Date: 21 August 2026
Time: 6.30pm – 7.15pm
Venue: Nic 5 (Nicolson Square Venues Courtyard) at Hoots @ Nicolson Square (Venue 63)
Running time: 45 minutes
Rating: ★★★★ (4/5)
Reviewed by: Bella Pirintji
Fringe Run: 7 – 30 August
Ticket Price: Pay What You Can
Age Suitability: 16+ (guideline)
Performers: Andy Roach (@andy.roachy)
Link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/andy-roach-best-comedy-newcomer
Stand-up comedian Andy Roach is manifesting success at the Fringe with his show titled Best Comedy Newcomer.
Throughout his set, we get to know Andy through an array of jokes and short stories about his personal life, career, the Fringe and more. Tuxedoed and ready to amp up the audience, Andy loosely structures his show as an award ceremony where he’s the winner.
Andy jokes about everyday, relatable problems and experiences, like struggling on dating apps and weird fascinations with true crime. Some references are more UK-specific, like the Online Safety Act making life difficult, recent negative associations with his real name, ‘Andrew’, and, of course, the weather. His comedy style combines observations about current affairs, trends and life in the 2020s with his own style of dad jokes. His friendly yet cheeky use of crowd work seemed to win over the evening’s audience, who were happy to play along.
There are also more personal anecdotes in the mix, about rude reactions to him being Scouse or getting called a “narcissist” during a bad breakup. That hurtful comment forms the basis of much of his show, as he plays into the character of an attention-seeking performer within the award-show format.
However, Andy’s material and delivery made him come across well. He didn’t lean on awkwardness as part of the bit, like some other comedians do. He seemed confident and comfortable being himself on stage, and it felt genuine. There were a couple of funny quips said more quietly, and perhaps the crowd didn’t quite catch those. But overall, the multi-generational, mostly British audience appeared entertained.
Despite what his ex said, Andy seems like the kind of person you’d want to grab a beer with. His on-stage persona could be described as the funny uncle at a family gathering, or the friend who’s up for banter and a silly joke but has a soft and supportive side when it counts. I’m not sure if this is what he was going for, but if so, he achieved it.
The venue is a blacked-out shipping container with around 20 seats, creating an intimate setting. Combined with Andy’s warm presence and comfortable use of crowd work, this made for a good time with a casual atmosphere. It felt a bit like hanging out with friends at a gathering, with extroverted and likeable Andy as the host. While the name Best Comedy Newcomer may have been used ironically, this show does what it says on the tin: Andy’s comedy will give you laughs.
