Below are reviews and press from Fringe 2009 - as things start to happen for the 2010 Fringe, more news items will be added here!

2nd June - A nice mention from in Three Weeks review of the 2009 Fringe: “The Laughing Horse crew arrived in town with a great programme that really added an extra level to the comedy strand - not to mention giving ThreeWeeks Editors' Award winning Lynn Ruth Miller her Brighton debut.” – Three Weeks

26th May - Award Nominations, and win for Lynn Ruth Miller as "Star of the Fringe"

The Fringe has come to an end for 2009, and we were delighted to be nominated for the Best Venue award, along with Laughing Horse performer Lynn Ruth Miller being nominated in four catagories: Star of the Fringe, Best Female, Best International Act, and Best Cabaret.

"The “Star of the Festival” was named as Lynn Ruth Miller, the 75-year-old stripper, stand-up comic and singer who performed her one woman show Ageing is Amazing at The Quadrant. By the end of the run, the show was so popular the venue was turning away hundreds of people a night."

Full details of all of the awards:  http://thelatest.co.uk/7/festival-awards-2009

21st May - Looking for Lizzie (Three Weeks)

Stand-up comedy goes theatrical in the first of three sets from this contingent of Southampton lads, who grace the split-level venue with their kooky comedy. The seemingly dazed and traumatised James Bran delivers a mock-serious piece, remaining deadpan throughout as his audience crack up at his pathetic tale of woe; his quirky performance showcases his talent as both actor and comic. Creative and rather unusual, it opens the show with a high and Bran's a hard act to follow; his colleagues don't disappoint, however. Paul Longley entertains us next with some typical teenage fare, whiling away his set with a few low-brow laughs, and Dave Chawner wraps up with his witty repertoire about an imaginary girlfriend. A serving of edgy entertainment you'd be silly to miss.
Laughing Horse @ The Quadrant, 18 - 20 May, 9.00pm (10.00pm), free, fringe pp19.
tw rating 4/5.
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20th May - Matt Green (Three Weeks)
Green is a stand-up audience's dream; his off-the-cuff jokes are so good they could have been scripted, and his clever prepared material is delivered so nonchalantly it could have been improvised. It also helps that Green has a baby-face that lets him get away with murder. I'll even let him get away with changing the title of his show to 'Truth And Pleasure', even though 'Truth Bombs' is far more apt. Once kindled by comfortable chit-chat with the audience, the show soon caught fire as Green hit the nail on the head with his oh-so-familiar truths, culminating in an explosion of comedy that left everyone in stitches: I ain't lyin', Matt Green is da bomb.
Laughing Horse @ The Quadrant, 17 May, 7.45pm (8.45pm), £5.00 (£4.00), fringe pp19.
tw rating 5/5
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20th May - Ashley Frieze answers the Three Weeks Quick Quiz:

Q1: What is your 2009 show all about?
We realised that all of the jokes ever told boil down to one of seven different things. Our show gives you an insight into comedy, told through the eyes of two people who love laughing and making people laugh.

Q2: Why should we come and see it?
Once we've explained the seven types of joke, you won't need to see any other show... and we're free... the whole festival in one free show!

Q3: If your show was a fairground attraction, what would it be and why?
The candy floss, because it's pink, fluffy and rots your teeth.

Q4: What are you most looking forward to about this year's Festival?
Standing out from the crowd, by dressing conventionally and not eating any organic hummus.

Q5: What are you least looking forward to about this year's Festival?
Hummus deficiency.

Q6: Describe your show in three words
Seven Deadly Jokes.

19th May - Lynn Ruth Miller niominated for The Latest Fringe Awards - http://thelatest.co.uk/7/festival-awards-2009

18th May - LBC Radio Interview with Lynn Ruth Miller - Download Here

15th May - The London Air-Accordion Society (Three Weeks)  
The gently idiosyncratic comic offerings of 'The London Air-Accordion Society' comprised a number of pleasingly quirky stand-up routines that enlivened the initially sleepy atmosphere of the Quadrant. Charmingly introduced by Helen Arney and her imaginary accordion, gems included the dry, deadpan humour of David James with his oddly compelling mournful demeanour and mode of delivery, and the very different yet equally entertaining surreal songcraft of Jay Foreman. The latter produced a particular favourite in the song about thieving students, 'Stealing Food': "food is so much more delicious if my friends are all suspicious". The incongruence of such disparate acts might be considered a fault by some, but for someone as easily bored as I am, the variety and range of this show definitely appealed.
Laughing Horse@The Quadrant, dates and times vary, free, fringe pp23.
tw rating 4/5
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17th May - No Straightjacket required (Three Weeks)
What's funny about a man who tried to kill himself because his unstable mental condition had pushed him to indescribable lows? Well, the answer is a surprising amount. Mackenzie Taylor tells the audience all about his attempted suicide at the end of last year's Brighton Festival, never shying away from the often incredibly harrowing details of what brought him to try and end it all. It is this completely honest, open discussion of mental health which really makes this an interesting show, not straight forward stand-up, yet not quite help-group. A show that challenges our approach to laughing at mental health, and the darkness that lurks within all of us. Go see it, or he might try it again!
Laughing Horse @ The Quadrant, 12, 19, 20 May, 6.30pm (7.30pm), £3.00 (£2.50), fringe pp20.
tw rating 3/5
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16th May - BBC Radio Interview with Lynn Ruth Miller - Download Here

15th May - Boxing News (Yes, Boxing News) - Bob Boyton becomes the first Brighton fringe performer to be recommended in Boxing News: About the AGM of the Brighton Ex Boxers Association  Richard Barber’s  Old Timers Column wrote ‘Another guest was Bob Boyton, a well known stand  up comedian and actor. Bob came along to talk about his forthcoming one man show… about 'boxing, alcohol, prison …and the dream of a good breakfast. Bob has been training for the part with Mark Reefer and looks as if he could go a few rounds himself.’’

15th May - Dr Brown Behaves (Three Weeks)
This is a real love-it-or-hate-it gig, so know what you're letting yourself in for; when Californian artist 'Dr Brown' says surreal, he really means surreal. A lack of promotion meant the opening night saw a mostly empty room, and this didn't really work to the artist's advantage, although it did make for some intimate audience participation involving a series of hats from Dr Brown's prop suitcase. He extends awkward moments to their absolute maximum - and then some. This is no polished performance: it's heavily improvised avant-garde. A bigger crowd - or perhaps just a more receptive one - might see Dr Brown come out of his shell, but I still loved it. This show is completely bizarre, and my best recommendation can only be that you go and find that out for yourself.
Laughing Horse @ The Quadrant, 11 - 14 May, times vary, £4.00.
tw rating 4/5 [fw]

14th May - Mental! (Chortle) - click here

13th May - Shelley Cooper
As though the stage were a Calais classroom packed with eager immigrants taking intensive lessons on the subject, comedienne Shelly Cooper turns teacher and somehow compresses the endless complexities underlying the notion of Britishness into hilarious bite-sized chunks. Despite a sexual and familial background almost as complicated as the abstract concept of nation itself, Cooper, who in many ways is a literal embodiment of modern British diversity, is a comic easily related to, whose talent in creating raucous laughter appears to come effortlessly, though a slim minority of her punchlines fail to reach the generally brilliant high standard. Touching on straight-faced topics ranging from fascism to fundamentalism, and party politics to political correctness, Cooper's shameless style unapologetically abandons British reserve, with gloriously funny consequences.
Laughing Horse @ The Quadrant, 9 - 12 May, 7.45pm (8.45pm), £5.00 (£4.00), fringe pp20.
tw rating 4/5
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13th May - The Midnight Comedy Showcase
Zoology and Compering have a surprising amount in common; analysing habits, assessing temperament and if the room is a bit empty you can get two of the punters to mate in order to increase numbers. Our host here, Damien Kingsley, would be a marvellous, but irresponsible, zoologist. First act Richard Perry, meanwhile, cuts a poised and assured presence on stage; like a Mountie. His combative musings are drolly hilarious and the aforementioned presence helps him glide through any tense moments like the comedic equivalent of cleavage; he's a big-breasted Mountie. Next up Catie Wilkins deconstructs social to sexual faux pas with a gauche charm and sharp and circuitous wit. Her scatter-brained scatology is of an amusingly awkward variety that'd make her a particularly incompetent sex-line operator. Although not yet premiere league comedy acts, these are three people who have definitely found their true vocations.
Laughing Horse@ The Quadrant, 2, 8, 9 May, 12.00am (1.00am), £4.00 (£3.00), fringe pp23.
tw rating 3/5
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13th May -  Lynn Ruth Miller (http://munkibum.blogspot.com/)  

Incontinence pads, smoking crack and checking the obituaries to see who's newly available to date are just three of the subjects Lynn Ruth Miller shared with us in her surprise hit festival show, Ageing is Amazing.

With no buildup, Lynn Ruth's week long late-night residency at the Quadrant's Laughing Horse club became a word of mouth success, pulling in audiences from twenty-somethings to slapheaded oldies, drawn by the sheet quirkiness and charm of this musical comedy show.

By turns shocking, filthy and touching, Lynn Ruth has an innocence in her performance which leaves you gasping incredulously “Did she REALLY say that??”. Taking up comedy four years ago at the age of 71 after a career as a writer, she's showing that her life experience is a rich mine of hilarious comic potential and I hope she achieves her ambition to pop her clogs onstage at the age of 99. I'm sure she'll get what she wants.

12th May -  Lynn Ruth Miller (Chortle)

Gleefully sticking two fingers up to all expectations of how a 75-year-old should behave, Lynn Ruth Miller serves up a unique, life-affirming variety act.

From the opening burlesque number, in which she strips down to her antique undergarments, this tiny ball of tireless enthusiasm simply celebrates human existence, free of any concept of embarrassment. The singing is far from note-perfect, the dancing faltering and the jokes often corny, but this is a show that transcends the usual rules of criticism.

She is not, as you might expect, an aging flapper clinging on to the only act she’s ever known, but an Ohio-born pensioner who led a perfectly conventional life until she took up stand-up five years ago. However, she’s certainly making up for lost time, prancing around a pub function room with a pink parasol, exuding a devil-may-care spirit women a quarter of her age would be envious of.

This show is an act of belated rebellion against the invisibility of older people, deriding the nursing-home mentality and celebrating the joys of Spandex and sparkle. Any stand-up, though providing her with this definite point of view, now plays second fiddle to the set-piece song-and-dance numbers.

It’s a quintessential fringe show, done for the sheer bliss of proud self-expression, not as any stepping stone to fame. Take it in that carefree spirit, and join in the fun…

Reviewed by: Steve Bennett Brighton Fringe, May 2009

11th May - Argus Article on Lynn Ruth Miller - Click here

11th May - Heresy: Kill Your God (Three Weeks)
Comedy duo Rick Molland and Sully O'Sullivan wage an unadulterated war on world religion in an hour of blasphemous comedy that would have Jehovah, Allah and Zeus joining forces to smite them - the heathens! The sceptics incite religious hatred, endorsing aesthetic martyrdom and blowing yourself up in the name of nothing, doing little or no damage. These sacrilegious infidels, high-priests of impiety, preach atheist propaganda, presenting an argument against the existence of God which is both hilarious and surprisingly well supported. The show holds interest for all - non-believers for its comedy, the parish for its picketing potential and fundamentalists for its legitimate targets. I have faith the sinners will deliver again, convinced that if hell does exist it is missing two devils.
Laughing Horse @ The Quadrant, 8 -10 May, 6.30pm (7.30pm), £5.00 (£4.00), fringe pp22.
tw rating 4/5
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10th May -  Lynn Ruth Miller (The Latest) The word of mouth buzz around this “stripping granny” spread so fast the venue could have been filled three times over, and many were turned away. For those lucky enough to squeeze in, Ohian 75-year-old Lynn Ruth Miller lived up to the hype. She began with a song and a strip - down to a lace teddy - and continued to misbehave riotously; flirting with men, sitting on my friend’s knee, bombarding the audience with condoms and incontinence pads, getting us to sing along and charming our socks off. We were taken aback by her energy - when this 20-something reviewer went home to bed, Lynn went on to a 12.30am gig. Moving, hilarious, inspirational and everything you hope for from a fringe show; if you didn’t catch her this year, make sure you’re there when she returns in 2010.
The Quadrant, 9 May
5/5
Rachel Pegg

10th May - Heresy: Kill Your God (The Latest) Not for the easily offended, this was a show/lecture from comedians and self-proclaimed ‘militant atheists’ Rick Molland and Sully O’Sullivan that made compulsive viewing. Well researched and presented, it was a determined, planned-out and non-stop attack on all beliefs, which although not laugh-out-loud funny had the presence of a fascinating presentation given by people who feel passionately about their subject. Culminating in their ’scientific experiment’ testing the existence of any god by systematically abusing three faiths soundly and waiting to be struck by lightning, their goal was not to offend but simply state their case. It just so happens that their case is for a very controversial argument, leaving a slight sting like an unexpected slap in the face.
The Quadrant, 10 May
4/5
Victoria Nangle

10th May - Rosie Wilby (The Latest) A very well structured and interesting show from accomplished stand-up Rosie Wilby in a lovely intimate setting. Wilby tackles the subject of human memory with grace, confidence and a great deal of strong material. She connected well to the small audience, and ensured that everyone was at ease in her company. The show contains interesting information about the subject interspersed easily with personal anecdotes and great gags. A really enjoyable and engaging show that deserved a later slot and a larger audience.
The Quadrant, 10 May
****
Angela Barnes

9th May - Phil Buckley (Three Weeks)
I heard the football was disappointing. Phil Buckley wasn't, but he amiably blamed the minuscule (and almost exclusively female) audience on the draw of the aforementioned match. Frustrated blokes might have been better off here, for this part stand-up show about stand-up, part accumulation of amusing anecdotes; it was simply delightful. The "second smallest audience" he had ever had made for some very intimate audience interaction, which generated a lot of the laughs in itself. Sweetly self-deprecating, and charting the history of a life spent insulting America in front of US troops, doing panto for kids who heckle Tinkerbell, and accidentally insulting reviewers, it was an extremely likable performance. I definitely left resolved to do more stupid things in my life.
Laughing Horse @ The Quadrant, 6 - 8 May, 7.45pm (8.45pm), £5 (£4), fringe pp20
tw rating 3/5
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9th May - Laughing Horse Comedy Club (Three Weeks)
With a high spirited Bank Holiday Monday crowd and modest stage, the venue was as packed as the bill. The first two acts were personable but forgettable, then came elderly American comedienne Lynn Ruth Miller, whose sharp tongue and Joan Rivers styled delivery went down well, her lewd but cheeky personality well received. Breaking from conformity, alternative personality Rachel Stubbings was next, taking us on a slick, dark journey through her latest anger related teachings. The evening gathered pace and purpose, closing with genuine funny man Richard Rycroft* and an engaging insight to his trials and tribulations. Although the night was a slow burner the audience responded kindly to all acts and it ended with a real flourish of riotous punch lines and charming quips.
Laughing Horse@ The Quadrant, dates vary, 9.00pm (10.30pm), £5 (£4), Fringe pp22.
tw rating 3/5
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* Please note, the above review is quted as written, however it mistakenly credits Richard Ryecroft as the closer; this was in fact Nick Pettigrew

9th May - Iszi Lawrence (Three Weeks)
Although an excited audience packed the venue, creating the kind of buzzing atmosphere common to standing room only events, there unfortunately remained enough space between the persistent comic's act and the audience's reception to it for awkward silences to remain comfortably seated; the absence of consistent laughter became increasingly clear. That said, though there was an age range in the audience that would have appeared blizzard-like on a scatter graph, Lawrence did manage to unite her audience on occasion with her truly eclectic repertoire grounded in sometimes engrossing, but more often humorously tasteless anecdotes. Truly hilarious or not, with free entry, the punter was always likely to get the last laugh.
Laughing Horse @ the Quadrant, 6 May, 9.00pm (10.00pm), free, fringe pp18.
tw rating 3/5
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9th May - Helen Arney (London Air Accirdion society) answers the Quick Quiz in Three Weeks...
Q1: What is your 2009 show all about?
It's the Brighton chapter of The London Air Accordion Society - a shadowy organisation hosted by upcoming comedian Helen Arney. Her lo-fi comedy and music salon usually occurs monthly in London's fashionable Fitzrovia, but during May the Society will be holidaying in Brighton every Monday of the Fringe. Hold onto your bathing hut!
Q2: Why should we come and see it?
Each week there are different hand-picked musical comedy and stand-up guests to delight and entertain you; the sold-out London nights have been recommended by Time Out, The London Paper and LondonIsFunny.com; and every Monday in May, entry to the Society is free!
Q3: If your show was a fairground attraction, what would it be and why?
The spinning teacups - charming and innocent at first glance... but after an hour you'll start to feel quite giddy...
Q4: What are you most looking forward to about this year's Festival?
Watching all the fabulous guests who are coming to Brighton specially for 'The London Air-Accordion Society': Martin White, David James, Jay Foreman and Rowena Haley.
Q5: What are you least looking forward to about this year's Festival?
Catching the last train back to London, weighed down by a hundred imaginary accordions...
Q6: Describe your show in three words
Classy musicomedy mash-up
The London Air-Accordian Society, Laughing Horse@The Quadrant, 4, 11, 18, 25 May, times vary, free, fpp 23.

9th May - Lynn Ruth Miller in the News Again (Three Weeks and The Argus) - The mighty Ms Miller: ThreeWeeks Editors' Award winning Lynn Ruth Miller has been talking to our friends at The Argus, and has told them how she only really took to the stage four years ago after going to comedy school in the US. On her free show 'Ageing Is Amazing' she says: "I am living my dream. The point is that you are only as old as you feel. It's such a cliché but it's the truth. The show was not written with a message but people leave it crying because they are so touched. The big secret and the key to everything I do is that I am not amazing. I'm just like you. Instead of saying ‘all my life I wanted to be a singer', I got up there and sang". This weekend is your last chance to catch Lynn's show - she's on Saturday and Sunday night at 10.45pm at Laughing Horse @ The Quadrant. - and here's the Argus aricle: http://www.theargus.co.uk/search/4354778.Oh__the_joys_of_age_and_wearing_Spandex/

8th May - Lynne Ruth Miller (Three Weeks) Ageing Is Amazing - Who knew that ageing could be silly, sassy and rather racy? The sprightly 75 year old character of Queenie certainly lets it loose with this comedic cabaret performance, and keeps her audience giggling with raunchy costumes, playful interaction and cheeky songs about growing old not so quietly, covering topics from memory loss and incontinence through to the consequences of dating pensioners. This is an entertaining show, the bleak prospects of old age are questioned and revitalised with a short, sweet, little injection of fun, and that leaves you on an upbeat note.
Laughing Horse @ The Quadrant, 2 - 10 May, 10.45pm, free, fringe pp7.
tw rating 3/5
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7th May - The London Air-Accordion Society - Free! (Fringe Guri)

In the publicity-hungry world I inhabit, Helen Arney earns the distinction of being the first ever performer to advise me not to review her show. "The guests are different every week," she pointed out, and - of course - she's right. We agreed I'd come anyway, but I've pulled the star rating for this mixed-bill variety show, one of the numerous free acts performing at the Quadrant.

Helen herself is billed as "sweetly bookish" on the show's flyers, an apt description for a woman whose side job is hosting a classical music show.  Her game of composer Top Trumps worked well, but she was at her best when she went off-script and played off the colourful cast of characters sitting in the front row.  Her wide-eyed enthusiasm also made her the ideal candidate for show compere - though I'd have liked to have seen a little more of her own act, too.

First up was Tom McDonald, whose faintly embarrassing song about a panda's private parts didn't go down too well with the early-evening crowd.  The follow-up number was genuinely funny though; the main issue I had was that the surrounding patter went on too long for such a short set.

The same criticism can't possibly be made of Carly Smallman, who launched into her routine with instant gusto.  We were treated to the world premiere of her latest song, working title "I love being middle-class".  I know, I know, it's not the most original of ideas - but the choice of things which Carly defined as middle-class was inspired, and her bubbly delivery made every line fun.

Last up was Martin White, the wildcard in the pack.   Opening with a comedy gothic-horror yarn played on - prepare to be surprised - an accordion, I suspect his screaming delivery might have been a bit too much for some.  All the same, the room warmed to him enough to sing along in unison to his close-harmony final number; it was funny, but also somehow touching and sweet.

Oh, and the show's name?  Play an air accordion, speed it up and - hey presto - you're clapping.  It all makes sense once you know how.

7th May - Lynn ruth Miller Intreview (Festival Previews) -  http://www.festivalpreviews.com/blog/

6th May - Pete Wells in the Argus - Mind Reading Magician - http://www.theargus.co.uk/search/4345956.Mind_reading_magician_will_reveal_embarrassing_secrets/

6th May - Pick'n'Mix Comedy (Three Weeks) I was expecting a mixed bag... Gareth Morinan either tried to poke fun at comedians who think being politically incorrect equals being funny, or he actually thinks that being politically incorrect equals being funny... Following Morinan, musical duo Moonfish Rhumba's slick routine was refreshingly harmless, and the show was saved by likeable MC Eric Lampaert, who drew the audience in with his infectious enthusiasm. If you like surprises, stick your hand in; you might pick an unwanted one left at the bottom of the bag, but it could also be a good 'un.
Laughing Horse@The Quadrant, 2, 3, 15, 16, 22 May, 5.15 pm (6.15 pm), £4.00 (£3.00), fringe pp 20.
tw rating 3/5
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5th May - Ethnic the Musical Review (Three Weeks) I was unsure whether the feminist undertones of this all-female performance were going to hit the mark with the varied crowd. Yet the exuberance of each performer soon proved me wrong. Less a musical, Ethnic was in fact three individual stand-up routines, with topics ranging from the woes of unemployment, to online dating, to religious cults. Oh, and lots and lots of sex; a special mention should go to Luisa Omeilan for having the tenacity to persevere with these risqué topics in front of a rather coy audience. Whilst some of Sajeela Kershi's observations about arranged marriages and Asian parents seemed a bit clichéd, a raucous finale rendition of Mamma Mia rounded off the performances of this sexy sisterhood in style.
Laughing Horse @ The Quadrant, 2 - 5 May, 7.45pm (8.45pm), £5.00 (£4.00), fringe pp17.
tw rating 3/5
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2nd May - Lynn Ruth Miller and Earl Okin, Three Weeks "Three to see Shows" for Comedy and Cabaret.

1st May - Lynn Ruth Miller Previewed in The Argus - click here

24th April - Laughing Horse venue mentioned in Argus Comedy overview - http://www.theargus.co.uk/search/4318748.Fringe_Comedy/  

4th April - Featured listing for Brighton Fringe and BrightonLife.com - click here . We're 'Legendary', apparantly!

1st April - Highlighted on Three Weeks Email on Five things that stood out in the Brighton Frimge Programme - "There'll be some extra comedy for you courtesy of the Laughing Horse people, who will be running The Quadrant pub."

29th March - Laughing Horse Launches New Venue in Brighton - Brodway Baby - click here

23rd Jan - Our arrival in Brighton is Noted by Fringe Review - here