International Comedy Edinburgh Previews 2026

About the show

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.

Michael Akadiri - Don't Call Me Uncle! (Tour Preview)

Following two hit UK tours, Biggest Award in Comedy nominee and resident (junior) Doctor Michael Akadiri prescribes Crouch End with a potent preview of his latest offering, Don’t Call Me Uncle!
Multi-award-winning comedian Michael is proud to wear many hats: doctor, husband & father. Evidently, that list does not include uncle.

Yet, despite only being in his early 30s, “the supremely talented and likeable” (Metro) doctor, for the first time ever, was recently called uncle in public (a term usually reserved for elders!). This has sent him spiralling!
Join the ”‘hugely entertaining” (Chortle) Akadiri as he fights this lurid allegation, contemplates the difference between perception and reality all whilst keeping the laughs flowing with his trademark “sharp-wit” (Chortle) & “politically punchy” (Guardian) anecdotes.
As seen on Comedy Central LIVE, ITVs Stand Up Sketch & Channel 4’s Stand Up to Cancer. As heard on Capital Xtra’s Breakfast Show, LBC & BBC Radio 4’s Loose Ends. Tour support for Jason Manford.
Winner - Komedia New Comedy Award
Winner - Comedian of Medicine Award, Haags Comedy Festival
NextUp Biggest Award in Comedy nominee

Alistair Barrie: Gobbledygook

Gobbledygook: language that is meaningless or is made unintelligible by excessive use of technical terms.

See also: Alistair's mother's word for his childrens' AuDHD, SPD, DCD, PICA and PDA. And his. And hers...

Come and see a work-in-progress on how the different generations are approaching, or running away from Neurodiversity from 'one of the UK's sharpest comedians' (the Herald)

"A no frills master of his craft' - ?????????? The Scotsman
As heard on Radio 4 Pick of the Week

www.alistairbarrie.com

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.