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The Big Naked Comedy Show

 
Victor Black Review by Victor Black 3 Published: 28 Aug 2025 Hoots @ Potterrow Show Dates: 1 Aug 2025-17 Aug 2025

Normally, if an Edinburgh Fringe show gets announced late in the game, it’s a challenge to get the word out in time. It’s a testament, then, to host and producer Paul Savage that his compilation, The Big Naked Comedy Show, added after the festival began, performed to a packed yurt – perhaps aided by the fact that he and his lineup of four comedians delivered their sets… you guessed it… in the nude.

Very ‘Ed Fringe’: bold, commercial, inventive and inclusive

Savage is a strong and experienced host who controls the room to ensure it is respectful and supportive. He is the perfect anchorman, creating the right atmosphere for the comedians to bare all, while delivering his typically high-quality material and links.

Opener Dave Chawner pulled in some decent laughs. The novel setting affords the opportunity to adapt performances for the environment, but Chawner kept his set mostly as it would have been delivered at a normal mixed-bill night.

Stacey, the only female on the bill, did adapt her set, creating a fun guessing game that wouldn’t work when dressed. This really took advantage of the format and demonstrated how memorable moments can be created. She also briefly invited members of the mostly male audience to join the performers in their state of undress, but nobody had the cojones.

The penultimate act was Pat Hargreaves, who started slowly but pulled the audience back onside with a funny insight into his living arrangements, followed by headliner Alex Camp. Camp got the best response with some fun, short songs on the guitar, despite being devastated at not getting an applause for his bottom.

The format of the show was very ‘Ed Fringe’: bold, commercial, inventive and inclusive. All the acts were decent, but in a festival full of high-level performers willing to try things outside their comfort zone, including experienced physical comedians who are likelier to have routines with nudity already in their arsenal, we could have hoped for a stronger lineup on the day. That said, no audience will leave without a dose of nudity, and I have faith that the format can pick up steam and continue creating empowering atmospheres and memorable moments for many Fringes to come.

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The Blurb:

The very best comedians, as you’ve never seen them before. Unless you’ve been very, very lucky. Join host Paul Savage ('A world class comedian' **** (Funny Tonne, ComedyFestival.com.au)) as he brings the best in international stand-up comedy and gets them to hang it all out on stage. And this isn’t a metaphor. See a revolving line up of four brilliant comedians a show, down to as few clothes as Edinburgh City Council let us get away with. Expect a diverse range of bodies and jokes. Sell-out shows at Perth Fringe and Adelaide Fringe 2025.