Comedy

Anyone who’s had a flick through the comedy listings over the last month or so will have noticed the plethora of Edinburgh preview shows that have been dominating the circuit. Every comic worth their salt has been running in their gag-packed hour before heading to Scotland, where they hope to win the glittering prizes and adulation that will catapult their careers into the comedy stratosphere. Sadly, for many, all they’ll return south with – after a month of playing in tiny, sweaty shitholes – is a level of debt that most African nations would wince at, the mother of all hangovers and a body aching for any food that hasn’t been fried.

Life’s too short. If you don’t want to take a risk on the ‘hilarious’ Peruvian chicken-juggler with his cheeky talking testicles but do want to guarantee a solid hour’s worth of superb comedy, these are the stand-up shows to see. We've only chosen acts who regularly play the London circuit so you can be sure to see them down here if you can't make it up to the land of bevvie and bonhomie.

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Stand-up

Rhod Gilbert, ‘The Award Winning Mince Pie’, Pleasance
This legendary Welsh grouch is at long last teaming up with an award-winning mince pie. We’re sure this killer partnership will further enhance his hysterical and bewildered take on the world.
See Rhod Gilbert in London at Monkey Business Chalk Farm.

Andrew Maxwell, ‘Supernatural’, Pleasance
Edinburgh stalwart Maxwell is a master at exquisite storytelling that can be at once silly, political and moving. A consummate comedian of the highest order.

Brendon Burns, ‘Fuck You, I’m Brendon Fucking Burns (Again) Part 4’, Assembly Rooms
The winner of the much-coveted if.comedy Award 2007 has a lot to live up to; last year’s show was a career-defining tour de force, as thought-provoking and challenging as it was funny. Will this year’s show be as audacious and hysterical? Of course it will – he’s Brendon ‘fucking’ Burns.

Tim Minchin, ‘Ready for This?’, Pleasance
This Aussie is a genius, plain and simple. Winner of the Best Newcomer Perrier Award in 2005, Minchin combines virtuoso piano-playing with elegantly witty lyrics. He’s sexy, sharp and blessed with more talent than any mere mortal should possess.
See Tim Minchin in London at the Bloomsbury Theatre.

Stephen K Amos, ‘Find the Funny’, Pleasance
Amos never fails to deliver the goods. For years now he’s been one of the comedy circuit’s safest pair of hands. A former Time Out Live Award-winner, he radiates charm and exudes joy. A truly uplifting performer.

John Bishop, ‘Cultural Ambassador’, Pleasance
This Liverpudlian’s debut show was one of the gems of last year’s festival and this year’s looks even better. To celebrate Liverpool’s year as European City of Culture, this natural and gifted raconteur has taken it upon himself to become its official representative at the Fringe.

Josie Long, ‘All of the Planet’s Wonders’, Pleasance
Utterly adorable, this multi-award-winning comic presents more of her overwhelmingly optimistic views on all things lovely. She
is the comedic equivalent of a heart-shaped hot-water bottle on a cold night. Scrummy.
See Josie Long in London at the BAC or the Arts Theatre.

Mark Watson, ‘All the Thoughts I’ve Had Since I Was Born’, Pleasance
Comedian, eco-warrior, novelist and winner of the if.comedy Award in 2006, this Welshman knows how to work a room. His whimsical tales are utterly enchanting.
See Mark Watson in London at Sabotage.

Reginald D Hunter, ‘No Country for Grown Men’, Pleasance
Without doubt, the coolest comedian around. Alabama born and bred, Hunter possesses a slow Southern delivery that gives him all the time
in the world to talk about sex, race and gender politics. He’s challenging, sometimes controversial, but always enthralling.
See Reginald D Hunter in London at Falling Down With Laughter or Brixton Comedy Bugs.

Jim Jeffries, ‘Hammered’, Underbelly
This Australian monster is definitely not one for all the family. There is nowhere he won’t go and nothing he won’t talk about. He is the undisputed king of the new wave of ‘shock-cock’ comedians.
See Jim Jeffries in London at the Comedy Store .

Sketch and variety shows

‘The Meeting’, Pleasance
Just about the funniest board meeting you’ll ever attend. Outrageously silly. This is the show for anyone who’s ever worked in an office. Hilarious.
See 'The Meeting' at the Soho Theatre

Pete Firman: ‘Flimflam’, Underbelly
Blazing a trail for the new generation of magicians, Firman is making magic cool again. You’ll be amazed, amused and probably a little disgusted.

‘School of Comedy’, Pleasance
Sketch comedy for adults performed by kids. There’s nothing funnier than children swearing and pretending to be grown-ups. Destined for really big things this year.

Pappy’s Fun Club: ‘Funergy’, Pleasance
Their exuberant sketches and superb knockabout humour won this foursome a lot of friends last year.
See Pappy's Fun Club in London at Babalou.

Idiots of Ants, Pleasance
Slick sketches tightly written make this group one of the hottest properties around. They just get better and better.
See Idiots of Ants in London at the Etcetera Theatre.

Two Episodes of MASH, Pleasance
Our favourite comedy duo perform a series of wonderfully bizarre sketches. Comedy culthood beckons. These guys could be the secret hit of the fest.
See Two Episodes of MASH in London at the Warehouse Theatre or the Roundhouse.

Edinburgh virgins

Tom Wrigglesworth ‘I’m Struggling to See How that is Helping’, Pleasance
One of the hottest properties around, Wrigglesworth is our pick of the crop. His wonderfully endearing, self-deprecating style and solid one-liners have won him a lot of fans already. In this show he examines the nonsense of quick-fix solutions, miracle-cures and granules.

Wendy Wason ‘Things I Didn’t Know I Didn’t Know’, Gilded Balloon
Scottish comic Wason is an utterly charming presence and has enough strong material to keep anyone happy for a good, fun hour. This show is honest – some might think almost too honest – as she examines her life, the things she knows, the things she doesn’t know and the things she doesn’t even know that she doesn’t know.

Josh Howie ‘Chosen’, Pleasance
Howie is an intelligent comedian who knows how to amuse, shock and move an audience in equal measures. Brought up a Buddhist, he rebelled by running away to Israel to become a rabbi, and he would have got away with it as well, I tell you, if it hadn’t been for those meddling kids, oh yes, and the naked girl he was found in bed with.
See Josh Howie in London at Monkey Business Kentish Town.

Susan Calman ‘Maybe It is Your Fault’, The Stand
This diminutive little ball of comedy dynamite was part of the highly acclaimed sketch group Ugly Kid. In this very funny show she’s on a mission to make you face up to some harsh truths. Tough love, exquisite comedy.

Dan Nightingale ‘Geronimo’, Underbelly
Nightingale can make just about anything funny. He’s lightning-quick and feels like he’s been doing this for years, which he has, actually, so it’s about time he pulled his finger out and showed us what he can do in an hour. Ironically, the show’s about taking risks and having a go at things.

Pippa Evans ‘Pippa Evans and Other Lonely People’, Pleasance
We’ve been plugging her all year because she’s fab. Her brilliantly realised comedy shows maturity well beyond her years. Look out for her character Loretta Maine, the sexiest and most psychotic American singer-songwriter you’ll ever come across.

Sarah Millican ‘Sarah Millican’s Not Nice’, Pleasance
This softly spoken Geordie with the high voice is deceptively amusing. She sneaks up on you like a comedy ninja and before you realise it you’re laughing out loud time and time again.

Lloyd Langford ‘Not a Lover, Not a Fighter’, Underbelly
This Welsh comic first came to prominence in 2004 when he won the Chortle Student Comedy Award and since then he has gone from strength to strength. His laidback, charming approach to comedy makes him instantly likeable.

Andrew Bird ‘This is Ten Years from Now’, Pleasance
Bird’s gag-rate is impressively high and he manages to make you feel like you’re just hanging out with a very funny mate. Here he looks at the process of getting older and wonders if he’s actually a grown-up at all.
See Andrew Bird in London at the Comedy Carnival.

Olivia Neville ‘Summat An’ Nowt’, Underbelly
Well-written, perfectly performed character sketch comedy from this relatively unknown Lancashire lass. Could be the surprise hit of the fest.

Best of the rest of the fest

Nina Conti: ‘Evolution’ Pleasance
Fresh from her award-winning success at the Melbourne Comedy Festival, outstanding ventriloquist Conti and her smutty sidekick Monk explain the process of evolution.

Daniel Kitson: ‘Sixty-Six A Church Road: A Lament Made of Memories and Kept in Suitcase’ Traverse Theatre
He’s just about the best there is. He doesn’t really like publicity so we won’t bang on about it, but if you can get a ticket you’ll be a very lucky person indeed.

Wilson Dixon: ‘Wilson Dixon Rides Again’ The Stand
Probably the funniest country-and-western character comedy around. Saddle up for some hysterical songs.
See Wilson Dixon in London at the Comedy Store.

Andrew Lawrence: ‘Don’t Just Do Something Sit There’ Pleasance
More venomous rantings from one of the sharpest minds in comedy.

Jason Cook: ‘Joy’ The Stand
Last year’s show, ‘My Confessions’, was criminally overlooked for any of the major prizes. Touching, funny and honest, Cook returns with a moving and amusing look at the search for happiness.

Edward Aczel: ‘Do I Really Have to Communicate with You?’ Underbelly
Fantastically shambolic anti-comic. He has no jokes, no show and no stagecraft. On a good night hysterical, on a bad night pretty much the same.

For more info visit www.edfringe.com.