A brand-new showcase has been announced by DLT Entertainment and Monkey Barrel giving emerging and established comedy writers the chance to hear their scripts read back to them by leading comics at the Fringe. Called Table Reads: New Comedy Script Showcase, the daily event at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe is positioning itself as ‘a development project designed to foster new talent, workshop original writing, and build lasting relationships between emerging creatives.’ 

Taking place each day of the Fringe at Monkey Barrel 4, one of four selected scripts will be brought to life by a cast of top comedians, after a brief warm-up by an MC, with between five and six performers per show. The writers will then enjoy real time feedback on their work, giving audiences a peek behind the showbusiness curtain, as well as the chance to see scripts before channel commissioners do. Directing the shows will be Ed Bye, best known as the helm of beloved sitcoms like Red Dwarf and Absolutely Fabulous.

The show is currently welcoming script submissions from anyone, with a particular effort being made to seek out performers and writers living and/or working in Scotland. Existing scripts can be submitted right now on the DLT site or on Creative Scotland.  

Donald Taffner Jr, President of DLT Entertainment, said: ‘We have considered hosting table reads at the Fringe for several years but needed the right partner. Monkey Barrel Comedy is exactly that partner. We’re excited to collaborate with talented comedians and writers, offering audiences a unique insight into an essential part of the television development process.’

David Bleese of Monkey Barrel said: ‘We are delighted to bring Table Reads to Monkey Barrel Comedy for Fringe 2025 and once again provide a stage for new and emerging comedy writing talent at the world’s biggest arts festival.'

The announcement is one of many for Monkey Barrel’s Fringe line-up for 2025, which includes shows from Edinburgh Comedy Award winners Bridget Christie, Adam Riches, John Kearns, and Lara Ricote, alongside by Best Show nominees Josh Glanc, Jessica Fostekew, and Zoë Coombs Marr. The venue will also host plenty of late-night offerings including Late Night Comedy Rave, Stepdads Present, RODEO!, and Stuart Laws as Michael Caine Saying Never for One Hour. 

Table Reads: New Comedy Showcase, Monkey Barrel Comedy, Edinburgh, Friday 1 – Monday 25 August.