Tim Key - Edinburgh Fringe

Edinburgh Fringe

Key was first noticed in the stage production Far Too Happy with the Cambridge Footlights (although not attending Cambridge University itself) which was at the Edinburgh Fringe and was nominated for a Perrier Award for Best Newcomer. This show also featured comedian Mark Watson and actress Sophie Winkleman.

In 2003, Key returned to Edinburgh directing (with Mark Watson) a sketch show - "Non-Sexual Kissing"; and performing in Alex Horne's "Making Fish Laugh". The latter was nominated for a Perrier Best Newcomer Award.

In 2004, Key took "Luke & Stella" to Edinburgh. This was a tragic one-man comedy play about a div-boy called Luke who has all sorts of problems one evening. He also performed in Alex Horne's Every Body Talks and Mark Watson's 24 hour show.

In 2005, Key took the four-man sketch group Cowards to Edinburgh. Key also performed in Alex Horne's When In Rome and Mark Watson's 2005 minute show.

In 2006, Cowards returned to Edinburgh and Key performed in Mark Watson's 36 hour show.

In 2007, Key took his first solo poetry show to Edinburgh. It was called The Slut in the Hut and sold out. In this year We Need Answers also debuted. Key was question master in a debauched quiz to find the smartest comedian. Mark Watson and Alex Horne made up a trio of hosts who ultimately crowned Paul Sinha the first winner of this show. He also starred in Mark Watson's 24 hour jamboree.

In 2008, Key performed Freeze in Edinburgh. Freeze is a two-hander with Tom Basden. There was also a run of We Need Answers. Josie Long defeated Kristen Schaal to lift the title.

In 2009, Key took his second solo poetry show to Edinburgh, entitled The Slutcracker. It featured what some have described as "deliberately bad poetry", some of which is about zebras. Key has subsequently stated that his poetry is "deliberately" bad. The show also incorporated subtle references to cooking, and several short films in which Key variously appears as a bearded woman, a bearded man, and an office worker overseeing the slaughter of an eel. The show won the 2009 Edinburgh Comedy Award. He additionally starred in a comic play Party, written by Tom Basden, also featuring Jonny Sweet, Anna Crilly, Katy Wix and Nick Mohammed. He also featured in Mark Watson's final 24 hour show.

In 2010, Key brought The Slutcracker to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

In 2011, Key returned to Edinburgh to complete his "slutty" trilogy with a new show, Masterslut, at the Pleasance Dome. He was also one of the contestants in Taskmaster II, in which Alex Horne challenged comedians to complete numerous tasks for points. Key placed third.