Preview: The Maternal Instinct (by Monica Bauer) [published on fringeguru.com]

BY RICHARD STAMP We admit – we’re taking a chance today, and recommending a play we’ve never actually seen. In fact, it’s having its UK premiere here in Brighton. But there’s no disputing its pedigree: playwright Monica Bauer’s previous work earned our top rating in Edinburgh last year, while director Chris Hislop has consistently impressed … Continue reading →

Rabbit in the Headlights (***)

Opinion on “new act” nights is completely divided. Some swear by them, enjoying engaging with new material and talent and hoping to see the NBT (Next Big Thing). Others can’t stand the idea – rather going with established acts who will definitely be worth their money. I used to be the latter camp, but have … Continue reading →

New Art Club: This Is Now (****1/2)

Brighton Dome – Pavilion Theatre (venue details) I’m partially dreading, and partially can’t wait, to write this review.  New Art Club come laden with accolades for their unique blend of dance and comedy, as well as their efforts beyond the stage: both Tom Roden and Pete Shenton are established figures in the dance world, and … Continue reading →

Spaghetti Western Orchestra (***)

Brighton Dome – Pavilion Theatre (venue details) It’s really exciting to see something this original during an event with the size and scope of the Brighton Comedy Festival – and the Spaghetti Western Orchestra do not disappoint, with their interesting mixture of comedy, music and Ennio Morricone. It’s a slick and entertaining act, and the talent on … Continue reading →

Superclump (****)

The GRV (venue details) 6 – 30 Aug (not 19), 2:40pm (3:40pm) The comedy sketch show is one of the least-well-respected of the comedy show formats, yet one of the most popular. It’s rare to come across a sketch show that doesn’t follow the tried-and-tested format: a collection of up-and-coming comedians perform in a collection … Continue reading →

Alexis Dubus: A R*ddy Brief History of Swearing (***)

Downstairs at the Tron (venue details) 6 – 30 Aug (not 19), 6:20pm (7:20pm) We all love to swear, there’s no denying it. As an expression of passion, anger or vehemence, there is nothing better – but I’m supposed to keep this review “clean”, otherwise I’d be both cursing and passionately supporting Alexis Dubus in … Continue reading →

Brendon Burns: Comedy Good Yeah Silly Side C**t (****)

Pleasance Courtyard (venue details) 28, 29 Aug, 10:30pm (11:30pm) An Aussie comic with much to prove, Brendon Burns seemingly drags controversy in his wake, especially following the recent Guardian tirade against ‘offensive’ comedy. This is a man known for his on-stage outbursts and ‘difficult’ material, his controversial outspokenness and his foul mouth. However, Brendon Burns … Continue reading →

Reginald D Hunter: The Only Apple in the Garden of Eden and Niggas (****1/2)

Udderbelly’s Pasture (venue details) 16 – 30 Aug, 10:00pm (11:00pm) Reginald D Hunter is in danger of becoming a comedy icon: famous for his panel show appearances, as well as his sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Festival, it is fascinating to see what sort of crowds he attracts. There are clearly people present who have … Continue reading →

Denis Krasnov vs. Shane Healey (**)

Just the Tonic @ The Caves (venue details) 6 – 30 Aug (not 18), 9:20pm (10:20pm) I need to be honest here: I like my comedy quite high-brow. Denis Krasnov and Shane Healey are, unfortunately, two of the crassest comedians I’ve had the ‘pleasure’ of watching – and while their set-up was different and interesting, … Continue reading →

Dan Atkinson: Death by a Thousand Pricks (***)

Pleasance Courtyard (venue details) 5 – 31 Aug, 9:30pm (10:30pm) You won’t have to look far to find surreal comedy at the Fringe, so it’s good to see a comedian harking back to an older style of stand-up. Dan Atkinson is very much in the tradition of stand-up as acerbic social commentary, aggressive and direct. … Continue reading →

Alistair McGowan and Charlotte Page: Cocktails with Coward (****)

Assembly @ George Street (venue details) 6 – 31 Aug (not 17), 4:40pm (5:40pm) Alistair McGowan is famous for his impersonations; he has made himself an impressive (boom-boom) career with them. For a man not particularly known for his acting or singing ability, this was a surprisingly polished performance, helped along ably by Charlotte Page. … Continue reading →

David O’Doherty: David O’Doh-Party (****)

Pleasance Courtyard (venue details) 5 – 31 Aug (not 17), 10:30pm (11:30pm) Comedy with music can be a tricky act, but some performers out there seem to have hit the nail on the head – and David O’Doherty is one of the main proponents of this genre. His musical numbers are delightful little ditties, clever … Continue reading →

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) (***)

Just the Tonic @ The Caves (venue details) 5 – 30 Aug (not 18), 2:50pm (3:50pm) It is a dangerous thing to attempt to recreate a show that was a spectacular success first time around. From its humble Fringe beginnings, The Complete Works (abridged) toured the world and made a huge impact – showcasing the … Continue reading →

Russell Kane: Human Dressage (****)

Pleasance Courtyard (venue details) 5 – 31 Aug (not 17), 9:20pm (10:20pm) Russell Kane is a stand-up on the way to stardom. His recent TV appearances and credentials on the circuit are certainly paying off, with two shows in this year’s Fringe and fantastic audiences for both. The fact that he is in two shows … Continue reading →

Dan March: Goldrunner (***)

Gilded Balloon Teviot (venue details) 5 – 31 Aug (not 18), 4:30pm (5:30pm) Dan March has led a seemingly pathetic life, which is also the basis for his comedy. The high-point of his existence was his appearance on Blockbusters, back when he was 18, and the unfurling of his life from there is his subject. … Continue reading →

Dan Antopolski: Silent but Deadly (****1/2)

Pleasance Dome (venue details) 5 – 31 Aug, 9:20pm (10:20pm) One word: daft. There’s no better way to describe Dan Antopolski’s strange style of stand-up – a confounding mixture of one-liners, awkward laughs, comedy charts and rap songs. Yes, the man raps, and also has visual aids… This awkwardness creates a wonderful complicity with the … Continue reading →

Kent Valentine: How to Love Everyone (Even the Arseholes) (****1/2)

The GRV (venue details) 6 – 30 Aug (not 18), 9:20pm (10:20pm) The stereotypical image of an Aussie comic is a loud, aggressive braggart, so it is refreshing to see an Australian stand-up who is just delightfully charming. Kent Valentine couples this charm with a refreshing and bouncy wit, which makes for a really lovely … Continue reading →

Glenn Wool: Let Your Hands Go (*****)

Underbelly’s Hullabaloo (venue details) 7 – 31 Aug (not 18), 9:25pm (10:25pm) Beneath Glenn Wool’s rough cowboy exterior – be it the cowboy hat, the rumpled Guns and Roses T-shirt, the huge cowboy moustache, or the jeering, growling accent – lies a born entertainer. A creature of opposites, Wool marries the incongruities of his look … Continue reading →

Daniel Rigby: The Mothwokfantastic (*****)

Pleasance Courtyard (venue details) 5 – 31 Aug (not 17), 6:00pm (7:00pm) The Mothwokfantastic is absolutely brilliant. It is, by far, the best comedy show I have seen at the Fringe this year. Daniel Rigby has created a construct for his talents that could not be more fitting, and delivers his entire act with more … Continue reading →

Encouraging so far on the comedy front

Just a quick one, and more of a general observation: so far, all of the comedy I’ve seen has been of quite high quality.  No show under 4 stars so far, and this from the Edinburgh Fringe Comedy scene, generally agreed to be a testing ground for new material for the tour…  Is Edinburgh becoming … Continue reading →