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Sunday 17 August 2025—as the Fringe entered its final full week, comedy shows remained central to reviews and audience buzz.

Reviews of the Day

  • Desiree Burch – The Golden Wrath
    Burch’s show exploring menopause, power, and identity drew more raves for combining fierce stand‑up with theatrical scale.
    → The Guardian review

  • Hal Cruttenden – Final Whistle
    Cruttenden’s supposed farewell to the Fringe balanced bittersweet reflection with crowd‑pleasing punchlines, warmly received by critics and audiences alike.
    → Chortle review

Ongoing Highlights

  • The Times roundup kept Burch and Cruttenden in the spotlight, while also praising ongoing success for Tim Key, Michelle Wolf, and Jazz Emu.
    → The Times best comedy

  • Guardian/Vogue previews again underscored rising talents like Lorna Rose Treen, Elouise Eftos, and international voices bringing new textures to Fringe comedy.
    → Guardian/Vogue feature

  • Best jokes lists continue to circulate, keeping Olaf Falafel, Adele Cliff, and Johnny Pelham high in the comedy conversation.
    → The Times jokes feature

Takeaway for Day 17

  • Desiree Burch offers one of the year’s most powerful comic statements.
  • Hal Cruttenden delivers a memorable swan song.
  • The festival’s momentum remains strong, mixing personal reflection, politics, and classic stand‑up.

In summary: Day Seventeen proved that, even deep into the run, the Fringe’s comedy scene stays sharp, poignant, and consistently hilarious.

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