Festival Comedy list.co.uk/festival
ANDY HAMILTON’S HAT OF DOOM You may not have heard his name before (unless your butcher or plumber shares it) but you will almost certainly have seen the fruits of his comedy writing on TV. Outnumbered, Drop the Dead Donkey, Shelley and Not The Nine O’Clock News are a brief sample, and he’s also popped up on Have I Got News for You and QI. Expect anecdotes, observations and witty bonhomie rather than sweary stand-up comedy. Think we may have had quite enough of that this month, don’t you? (Brian Donaldson) ■ Queen’s Hall, 668 2019, 29 Aug, 9.45pm, £15 (£13).
5QUESTIONS
Terry Alderton once played in goals for Southend FC before turning to comedy. There’s nothing in our Q&A he can’t handle What five words best describes your show this year?
No format, just full on.
Can you name a comic who should be more famous than they are now why?
Me.
What bugs or delights you most about Edinburgh in August? The weather bugs me; it delights me to play to bright minds.
Start a rumour about yourself . . . I’m upper middle class and educated.
Which dead comics do you wish were still alive and working today? Max Wall: someone who could make people laugh by just walking. Michael Bentine: so creative and an unsung hero. I’m old enough to remember Potty Time. Tony Hancock: the original Larry David, who I also love. Laurel and Hardy: a cliché but I loved them as a kid and still love them now, timeless. Dave Allen: it’s always nice to watch people just being good at what they do regardless of their content or topics. Allen was poetic, effortless, cutting, candid and gentle. (Interview by Brian Donaldson) ■ Gilded Balloon Teviot, 622 6552, 27–30 Aug, 9.30pm, £11 (£10).
music@list.co.uk Hitlist FESTIVAL COMEDY *
✽✽ Brendon Burns In years gone by this mouthy Aussie could have started an almighty battle in an empty room. He doesn’t have that problem anymore given the number of dates he’s added to this sold- out run. Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, 25–29 Aug, 10.30pm, £16 (£14.50). ✽✽ Anna & Katy Crilly and Wix pull out all the Pythonesque stops with a raving hour of all- out lunacy. Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, until 31 Aug, 6.40pm, £9.50–£10.50 (£8–£9). ✽✽ Phil Nichol The crazy Canadian brings it down a gear to devastating effect with his creation Bobby Spade. The Stand II, 558 7272, until 30 Aug, 9pm, £10. ✽✽ Kim Noble One half of Noble and Silver returns to the Fringe with a difficult show confronting the darker recesses of his, and our minds. Assembly Rooms, 623 3030, until 30 Aug, 6.20pm, £12–£13 (£11–£12). ✽✽ Richard Herring One of this year’s most anticipated comedy shows delivers its promise with passion and hilarity. Underbelly, 08445 458 252, until 30 Aug, 8.40pm, £9.50–£10.50 (£8.50–£9.50). ✽✽ Pappy’s Fun Club A supersonic jaunt through a ludicrous yet hilarious number of sketches over 60 minutes. Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, until 31 Aug, 7.20pm, £12–£14 (£10.50–£12.50). ✽✽ Alun Cochrane One of our most merry daydreamers delivers another heavenly set. The Stand III & IV, 558 7272, until 30 Aug, 10.50pm, £9 (£8). ✽✽ Jonny Sweet The guy just announced to play a young David Cameron in a future More4 production delivers a devastatingly funny show about a deceased brother. Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, until 30 Aug, 4.45pm, £8.50–£9.50 (£7–£8). For venue addresses see index page, 112.
27 Aug–10 Sep 2009 THE LIST FESTIVAL MAGAZINE 69