Show name: 12th Annual Haters’ Ball
Performance company: Hate N Live
Host: Darius Davies
Performers: Milo Edwards, Rob Moriarty, Josephine Lacey and David Correos
Time: 10.30pm
Genre: Dark Comedy / Improv
Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5
Reviewer: Padraig McAuliffe

If you are looking for a late-night show in Edinburgh, you will be hard pushed to beat Haters’ Ball. Winner of the 2026 Chortle Award for Best Format Show at the Edinburgh Fringe, the concept sees four comedians given random, audience-suggested topics to hate on, all held together by the fantastically hilarious Darius Davies as host.  

The show began with some technical difficulties, but Davies handled them well with some very quick improv. There was an issue with the show-running software, which was probably the low point of the evening as it led to a delay at the start and meant the opening didn’t have quite the same impact it normally would have. Davies kept things moving, starting the show without the full tech rather than allowing the problems to derail the night.

The show kicked off with big, boisterous entrances for each act, not too dissimilar to professional wrestling. This was a great element, well received by the audience and an awful lot of fun. Davies managed to keep the impact of the entrances by using audience members’ phones to replace the misbehaving lights. It added a unique and chaotic energy that only furthered the excitement of the crowd.

Davies gave a masterclass in hosting. His likeable demeanour pulled the audience in, while his cutting wit sent them straight back out laughing, only for him to repeat the cycle again.

The show saw Davies joined by four very talented and hate-filled comedians. First up was Milo Edwards, who was defending his undefeated streak at Haters’ Ball. Edwards’ lightning-fast wit and versatile material saw him kick off the show with a quality of performance that immediately put the other acts on notice. His set was the perfect mix of dark and creative comedy, leaving the audience both laughing and thinking.

Next up was Rob Moriarty, a breakout Irish comedian who is starting to make big waves in the UK comedy scene. Moriarty’s straight and direct style of comedy perfectly suited the tone of the show. His ability to deliver outrageous jokes with a wry little smile saw him quickly win the audience over. His material was a huge hit with the crowd and the other comedians too.

Josephine Lacey was our third contestant. She was a fascinating juxtaposition: kind yet outrageous, wholesome but with a filthy mouth. It’s an unusual mix, but the outcome is hilarious in a way that is uniquely hers. She kept the high quality of the show going and had the audience howling with laughter throughout much of her set.

Our final act of the night was David Correos, a beautifully absurd comic to round out the line-up. His slightly off-kilter delivery led to some of the funniest yet strangest moments of the night. It was a masterclass in brevity and in making an audience laugh with short, sharp bits.

The show then moved into a group round, where all four comedians were given an opportunity to contribute on the same topic. This was particularly exciting, and the talent of both the host and contestants was clearly evident as they riffed off one another.

The final round saw Edwards and Lacey competing head-to-head, with one defending and the other hating on a topic. It was a well-fought battle, but Milo Edwards retained his undefeated streak and once again left as champion.

The show was wrapped up with a fantastic freestyle rap about the remaining topics. For me, this was the moment that elevated Haters’ Ball above other late-night shows. It was something the audience loved and made an already special night even more memorable.

You should definitely attend Haters’ Ball this year, and any other year it is on. You should also check out Milo Edwards to hear about his parents’ sex letters, Rob Moriarty for more of his sick and twisted thoughts, Josephine Lacey to better understand her journey raising an autistic child, and David Correos for whatever wonderfully bizarre direction he decides to take you in.

Overall, it was a fantastic night, and I will definitely be going again.

★★★★★