Comedy fans are being invited to celebrate the next generation of Scottish talent in a new venue at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe - a giant can of IRN BRU.
The venue, named Canned Laughter, is the first of its kind and will allow six audience members to enjoy new content from some of Scotland’s favourite online comedy creators, all while immersed in a 5 metre-long can of BRU.
With a history of producing some of the funniest adverts to ever grace our screens, IRN-BRU is giving Scottish patter a platform at the world’s biggest arts festival.
Recognising the hilarity of the nation’s thriving online comedy scene, IRN BRU has hand-selected some of Scotland’s established and rising social media stars.
To launch the venue, IRN BRU has partnered with one of the country’s most acclaimed TikTokers, Paul Black, who has amassed millions of views across social media platforms, leading to a BBC pilot and a stage-show at the SECC.
Performing skits, personal anecdotes, and side-splitting stories he is one of the hottest acts at this year’s Edinburgh Festival and a shining light of the next generation of Scottish comedy talent.
Alongside Paul, there will be unreleased sketches from performers including IRN-BRU super-fan Myles Omar, Stephen Buchanan, Olivia Topalian and Bash the Entertainer.
TikTok is the online comedy scene’s most popular platform, boasting more than a billion regular users worldwide and providing an outlet for anyone to experiment creatively and develop a loyal fanbase. #ScottishTikTok alone has amassed over 3.5 billion views.
Many of the creators being spotlighted by IRN-BRU are building successful careers without having stepped foot on a stage, open-mic night or comedy club, entertaining huge audiences from the comfort of their phone screen with performances worthy of their own slot at the Fringe.
Adrian Troy, Marketing Director at AG BARR, said: “Scottish comedy thrives on social media platforms - whether it’s a viral Tweet or a hilarious video clip.
"Over the past couple of years, the TikTok comedy scene has really taken off and once again Scottish Patter is right at the heart of it.
“IRN-BRU has always championed Scotland’s unrivalled sense of humour in all its forms, so it only felt right to give it a dedicated platform at the Edinburgh Fringe.
"We cannot wait to welcome fans into our giant can to experience these hilarious unreleased TikToks first hand.”
Paul Black said: "TikTok has opened so many doors for me which wouldn't have otherwise been possible. I’ve just completed a seven-night run at the Gilded Balloon and I've got a pretty hectic year ahead.
“None of these opportunities would have come my way without the audience I can reach on social media so it's amazing that IRN-BRU is supporting Scotland's online comedy community.”
The ‘Canned Laughter’ venue is free to visit and can be found on The Mound from August 18 to August 22, open between 12pm and 6pm each day.
It is available on a first come first served basis and will be serving ice cold cans of IRN-BRU to passers-by.
