Rik Wolters

"Surely one of Scotland's best kept secrets" - ★★★★ (Kweerblog)
"A natural comic" - ★★★★ (The Fringe Queer)

Home of that awkward Scottish comedian and writer, Rik Wolters.

Rik's previous solo shows:

High Woltage! @ Edinburgh Fringe 21-24 Aug 21

Alpha Male @ Edinburgh Fringe 3-24 Aug 19

Heroic Failure @ Edinburgh Fringe 4-25 Aug 18

Rik Wolters is... a Heroic Failure @ GICF 24 Mar 18

Rik Wolters is... @ Edinburgh Fringe 2004

What's Happening?

Glasgow International Comedy Festival 2023

Rik will bring his new show, "Too Gay to be Poor" to the Glasgow International Comedy Festival in March of next year.

The show will start at 5.30pm on 25 March 2023 at Blackfriars. Tickets are available from here .

Scene Alba Magazine Comedy Night in Dundee

Rik will be hosting the first ever Scene Alba Magazine comedy night in Dundee on Friday 29 July.

It's free entry, with an 8pm start time. So far Rik will be joined by Elliot Simpson and Chris Thorburn, in what promises to be an excellent evening of comedy!

Rik Wolters is TOO GAY!

I know, it's hardly news to some of us, but Rik Wolters is apparently 'too gay' for some comedy clubs, but definitely not for the Edinburgh Fringe, where Rik will return once again with another show full of laughs, shocks and far too much over-sharing.

"Rik Wolters is TOO GAY" will be performed as part of the PBH Free Fringe (the original and best) and will run from 6-28 August at 19.30, at the unlikely (in a good way) venue of Burrito 'n' Shake on North Bridge.

On top of this, Rik wil be performing the one man monologue "The Price of a Secret" from 6-12 August (13.45) at CC Blooms, also part of PBH's Free Fringe. This will mark Rik's acting debut at the Edinburgh Fringe, in a play that he also wrote.

Smoke and Mirrors Charity Comedy Evening

Rik will take part in the 'Smoke and Mirrors Charity Comedy Evening' on Sunday 27 February. The show will raise funds for the LGBT Helpline Scotland.

Tickets are available for either £5, £7.50 or £10, based on what you can afford, with all funds raised being directly donated.

The show starts at 20.00 (doors 19.00). Get your tickets here.

Rik returns to Diversity Quota

Rik will make his first live performance of the year at Diversity Quota in Glasgow on 23 February.

The show takes place at the Gilchrist Postgraduate Club at Glasgow University, with a 19.30 start (doors at 19.00).

Tickets are available from here.

Rik announces a last minute PBH Free Fringe Solo Show!

Yes, it's really happening! Rik will be back for a limited FOUR NIGHTS ONLY run at this year's Fringe.

'HIGH WOLTAGE!' will run from 21-24 August @ 21.00 at Globe Bar, and will be a mix of old and new material!

It will once again be part of the PBH Free Fringe and whilst this is a free event, seating is limited, so come early to avoid disappointment!

PBH Free Fringe Solo Show Details announced

Rik will bring his brand new show, "Alpha Male", to the Edinburgh Fringe this August.

Once again, performing as part of the PBH Free Fringe, the show will take place from 03-24 August at Carnivore (The Vault) in Cowgate.

Here's the blurb:
Following on from last year’s show ‘Heroic Failure’, Rik delivers another dose of sarcastic, rude and downright cheeky comedy, whilst questioning what it takes to be a real man. “Like a less camp Julian Clary with the relatability of Victoria Wood; I liked him but I’m not quite sure why” – The Guardian.

Rik to Return to the Glasgow International Comedy Festival in 2019!

Rik will be returning to the Glasgow International Comedy Festival in March with his brand new show, "High Woltage!"

The show will take place on Saturday 23 March at 18.00 at Yesbar on Drury Street.

Tickets are priced at just £5 and are available from the See Tickets site here.

Rik to Play Gigs in Livingston and Coatbridge

Rik has been announced on the bill for two upcoming LadyShona Comedy nights, in Livingston and Coatbridge

Both shows are packing with a stunning line up of some of the best talent on the Scottish comedy circuit!

The Livingston gig will take place at Deer Park on Friday 26 October, starting at 8pm, whilst the Coatbridge night is on Saturday 01 December, with a 7.30pm start time.

Heroic Failure Poster Revealed

After much waiting (not so much anticipating), we can now reveal Rik's poster for this year's Fringe show... and it's a good yin!

Heroic Failure 4-25 Aug

Remember to vote for the poster in the Comedy Poster Awards by clicking here.

Heroic Failure at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Rik will be performing his brand new show, 'Heroic Failure', at the Fringe Festival throughout August.

The show will take place daily at 18.30 at The Clootie Dumpling (Room 1), venue 545, on Old Stamp Office Close (opposite the Fringe Box Office on the Royal Mile) between 4-25 August. The show will be performed as part of the PBH Free Fringe Festival.

Full details of the show can be found here.

About

Rik Wolters is a Scottish comedian who has been kicking about on the Scottish stand up scene for many years. In 2004 Rik performed the show "Rik Wolters is..." on the fringes of the Fringe in Edinburgh. The show received mainly positive reviews (two outta three ain't bad, yeah?). He appeared again as part of Comedy Stripped in 2005 and made several guest appearances over the next couple of years.

After taking a break from the circuit, Rik returned to the scene in late 2013 and has been a regular performer since.

In July 2017 Rik set up 'Laughter On the Links', a monthly(ish) comedy night held at Leith FAB Cricket Club on Leith Links. The night showcases some of the best talent on the Scottish scene. And Rik.

Rik made his Glasgow International Comedy Festival debut in March 2018 with the show 'Rik Wolters is... a Heroic Failure' - a work in progress version of the show that would later be taken to the Fringe..

Rik's first 'official' Fringe solo show, 'Heroic Failure', was premiered in August 2018 and performed over 22 consecutive days. The show proved to be a huge success and garnered a plethora of positive reviews!

Rik's style of comedy is highly self-deprecating and tongue in cheek. His stories centre on his past dating experiences, his two dogs, eccentric mother and retail rants, whilst also touching on his past mental health problems.

As well as writing and performing his own material, Rik has also been involved in writing for several high-profile performers over the years. He has also written several plays (monologues) which are earmarked for use in a future project.

The Shows

Rik Wolters is...

Rik's first solo show 'Rik Wolters is...' took place in 2004 on the fringes of the [Edinburgh] Fringe. The show discussed personal identity and the difficulties people can encounter when they spend most of their life pretending to be someone else.

The show was held in a small venue on the Royal Mile, EH1, and received a positive reception from the audience.

Reflecting on the show in 2016, Rik admitted that most of the show was "cobbled together at the last minute" and that most of the content seems "pretty cringe-worthy when you look back".

Following the show, Rik parked the idea of writing a follow up, in favour of taking time out to work on new projects ("Comedy Stripped") and the continue writing for other comedians.

Rik Wolters is... a Heroic Failure

In March 2018, Rik made his Glasgow International Comedy Festival debut with the work in progress show, "Rik Wolters is... a Heroic Failure".

The show featured a lot of material that would later appear in the Edinburgh Fringe show in August, albeit in a different form! The show attracted mixed reviews, most so from Rik himself, who declared the show as "utter pish".

Heroic Failure

"Rik is a bit of an oddball. Socially awkward, obsessive compulsive and sarcastic to the core, he has made his fair share of enemies over the years. In his Fringe debut, Rik recalls some of the stories from his somewhat chequered past and invites you, the audience, to join him in laughing in the face of failure!"

Rik's official Edinburgh Fringe debut show ran from 04-25 August 2018 just off the city's Royal Mile.

Having "workshopped the hell" out of the GICF show from March '18, Rik managed to put together a show that highlighted his storytelling skill with killer punchlines.

The show received positive audience reviews, with the venue packed out for almost every performance.

"High Woltage!"

"Rik returns to the GICF with his usual brand of cheeky, self-deprecating and downright sarcastic humour. Expect rants a-plenty as he discusses his pet peevs and observations of everyday life. Catch him off the back of 2018’s highly successful Edinburgh Fringe show, ‘Heroic Failure’. “I liked him but I’m not really sure why.” (The Guardian)"

Rik's made his second Glasgow International Comedy Festival solo appearance with the work in progress show "High Woltage!"..

The show was a work in progress, featuring a lot of material that will feature in this year's Fringe show.

Alpha Male

"Following on from last year’s show ‘Heroic Failure’, Rik delivers another dose of sarcastic, rude and downright cheeky comedy, whilst questioning what it takes to be a real man. “Like a less camp Julian Clary with the relatability of Victoria Wood; I liked him but I’m not quite sure why” – The Guardian"

Rik returns to the PBH Free Fringe for a second year with a brand new show, loosely based around the theme of toxic masculinity and the role his father played in becoming who he is today.

The show runs daily from 03-24 August at 19.30 at Carnivore in Edinburgh's Cowgate.

Gigs

UPCOMING

06/06/23 - It's Just a F***ing Joke at Merchant Pride, Glasgow - show 19.30 - Tickets

PAST GIGS

14/04/23 - Comedy Club (headlining) at Panopticon Music Hall, Glasgow - show 19.30
25/03/23 - Too Gay to be Poor (GICF 2023) at Blackfriars, Glasgow - show 17.30
25/02/23 - 'Guess Who is Laughing Now?' at The Goodlyburn Theatre, Perth College UHI - show 20.00 (doors 19.30)
08/11/22 - Buzzwords Comedy Bingo at JunkYard, Hamilton - show 20.30
02/11/22 - Comedy Night at Girdwoods Pub, Wishaw - show 20.30
28/08/22 - 'Rik Wolters is Too Gay' at Burrito 'n' Shake, Edinburgh - show 19.30
27/08/22 - 'Rik Wolters is Too Gay' at Burrito 'n' Shake, Edinburgh - show 19.30
26/08/22 - 'Rik Wolters is Too Gay' at Burrito 'n' Shake, Edinburgh - show 19.30
24/08/22 - 'Rik Wolters is Too Gay' at Burrito 'n' Shake, Edinburgh - show 19.30
23/08/22 - 'Rik Wolters is Too Gay' at Burrito 'n' Shake, Edinburgh - show 19.30
22/08/22 - 'Rik Wolters is Too Gay' at Burrito 'n' Shake, Edinburgh - show 19.30
21/08/22 - 'Rik Wolters is Too Gay' at Burrito 'n' Shake, Edinburgh - show 19.30
20/08/22 - 'Rik Wolters is Too Gay' at Burrito 'n' Shake, Edinburgh - show 19.30
19/08/22 - 'Rik Wolters is Too Gay' at Burrito 'n' Shake, Edinburgh - show 19.30
18/08/22 - 'Rik Wolters is Too Gay' at Burrito 'n' Shake, Edinburgh - show 19.30
17/08/22 - 'Rik Wolters is Too Gay' at Burrito 'n' Shake, Edinburgh - show 19.30
16/08/22 - 'Rik Wolters is Too Gay' at Burrito 'n' Shake, Edinburgh - show 19.30
15/08/22 - 'Rik Wolters is Too Gay' at Burrito 'n' Shake, Edinburgh - show 19.30
14/08/22 - 'Rik Wolters is Too Gay' at Burrito 'n' Shake, Edinburgh - show 19.30
13/08/22 - 'Rik Wolters is Too Gay' at Burrito 'n' Shake, Edinburgh - show 19.30
12/08/22 - 'Rik Wolters is Too Gay' at Burrito 'n' Shake, Edinburgh - show 19.30
11/08/22 - 'Rik Wolters is Too Gay' at Burrito 'n' Shake, Edinburgh - show 19.30
10/08/22 - 'Rik Wolters is Too Gay' at Burrito 'n' Shake, Edinburgh - show 19.30
10/08/22 - 'The Full Irish' at Whistle Binkies, Edinburgh - show 11.00
09/08/22 - 'Rik Wolters is Too Gay' at Burrito 'n' Shake, Edinburgh - show 19.30
08/08/22 - 'Rik Wolters is Too Gay' at Burrito 'n' Shake, Edinburgh - show 19.30
07/08/22 - 'Rik Wolters is Too Gay' at Burrito 'n' Shake, Edinburgh - show 19.30
06/08/22 - 'Rik Wolters is Too Gay' at Burrito 'n' Shake, Edinburgh - show 19.30
29/07/22 - SAM Comedy Night (host) at Kandy Bar, Dundee - show 20.00
01/05/22 - SAM Comedy Night (host) at Smoke & Mirrors, Leith - show 20.00 (doors 19.00)
25/03/22 - Comedy Club at the Comedy Festival at The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall, Glasgow - show 19.00
27/02/22 - Smoke and Mirrors Charity Comedy Evening at Smoke & Mirrors, Leith - show 20.00 (doors 19.00).
23/02/22 - Diversity Quota at Gilchrist Postgraduate Club, Glasgow - show 19.30
24/08/21 - 'HIGH WOLTAGE!' at Globe Bar, Edinburgh - show 21.00
23/08/21 - 'HIGH WOLTAGE!' at Globe Bar, Edinburgh - show 21.00
22/08/21 - 'HIGH WOLTAGE!' at Globe Bar, Edinburgh - show 21.00
21/08/21 - 'HIGH WOLTAGE!' at Globe Bar, Edinburgh - show 21.00
26/02/20 - Diversity Quota at the Gilchrist Postgraduate Club, Glasgow - show 19.30
29/08/19 - Jesters Comedy Night at Jimmy's in Park Bar, Glasgow - show 20.00
24/08/19 - Alpha Male at Carnivore (The Vault), Cowgate, Edinburgh - show 19.30
23/08/19 - Alpha Male at Carnivore (The Vault), Cowgate, Edinburgh - show 19.30
22/08/19 - Alpha Male at Carnivore (The Vault), Cowgate, Edinburgh - show 19.30
21/08/19 - Alpha Male at Carnivore (The Vault), Cowgate, Edinburgh - show 19.30
21/08/19 - A Comedy Tapas at Opium, Cowgate, Edinburgh - show 13.05
20/08/19 - Alpha Male at Carnivore (The Vault), Cowgate, Edinburgh - show 19.30
19/08/19 - Alpha Male at Carnivore (The Vault), Cowgate, Edinburgh - show 19.30
18/08/19 - Alpha Male at Carnivore (The Vault), Cowgate, Edinburgh - show 19.30
17/08/19 - Alpha Male at Carnivore (The Vault), Cowgate, Edinburgh - show 19.30
16/08/19 - Alpha Male at Carnivore (The Vault), Cowgate, Edinburgh - show 19.30
16/08/19 - A Comedy Tapas at Opium, Cowgate, Edinburgh - show 13.05
15/08/19 - Alpha Male at Carnivore (The Vault), Cowgate, Edinburgh - show 19.30
14/08/19 - Alpha Male at Carnivore (The Vault), Cowgate, Edinburgh - show 19.30
13/08/19 - Alpha Male at Carnivore (The Vault), Cowgate, Edinburgh - show 19.30
12/08/19 - Alpha Male at Carnivore (The Vault), Cowgate, Edinburgh - show 19.30
12/08/19 - Guest on 'Complete History of Pop in an Hour' at Globe Bar, Niddry St, Edinburgh - show 14.15
12/08/19 - A Comedy Tapas at Opium, Cowgate, Edinburgh - show 13.05
11/08/19 - Alpha Male at Carnivore (The Vault), Cowgate, Edinburgh - show 19.30
10/08/19 - Peter Buckley Hill and Some Comedians at Ciao Roma, South Bridge, Edinburgh - show 22.50
10/08/19 - Alpha Male at Carnivore (The Vault), Cowgate, Edinburgh - show 19.30
09/08/19 - Alpha Male at Carnivore (The Vault), Cowgate, Edinburgh - show 19.30
09/08/19 - A Comedy Tapas at Opium, Cowgate, Edinburgh - show 13.05
08/08/19 - Alpha Male at Carnivore (The Vault), Cowgate, Edinburgh - show 19.30
07/08/19 - Alpha Male at Carnivore (The Vault), Cowgate, Edinburgh - show 19.30
06/08/19 - Alpha Male at Carnivore (The Vault), Cowgate, Edinburgh - show 19.30
05/08/19 - Alpha Male at Carnivore (The Vault), Cowgate, Edinburgh - show 19.30
04/08/19 - A Comedy Tapas at Opium, Cowgate, Edinburgh - show 13.05
03/08/19 - Alpha Male at Carnivore (The Vault), Cowgate, Edinburgh - show 19.30
03/08/19 - A Comedy Tapas at Opium, Cowgate, Edinburgh - show 13.05
02/08/19 - Comedy Queers at The Counting House, Edinburgh - show 23.30
30/05/19 - Diversity Quota at the Gilchrist Postgraduate Club, Glasgow - show 19.00
23/03/19 - German Shepherd Rescue Charity Gig @ GICF at The Griffin, Glasgow - show 20.00
23/03/19 - "High Woltage!" @ GICF at The Griffin, Glasgow - show 18.00
01/12/18 - Comedy Night Coatbridge at The Clubhouse, Waysiders Cricket Club, Coatbridge - show 20.00
20/11/18 - Red Raw at The Stand Comedy Club, Glasgow - show 20.30
12/11/18 - Red Raw at The Stand Comedy Club, Edinburgh - show 20.30
26/10/18 - Comedy Night Livingston at Deer Park Country Club, Livingston - show 20.00
22/10/18 - GLASS at The Record Factory, Glasgow - show 19.30
17/10/18 - Comedy Knights at The Dragonfly, Edinburgh - show 20.00
25/08/18 - Heroic Failure at The Clootie Dumpling (Room 1), Edinburgh - show 18.30
24/08/18 - Heroic Failure at The Clootie Dumpling (Room 1), Edinburgh - show 18.30
23/08/18 - Heroic Failure at The Clootie Dumpling (Room 1), Edinburgh - show 18.30
23/08/18 - AComedyTapas at Opium, Edinburgh - show 13.15
22/08/18 - Trigger Warning at The Clootie Dumpling, Edinburgh - show 22.15
22/08/18 - Heroic Failure at The Clootie Dumpling (Room 1), Edinburgh - show 18.30
21/08/18 - Opening for Davy Mitchell "Irony?" at Riddle's Court, Lawnmarket, Edinburgh - show 20.00
21/08/18 - Heroic Failure at The Clootie Dumpling (Room 1), Edinburgh - show 18.30
20/08/18 - PBH's Free Fringe Showcase (Hosting) at The Clootie Dumpling (Room 1), Edinburgh - show 22.15
20/08/18 - Heroic Failure at The Clootie Dumpling (Room 1), Edinburgh - show 18.30
19/08/18 - Heroic Failure at The Clootie Dumpling (Room 1), Edinburgh - show 18.30
19/08/18 - AComedyTapas at Opium, Edinburgh - show 13.15
18/08/18 - Heroic Failure at The Clootie Dumpling (Room 1), Edinburgh - show 18.30
18/08/18 - Comedy Queers at The Counting House, Edinburgh - show 00.45
17/08/18 - Heroic Failure at The Clootie Dumpling (Room 1), Edinburgh - show 18.30
17/08/18 - Stand Up: Edinburgh at Fireside, East Market St, Edinburgh - show 17.00
16/08/18 - Heroic Failure at The Clootie Dumpling (Room 1), Edinburgh - show 18.30
15/08/18 - Heroic Failure at The Clootie Dumpling (Room 1), Edinburgh - show 18.30
15/08/18 - AComedyTapas at Opium, Edinburgh - show 13.15
14/08/18 - Heroic Failure at The Clootie Dumpling (Room 1), Edinburgh - show 18.30
13/08/18 - Heroic Failure at The Clootie Dumpling (Room 1), Edinburgh - show 18.30
12/08/18 - Heroic Failure at The Clootie Dumpling (Room 1), Edinburgh - show 18.30
11/08/18 - Heroic Failure at The Clootie Dumpling (Room 1), Edinburgh - show 18.30
10/08/18 - Heroic Failure at The Clootie Dumpling (Room 1), Edinburgh - show 18.30
09/08/18 - Heroic Failure at The Clootie Dumpling (Room 1), Edinburgh - show 18.30
09/08/18 - Stand Up: Edinburgh at Fireside, East Market St, Edinburgh - show 17.00
08/08/18 - Heroic Failure at The Clootie Dumpling (Room 1), Edinburgh - show 18.30
07/08/18 - Heroic Failure at The Clootie Dumpling (Room 1), Edinburgh - show 18.30
07/08/18 - AComedyTapas at Opium, Edinburgh - show 13.15
06/08/18 - Heroic Failure at The Clootie Dumpling (Room 1), Edinburgh - show 18.30
05/08/18 - Pick of the Fringe at The Stand Comedy Club, Glasgow - show 21.00
05/08/18 - Heroic Failure at The Clootie Dumpling (Room 1), Edinburgh - show 18.30
04/08/18 - Heroic Failure at The Clootie Dumpling (Room 1), Edinburgh - show 18.30
04/08/18 - Comedy Queers at The Counting House, Edinburgh - show 00.45
24/07/18 - Heroic Failure (Fringe Preview with Lubna Kerr) at JunkYard, Hamilton - show 20.00
13/07/18 - Laughter On the Links at Leith FAB Cricket Club, Leith - show 20.30
05/07/18 - PBH Free Fringe Fundraiser at The Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh - show 19.30
24/03/18 - Rik Wolters is a Heroic Failure @ GICF at Liberté, Glasgow - show 18.00
23/03/18 - Comedy & Pizza @ GICF at Yesbar, Glasgow - show 13.00
18/03/18 - Comedy & Pizza @ GICF at Yesbar, Glasgow - show 13.00
16/03/18 - No Fox Given at Ball Room Sports Bar, Bellshill - show 20.00
12/03/18 - Red Raw at The Stand Comedy Club, Edinburgh - show 20.30
10/03/18 - Charity Fundraiser at The Griffin, Glasgow - show 20.00
04/03/18 - GICF Preview (with Lubna Kerr) at Woodland Creatures, Edinburgh - show 18.30
05/02/18 - Red Raw at The Stand Comedy Club, Edinburgh - show 20.30
01/12/17 - Laughter On the Links (host) at Leith FAB Cricket Club, Edinburgh - show 20.30
28/11/17 - JunkYard Jokers at JunkYard, Hamilton - show 20.00
24/11/17 - Livingston Comedy Night at Deer Park Country Club, Livingston - show 20.00
27/10/17 - Laughter On the Links (host) at Leith FAB Cricket Club, Edinburgh - show 20.30
29/09/17 - Laughter On the Links (host) at Leith FAB Cricket Club, Edinburgh - show 20.30
13/07/17 - Laughter On the Links (host) at Leith FAB Cricket Club, Edinburgh - show 20.30

Media

Videos of Rik performing.