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Comedy is undoubtedly the dominant art form at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival these days. In 主播大秀 Comedy, and especially those of us making radio comedy, this is a key time to spot talent and cement creative relationships. Comics who have been doing perfectly good jobs on the circuit or the occasional panel show now get the chance to declare to an often impossibly hot and sweaty pop-up venue: ‘This is what I have to say’.

For those of us looking for talent we are interested in all sorts of performers, from sketch and character comedians to comic actors and storytellers. Stand-ups too are often the heart of a new project, whether it ends up being a stand-up based show, sitcom or panel format. Although we are seeing comedy throughout the year, Edinburgh is an effective way of getting noticed and we in in-house comedy have strong relationships with those making waves.

Last year’s had a series go out on in the summer and is currently writing a new script for us. The winner of 2014 Best Newcomer, Alex Edelman, is currently writing a series for the network, as is Liam Williams – both had outstanding shows at the festival this year. Sketch group The Pin whose critically acclaimed Edinburgh show deconstructs the art of sketches have their own show going out on Radio 4 this Autumn and Nish Kumar (nominated for the main Edinburgh prize this year) is host of our open door show on 4 Extra, Newsjack. (Do watch the that the team made, it’s very funny). Sarah Kendall, a superb storytelling stand-up (also nominated) will be bringing Radio 4 versions of her brilliant solo shows in the new year. Mike Wozniak who had a cracking solo show is part of the Radio 4 Small Scenes writing and performing team and he is currently co-writing a sitcom for Radio 4 which we are very excited about. Mark Steel’s show was stand-out, a story about finding his birth mother and he will be known to Radio 4 audiences for his Mark Steel’s In Town series. Former contract writers from the department Danielle Ward, John-Luke Roberts and Tom Neenan all also had excellent solo shows. Meanwhile over on the you can see other Edinburgh favourites – Dane Baptiste in Sunny D, Liam Williams, Natasia Demetriou and Ellie White in People Time and Fern Brady’s Radges.

For many comedians or sketch groups coming to the Fringe, getting a show on Radio 4 is a significant ambition. One of my favourite shows this year was Tez Ilyas, a Muslim comic from Lancashire. He has appeared on The Now Show but this is the first time he has done a solo show and I left the venue very excited. We have commissioned a radio script and an in-house TV producer is also talking to him about telly. Tez said he wanted to come out of this festival with a radio commission so he is delighted, and the unique development package that we can offer of radio and TV is very attractive to agents and talent who are serious about their career. We also have ongoing discussions with other performers, keen to bring the very best talent to Radio 4 which is the home of radio comedy.

We also recorded a number of radio shows up there: Mitch Benn, two Just a Minutes, and also a couple of shows highlighting comedy acts from the fringe called (the first hosted by Andrew Maxwell, the second by Alex Edelman). Even though we recorded these shows only one week into the festival we made some great predictions featuring both the winners of the Edinburgh Comedy Award – Sam Simmons and Sofie Hagen - and also several other nominees, James Acaster, Larry Dean and Daphne.

We broadcast one episode of  at the Fringe and launched the heats in the final week as a new generation of comedians try to rise to the surface. Incidentally the NCAs are a great way of surfacing future talent. Many doing their first solo shows up here are previous finalists and runners-up of the competition – Sofie Hagen and Tez included – and Steve Bugeja, last year’s winner, had a great solo show on at Just The Tonic this year. We also had one of our producers, Carl Cooper, on the Foster’s judging panel so we really did have our fingers on the pulse.

Most crazy fun moment? Being in the screaming audience at the Pleasance Grand at midnight, watching ten comics take on professional wrestlers in an iconic Fringe event staged by double act Max and Ivan. With Nick Helm as ring master, and Andrew Maxwell, Brendon Burns and Matthew Crosby as commentators, it was insanely good fun that felt more than a little bit wrong (limbs have been broken in the past) but somehow it could only happen in Edinburgh.

Julia McKenzie is Acting Head of Radio Comedy at the 主播大秀

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