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.

Fiona Allen White Lies

After a sellout debut Edinburgh 2023 show Fiona Allen star of Smack The Pony returns with her new show White Lies.

Fiona needs a perfect lie to avoid her pet hate of social gatherings.
Running out of time and patience she encounters every obstacle a day can throw at her.
It all threatens to derail her quest to find the perfect lie. She must confront her worst fear-her neighbours party. It's a fate worse than death and the clock is ticking.

She's going to have to wargame it. Honestly.

Punchlines delivered with cutting execution. Scotsman

Appealingly barbed company. Guardian

Eli Matthewson: Blood Bender

Eli just became the first ever New Zealander to move to London, after applying for the "youth" visa on the last possible week he was eligible. He's ready to be a star and the only things in his way are his age and the impending apocalypse. From his brief ballet career to the lofty heights of performing at Dining In The Dark, Eli is ready to share it all to win you over... including the horrific story of his first visit to a gay sauna. (Chortle.co.uk). (Everything-Theatre.co.uk).

Eli Matthewson is the first ever New Zealander to move to London and he has done it right on time for the end of the world. Just as life was starting to feel safe and secure, he has thrown it all away and scraped into the UK on the last possible week he could qualify for the youth mobility visa. A show about doing everything you can to make something of yourself before society completely crumbles.

"Punchlines that whip back around like a tossed ponytail" - Theatreview
"That most generous of comedy things: a personal show that feels inclusive, offering a series of vignettes that invite introspection without ever getting preachy." ???? - The Recs
"Smart, silly, and thoroughly entertaining." ???? - EdFest Mag
???? - Three Weeks
???? Scotsman
???? Chortle
???? Voice Mag

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.