International Comedy Edinburgh Previews 2025

Event information

Every year we present a selection of the top shows warming up before heading North to the Edinburgh Festival. Your ticket entitles you to see both full shows for less than the price of one in Edinburgh.
NOTE EARLIER START TIMES and any CHANGES to advertised running order.
1st show starts 8pm, 2nd show starts 9.15pm.
Check www.downstairsatthekingshead.com for details of who's on tonight.

Chloe Petts
Fresh from another smash hit Edinburgh run, join Chloe Petts (as seen on Have I Got News For You, Richard Osman's House of Games and Hypothetical) as she works up new material for, what will hopefully turn out to be, another smash hit show.

Expect her to blush her way through routines about sex and relationships as she gets more personal than she's ever got before.

'Chloe Petts is one of those people who makes comedy look easy' Scotsman
'One of the most compelling young comics' Guardian
'Smart, insightful, hilarious, and completely relatable' Diva Magazine
★★★★★ i
★★★★★ Broadway Baby
★★★★ Scotsman

Phil Nichol is Trying His Best

Phil has been getting better at comedy since March 1987. One of these days he may get it right. Until then Phil just keeps trying. If at first you don’t succeed, try and try your best. This is a tour warm-up to figure out Phil’s best bits. Help Phil get better!

"Undoubtedly one of the feel-good happenings of the entire Fringe." HeraldScotland

"His joyous pursuit of chaos is as physical as it is intellectual... Phil Nichol is on a mission to entertain us to within an inch of our lives. He’s succeeding.” Scotsman

"Phil Nichol is comedic dynamite, exploding on stage from start to finish." EdFest

Important Notes:
Bills may alter at late notice - check on www.downstairsatthekingshead.com for any last-minute changes.
There is no reserved seating Downstairs. We can seat 70 and have 10 standing spaces. Your ticket guarantees entry, but if you want a good seat, please be with us by the advertised door opening time.
Please bring evidence of booking (i.e; your confirmation email). On phone is fine - save trees!
You can book tickets up to 6pm on the day of the show. After then, any remaining tickets will be sold on a first-come first-served basis on the door at the advertised “doors open” time.
Also please note that, as an intimate venue, we discourage large group bookings, so tickets are limited on this show to a MAXIMUM of 4 per person.
We want everyone to enjoy the show. Please don’t talk during the performance and ensure your mobile phone is turned off. You will be required to leave without refund if your behaviour is disruptive. No recording in any medium is allowed without prior permission.
Intoxicated persons will not be admitted.
The use of E cigarettes is prohibited
Note we do not allow food downstairs. If you are planning on eating upstairs before the show, please allow plenty of time to finish before coming downstairs.