Trailblazing comedy team Abnormally Funny People marks a major milestone at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, celebrating 20 years of smart, subversive, side-splitting stand-up.
Created by Steve Best and Simon Minty and launched in 2005, this critically acclaimed show was the first to be led by disabled comedians on stage together, although they had a non-disabled comedian for balance. Two decades on, it continues to deliver sharp, no fear comedy that delights audiences. Previous performers include Chris McCausland (Strictly Come Dancing), Rosie Jones (Taskmaster), Lost Voice Guy (Britain’s Got Talent) and Liz Carr (Silent Witness), all of whom have gone on to become household names.
The 2025 line-up features a rotating cast of top-notch performers — some new, some returning — bringing witty observations, irreverent humour and bags of Fringe spirit.
With praise from The Scotsman for being “a uniquely hilarious experience… the entire room rocks with laughter” and described as “an accomplished compilation of stand-ups, pure and simple” (Chortle), this anniversary edition promises an hour of laughter you won’t want to miss.
The Guardian calls it “a gig of eye-catching diversity and winning camaraderie”, while Three Weeks notes: “All of the performers have wit, charm and an irreverent attitude toward their disabilities… an excellent night of entertainment.”
Join Abnormally Funny People as they look back and laugh forward.
Below is an interview with award-winning Live at the Apollo comic Harriet Dyer, one of the stars of this year’s Abnormally Funny People show. Dyer can also be seen on this Friday, July 25, on Channel 4’s 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown at 9pm.
Venue: Pleasance Courtyard – Beside
Dates: 30 July – 25 August (not 14 Aug)
Time: 4:50pm (60 mins)
Tickets: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/abnormally-funny-people
The line-up changes throughout the run, click on the link above to check the stars each day.
Website: www.AbnormallyFunnyPeople.com
What is the last thing you do before you go onstage (apart from check your flies and/or check your knickers aren't sticking out of your skirt and check for spinach between your teeth)
I check I’ve remembered how to speak as sometimes my brain tells me I’ve forgotten and when I get onstage no words will come out.
What irritates you?
Parking attendants at festivals. They always speak like I should know where I’m going even though I’ve never been before. Then the directions they give are like they don’t know where they are going.
What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
My appendix burst whilst at a nightclub but I thought the pain was me being dramatic so just kept on dancing.
What is the most stupid thing you have ever done?
I have driven round a roundabout the wrong way round on more than one occasion
What has surprised you the most during your career in comedy?
That on the whole my slightly off kilter brain is greatly accepted
What do your parents/children (delete as applicable) think of your job?
I’ve been really lucky that my parents never expected me to be doing anything ‘normal’ so have always accepted that I’d be doing something a bit different. The only trouble I did have was when my dad used to Tweet well known comedians I’d be gigging with things like, “You’re gigging with my daughter soon”. Which was very sweet but also quite mortifying.
What’s the worst thing about being a comedian?
The time with my own thoughts on very long drives
I think you are very good at what you do (that’s why I’m asking these questions). What do you think of you?
This is the most fond I’ve been of myself, it’s taken me a long time to feel like this. Aesthetically I used to be far better looking but my soul was withered whereas now I have the physique of a caterpillar but have never been happier.
How much do you earn and how much would you like to earn?
I earn 4 and thruppence but would prefer to earn 5.
How important is luck in terms of career success – have you had lucky breaks?
Tiny bits of luck is helpful but I like to think that the hard work has to be done regardless of luck and it’s that that rides any luck that cometh.
Alan Davies has said that comedians fall into two categories - golfers and self-harmers. The former just get on with life, the latter are tortured artists. Which are you – or do you think you fit into third category?
I definitely fit into ‘self harmer category’ as a person even though as I get older I’m far kinder to myself.
Who is your favourite person ever and why – not including family or friends or other comedians?
When I was at Uni I should have been kicked out because I think I went to about six lectures in my first year, I was very troubled and definitely an alcoholic. There was this teacher called Dr Ruth Shade that took me under her wing, got me extenuated circumstances from a doctor about my alcoholism so I didn’t get kicked out and for a while she was like a mother. She also introduced me to stand-up comedy so without her I probably wouldn’t be alive and definitely wouldn’t be doing comedy.
I’ve just as a result of this question just tried to get back in touch with her but there seems to be no trace of her on the internet so Dr Ruth Shade if you see this, do get in touch as would love to take you out for a thank you dinner.
Do you keep your drawers tidy and if not why not? (please think long and hard about this question, it's to settle an argument with my girlfriend. The future of our relationship could depend on your response).
Who on earth keeps their drawers tidy? Them cutlery organiser things make my cutlery drawer as tidy as that will be but the other drawers are an absolute shit show. If drawers were supposed to be tidy by themselves those cutlery organiser things wouldn’t need to exist?
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