FESTIVAL COMEDY LIST.CO.UK/FESTIVAL
E D I N B U R G H F E S T I V A L F R I N G E 3 – 2 7 A u g
TOP 8
SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE THINGS Comedians we have heavily praised this August choose something about this year’s festival that they loved Rhys Darby: ‘Two Cornish Rappers and a Casiotone from Hedluv and Passman. It is the perfect Fringe show: lo-fi technology with hi-fi dancing. If Murray Hewitt was here he would certainly be approaching them about management.’ Susan Calman: ‘Barbara Nice’s show at the Assembly Rooms. It’s the most joyous hour I’ve ever spent. I was happy for a whole day which, for the Fringe, is a record.’ Chris Corcoran of The Committee Meeting: ‘Watching Elis (James) become more comfortable in the calloused, leathery, turps- soaked skin of a 90-year-old caretaker than he is in his own has been remarkable.’ Sean Hughes: ‘I saw a man dressed as a clown unintentionally trip himself up on the way to his show and the world just felt a better place.’ Simon Evans: ‘The Olympics provided a wonderful balance, with actual substance and quality to immerse yourself in during the day and something to go back to instead of just drinking your own body weight in the Pleasance Courtyard.’ Chris Ramsey: ‘Performing a closing set at The Horne Section. I conducted the band into an impromptu rendition of a classic 90s TV show theme tune as the crowd all joined in: “Yo homes to Bel-Air!”’ Pat Burtscher: ‘My roommate bought a VCR and 20 VHS classics for under £10. Suck it Blu-ray and DVD, your overpriced days are numbered!’ Billy the Mime: ‘Standing in a dark, damp, man-made cave where Burke & Hare used to store dead bodies and present an hour of the most hated art form of the 21st century.’ ■ See list.co.uk/festival for more, and full show details.
23 Aug–20 Sep 2012 THE LIST 107
✽ HITLIST ALFIE BROWN Could the future of stand- up comedy actually be safe after all? A scintillating and challenging hour from this guy would suggest it’s getting back on track. See review at list.co.uk/festival. ■ Underbelly, Cowgate, 0844 545 8252, until 26 Aug, 6.25pm, £9.50–£10.50 (£8.50–£9.50).
Jim Jefferies Latest room-dividing hour from the controversial Aussie; this year we’re on the side that loves him. See review at list.co.uk/festival. Assembly Hall, 623 3030, until 26 Aug, 9pm, £16–£17.50 (£15–£16).
Doctor Brown Quality clowning for adults with surprisingly tender results. See review at list.co.uk/festival. Underbelly, Cowgate, 0844 545 8252, until 26 Aug, 9.05pm, £10.50–£11.50 (£9.50–£10.50). Eddie Pepitone The imposing New York comic and actor lets us dip our toes into his Bloodbath. See review at list.co.uk/ festival. The Tron, 556 5375, until 26 Aug, 11.40pm, £8–£10.
Kumail Nanjiani Having cancelled his opening shows due to other commitments, we’re glad this Pakistani- American comic got here in the end. See review, page 112. Assembly Roxy, 623 3030, until 27 Aug, 8pm, £11.50 (£10).
Shit-Faced Shakespeare Production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in which one cast member is sozzled off their pie. See review at list.co.uk/festival. C, 0845 260 1234, until 27 Aug, 10.20pm, £9.50– £11.50 (£7.50–£9.50).
Pappy’s Not sure whether it’s their really Last Show Ever!, but we’re pretty certain it’s the trio’s finest hour to date. See review, page 113. Pleasance Dome, 556 6550, until 27 Aug, 8.20pm, £12.50–£14 (£11–£12.50).
Nish Kumar Another new kid on the block shows his worth with a consistently funny hour about working out who he is. See review, list.co.uk. Underbelly, Bristo Square, 0844 545 8252, until 27 Aug, 8.20pm, £9–£10 (£8–£9).