Edinburgh Recommendations

A low key day today. Mostly admin. That and reading the various posts from comedians heading up to the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe which starts proper on Saturday. One year I will join them for the run in its entirety, but this is not the year. I'll be up from the 15th-21st to watch some shows, do some spots and sympathise with my more frazzled colleague. Below are some of my recommendations for the festival. This is by no means a full list and expect at least one more blog later in the week when I have nothing else to write about.

Ian Smith: Whereabouts. Pleasance Courtyard. 7pm


Goole's finest, "Big Smiddy" returns for his third Edinburgh show. Expect silliness, PowerPoint and some sophisticated structural gambits.

Alfie Brown: -ism. Assembly George Square. 7:20pm

Alfie's show last year was a late night gem and he's quickly established himself as a distinctive comedic voice. I suspect the subject of fatherhood might come up.

Pat Cahill: Panjadrum. Heroes At The Hive. 6:40pm 

Big hearted, silly physical comedy with a wartime theme. Having been to a preview, I'm intrigued to see the finished article.

Michael J Dolan: Miserable Guts. The Stand. 4:50pm

I've gigged with Michael once and listened to both his stand-up specials on Spotify. His nihilistic outlook appeals to me and I expect the title is an apt one.

Chris Stokes: Altruism In Birds. Pleasance Courtyard. 10:45pm.

I chatted to Chris at the Backyard Comedy Club last year and thought he was a thoughtful, interesting guy. That was reflected in his subsequent set and I'm looking forward to seeing his hour.

Tom Parry: Yellow T-Shirt. Just The Tonic At The Tron. 6:20pm.

The debut hour from 1/3 of sketch legends Pappy's. Tom makes me laugh stupid amounts. I can't wait.

Tom Toal in Sunshine on Bexleyheath. Pleasance Courtyard. 8:30pm.

It's always a pleasure spending an hour in the company of TT, who possesses a fine storytelling stand-up talent. I'm sure this show will be no different. 

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