The indispensable guide to festive cheer comedy@list.co.uk
LIST
FESTIVAL COMEDY
Those who laugh first may actually be laughing longest
Daniel Kitson The self- confessed cross between a university lecturer and a nasty paedophile aims to consolidate on last year’s amazing success with more melancholic tales born and bred in deepest Yorkshire. Take along someone you love and prepare to have the cockles of your heart warmed. See preview. page 22. Pleasance. 556 6550, 7—26 Aug (not 7, 20). 9.45pm,
fS—EiO. MEN IN Paul Zenon The king of COATS con and the sultan of swindle is
back for his first full Fringe run since 1997. Before he jets off to Hollywood and shows Tom Cruise a tasty trick or two. catch the man known in some magic circles as the British David Blaine. Only infinitely funnier. See preview. page 20. Assembly Rooms, 226 2428, 2—26 Aug, 70.30pm, $70—$77 ($39—$70).
Surrealist mime from the most talked about double act in years
Silence is golden. But when it comes to comedy. a pause shOuId only he the prelude to a laugh before the next gag hits home. Don't tell that to Men in Coats. For this pair of Clowns brilliantly merge Chaplin Willi Dali. offering up a dash of comedy cool a la Boosh i.-./ith the fashion sense of Kenny McCorinaCk to whip up an 3xtravagan/a of mime =.'./ithout the ‘.'.’a|klllg-Ul)-£i hill-GQCIIHSI'th'V/llld chchtrs. It's the quiet ones you've got to match.
I Piet'isance. 556 (55:30. until 26 Aug (/70! (5. 20). 945,017), i‘:3~5‘7().
Omid Djalili Britain's foremost Iranian stand-up almost cancelled shows last year because of 11 September. feeling that comedy was inappropriate in the shadow of such horrors. Thankfully, he changed his mind and Behind Enemy Lines is Omid's amusing take on the world‘s political crises. See preview, page 14. P/easance. 556 6550. 4—26 Aug, 7.30pm, £5—E7 7.
Sucker More magically manipulative con artistry. this time with a wizard from Oz who
. . . , will help you beat your pals at Folk the W6,“ Three of the Fringe’s upwardly mobile comedians tell us their poker and your buddies at
recommendations for this year’s festival. blackjack. And maybe your
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Count Arthur Strong’s Forgotten Egypt SWOm enem'es at Snap- And Chosen by Noel Fielding the Cheat 9093 On- 899 What is it? Shamholic character comedy at its host. Steve Delaney is the DreVleW- page 14. Assemb/Y hrilliant show/man who delivers an enlightening lecture on the parts of ROG/773. 225 2428. 2—25 Aug. Ancient Egypt other lecturers fail to reach. 9. 75pm. in-El 7 (SQ—£370). I Gilded Bal/oon. 2262/51. 2—06 Aug mo! 12. 15);. :">.-/15p/n, 5‘4—5‘8. Ross Noble Has there ever
Folk The World - Flight of the Conchords been a more astutely titled Chosen by Ross Nohle show? Son/C Waffle is the What is it? New Zealand horn and bred folk duo who fuse nongo oeats. comic from Cramlington's latest digital rock. "etro rap. future funk and ndiwdual style. Anything but traditional. inspired storm of surrealism. I Gi/UOU Bi’i/lOOH. 226 2 .75 7. 2—26 Aug. ’ 7.45;)!7‘. 58430—53960 437.5(l—f850i. Can ROSS finally claim his spot
. on the Perrier shortlist? Or Davud O’Doherty maybe pigs will fly. See Chosen. by Daniel Kitson preview. page 16 p/easance Who IS It? Modest Irish storyteller \‘Jllll a penchant for song. gentle 556 6550' Um” 26 Aug (not 7’ humour. Steely Dan and Jackanory who s gone all Arne/ie-esque With his 20), 90m. £5_£72 charming account of s/na/l things. Safe enough to take along the old folks. I Gilded Bal/oon Tel/rot. 226 2.75 7. 2—26 Aug «co: 12/. 8pm f8-—£‘9 rE7—f8‘.
‘--:% Aug 2.73.2 THE LIST FESTIVAL GUIDE 13