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.

Paul Sinha: 2 Sinha Lifetime

After a fallow year (for very good reasons) Paul returns to the Edinburgh Fringe with a brand new show. Join him for this work in progress on the road to Edinburgh.
Award-winning comedian, writer and broadcaster and that quizzy bloke in the white suit off The Chase, Paul recently added author to his many credits, with his memoir, One Sinha Lifetime.
As seen on Taskmaster, Would I Lie To You?, QI and Countdown, one of the circuit's busiest comedians, Paul is delighted to be back at Downstairs at the King's Head. Catch him while you can.

'This is what a good stand-up should be. Hilariously funny, passionate and articulate.' Chortle
‘An exceptionally skilled stand-up.... truly wonderful’ The Scotsman

‘Full of insight and delight’ The Times


Matt Forde: Work in Progress

Trump. Starmer. Male incontinence. All the classic ingredients of comedy.
Matt tries out new material ahead of Edinburgh 2025 and his next tour.


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.