United Comedy at the Edinburgh Fringe (2012)
United Agents has some amazing talent up in Edinburgh for the Fringe Festival this year and here is a full list of our unmissable comedy shows.
Bring Me The Head of Adam Riches
2011 Foster's Comedy Award-winner returns for four nights with his breath-taking hour of character comedy, anarchic stagecraft and fearless level of audience engagement. Join talent agent Ian Dustry, Swingball champ Pedro Azul, Superstar Daniel Day Lewis and more – with whoever else happens to be sat on the front row – for a cavalcade of barely controlled chaos from the Time Out Comedy Person of the Year and Sky Arts South Bank Award Nominee for Breakthrough Artist. ‘I never stopped laughing once’ **** (Independent) ‘The best sketch show I have ever seen’ ***** (Chortle.co.uk).
Pleasance Dome, 23:00, 22-25 August
As seen on TV! After raucous appearances on Mock The Week, Celebrity Juice and Alexander Armstrong’s Big Ask and small screen one-offs such as Live at The Apollo and 9/11 Conspiracy Roadtrip catch last year’s Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee, Andrew Maxwell, in the flesh at this year’s Fringe Festival. 'One of the most significant comedians working in the country today' (Independent). ***** (Scotsman). ***** (Herald). ***** (Scotland on Sunday). ***** (Times). ***** (Independent). ***** (List). ***** (TimeOut). ***** (Edinburgh Evening News).
Assembly George Square, 21.05, 1-27 August
Duncan McClean (Projection Design)
Don't miss Pete Firman, 'the new poster-boy for British comedy magic' (Telegraph), as he returns to Edinburgh with an all-new box of tricks. Fresh from BBC1's The Magicians, with his own trademark blend of comedy and jaw-dropping magic, this is a show not to be missed! 'The man from Middlesbrough sets the pace for comedy-meets-magic in the 21st century’ (Times). 'Firman is responsible for making it socially acceptable to say that you like magic again' (Guardian). 'The best magic tricks in the universe' (Independent).
Pleasance Courtyard, 21:10, 1-26 August
Ford and Akram are back. Returning to the Fringe following the success of 2011's Humdinger, they present their new show, Bamp - an adventure story told with panache and homemade props. Join them as they perform sketches, sing a bit, possibly dance and do bad impressions of people you don't know (ie Yasmine's mother). 'Ones to watch' (List). 'Difficult to match for sheer joyful silliness' **** (List). 'An absolute joy. Go see' **** (LondonIsFunny.com).
Pleasance Courtyard, 15:15, 1-27 August
School? College? Job? Yawn. Life isn't about spreadsheets, it's about joy and laughter and pop music. Frisky and Mannish, London's resident experts of pop hermeneutics and 'fully-blown superstars' (TimeOut), are back at the Fringe to blow the bloody roofs off. They'll be letting their hair down, and letting rip. Expect F&M classics (see your local YouTube), alongside things they haven't even made up yet. They are excited. You defs should be. 'A constantly evolving force of musical nature' (Metro, 2011). 'Simon Cowell would struggle to fault this' (Evening Standard). 'Comedy gold' (Guardian).
Assembly Hall, 19:30, 16-19 August & 23-26 August
Cobain, Hendrix, Winehouse... Why did so many of the world's most famous, talented musicians meet their untimely deaths at 27? Clearly, the fame was too much. Or perhaps not enough. As rigorous analysts of pop, it's only natural that F&M should, eventually, look at this rather more macabre phenomenon. At age 27 themselves, perhaps it was high time. As Ke$ha might say, Tik Tok. Not a show for the faint of heart or easily-queased - this will be a darker experience than a usual F&M gig. Which won't be hard, given they usually prance around to Cheryl Cole.
Assembly George Square, 23:45, 20-22 August
Brand new, razor-sharp stand-up show from 2011 Foster's Newcomer nominee, star of The Secret Policeman's Ball and comedy writer for NBC's Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock, Hannibal Buress. Generating laughs through his trademark combination of minimalist delivery and absurdist logic, Hannibal guarantees he'll be saying all the stuff you're hearing. 'Buress is a must-see' **** (Scotsman). 'Smooth delivery combines to delicious effect with pin-sharp observations' **** (Guardian). 'This elegantly sarcastic 28-year-old has a powerful comedy arsenal at his disposal' **** (Chortle.co.uk)
Pleasance Courtyard, 21:45, 12-26 August
The multi award winners return with a marvellous compendium hatched from five years of sell-out Edinburgh shows. All your favourites are present for this all killer, no filler hour of fast-paced comedy.
Pleasance Courtyard, 22.30, 23-25 August
Welcome to Book Club. High levels of effort have gone into making this the best Book Club session in the history of Book Club sessions. Your host is Jessie Cave, fresh from worming her way into the Harry Potter films. She would like to share with you five of her five most inspirational fictional characters and promises you a fun ride, via specially selected and thoroughly researched wizards, vampires, elephants, giant beavers and twins. Refreshments provided for fellow bookworms.
The Underbelly (Cowgate), 14.30, 2-26 August
The award-winning, improvised movie, live on stage. Oscar has every film ever made... every film you could ever imagine. You choose the genre, location and title - Oscar finds the DVD. The movie is created before your very eyes. Oscar pauses and rewinds the best bits and cuts to hysterical DVD extras. Sell-out 2009-2011. ***** 'Rip-roaring laugh' (Edinburgh Reporter). ***** 'Freakishly talented' (BroadwayBaby.com). ***** 'Breathtaking' (TheNewCurrent.com). ***** 'Outstanding' (BroadwayWorld.com). **** (List). **** 'Hilarious' (ThreeWeeks). **** (FringeGuru.com). **** 'Astounding' (Informed Edinburgh). **** (FringeReview.co.uk). ***** (RemoteGoat.co.uk). **** (FringeBiscuit.blogspot.com). **** (EdinburghGuide.com). www.thescatpack.co.uk.
Underbelly, 16:50, 4-27 August
Sweeter than that first bite of fresh lemon from the tree, this award-winning comedian proves the things in life that make us bitter can actually be hilariously delicious. 'Tiny, pretty ... with quite a dark, savage wit' (Londonist.com). 'A compelling act' (List). 'Warped wit ... striking presence ... killer lines ... calm confidence' (Scotsman). As seen on Channel 4's Campus, BBC2's Episodes, E4's Dirty Digest and more.
Gilded Balloon at Third Door, 15:15, 1-27 August
Double act Kieran and Joe lead a course in extreme friendship training. A show for anyone who has ever bonded with another human being or is thinking about giving it a go. Come learn from the masters how to make friends, keep friends and break friends. 'Relentlessly hilarious, craftsmanlike in concept, writing and delivery' ***** (Telegraph). 'A really joyful experience' **** (Comedy.co.uk) 'Hilarity ... delightfully misguided' **** (Metro). 'Leading lights of the latest wave of sketch troupes ... very funny, very silly and, briefly, quite chilling' (Evening Standard). 'A comic gem' (Scotsman).
Pleasance Courtyard, 15:15, 2-27 August
In a small town beset by crime, one man must stand up for justice! Join Kieran Hodgson’s hilarious cast of regional master criminals and inept have-a-go heroes in this fast-paced character comedy. Will truth conquer evil? Will strength conquer ignorance? Will anyone make it out of Mansfield alive? Find out in an hour of joyous comedy and riotous invention that puts the ‘local’ in ‘Local Man Arrested for Wave of Post Box Vandalism’. Starring Kieran Hodgson, of Fringe favourites Kieran & Joe. ‘Relentlessly hilarious’ ***** (Daily Telegraph). ‘Intelligently written, skilfully acted’ **** (Chortle.co.uk). **** (Metro).
The Voodoo Rooms, 13.15, 4-25 August
Recreates the unique spirit of 1940's radio plays, evoking a dinner-jacketed age of casual imperialism and stiff upper lips. New scripts, including Ava Carter - Girl Pilot! and Cycle of Violence. 'Highly engaging, thoroughly enjoyable.' ***** (WhatsOnStage.com).
Gilded Ballloon Teviot, 17.45, 1-27 August
I'm doing a show at the Pleasance Cellar. To find out more information come along. That said, if you are the kind of person who has to know a few things in advance (a know-it-all), the following topics may get discussed... Look, I can't guarantee anything. Turn away if you'd rather it was a surprise. Potato skins, lust, my Auntie Sandra, matters of the heart, cruising (at sea), Terry Bince - notorious pervert – tap dancing, sketching, a man's leg from memory. **** 'Sheer joyful silliness' (List). **** 'Steals the show' (Telegraph). 'Bliss' (Independent).
Pleasance Courtyard, 12.50, 1-27 August
No less than the total restructuring of every aspect of life in Britain organised through the medium of jokes. See this show: Win! a free hospital or school! Second prize: a major High Street bank.
Assembly Hall, 21:10, 2-25 August
A controversial comedian, a social worker, an injured baby... Punch is a very dark comedy about comedy. Echoes of Russell Brand, Frankie Boyle, Lenny Bruce and a centuries-old tradition of offense abound in this bizarre, taut and wickedly funny two-hander. Reality comes with a thud for one outrageous stand-up when he is quizzed by social services over the condition of his baby daughter and the content of his latest show. Expect dark jokes, fast dialogue and some surprising revelations! A new play by award-winning writer Steven Bloomer featuring Frisky and Mannish's Matthew Jones and actress Kirsty Mann.
Udder Belly (Cowgate), 15:40, 2-8 August & 10-15 August & 26-27 August
Nick Mohammed is Mr Swallow 2012
Oh Lord, look who's back! From the critically acclaimed star of Radio 4, BBC2's Life's Too Short and triple-Bafta-nominated sketch show Sorry, I've Got No Head. Nick will soon be appearing as a lead in new Sky comedy, Gates, and is currently developing Mr. Swallow for BBC Television along with a fourth Radio 4 series. ‘An absolute master character comic ... Genuinely astounding’ ( TimeOut). ‘One of the funniest, most enjoyable things I've seen’ ( Independent). ‘Almost every arena star credits his influence’ (Sunday Times). ‘Ingeniously funny’ (Scotsman).
Pleasance Courtyard, 18:00, 1-26 August
Jack Barry and Patrick Turpin mount the tired old horse that is stand-up comedy. They're riding bareback, so you'd be silly to miss it. Another free show from a pair of 20 something amateur comedians in the back room of a pub. There are some good ideas in this hour, some of them weird, some of them less so. 'Instantly likeable ... surreal and hilarious' **** (Threeweeks). 'Accomplished stuff' **** (Scotsman). 'A future in comedy' (Chortle.co.uk).
Buffs Club, 18:15, 4-25 August
Right - so here’s my first proper thing on the Fringe. I will be delivering a handsome collection of uplifting, charming drivel involving jokes, drawings, conjuring, a song about shoes, etc. ‘I really like the things Fletch says and the way he says them and also I like his face’ (Alex Horne).
Bannermans, 12.30, 4-25 August
Alex Horne and Tim Key will be asking very searching questions to comedians and other types of celebs. The sort of people we’re talking about getting on are people like Simon Amstell, although it looks like he can’t do it, but that sort of thing anyhow. There’ll be music and dry ice under the questions to paper over the cracks. There’ll also be microphones and chairs. From the same people who do things like The Horne Section and poetry and Mid Morning Matters and small parts in Skins and television commercials. ‘Fine’ (Guardian).
Pleasance Dome, 19.30, 14 August
Key (Newswipe etc) is doing poetry and getting sodden in the same manner as he did last year. A fusion of Radox, talking, standing around and aquatic filmage. Winner, Best Show, Chortle Awards, 2012. ‘This is sublime, busy and evocative work from a man who keeps getting better and better,’ ***** (List). ‘In any other sphere apart from comedy, we’d probably class this way of looking at the world as certifiable. Here it feels like genius’ (Daily Telegraph). ‘At times it’s like a wind-up; elsewhere it’s so lovely you could bathe in it’ **** (Guardian).
Pleasance Dome, 23:30, 16-21 August
Pleasance Courtyard, 23:30, 23-25 August
‘One of the UK's best emerging sketch troupes' (Scotsman) return to Edinburgh for a blistering third year after sell-out shows in 2010 - 'A breath of fresh air' (Comedy.co.uk) - and 2011 - 'Brilliant' (The Times). In their joyously silly and heart-warming style, 'Reminiscent of an updated Monty Python' (ThreeWeeks), The Englishmen present Squares - an unmissable new hour of sketches and music to put a smile on every face. Oh, and there's four of them. As seen and heard on BBC2, BBC3 and BBC Radio 4. Recommended by The Times, Time Out, Fest and The List.
Pleasance Dome, 17:40, 1-27 August