So you want to see some comedy at the Edinburgh Fringe but don’t know where to start? Part and parcel of the the fringe is taking pot luck and seeing what you find, sometimes you light on a gem, sometimes a corker. But, if you want a sure fire hit, then one of these five comedians should get you chuckling.

1. Sam Simmons
As winner of last year’s Foster’s Comedy Award, Simmons is a bankable laugh. His prize winning show, Spaghetti for Breakfast, roved around a long list of things that ‘shit’ him, and despite the zaniness of his show persona, was surprisingly relatable. His new show ‘Not a People Person’ promises to be wierdly honest, and funny.

2. Max & Ivan
Previously pleasing audiences with their take on a heist movie, a school reunion and the apocalypse, Max and Ivan have been nominated for the Foster’s Comedy Award and been awarded a string of 5 star reviews. This year they turn their attention on themselves in their new show ‘Max and Ivan: Our Story’.

3. Tony Law

Taking a stroll down the more absurdist path of the comedy garden, Tony Law has created a name for himself as the zaniest man in comedy. This year’s show entitled ‘A Law Undo His-elf What Welcome’ promises to be as hilariously foolish as his others.

4. Sarah Kendall

Kendall merges masterful storytelling and cracking punchlines and has won the Comic’s Choice Award as well as being nominated for the Foster’s Comedy Award. This year’s show, Shaken, is about an earthquake that struck her hometown: expect dark humour and excellent narrative comedy.

5. James Acaster

A serial award-nominee, Acaster is famed for his creative, well-structured shows. A balance of quality joke writing intermingled with some deeper ideas make him a huge crowd pleaser. Will this year’s show, Reset, be the one to crown him King of Comedy at this year’s Fringe?