Comedy Reviews

Edinburgh Fringe: Andrew Maxwell/ Hannibal Buress/ Cariad Lloyd

Veronica Lee Friday, 26 August 2011

It's typically intelligent and insightful stuff from the Irishman, who describes himself simply as a clown - but he's a clown with the requisite political knowledge and understanding of the human condition to make some pretty astute observations about how we are today. And despite his world view being basically lefty and libertarian at the same time, he's also self-aware enough to acknowledge his comfortable middle-class existence.

Edinburgh Fringe: Josie Long/ Josh Widdicombe

Veronica Lee Friday, 26 August 2011

Josie Long: her political material would embarrass the average six-year-old

Last year, Josie Long, famous for her whimsical comedy and fey delivery, decided to get serious. Disheartened by the election result, she started to do political comedy, but sadly her level of analysis was along the lines of: “Anyone who voted Tory in May's election is a fucking cunt.” One year on in The Future is Another Place, the level hasn't been raised.

Edinburgh Fringe: Chris Ramsey/ Thom Tuck

Veronica Lee Thursday, 25 August 2011

Chris Ramsey, Pleasance Courtyard ****

It's easy to see why the Edinburgh Comedy Awards panel shortlisted South Shields comic Chris Ramsey. He's personable, very funny, has a well-constructed show - and is destined for a big television career any day soon.

Edinburgh Fringe: Sam Simmons/ Totally Tom/ Humphrey Ker/ Nick Helm

Veronica Lee Wednesday, 24 August 2011

Sam Simmons, Gilded Balloon ****

Edinburgh Fringe: Luke Haines/ The Horne Section

theartsdesk Monday, 22 August 2011

Luke Haines: the former Auteurs man has a story to tell

If the cards had fallen differently Luke Haines might have been as big as Blur. As frontman of The Auteurs he was briefly tipped for Britpop greatness, so it is no surprise that he likes the idea of alternative histories. This special show, The North Sea Scrolls, was all about them, as Haines, former Microdisney linchpin Cathal...

Comment

Edinburgh Fringe: Kieran and the Joes/ Conor O'Toole/ Tom Allen/ Kate Smurthwaite

Veronica Lee Sunday, 21 August 2011

Kieran and the Joes: clean-cut comics with a dark side

Kieran and the Joes are a three-man sketch group (Kieran Hodgson, Joe Markham and Joe Parham, working with co-writer Tom Meltzer) who are young, personable and very neatly dressed in shirts and ties - but while they may appear clean-cut their comedy veers nicely towards the dark.

Edinburgh Fringe: Adam Riches/ Kristin Hersh

theartsdesk Saturday, 20 August 2011

From the moment Adam Riches bursts onto the stage, spewing his business cards around as a manic showbiz agent who wants to sign up everyone and everything - including even the venue's walls and floor - this is a show of hyper energy and absurdist comedy.

Edinburgh Fringe: Tiffany Stevenson/ Carl Donnelly/ The Two Wrongies

theartsdesk Friday, 19 August 2011

Tiffany Stevenson ★★★★

The comic is currently appearing on Show Me the Funny on ITV, where her smily disposition is a welcome antidote to some of the sneery critics they have mustered. There’s boyfriend stuff in Cavewoman but Stevenson also delivers a few astute political observations, as well as the occasional unPC gag - such as suggesting Tina Turner's dance moves were inspired by her avoiding Ike’s punches.

Edinburgh Fringe: The Cave Singers/ The Real MacGuffins/ An Instinct for Kindness

theartsdesk Thursday, 18 August 2011

The Cave Singers: authentically hairy three-piece from Seattle

A three-piece hailing from Seattle and its environs, The Cave Singers are an authentically hairy proposition. With his tweed hat and red beard, at this Edge festival gig singer Pete Quirk looked like a cross between the late Robin Cook and a stray leprechaun from Finian’s Rainbow, while Derek Fudesco dispensed his lovely, liquid guitar lines from beneath a blur of flying hair.