Siân Bevan

Edinburgh Festival comedy highlights for a fiver

15 Jul 2009

Ooh, a Fringe in a credit crunch. It’ll be interesting times for all this year, but if you get in quick you can catch some of the best acts in exchange for a mere fiver. We’ve selected fifty of the finest shows you can see for the price of a…

The Muffia

Uncomfortable, unplanned and best avoided

19 Aug 2009

Tight Women is a baffling little number, telling the tale of two market traders fantasising about their own telly show. However, the action is overshadowed by the awkward silence of an audience desperately trying to like and understand the two stars…

Andy Linden expresses himself in odd ways on our board

Board Meeting: Andy Linden

19 Aug 2010

It's the dude you might recognise off the telly doing chat and that. If we were to analyse his Board, we could conclude that he either sees himself as the Elephant Man or a balloon. We're not sure which is more worrying.

Alfie Brown & Ivo Graham

Rants and interruptions hamper this newbie duo

15 Aug 2010

Maybe they’ve had too many accolades in the past year, including the So You Think You’re Funny title for Graham, and have become complacent. Maybe they were having an off night, or rushed up to Edinburgh, eager to show their talents but not quite sure…

Ben Dover

Penetrating tales of filth with dodgy jokes

20 Aug 2009

Everyone in the room knows what to expect from this chirpy pornography pioneer. His show is unashamed filth, packed with glorious details of the fascinating world of the professional shagger. In a Festival full of sex tales, it’s intriguing to hear the…

Rob Rouse gets his teeth into Edinburgh Fringe 2010

Board Meeting: Rob Rouse

23 Aug 2010

OK, so ignore the fact Mr Rob Rouse is standing in front of the wrong venue board, and pay attention to the GENIUS of bitten sheep. It looks like he's biting it! Who needs Toy Story 3? This year he's talking about sorting himself out with the…

Paul Sweeney describes his show using the medium of marker pens

Board Meeting: Paul Sweeney & Tom Webb

23 Aug 2010

Look at the cheeky wee grin on it. There's a panda AND a bear on this board, topped off with a Paul Sweeney sporting a lovely moustache. What more could a discerning audience member require? Oh, comedy. That too. Paul Sweeney and Tom Webb,The GRV.

Lady Garden draw out their secret show

Board Meeting: Lady Garden

13 Aug 2010

Looking particularly floral, Lady Garden catch the eyes of people loitering in the Courtyard this afternoon. It's not just the amazing oufits: these six ladies have been building a reputation as one of the sketch shows that it's worth making an effort…

'Pedantic overlord' Stephen Carlin draws out the details of his show

Board Meeting: Stephen Carlin

7 Aug 2010

Stephen Carlin took 25 minutes to draw his whiteboard. It's not a criticism, but symptomatic of a show born from the brain of (and we're quoting) "a pedantic overlord" which has won him high favour on the comedy circuit with its invention and picked…

A Big Trout in a Small Pond

Sketch show for the Skins generation lacks a wider outlook

11 Aug 2009

Z Theatre Company is ablaze with youthful enthusiasm and fling themselves into this fast-paced sketch show. There are some cracking moments, such as the Barry Scott number, but their young outlook is also their downfall, with too many obvious sketches…

Marcus Brigstocke

Preaching to the converted

10 Aug 2009

In God Collar, Marcus Brigstocke treads the well-worn path of questioning religion, albeit with wistful curiosity rather than a Dawkins-style damnation of all things spiritual. Brigstocke wants something to fill an empty space in his soul, which lends…

The Big Ugly Monster and the Little Stone Rabbit

1 Aug 2007

There are lots of monsters appearing at this year’s Fringe, but none so ugly as this one.

Pete Firman illustrates his Edinburgh show via a whiteboard

Board Meeting: Pete Firman

23 Aug 2010

Aww...look how nice Pete Firman is. He's only gone and starred out the sweary word on his board so we don't get offended. Thank fuck. He's also been very sensible and named his show in fine Ronseal fashion, so you know exactly what you're getting: Jokes…

Time Travelling Magicians conjure up a sketch with marker pens

Board Meeting: Morgan & West

23 Aug 2010

The Board Meetings Prize for dapper dressers go to these lovely Time Travelling Magicians, who won our hearts by doing a little fancy trick with their tiny flyer. It was like the future and the past all in one hand movement. Magical fun. Morgan…

Robert White's Outrageously Peculiar sketch of his Fringe show

Board Meeting: Robert White

23 Aug 2010

You are looking at a man in blue, with blue pants over tights, holding a trumpet in one hand and a whiteboard with a phallic keyboard on the other. You, ladies and gentlemen, are looking at Robert White. Robert White's Outrageously Peculiar Organ…

Bruce Fummey warns our board that the end is nigh!

Board Meeting: Bruce Fummey

19 Aug 2010

It's an apocalyptic sight on a Fringe afternoon and a pretty doom-laden topic, as Scottish comedian Bruce Fummey talks about the end of time. With jokes. After a few years looking to history for inspiration for his shows, this time he's looking at the…

Purple pornstar namesake draws us a rather un-sexual picture

Board Meeting: Sarah-Louise Young

19 Aug 2010

Sarah-Louise Young takes on many guises. She's a darling of the cabaret scene, adopting a variety of characters to showcase her many acting and vocal talents. She's also, as it happens, one of our most chipper models to date. And the ukulele? Apparently…

Golden Lizard give us one of the most impressive boards

Board Meeting: Golden Lizard

19 Aug 2010

Their lizard may not be entirely golden in this shot, but it has a nosebleed. Random bits of blood is, we believe, the new thing in comedy. Especially when you give comedians the option of a red board marker. Nice funny boys doing characters and…

Comedy Zone show off their artistic talents

Board Meeting: The Comedy Zone

19 Aug 2010

If you're finding it difficult to decide which comedians to see, then The Comedy Zone has four fine young things showing off for an hour and a half. And, if their whiteboard is to be believed, they all look exactly the same. Apart from the scary giant…

Yianni Agisilaou

A lovely hour with some fine, funny company

16 Aug 2010

In They @#$% You Up: Greek Parents, Agisilaou presents a charming show about his Greek-Cypriot family. He’s a naturally affable storyteller, with clear affections for his unique relatives, brought to life with fabulous set pieces. The delivery…

Simon Evans

Tightly written and carefully delivered

16 Aug 2010

Evans executes the carefully crafted persona of an articulate, opinionated after-dinner speaker with a penchant for an extended vocabulary. Within the boundaries of this character, he charts familiar territories: slagging the Welsh, the Geordies and the…

Ronna and Beverly don't need to do better next time

Board Meeting: Ronna and Beverly

13 Aug 2010

Ronna and Beverly light up the Courtyard as they totter towards the whiteboard challenge with their trademark Jewish Mother voices cutting through the polite chat of a billion posh people talking about reviews of people they're planning on buying (ok…

Pipe smoking Mr B Scribbles down some of his favourite things, "Me"

Board Meeting: Me! Me! Me!

13 Aug 2010

There are some acts that you meet and wish they made the rules for how the rest of the world dressed, behaved and rapped. Mr B the Gentleman Rhymer doesn't, yet, but you could totally get tips in his lunchtime show at the Ghillie Dhu. But keep the pipe…

Sarah Bennetto draws her first card

Board Meeting: Sarah Bennetto

13 Aug 2010

Sarah Bennetto is totally winning our prize for best (and quite speedy) drawing. She's spending her August telling of how Prince Charles (actually) invited her to the Palace and how she (actually) went. Look! It's Charles on a card! Our minds are…

John Robins pictures his Fringe show as a confused smiley

Board Meeting: John Robins

13 Aug 2010

You may have heard his dulcet tones on Jon Richardson's 6 Music Show, or you may have already been entertained by his comedic charm. This year's show is about growing up fast: just look at that photo: thumbs up, sad winky face...it's so many levels at…

Daniel Rigby draws us up a biblical board

Board Meeting: Daniel Rigby

13 Aug 2010

Daniel is telling the tale of life as a lapsed born-again Christian and so has, quite rightly, drawn a cross on his board. He has also adopted a beautifully holy expression, which was nice to see. However, the show is not guaranteed to be a fast track…

Gyles Brandreth is 'One to One' with the shiny white board

Board Meeting: Gyles Brandreth

13 Aug 2010

What can we say? It's Gyles Brandreth! He's doing a show. It features Gyles Brandreth! We took this photo, which also features Gyles Brandreth! He's lovely dresser, that Gyles Brandreth.

Gareth Richards introduces a fridge called Dave

Board Meeting: Gareth Richards

13 Aug 2010

That box thing on Gareth's whiteboard is Dave the Fridge. Look it up on Youtube, if you haven't already had the pleasure, and you'll get a taste of the quirky mixture of stand-up and tunes that will be trickling through the Pleasance Cellar round about…

At least they're showing us how to draw a cake

Board Meeting: Domestic Goddi

13 Aug 2010

These three ladies have been garnering quite a reputation for themselves...no, no not like that...they're funny. A funny reputation. Oh shut up and look what a neat cake they drew. In case you can't read it, they also wrote 'obesity rules' on the side.

Nat Luurtsema supports the dinosaurs using wipeable pens

Board Meeting: Nat Luurtsema

13 Aug 2010

This Summer Nat is discussing heroism and being helpful in bad situations. As such she drew the first dinosaur of the Board Meeting series, complete with first sword. If that's not worth having a gander at her quirky brand of comedy, then the dinosaurs…

Dan Antopolski

Confidently entertaining

10 Aug 2010

It’s difficult for a comedian to both maintain a wide appeal and avoid falling into a safe and cliché-riddled set. Antopolski copes admirably with the mission, mixing gags (and there’s one to compete with last year’s ‘hedgehog’ phenomenon) with personal…

Elis James - Daytripper

Scruffy yet sharp show about obsessions

8 Aug 2010

Elis James is charming company. Even when fluffing the end of his show, he’s wooed the audience with the skills of a sharp compere so they totally forgive the slip.

Jo Caulfield - her off the telly sketches out her Fringe show Cruel to be Kind

Board Meeting: Jo Caulfield

7 Aug 2010

Another comedian puts pen to board for The List, to draw the essence of their stand-up. When asked how she'd flyer her own show, Caulfield explains she'd point at the flyer and ask, 'Do you know who she is? Off the telly? Well, it's her but she's much…

Phil Nichol sketches out Welcome to Crazytown

Board Meeting: Phil Nichol

7 Aug 2010

Drawing on the board, chatting, posing and having the photo taken takes Phil Nichol about three minutes. This comedic whirlwind is what whisked his reputation into the public eye, and this year the storm is again channelled into the unnerving world of…

Jojo Sutherland Goes for the Jocular - in pictures

Board Meeting: Jojo Sutherland

7 Aug 2010

Jojo returns to home territory with her show Jojo Sutherland Goes for the Jocular, where she'll tackle all the grievances that have been driving her barmy over the past year. She'll be taking a lunchtime spot at The Stand, a time of day when a bit of…

James Dowdeswell's My Grandad was a Clown and Those are Big Shoes to Fill

Board Meeting: James Dowdeswell

7 Aug 2010

James Dowdeswell discovered that his great grandfather was a clown and comic actor who had worked with Charlie Chaplin? How does an up-and-coming comedian compete with that? By looking a bit homeless on the street outside his venue with a whiteboard and…

Stand regulars Silence of the Trams II draw us their Fringe show

Board Meeting: Silence of the Trams II

7 Aug 2010

Silence of the Trams comprises of Jim Park, Gordon Alexander, Niall Browne, Derek Johnston and Martin McAllister: regulars at The Stand throughout the year (we know, we've forgotten what that's like too). Join them on a comedic trip round the most…

Jason Cook draws us the essence of his Fringe show

Board Meeting: Jason Cook

5 Aug 2010

This week we’ve persuaded another fine comedian to put pen to board and draw the essence of their show. Jason Cook is one of the few comedians chirpy enough to do a show about death without sounding like a depressed goth tied to a bus stop of pain. He’s…

Vladimir McTavish - The Idiot's Guide to Whisky

The first in a series of whiteboard show introductions

30 Jul 2010

In the first of a regular festival series we’ve asked a comedian to draw the essence of his or her festival show on our List festival wipeboard. This summer Vladimir McTavish is teaching the world about whisky. Well, kinda. In a show originally called…

Improvised comedy group Q-Fusion playing the long game

August gigs at Laughing Horse Free Festival

23 Jul 2010

You may not have heard of Q-Fusion. They have avoided the crusty tracks undertaken by most comedy troupes and, rather than crawl through grotty backroom venues, they had their debut gig in a solo show at Glasgow’s Highlight. It’s unconventional to…

RE

Strong performances and an over-ambitious script

26 Aug 2009

Frustrating piece about three people trapped with each other and the ghosts of their pasts. Confusion arises from a script trying to do too much in such a limited time frame, but the show is saved by beautiful staging and strong performances, which keep…

Jason Byrne

Life-affirming offbeat madness

24 Aug 2009

The Fringe just wouldn't be the same without our favourite angry Irishman. This year's offering is more hysterical rantings, more rubbish magic and the heart-warming wonderment of a hyperactive child. At times the energy seems to dip below his normal…

Shed Simove

Intriguing subject, awkward performance

24 Aug 2009

This is, if nothing else, unique. In Ideas Man, the nerdy Simove discusses his novelty products and occasional Gorman-esque stunt with an ungainly arrogance. There are some truly funny gems but the slick PowerPoint and overbearing posters make this a…

Patch Hyde & Adam Tempest

A sweet way to spend an hour

19 Aug 2009

The Fudge Kitchen certainly makes for a kooky venue. With scrummy smells, free fudge and very limited audience squeezed in, this feels like an exciting Fringe experience. The comedy, courtesy of charming daytime fudge-makers Hyde and Tempest, remains at…

Elvis McGonagall

Poetically charming tartan chappie

14 Aug 2009

There’s something very reassuring about Elvis McGonagall. It might be the tartan jacket or the golden Scottish tones which drip over the audience. It could be the older demographic this poet-comedian attracts, or the hypnotic rhythms of his accomplished…

Paddy Lennox

Tackling this family tree isn't as interesting as Who Do You Think You Are?

12 Aug 2009

Lennox is tackling his ancestry, using it as a springboard for a gentle hour musing his genetic make-up. Poignancy points are awarded for the worthy message and sweet home movies, but the fuzzy warmth far outweighs the laughs. He’s a charming, highly…

Pete Johansson

A perfomer comfortable in his skin

11 Aug 2009

In Naked Pictures of My Life, the affable Johansson marches through swathes of familiar territory, from differences between the sexes to the bodily transformations of age, and he tackles it all with a solid, dependable laughter-fest. Although…

The Kosh in The Storeroom

Bending from the beautiful to the absurd

8 Aug 2009

The Kosh, aka Siân Williams and Michael Merwitzer, have worked hard to create an atmospheric piece telling this tale of a dancing girl done wrong. Using props found in a storeroom they take us from her childhood to downfall at the hands of the ever…

Mark Borkowski - The Fame Formula

7 Aug 2008

ENTERTAINMENT HISTORY (Sidgwick & Jackson) Behind every great celebrity is a brilliant publicist. It’s this remarkable breed which is examined by Mark Borkowski, an experienced PR man himself, as he takes us back through the modern history of fame…

The Real Daniel O'Donnell Show

Sketch stuff which will cheerily upset fans of the crooning Irish icon

31 Jul 2008

The festival is, as always, packed full of worthy messages with comedy addressing everything from politics to love via environmental disasters. When asked about his Fringe sketch show, comedian Michael Legge replies gleefully ‘oh, it’s childishly…