods breezily weaving in callbacks to earlier jokes before landing on a surprisingly tender, thoughtful note that left the room on a high.

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Join Ali Woods, star of Comedy Central and Stand Up Sketch Show, after his third sell-out Edinburgh Fringe and sell-out UK tour, for his brand-new stand-up comedy show. Known for his viral online sketches (@aliwoodsgigs) with millions of views, Ali Woods has supported comedy greats like Russell Kane, Axel Blake, and Adam Kay. With his unique blend of sharp wit and relatable humour, his performances are a must-see. 'Ali Woods is a simply brilliant storyteller' ***** (Everything-Theatre.co.uk). 'Thoroughly entertaining' **** (Edinburgh Festivals Magazine). 'Hilarious' **** (Entertainment-Now.com).