Assembly Festival has announced the first half of its Edinburgh Fringe 2017 programme.

This year marks Assembly's return to its old home the Assembly Rooms on George Street in the New Town as well as continuing with its newer venues in George Square in the Old Town (keep up...). 

Assembly once again plays host to some of the biggest names in comedy with Jason Byrne, Andrew Maxwell, Reginald D Hunter, Milton Jones, Shappi Khorsandi, Ed Byrne, Al Murray, Hospital People star Tom Binns and recent Barry Award winner Hannah Gadsby all performing in their Fringe venues. There is also Edinburgh Comedy Award Nominees Sarah Kendall and Nath Valvo, as well as a limited run from America’s Got Talent Winner Paul Zerdin; Australian 2017 Barry Award Winner Hannah Gadsby. And Abandoman’s Rob Broderick debuts his new solo show. 

Festival favourites Margaret Thatcher Queen of Game Shows will be returning for Fringe 2017 as will cult shows Baby Wants Candy: The Completely Improvised Full Band Musical and Game of Thrones! The Musical .

The Assembly Rooms will play host to new work from Irvine Welsh and Dean Cavanagh – Performers; a brand new all-singing, all-partying show from the producers of Gobsmacked and Soweto Gospel Choir in Choir of Man as well the return of 2016’s sell out show My Leonard Cohen, with more shows there to be announced.

Assembly’s full season will be announced on the 11th May. Performances will run form the 2nd – 28th August.

See the programme announced so far here.