A knee-slapping smorgasbord of rapid-fire punchlines
Jokes at Noon is “a show for people that like jokes”, and there’s good reason to put your trust in one-liner comic Mark Simmons. He won Joke of the Fringe in 2024 (“I was going to sail around the globe in the world’s smallest ship, but I bottled it”), and regularly pops up on both Mock the Week and TikTok. Jokes at Noon is an accomplished showcase of rapid-fire punchlines that positions Simmons at the top of the comedy food chain.
Simmons’ brand of hit-and-run, fast-paced joke delivery acts as a refreshing antidote to the message-heavy, joke-light shows often criticised at the Fringe. There is no great meaning to pull out from this tight hour – it’s just very funny. Much of his humour derives from the subversion of expectations, rooting out the double meaning in everyday expressions or turns of phrase: “I got a penis tattoo…on my back”. It helps that Simmons is clearly having a good time onstage, interacting with the audience and providing a meta-commentary on the show as it happens.
One-liner comedy can get tiring pretty fast, and it’s clear Simmons has worked hard to keep Jokes at Noon’s rhythm from getting stale. Jokes are sectioned off by topic, and sometimes at random, allowing a series of whip-smart punchlines before inserting a change of pace. A surreal picture gag situated in these gaps only pays off at the show’s conclusion. A series of “research corner” segments use longer-form delivery to build towards a single punchline. Simmons builds this tension perfectly. Without a singular throughline, these elements provide the hour with structure.
Simmons passionately advocates for the Free Fringe, where anyone can enter a show for free and then decide how much it was worth on the way out (including nothing). This allows those who can afford access to the arts to pay for those who can’t, and lends a pirate-radio feel to the show. Simmons is quite open about this not being a fully polished tour performance: some jokes are still being worked out, and he uses a clipboard to recall material and make notes. Exciting. Indeed, a few gags are brand new for this show and, if they don’t work, may never be performed again. One of these, involving various royals and what they sleep on, is a multi-layered highlight and will no doubt become a regular. Simmons throwing a different joke to the floor in disdain may be funnier than the joke itself.
Jokes at Noon is one-liner comedy at the top of its game. Simmons’ practiced ease means you know you’re in good hands: you’ll laugh hard, and laugh frequently. A masterclass in both construction and delivery.
Show Listing: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/mark-simmons-jokes-at-noon
LISTINGS INFORMATION:
Venue: Liquid Room Studio, The Liquid Rooms
Dates: Aug 8th–29th
Time: 12:00 (50 mins)
Ticket prices: pay what you want
Fringe box office: 0131 226 0000 / www.edfringe.com