Date: 22 May 2026
Venue: Laughing Horse @ The Walrus (Hideaway), Brighton Fringe
Time: 9:30pm
Rating: ★★★★ (4/5)
With a title like Shaggers, you probably have a pretty good idea of what you’re getting yourself into.
The Brighton Fringe comedy showcase, produced by comedian and promoter Nik Coppin, brings together a rotating line-up of comedians tackling everything from dating disasters and relationships to awkward encounters and the realities of modern life. The line-up changes throughout the run, meaning every audience gets a slightly different experience.
Taking place in the intimate Hideaway space at The Walrus, the atmosphere felt relaxed from the moment the show began. A full room is always a good sign at Fringe, and it didn’t take long to understand why. Laughter regularly rolled through the crowd as each act brought something completely different to the stage. Host Nik Coppin immediately put the audience at ease with his self-deprecating style and quick wit, creating the kind of environment where everyone felt comfortable laughing along from the very first joke. Even before introducing the line-up, Coppin was happy to poke fun at himself, joking about bombing at a previous performance that evening and immediately winning the audience over.
One of the strongest aspects of Shaggers is its variety. Rather than an hour of comedians telling similar jokes, each act brought a completely different style to the stage.
The standout performer of the evening for me was Devin Gray. Opening a comedy showcase is never an easy task, but within a few minutes it was clear he was going to be one of my favourites of the night. Charismatic, energetic and effortlessly engaging, he packed a huge amount of material into his set. Covering everything from dating and relationships to life with ADHD, his comedy felt relatable while still being packed with strong punchlines.
As someone with ADHD myself, there were moments that particularly resonated with me, but his humour was far from limited to that. His biggest strength was his ability to take everyday experiences and make them feel universally recognisable, ensuring the laughs landed whether you related personally to the subject matter or not. His confidence on stage made him impossible not to watch and he was responsible for some of the biggest laughs of the night.
Having recognised Devin’s name from previous Edinburgh Fringes, it was great to finally see him perform live, and after watching his set, I’d happily seek out one of his solo shows in the future.
Jeannie Jones brought a completely different energy to the evening. As a fellow Scot, I may be slightly biased, but there is something about Scottish humour that just hits differently. Her delivery felt natural and conversational, as though she was simply chatting to the audience rather than performing a carefully constructed routine. Scots have a unique ability to make complete fools of themselves for the sake of a laugh, and Jeannie captured that brilliantly. Her sharp observations, dry wit and relatable storytelling landed consistently throughout her set, earning plenty of laughs from the room. Her ability to take ordinary observations and present them in a completely matter-of-fact way made the punchlines land even harder.
Eloise Dale’s storytelling approach also proved popular with the audience. Her material felt personal and relatable, drawing people into her stories before delivering well-timed punchlines. The result was a set that felt warm, honest and genuinely funny.
The most unusual act of the evening came from LJ DA FUNK, whose larger-than-life character comedy divided opinion but undoubtedly got people talking. Complete with costume, audience interaction and an unapologetically chaotic energy, the performance leaned heavily into crowd work and improvisation. While it wasn’t initially my personal favourite style of comedy, I found myself warming to it as the set progressed. Some of the biggest laughs came from spontaneous interactions with audience members, and there was no denying that many people in the room absolutely loved it.
What makes Shaggers work so well is that no two acts feel remotely alike. Each comedian approaches the show’s themes from a completely different angle, meaning the audience gets far more than a collection of sex jokes. Instead, it’s an hour filled with personality, storytelling, sharp observations and plenty of unexpected laughs.
One thing I particularly enjoyed was seeing familiar names from previous Fringe festivals on the line-up. Both Nik Coppin and Devin Gray were performers I recognised from earlier Fringe programmes, which added an extra layer of excitement before the show had even begun.
The changing line-up also means there is a good chance you’ll discover a new favourite comic every time you attend. While my evening featured Nik Coppin, Devin Gray, Jeannie Jones, Eloise Dale and LJ DA FUNK, future audiences can expect a completely different mix of performers.
Looking through some of the previous Shaggers line-ups only reinforced that point. Names such as Robyn Perkins and Sam See have also appeared as part of the showcase, both comedians I have enjoyed seeing perform at other Fringe shows over the years. Seeing the calibre of acts Nik Coppin continues to bring together gives me confidence that no matter which night you attend, you’re likely to be getting a strong line-up packed with talent.
At just £6 a ticket, Shaggers offered excellent value for an hour of comedy, especially given the quality and variety of performers on display. The affordable ticket price also makes it an easy recommendation for anyone looking to take a chance on something new during Fringe season.
Following a successful Brighton Fringe run, Shaggers is also heading to the Edinburgh Fringe this August. The show returns with its rotating line-up format, meaning audiences can expect a fresh mix of comedians and plenty of laughs each night.
If you’re looking for a fun late-night Fringe show with a relaxed atmosphere, a varied line-up and plenty of laughs, Shaggers is well worth a visit. With a different selection of comedians appearing throughout the run, there’s every chance you’ll leave having discovered a new favourite.
Edinburgh Fringe Information
Shaggers:
Venue: 272 Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters – Maggie’s Chamber & 151 Laughing Horse @ Bar 50 – The Snug
Dates: 6th-30th August 2026
Tickets: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/shaggers
Ticket Prices: See official listing for current pricing and availability
Booking: Official Edinburgh Fringe website
