2011 Free Festival Press Coverage and Reviews

10 Sept - Some Late Reviews in...

10 Sept - The Songs I'll Never Sing - Three Weeks - click here

10 Sept - Mad Science - Three Weeks - click here

10 Sept - Kunt and the Gang - Three Weeks - click here

10 Sept - Bob Slayer - Three Weeks - click here

10 Sept - Laughing Horse Pick of the Fringe - The Skinny - click here

1 Sept - It's all over and packed away for another year - see you all again next year! August 2nd!

1 Sept - Video of Free Fest Performer Ivor Dembina winner of the Mervyn Stutter Spirit of the Fringe Award - click here

1 Sep - Tobias Persson - Three Weeks - Tobias Persson suffers from a curious case of comic bi-polarity: at once a loveable, goofy and bumbling stand-up who excels at spontaneous, random ad-libbing, he morphs with a blink of the eye into a tasteless, ‘oh-my-god-did-he-just-say-that’ crowd silencer. If Persson ditched the Nazi jokes and focused more on his everyday observations – in this show he discusses his distaste for all things pretentious – he’d be on to a winner and would lose the noticeable self-conscious vibe. His routine is sprinkled with witty observations, which he recalls, re-examines and develops into a rich repertoire. With his charming grin, unexpected punch lines and dynamic demeanour, Persson is a natural boy-next-door who needs to leave the smutty, tasteless material to comedians with more edge.

1 Sep - Schoolbooks In Wallpaper - Three Weeks - The back room of Finnegan’s Wake is packed out and people are standing crowded around the walls – The hour is enjoyable enough, but certainly nothing special: the jokes don’t exactly come thick and fast, although they are a fairly steady trickle. There’s a bit too much forced audience participation – a clap for “more energy” is one thing, but when we’re asked to cheer for Perth’s mother’s recent subscription to Facebook, it’s a little desperate. That said, Perth is likeable enough and although it’s flawed and disjointed in parts, it’s by no means a bad show.

1 Sep - Amoeba to Zebra

- Three Weeks -

Educational kid friendly entertainment is good because it appeals to parents automatically, and if done well, their children too. Divided into chapters and illustrated by a PowerPoint background, this piece is generally clearly presented and pretty funny – both of which are important factors in a kids’ show based around delivering information. Parts are great, in particular the speaking sections, illustrative costumes, and props which change with the subject, going from antenna to giant pigeon masks to cavemen wigs. But that said, and despite its good points, it feels a little unfinished. The lyrics especially are repetitive, and maybe just because of the acoustics of the performance space, can be hard to hear. Still, in the show’s words: “solid edutainment”.

31 Aug - 5-Step Guide to Being German - Edinburgh Guide - click here

31 Aug - East End Cabaret - What's On Stage - click here

31 Aug - The Calpol Flashbacks - Broadway Baby - click here

31 Aug - Cusp - Broadway Baby - click here

31 Aug - Cusp - The Scotsman - click here

31 Aug - Billy Kirkwood: Show Me Your Tattoo - Fest - click here

31 Aug - Julius Caesar - Fringe Guru - click here

31 Aug - John Scott - The List - click here

31 Aug - Laughing Horse's Funny Fillies - One4Review - click here

31 Aug - Ian Fox Exposes himself - One4Review - click here

31 Aug - The Social Anxiety Network - Three Weeks - Watching the ginger guy from ‘Big Cook Little Cook’ – that’s right, Little Cook! – swear and get increasingly angry at the world and its quirks feels a little wrong at first, but his likeability makes it easy to move past this bizarre fact and get on with watching some fine comedy. Most of the jokes are standard fare but Wright’s skill (and experience) in performing turns them into something more entertaining. Similarly, Tony Jameson, whilst not always highlighting the most original content, builds a great rapport with the audience. Slicker than much of the free comedy at the Fringe, the show may generate an audience because of Wright’s celebrity status, but certainly doesn’t rely upon it.

31 Aug - Marc Burrows - DarkChat - When I tell you that I have seen a free show that suffered the largest walk-out in my Fringe show watching history you might be prepared for a terrible review. The reality however is a little different. When entering the show, the place was packed to the rafters which is always a good sign, however a large number of the audience seemed out of place in a ‘can’t quite put your finger on it’ sort of way. It became clear why, when about 10 minutes in upon the word of their teacher around 20 Eastern European students walked out en masse, her chagrin raised it would seem by the use of the word ‘cunt’ to describe Jeremy Clarkson fans. I was never aware of the lanky Top Gear tosspot’s popularity with Estonian female teachers that look like shot putters, but I have learnt to never be surprised by Edinburgh! Even after they had left it remained standing room only and the crowd were kept entertained by the youthful looking Burrows who took us on a journey through the 90s using his experiences (failures) with girls and his pre-occupation with Sci-Fi and music. At times his delivery wasn’t quite spot on although this may have been due to his being distracted by his newfound ability to smash bar taps with the power of his mind which had us and him amazed! It may sound formulaic but Burrows obvious enthusiasm for the subject shines through and for anyone else of the era this a show that you should make the time to see (unless you’re a Princess Di fan!)

31 Aug - The British Comedy Guide and the Malcolm Hardee Award results - click here

28 Aug - Gags. Songs and Bombs - Three Weeks - This intriguingly titled show offers a rewarding variety of comedy. A three-hander stand-up showcase compered by the charmingly spry Laura Carr, the gig kicks off with Brixton comic Gary Tro, whose piquant style of observation introduces the audience to a night of social commentary and reflection. Kate Lucas's musical skits on break-ups and our parents' secret sex lives follow, and her different style provides a neat partition between the book-ending acts. Headliner Tez Ilyas's comedy on Muslim stereotypes and perceptions is at times clumsily predictable but his persona and his challenging of the issues is necessary and topical in an increasingly segregated society.

28 Aug - Liam Mullone - Chortle - click here

27 Aug - East End Cabaret - Three Weeks - Gather round children, and I'll tell you the story of the indomitable tantric penis. Or would you prefer the literal version of 'Sex Is On Fire', a cautionary song about bedroom bondage? This luscious romp combines stage-craft and musical talent with a bawdy humour that was either right on the edge or all the way over it. The glamorous Bernadette Byrne keeps the audience rapt and attentive. Victor Victoria's sexy, snide and seemingly off-the-cuff commentary is the work of a comic genius. She trots out a saw, plays it with a bow, harmonises with Byrne demonstrating a lovely vocal blend, and has the audience snorting with laughter (ahem). I shall sum it up using three C-words: Camp. Cavorting. Cracking.

27 Aug - Grim(m) tales of the Wood - Three Weeks - Welcome to your German nightmare. A rough diamond of the Fringe, Louna Productions - Louisa and Anna - invite the audience to experience Scottish-German storytelling of the Brothers Grimm's darkest fairy tales. We all know that fairy tales are not only for children, but the seven told here are not for children at all. Chopped off body parts flying through the air, a father eating black puddings made from his son's blood, a different and not quite as well-ending version of 'Little Red Riding Hood': it's not for the faint-hearted. The eerie selection of tales is presented in a dark, mesmerising way, and sitting comfortably in a cosy pub in Edinburgh you still feel as if you are walking the dark, cold forest all alone.

27 Aug - From Japan with Rub - Three Weeks - 'HEY JAP!' the audience is encouraged to shout at mad Japanese comedian Hiroshi Shimizu, because it is, he reminds us, his nickname. He jumps into the audience and runs up and down the aisle sporadically, in between telling us the difference between the Japanese and us 'western people'. It's all light hearted fun and his tongue is firmly in his cheek, which is possibly why Hiroshi has such problems making the words 'love' and 'rub' sound different, but as he points out, they're "pretty much the same anyway". Madcap and just a little bit insane, this is one of those rare performances, especially free ones, where the comedian could say anything and have the audience rolling in the aisles. Or indeed, rorring.

26 Aug - Horse & Louis - Chortle - click here

26 Aug - Tobias Persson - Chortle - click here

26 Aug - Two Free Fest Malcolm Hardee Award Winners: Bob Slayer and Kunt and the Gang both win awards for best publicity Stunt

25 Aug - Who's the real Kunt? Wendy Wason's views on London is Funny - click here

25 Aug - Gags, Songs & Bombs - What's On Stage - click here

25 Aug - Big Dave's gay-B-C of Life

- What's On Stage - click here

25 Aug - Billy Kirkwood: show Me Your tattoo - Fest - click here

25 Aug - Adam Larter - the Skinny - click here

25 Aug - Nonsense Duet - the Public reviews - click here

25 Aug - Dan Willis: radiohead Redux - the Skinny - click here

25 Aug - Brotherly Love - One4Review - click here

25 Aug - Jody Kamali - One4Review - click here

25 Aug - Sheep Ahoy! - Three Weeks - Storytelling Phil the Shepherd can't get his flock to sleep, so he tries a variety of tales, songs, animations and even a cartoon he draws live to try and help. He involves the audience and manages to raise a few laughs from parents too, but his stories are a bit silly, and the kids at the back of room lost attention pretty quickly, yelping and building a fortress out of their parents' chairs. The show is fun, his illustrations are cute, and he is an enthusiastic performer; if you're planning on going, get there early and make sure you get a seat at the front, otherwise your kids might get distracted and set fire to the stage.

25 Aug - You Should have been here Last Week - Three Weeks - Originally I was going to give this show a 2* review; the compere seemed tired and was putting no effort in, the acts were a train of dull comedians all doing the same thing as everyone else on the circuit. But then something a little odd, but very amazing happened: filling time because the headline act had failed to show, someone darts on stage, whispers in the compere's ear and her face drops. "Will you welcome to the stage Stewart Lee!" One of the most revered comedians on the circuit calmly walked on, did a smashing 15 minute set and then left, leaving a stunned audience behind him. Never has a show been more aptly named; you shoulda been there last week.

25 Aug - Chronic - Three Weeks - Luke Escombe's 'Chronic' was a thoroughly enjoyable and hilarious show. Escombe, a tall and lanky Australian, shares his views on important world issues - terrorism, the Iran/Iraq conflict, the cult of iPhone addicts - through the medium of satirical and quite catchy tunes. Luke is creative and talented; instead of getting aggravated with the aforementioned inebriates yelling out what they believed to be the next lyrics, he used them to his advantage, dedicating a little number to them about robbing a liquor store with a two-by-four. This artist is definitely one to watch.

25 Aug - Dan Willis: Inspired - Three Weeks - Dan Willis is as comfortable in the back room of a pub as I imagine he'd be in front of a stage of 2,000 people. His show breaks down the methodology of self-help books, as he tells the audience how he's tried to find love and better himself at the age of 38. With anecdotes of ass-slaps gone wrong, mad adventures in snowy Inverness and fights over calamari, he had me laughing more than all the paid shows have so far. He's got an edge that isn't too x-rated, and he engaged the teens and the middle-aged with equal enthusiasm. Undeniably one of the best free shows I've seen.

25 Aug - Aberdeen Vs Glasgow Vs The World - Three Weeks - With a six-man line-up that changes every day, you never know what you're going to get at this show. I was lucky and was treated to a rapid-fire hour of comedy with lots more hits than misses. Of particular note, Toby Littler got the crowd guffawing along to a couple of marvellously rude songs, whilst Mark Wood delivered a string of deranged one-liners worthy of Milton Jones, only much dirtier. Our compères were funny and slick - the ventriloquist sheep routine struck comedy gold - and the show oozed with relaxed, professional humour. One act misfired somewhat, and the headline set wasn't quite up to par, but overall this was a great hour of varied comedy.

25 Aug - Hatty Ashdown: Nan-Child - Three Weeks - There's a relaxed yet likeable style to Hatty Ashdown, who tells us about her dotty mother who, giving birth to her in her late-forties, doomed her to a life of being "the nan child", the one the other schoolchildren teased for her mother's age and, of course, for wearing mittens on a string. She creates an atmosphere so sympathetic that even when there are slight technical difficulties with a running slideshow used as part of the comedy, the audience whoop and cheer her on as she attempts to figure out what exactly has happened. Anecdotal humour that never feels stilted or scripted marks out Ashdown as one to watch on the comedy circuits in the coming years.

25 Aug - Tom Toal and Joe Wells - Three Weeks - What do you get when you mix romantic comedy with political satire? Just that, only it actually goes better together than you may think, and it's all down to the comedians themselves. Tom Toal is a cute bearded softie who generates as much 'awww' as he does laughter, and his tales of past love tickle the hearts and funny-bones of the largely female audience. On the other hand, Joe Wells is a Marxist who is not afraid to say what he thinks of today's politics; he hates Tories almost as much as he hates the BNP, but, overall, remains a rather jolly character. The two comedians gel well together making for one very entertaining show.

25 Aug - Horse & Louis - Three Weeks - After five minutes listening to Horse And Louis, your immediate reaction is to think of Flight Of The Conchords. The duo's mix of comedy music and slightly off the wall gags are very reminiscent of the Kiwi pair's stylings. However, Horse And Louis have a style of their own, using audience participation to determine the "Top Trump" of all the spectators. The pair have good stage presence and the songs are well written although at times they can trail off without a satisfactory finish. At points some of their short sketches are more innovative than the musical comedy they rely on, but they are endearing and funny nonetheless, and well work a look.

25 Aug - Lorcan McGrath is Not In Love - Three Weeks - I am the only audience member for Lorcan McGrath's set and, to his credit, he manages to make me smile, chuckle and even laugh out loud with a charmingly amiable routine. True, some confessions are a little too intimate for an audience of one and he needs polish, but overall his musings on love are entertaining and the section with his alternate self is hilariously funny. He won't blow your mind or reshape your idea of comedy, but McGrath is a kindly soul and his set is pleasant and upbeat, despite his not being "in love". The free biscuits are a welcome treat too! McGrath deserves to play to a decent crowd, not just one reviewer.

25 Aug - The Silky Pair - Three Weeks - Even attempting rapid fire, quick change sketch comedy in the tiny confines of this performance space is laudable; that the Silky Pair largely pull it off is all the more impressive. Opening with an operatic number that shows off two good voices, the Silky Pair stick to a fairly safe set of middle class characters. Spoofs of history documentaries, property and cookery shows are funny, but nothing you don't see on a regular basis, and whilst the musical numbers and running jokes are good, they tend to overstay their welcome. Not quite uproariously funny, Bond and Shaw nonetheless produce a slick, amusing show that is a refreshing free fringe change from one bearded bloke whining about not getting any sex.

24 Aug - Billy Kirkwood - Show me your tattoo - Three Weeks - This tattooed, hairy Scotsman is possibly one of the funniest comedians at the Fringe. With a totally original premise - showing random photos of horrible tattoos that Billy has never seen before, then making up most of his routine on the spot - I honestly can't believe this show was for free. He offers audience members a chance to bust out their own tattoos and claims by the end of the Fringe he'll have seen more inked up penises than anyone alive. In between the hilarity, Billy draws tattoo suggestions from the audience on a white board, with the promise to get one of them at the end of the festival. He does a children's show too – hopefully without the nudity.

24 Aug - Pockets of Surprise - Three Weeks - Pockets of Suspense' is a fitting title for this show, as the denouement of each sketch routinely holds an amusing, yet often morbid, surprise. The two performers, who proved very amiable indeed, delightfully enacted eighteen short sketches, covering topics like family oddities, an overly inept detective, or strange encounters between friends. The performance space was small, and the props non-existent, but the actors still managed to pull off an entirely convincing show. It must be admitted, however, that the macabre punchlines and, at times, consciously revolting references, were not to everyone's liking. Nevertheless, 'Pockets of Suspense' proved entertaining for most of those who stayed for the full forty-five minutes. Time well spent indeed.

24 Aug - David Kelly is Shameless - Three Weeks - It's harder to be a good comedian in a small space, I reckon. The faces are right there; the reactions, the cringing, the groaning – all audible. But you would not have thought so from David Kelly's performance. Teaming up with the energetic Laura Carr, he ensured that the hour-long performance flew by. Both had moments of true originality and wit, and both handled the occasional heckles from the crowd - a hazard at any comedy gig - with ease and aplomb. Carr was personable and confiding in her anecdotal and personal quips, if occasionally rushing through her material; Kelly was a little quiet, but his understated humour was cerebral and his descriptive jokes about his Prince phase had the crowd in stitches. Shamelessly good comedy indeed.

24 Aug - Adam Crow averts an accident - Chortle - click here

23 Aug - Quincy - Chortle - click here

23 Aug - Two Free Festival Acts Nominated for Malcolm Hardee Awards: Bob Slayer for Comic Originality and Kunt and the Gang for Cunning Stunt - click here; and here

23 Aug - East End Cabaret - The Scotsman - click here

23 Aug - Come Hell Or High Water - The Scotsman - click here

23 Aug - Tobias Person - The Skinny - click here

22 Aug - David Kelly is Shameless - Broadway Baby - click here

21 Aug - John Scott - Fringe Guru - click here

21 Aug - I'm Shakespeare's Monkeys - Fringe Guru - click here

22 Aug - I'm Eric Bartham - The Scotsman - click here

22 Aug - I'm Eric Bartham - Fest - click here

22 Aug - Michael J. Dolan

- British Comedy Guide - click here

22 Aug - John Scott Talks about Scottish Comedy To The British Comedy Guide - click here

22 Aug - The Underdogs talk To The British Comedy Guide - click here

22 Aug - Aaaand now for something completely Improvised bribes The list! - click here

22Aug - The Best of the Sh*ttest - Three Weeks - Hailing from sunny Australia, the two stand-ups Eric Hutton and Ben Ellwood entertain the audience with not so sunny stories on subjects ranging from manual labour to a mother who believes that the film 'Valkyrie' is in fact a documentary. 'Best of the Sh*ttest' is, however, a title that fits this well – not because the show isn't particularly funny, but because of the self-deprecating humour from both comedians, with Hutton's laid-back interaction with the audience working particularly well, even though Ellwood's slightly more intellectual approach seems to baffle some audience members. With promises of different material being used over several days, this is one of the better free fringe shows, and is definitely far from being "the sh*ttest".

21 Aug - Rachael's Cafe - What's On Stage - click here

21 Aug - East End Cabaret - The Skinny - click here

21 Aug - John Scott

- The Skinny - click here

21 Aug - Bob Slayer - The Scotsman - click here

21 Aug - Bratchy: Beer & Loathing and Lost Wages - Chortle - click here

21 Aug - Nonsense Duet - The Public reviews - click here

20 Aug - Chortle Reports on Kunt and the Gang's "Cockgate" - Click Here

20 Aug - Three Weeks Reports on Kunt and the Gang's "Cockgate" - COCK-GATE SEEMINGLY DIVIDES FRINGE COMEDY COMMUNITY When someone chooses the moniker Kunt And The Gang – even with the 'k' – I think it's fair to say they're going just a little bit out of their way to court controversy. So, it seems, job done for the comedy music outfit from Basildon, because – albeit according to their own press release – they've put a few Fringe noses out of joint by encouraging their audiences to stick promotional cock stickers on other comedian's posters.

Anyone wandering around the Fringe's George Square/Bristo Square hub last weekend can't have failed to see the cock shaped stickers, complete with a QR code that took smartphone users to a webpage containing the single word 'Kunt'. The aim was to promote the free KATG show appearing as part of the Free Festival this year.

As KATG fans placed cock stickers on the posters of other Fringe comics, the comedy music man behind the promotion claims he received complaints from various Fringe promoters, legal threats from Underbelly, a telling off from the Fringe Society and a visit from Edinburgh Council officials. Though, he says, they did struggle to keep a straight face as they told Free Festival staff that they'd been forced to spend the day "pulling off over 100 cocks around Edinburgh".

And some comedians do see the funny side of having large white cock stickers placed on their posters, while one key Edinburgh comedy promoter – The Stand's Tommy Sheppard – reportedly said he'd be happy to see the cock stickers on his venue's publicity. With chatter about what KATG themselves are trying to dub Cock-gate spilling over onto the net and into the media, some are speculating that the act is now favourite to win the Malcolm Hardee Cunning Stunt Award. Certainly award organiser John Fleming has noted the stunt on his blog.

So, while Cock-gate is earning KATG as many enemies as friends, it could all still result in a happy climax for the Kunt. By which I mean he could get an award to take back to Basildon.

20 Aug - Adam Oliver as 'Ze Hoff' - meets and interviews the Real David Hasslehoff on BBC Radio. See Ze Hoff's show at the Beehive

20 Aug - About Comedy - Comedy Courses - Three Weeks - REVIEW FEATURE - A Mancunian having a mid-life crisis, a Grangemouth sales rep, a fourteen year old with an innocent face and devilish sense of humour, and a ThreeWeeks reviewer walk into a bar. Not the set up to the world's worst joke, but the start of my initiation into the world of stand-up comedy. This two day course promises to teach us the basics of stand-up – joke writing, performance and not dying on stage – in a little over nine hours, before making us perform our material for real punters at a real show.

Oh god, why did I volunteer for this? The course is run by the disarmingly-like-your-mum-only-filthy Jojo Sutherland, and she eases our nerves with a practised confidence. "You'll be great", she tells us, "and if not, well, fuck it, comedy's not for you!" A professional comedian of eight years, Jojo knows the trade inside out and is happy to answer our many questions as she goes about the business of knocking us into shape.

The first day consists of exercises to put us at ease and draw out our comedic influences. We have a broad mix in our group, from fans of shock jocks to mainstream stand-up to golden oldies like Stanley Baxter, and a range of presentational styles. Jojo, who has a remarkable knack for material, helps us find an arc for our five minute sets to follow. Her real skill, though, is making each arc feel personal and fitting, despite our varied tastes and styles. It helps that the atmosphere in the room is a constant bubble of humour and supportiveness with a refreshing lack of egos or prima-donnas, which is subtly encouraged by Jojo throughout.

With each of us having been sent home to write five minutes' worth of material, the second day is when the real work starts. Our stuff isn't funny, but, at this point, that's to be expected. Working with each of us individually, Jojo tweaks and tightens our material, teaching as she goes. The "Rule Of Three" – set-up, reinforce, twist – is drummed into our heads, along with comedy being about taking ideas to their illogical extremes. Jojo works her magic on the material we've brought with us and, by the end of the session, we're all armed with five minutes of actual stand-up comedy. That said, the second day of the course is a touch less successful than the first. Whilst the group was still very generous and giving, the fact that JoJo's attention needed to be focussed on one person at a time meant that the day dragged when you weren't in the spotlight. A second tutor working with those not getting one-to-one attention would have helped at this point.

Then, all too soon, the course was over and we were clutching the mic and staring out at a joke hungry audience. Our sauve compare, Jem Brookes, made sure to look after us and ensured we got a warm round of applause after we'd survived our terrifying sets. Once it's over, it's easy to see why so many people want to be stand-ups. Even in a first time set, the thrill of a gag hitting the mark is a powerful drug.

Obviously, no two day course is going to make you into the next Frankie Boyle on its own, but for those thinking about a career in stand-up – or those who just want to learn a few of the skills – this is an excellent place to start. Don't think I'll be giving up the day job, though.

20 Aug - Tricity Vogue's Ukelele Cabaret - Three Weeks - Kazoos, ukuleles and a drunken guest comic - who substitutes the obligatory instrument for a dart board which he then proceeds to hang over his torso and encourages people to aim at - make this evening of cabaret a surreal experience. However, with the 'Uke of Edinburgh' challenge which sees ukulele players from across the fringe pitted against each other and judged by the audience, this showcase of talent is what the free festival is all about. From the absurd songs on these instruments that lend themselves so well to comedy, performed by the likes of Elliot Mason and Helen Arney, to the sing-along songs that see audience members join in with ukuleles, kazoos or their voice, this show is straightforward fun.

20 Aug - Spring Day: Sushi Souffle - Three Weeks - I'm fucked up but I'm not retarded", exclaims happy-go-lucky comic Spring Day who is quick to address the fact that she suffers from a mild case of cerebral palsy. Almost immediately, she wins the audience over with her infectious smile, adorable personality and genuine humour. Sharing anecdotes from her time spent in Tokyo and Paris (hence the show name), Day discusses a range of topics from language barriers to sex - and sometimes a mixture of the two! - whilst using her own disability as comic fuel. The 30 minutes fly by, much to the audience's dismay, as Day leaves them wanting more. A definite must-see, if only just to hear her say the word "clitoris" in Japanese.

20 Aug - The 90's in half an Hour - Three Weeks - Limiting his show to 30 minutes is a canny move by Marc Burrows, as it ensures that there are no slow moments. Confident and well prepared, Burrows is a genial host who encourages us to recall the heady days of the 1990s. His style of humour is cosy and unchallenging – anyone looking for a satire of 1990s politics will be disappointed. Instead we get gentle anecdotes about Britpop and Tamagochi that amuse but never have us rolling in the aisles. Despite Burrows finding his own material funnier than we do, he's a competent comic, particularly when telling tales from his own life. A Peter Kaye for the 1090s generation, and that's meant as both a compliment and a criticism.

20 Aug - The Kingsley and I - Three Weeks - There's an element of luck involved in this show as each day a comedian and MC gets the chance to showcase their talent and pull in punters for their performances. Damian Kingsley occupies a regular spot, and though his routine is polished, it was somewhat outshone by the compère who flaunted his razor-sharp wit to hilarious effect against a heckler, leaving the audience bent over double and craving him to take over the hour-long slot. Kingsley is followed by a comedienne who, despite being incredibly ill, amused with her nonchalant style. You're unlikely to know what you're going to get as you step into the venue, but take a gamble and you might just get lucky.

20 Aug - Cheese Badger presents The Epic of Hairy Dave - Three Weeks - With the voice of an old Yorkshireman, the wild-eyed, bow-tied Sir Henry Cheese-Badger recounts the tale of Hairy Dave, a saviour of sorts who comes to a world of fast-food and tries to make a difference. Cheese-Badger darts about the stage, a white shirt billowing from a scrawny waist, absolutely captivating in his poetic story-telling style. The hour-long poem is complex and made of many parts, so it's understandable that every now and then our frantic storyteller needs a prompt or two from his waxen butler Rover -- perhaps later in the run these will disappear altogether. One to take your auntie to, as long as she likes storms of sprouts and government legislation against beards.

20 Aug - The Magic Drawabout - Three Weeks - 'The Magic Drawabout' will have you walking around with your eccentric guides, doodling all the characters in the Grassmarket, and being bizarrely serenaded by a guitarist all the while. They provide pens and paper – all you need to do is turn up. On my tour, we sketched two American tourists holding a plastic camel and a beer stein, a Finnish beat boxer, and a fortieth birthday party. The children on the tour had an absolute blast, and the host took particular care in making sure their works of art were praised by all. So, if you have any budding young artists in the family, or you just want to draw with other artists for an hour, head for the 'drawabout'.

20 Aug - The Girl with the Guitar - - Three Weeks - Alison Chabloz, our 'Girl with the Guitar', provides a delightful hour of music. She builds a great rapport with the small audience gathered before her as she leads us on a musical journey covering the likes of internet-stalking, getting dumped, the fall of 'News of the World' and free-diving. When the staff in the café venue became too noisy, she was quick to jump in and tell them all to zip it, never once losing her composure. Through her songs and asides her personality shines. Her friends might think she's crazy for her recent decision to quit the rat-race and tour the Festival circuit, but, while it might not have been financially sensible, it certainly seems to be paying off.

20 Aug - Asian provocateurs - One4Review - click here

20 Aug - Lewis Schaffer - One4Review - click here

20 Aug - The Silky Pair - One4Review - click here

20 Aug - Billy Kirkwood - One4Review - click here

19 Aug - Rachel's Cafe - The New Kid - click here

19 Aug - East End Cabaret - Fest - click here

19 Aug - I am the Dead - Broadway Baby - click here

19 Aug - Kunt and the Gang - Chortle - click here

19 Aug - Phil Mann Speaks to What's On Stage - click here

18 Aug - East End Cabaret Nominated for Total Theatre Award - Best Emerging Company

18 Aug - Abigoliah Schamaun - The Skinny - click here

18 Aug - Jackson Voorhaar - The Skinny - click here

18 Aug - Irish Picks - The Skinny - click here

18 Aug - Adam Larter - Three Weeks - Essentially, Adam Larter is a deranged overgrown seven year-old that someone allowed to play with enormous bits of paper and crayons in a quest to make up the best story ever. The result? A series of five occasionally brilliant and occasionally bizarre tales that had the audience giggling with bemused laughter. His attempt at a political allegory was inspired but his history of Live Aid - the basis for the show's title - went on too long. Larter's set was joyfully coherent in a nervously madcap kind of way but mainly lacked polish and editing rather than ideas. His performance still felt rather too amateurish, though that is admittedly part of its charm. Certainly one to watch for the future.

18 Aug - Punching Mice - Three Weeks - A master storyteller, Sameena Zehra has an easy style that gives life to her characters and paints vivid scenes for her captivated audience. Growing up in India, many of her stories tell of a life unfamiliar to her audience in Edinburgh: owning servants, terrorist kidnappings, and punching mice. Never losing the thread she moves confidently from tale to tale, expanding them with stories within stories and creating an engrossing chain of events. It is less stand-up than it is a witty lecture. Her light manner and skill as a storyteller make this show a delight to listen to, unlike so much of the unoriginal, unimaginative comedy I've seen elsewhere at the Fringe.

18 Aug - Laughing Horse's Funny Fillies - Three Weeks -
Everywhere I hear it said: "the spirit of the Fringe". People yearn, pine, mourn for it, say it is lost, gone forever, say it's not to be found anywhere near a £3.80 pint and a note-taking telly commissioner. Where am I to find this spirit? Well, how about in a back room where 50% of the audience are performers who themselves seem to be, well, a little down on their commercial luck? We all sat together on sofas and chatted; one of the acts was clearly a confused stripper who ran off before her act, and there were no male comics doing jokes about wanking. This chill-out evening was easy-going and pleasant: the Fringe spirit lies within the Free Fringe!

18 Aug - Laughing Horse's Free Pick of the Fringe - Three Weeks - Ria Lina's musical humour electrified the audience with her relaxed yet biting wit. The self-deprecating, blunt sexual comedy of David Lee Nelson dealt with topics ranging from octogenarian drug dealers to Super Mario Brothers, with a charmingly agitated style of delivery. Nelson proved difficult for Tobias Persson to follow; however, Persson's lengthy digression concerning a "duck Pope" was a refreshing taste of absurdity, comfortably mastered by the Swedish comic. Finally, despite looking like a "physics teacher" James Dowdeswell's anecdotal tales of Bartholomew, the well-read homeless man, proved a particular success. Free and not too shabby.

18 Aug - Dan Willis - Three Weeks - Fringe hero Dan Willis returns this year with 'Radiohead Redux', using music as its central focus. After easing the audience's anxiety with banter concerning whether he should keep or change his introduction music, he launches into his set, playing tracks and then allowing stories, jokes and memories to blossom, Proustian style, from the tunes. He does chat to the audience throughout, though he never sacrifices his jokes to pounce on cheap laughs, instead working what he gets from the audience back into his routine. If there is a criticism, it's in the relative lack of truly belly-shaking gags, with Willis content to keep his audience only heartily amused for the duration of the show.

18 Aug - Fire and the Rose - Three Weeks - In the basement of a bar on Victoria Street, there is a cool dark room, two dimly lit spotlights, a black backdrop and George Innes. There is no music, the setting is modest, but Innes' performance is mighty. It is not in the least light-hearted; arduous thought has gone into putting this piece together, with its big ideas about the human condition. Innes obviously feels connected to these pieces – it would be impossible to act with such majesty without having an understanding that runs deeper than your average performer might. This is one show that breaks away from the hard and fast entertainment so readily available at the Fringe. Raw and refreshing; I urge you to attend.

17 Aug - Paul Harry Allen, Politically Erect and Liam Mullone bribe The list! - click here

17 Aug - Rachael's Cafe Speak to the List - click here

17 Aug - 5-Step Guide to being German - Broadway Baby - click here

17 Aug - Stitches: Stand-up. - Broadway Baby - click here

17 Aug - Heaven Bound - Broadway Baby - click here

17 Aug - Michael J. Dolan - Chortle - click here

17 Aug - Come hell or High Water - Fringe Guru - click here

17 Aug - East End Cabaret - Time Out Audio Review - click here - "Absolutely heaving Show... Tremendous response from the Audience... Very Funny original songs. What really makes the show is the characters and the dynamic between them... A Terrific success."

17 Aug - Fresh Air Radio Talks to Mike Belgrave - click here

17 Aug - The British Comedy Guide Talks to O'Farahan and Keith - click here

17 Aug - Sadia Azmat in Radio 4's Front Row - BBC Radio 4 - click here

16 Aug - Kunt and the Gang - The Scotsman - click here

16 Aug - Lewis Schaffer - Chortle - click here

15 Aug - Phil Kay - Time Out Audio Review - click here - "Life affirming in a profound way. A real treat"

15 Aug - Phil Kay - The Stage Review - click here

15 Aug - Free Fest Director Alex Petty and Comedian Nik Coppin talk and taste whisky & Fringe shows with Alan Anderson at the Whiski Rooms - click here

15 Aug - The 90's in Half an Hour - The New Kid - click here

15 Aug - East End Cabaret - Fringe Review Recommended show - click here

15 Aug - Aaand now for something completely improvised - The New Kid - click here

15 Aug - The List Talk to Michael J. Dolan - click here

15 Aug - Laura Levites - How Did I get Here? - Three Weeks - On the day I went to see her show, Laura Levites wasn't wholly sure how she got there; she only found out she was coming to the Fringe two weeks ago (she replaces a last-minute cancellation) and had just got off a plane from the US. But, like any good comedian, she turned the worst of this situation to her advantage; some of the funniest parts of her one woman stand-up-cum-sketch-show were those in which she riffed on the chaos. Levites enthusiastically acts out a series of increasingly farcical, and at times touching, scenarios featuring her disastrous relationships and her much-adored dog. Her infectious enthusiasm will make you glad she found her way to Edinburgh.

15 Aug - GI Joe Jared - Three Weeks - Not only a warning about the perils of blind dating, this one-act play is a witty, honest portrayal of the complexities of friendship. Whilst Julie and Susan are sharing some long-overdue drinks, the arrival of the eccentric Jared (and his G.I. Joe tarot cards) forces the girls to acknowledge the importance of their friendship. The actors provide a naturalistic performance that allows the script's wit to shine through, if they occasionally seem to be racing through it. Though it's a bit like watching a sitcom, they are believable, and towards the end deliver their lines with raw emotion that is touching to watch. This heart-warming mini-drama might make you think twice about joining eHarmony, but will transport you seamlessly from laughter to tears and back again.

15 Aug - The Return of O'Farnan and Keith - Three Weeks - Dubbing over an old American cop show with northern accents sounds naff and lazy, but this show is actually very funny. The obvious hard work that has gone into its production is impressive; being well-rehearsed and possessing the ability to use a projector without technical difficulties early on in the Festival is an achievement itself. These are two very clever guys with a bit of talent who clearly did not come to the Free Fringe to mess about. If you would like to see some original comedy that does not involve sketches or a bloke on an empty stage with a microphone, then this is for you. With their slick underground act, there is potential here for a cult following.

15 Aug - Phil Mann's Full Mind and Michael Keane: Intelligent Shuffle - Three Weeks - Phil Mann is here to educate you. He is currently learning one topic per day, at the behest of audience members, with which to entertain and illuminate the next day's crowd; today, he talks not only about chosen subject Michael Barrymore, but includes edited highlights of previous days' lectures on such stimulating themes as facial hair and cheese consumption. They are surprisingly funny as well as genuinely interesting, and delivered with delight and scruffy charm. The second set comes from Michael Keane, whose 'intelligent shuffle' is basically a half-hour rant; brutally funny observations are delivered with quick-fire wit and Dylan Moran-esque cynicism. The two halves meld neatly into a coherent - and very funny - whole, making this well worth a watch.

15 Aug - Shakespeare's Monkeys - Three Weeks - Taking the infinite monkey theorem - that a monkey could write Shakespeare if given long enough tapping randomly at a keyboard - as titular inspiration, 'The Underdogs' seem to have decided that if they riff off Shakespeare for long enough, they'll eventually hit funny. Aping Shakespeare is no original concept; however it is a concept that works, and 'Shakespeare's Monkeys' is frequently giggle-worthy, while Kate and Shae, who make up 'The Underdogs', make themselves very endearing. However, the best gags of the show are often one-liners that have little to do with the bard, and I suspect are lifted from their previous incarnations as stand-up comics. Overall though, this was a very enjoyable hour, and I don't reckon the monkeys could have done better.

15 Aug - The Tourists - Three Weeks - There was standing room only for 'The Tourists' in the tiny Lizard Lounge, and they may soon need a bigger venue. The comedy performed by this young group is inventive, original, sometimes downright weird but always joyfully funny. Poking fun at everything and nothing in particular The Tourists take on a wide range of characters from the hapless robot File-Tron to the menacing Maria, the nun. Each individual member of the group is a delight to watch, but it is the way they work energetically and unselfishly together that makes them successful. Although some sketches could be tightened up a little so laughs come as smoothly as they should, this is free comedy that I would pay money for.

15 Aug - Roman Around - Three Weeks - Getting tired of Festival fever? Fancy a free trip to Rome? This is the show for you! Ryan Millar takes you on a tour of the sights and sounds of Italy's capital without even making you leave your seat. Millar's previous job as a tour guide provides him with a wealth of knowledge that he has crafted into an enjoyable show, and the amount he knows about Rome is astounding, yet sometimes parts of the show do drag. His act could probably do with being trimmed a little, but Millar is friendly and funny and his enthusiasm on the subject is infectious. An enjoyable show if you're looking for something out of the ordinary and want a bit of escapism.

15 Aug - Making Life taste Funny - Three Weeks - Sometimes comedy goes beyond what a performer says and does; the appearance and even accent of a comedian can be just as important. While both Oakes and Turner hail from the North East, you could mistake them for being from completely opposite ends of the country. Oakes is tall, well-spoken and charismatic, taking an innocent yet slightly cheeky approach to his humour. Turner, however, is Geordie through and through, and with his manic eyes and thick bracing accent, there really is no escaping his interactive performance, especially in a staff meeting-room crammed like a tin of sardines. Mixed with some sweet yet disturbing poems from special guest Barry Fox, this is one incredibly peculiar but altogether pretty decent show.

15 Aug - The Agent, Stylist and PA Wanted Show - Three Weeks - Ever wondered what it felt like to be the only Asian on the Tube after the 7/7 bombings? Or if you've forgotten to shave and happen to be wearing an excessively large backpack at Heathrow? Stand-up comedian Amrik Virk enlightens us, and energetically fires out a host of amusing anecdotes – ranging from his school faux pas to a dislike of Shania Twain – ridiculing racism and cultural stereotyping as he goes along. Some gags are a little drawn-out, but Amrik is a slick and charismatic performer who engages and interacts with the crowd, and you walk out feeling a little guilty that it's a free show. Entertainment for everyone - unless you're a member of the BNP, that is.

15 Aug - The Kingsley and I - Three Weeks - Paul McCaffery didn't seem to know what was going on: "We're all going to go home nonplussed," he says, and by the end of the evening, such a prediction was completely right. This is not a reflection on the considerable talents of either him or Damien Kingsley, whose anecdotal humour stands strong. A Gordon Ramsay impression - "Get Me That Crème Fucking Fraiche (Pardon My French)" - is a particular highlight. However, the bizarre composition of audience members, who quickly became the show's focus and enhanced an already-engaging evening of comedy, makes it hard to know how this show would have panned out without an audience as fantastically diverse as that on offer last night.

11 Aug - Fringe Guru - Finding Free shows - Click Here

14 Aug - Michael J. Dolan - The Skinny - click here

14 Aug - Lewis Schaffer - The Scotsman - click here

14 Aug - Liam Mullone - London is Funny - click here

14 Aug - East End Cabaret - Hairline - click here

14 Aug - Joanna Jollie - Hairline - click here

14 Aug - Mad Science Free Dangerous Family Show - Broadway Baby - click here

14 Aug - George Innes - Fire and Ice - Broadway Baby - click here

14 Aug - Tricity Vogue's Ukelele Cabaret - Broadway Baby - click here

14 Aug - Doug Segal - Broadway Baby - click here

14 Aug - Baker and Thompson - Broadway Baby - click here

14 Aug - Oliver Meech - Broadway Baby - click here

14 Aug - Please Hold You are Being Transferred... - Broadway Baby - click here

14 Aug - What's On Stage - Five reasons to see Tricity Vogue's Ukelele Cabaret - click here

14 Aug - Hairline - 11 Answers from The Silky Pair - click here

14 Aug - What's On Stage - A Brief encounter with The Hamwehads - click here

14 Aug - James Loveridge and other Losers - The Skinny - click here

14 Aug - Ian Fox Exposes Himself - British comedy Guide - click here

14 Aug - Laura Levites - How Did I get here? - Edinburgh Theatre Review - click here

13 Aug - A Local's Guide - Recommends Free Festival performers - click here

13 Aug - The Herald - The Herald's Barry Didcock spends a day watching free shows - click here

13 Aug - The Skinny - Talks to Tony Bournemouth AKA Jimbo - click here

13 Aug - All Over Your Face - Three Weeks - Rebecca Anderson makes a convincing vicar's daughter, complete with sweet voice, cheerful attitude and blonde hair. Her jokes, however, are far removed from her squeaky clean image and the crowd is easily sucked into her iniquitous sing-song on the autoharp – a ridiculous and highly amusing prop. She is joined by fellow comic, Luisa, who bounces around the stage with an enthusiasm that is absolutely infectious. Luisa manages to bang out a full song about a cow, love and turning 30 after one minute's preparation – improvisation that is nothing short of astounding. These funny girls will keep all entertained with outrageous subject matter and painful honesty; if you only see one comedy show this fringe, I advise this be it.

13 Aug - Fabulous Abs - Three Weeks - "People write reviews about me saying I'm funny, because, as you've probably noticed, I am funny..." drawls the Ohio-born stand-up, exhibiting that type of confidence that Americans just seem to be born with. However, this statement is not just arrogance – self-titled "chubbiest yoga teacher in America" Schamaun is not just funny, she's hilarious. Her self-deprecating anecdotes are full of sensational smut, including various kiss-and-tell tales of "classy" threesomes, funny fellatio and the mystifying "folds" of the vagina. But don't be mistaken in labelling her a nymphomaniac; her preferred term is "sexually compulsive", and it's a compulsion which, it seems, makes great comedy. A brilliant young comic.

13 Aug - Fran Moulds - Three Weeks - An eccentric American storyteller running a workshop, a Northern Irish theology lecturer giving a talk on sex, and a teenage Islam "revert" from Bolton performing a video diary: this eclectic group make up the bill for Fran Mould's sixth Edinburgh Festival show "Curtains". Moulds ushers in the audience in character before giving an arresting and enthusiastic performance, transitioning from one character to the next with simple yet effective accessory changes. However, while the characters themselves are well-executed in terms of accent and delivery, the material itself is often lacklustre and slow. A shorter, punchier slot for each character would allow Moulds to convey her well-crafted personae more effectively. It is an interesting concept, but still in need of some tweaking.

13 Aug - Kooky Babooshka - Three Weeks - There are a hell of a lot of stupid things in the world; Scientology, health & safety, people calling their kids names like Trojan... Kooky Babooshka riffs on lots of them in this sketch show about how this Darwin-tested world is in danger from an epidemic of stupidity. At times these four Geordie girls are very funny but unfortunately they are also a bit hit-and-miss. Additionally, they could do with learning when to stop; a lot of their funniest sketches have a habit of falling flat due to weak, often unnecessary punchlines tacked on the end. The energy of the group is infectious, however, and their innovative version of 'Poker Face' alone is worth turning up for.

13 Aug - Free Jewish Comedy - Three Weeks - The essence of the Jewish experience is tinged with sadness; this was the message of Ivor Dembina's kosher comedy, which built up to his jokes through a poignant analysis of the Jewish condition. Whether discussing going to a bar in the bible belt or talking about Auschwitz, the audience was privy to a slightly topsy-turvy comedy set which could perhaps have benefited from being either more serious or more comedic. His timing was impeccable, and the jokes themselves sharply funny, as he referred to Australian Jews as the "Didgerijews" . He's charismatic and irresistibly watchable, and the various ingredients made for a good show, but not necessarily one for those expecting non-stop belly laughs.

13 Aug - Ivor's Other Show - Three Weeks - "Unplanned, unscripted and probably different every day" is the synopsis for this hour-long show, led by Ivor Dembina. The day I attended centred around how humour can differ across the globe, with two international comics joining Dembina on stage. At this very light-hearted and easy-going show, the audience were actively encouraged to express their own opinions on humour and ask the comedians questions. As interesting as many of the subjects were, Dembina was far too serious at times and some parts came across as too regimented, however, when left to follow its own natural flow, the show was very funny and thought-provoking. As the Free Fringe continues, this show will hopefully find its stride, and generate even more laughs.

13 Aug - James Loveridge... and other Losers - Three Weeks - James Loveridge has just moved to London. He mentions this fact six or seven times in twenty minutes – which is a shame, because his tales of provincial misadventure are by far the funniest parts of his set, delivered with witty self-deprecation and perfect timing. The role of the eponymous 'Other Loser' is tonight taken by Sam Hastings, whose routine on the essential differences between Americans and Brits is well-observed and smart. Unfortunately, he spends far too long condescendingly explaining London-centric jokes to the predominantly Scottish audience, meaning it's hard to have much sympathy when his set is derailed by Scottish hecklers. A good show overall, but they'd do well to remember that life does exist outside the M25.

13 Aug - Baker and Thompson - Three Weeks - As the arts stare down the barrel of the gun at further cuts, the Fringe is perhaps the best place to offer satire on the state of acting in the UK. Comic duo Baker and Thompson regale us with tales of their dreams and failures, notably to work for the RSC, packaged tightly together with little Shakespearean parodies. As the pair jump from 'Romeo and Juliet' to 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', offhand quips, one-liners and comebacks pepper the often sharp and wisecrack exchanges.

13 Aug - Jackson Voorhar - Three Weeks - The bastard offspring of Eddie Izzard and Noel Fielding, Jackson Voorhaar is a charismatic and likeable comic. His set flits from music, which suffers from needing the jokes explained to non-metal fans, to well-crafted observational humour, and then back again to music - via Satanism. Although his anecdotes sometimes meander for too long with too little pay-off, he keeps the audience laughing most of the time. Even when jokes fall flat, Voorhaar recovers gracefully and keeps going, often getting a secondary laugh for his troubles. Unfortunately, his take on musical comedy, although a novel idea, is rather forced and disrupts the rhythm of the show. Overall, however, it is a solid performance by an entertaining young comic.

13 Aug - Brave New Irish Showcase - Three Weeks - One would think it nepotism for an Irish pub to host a showcase of Irish comedians on the Edinburgh Fringe, but thankfully there are enough laughs here for us to let it slide. Featuring, for its first ten days, the talents of Damon Blake and George Fox, it is probably for the best that the former opened the show. As he fired off a loosely connected series of jokes that only sporadically hit the mark, belly laughs became lost in a swamp of non-starters and obscure pop-culture references that only raised titters from a knowing few. Thankfully, Fox closes with a highly imaginative set, which truly blossoms when he starts applying Facebook logic to the real world.

11 Aug - BBC Scotland Breakfast Show - Fred McCauley talks to Free Festival director Alex Petty and a psychologist Phillip Graham about the success of the free shows at the Fringe - Click Here (starting at about 0:08:00 ish) [online until 19th Aug]

11 Aug - I Am Google - Fringe Guru - Click Here

11 Aug - Ivor Dembina - The Skinny - Click Here

11 Aug - Hurt and Anderson - The UReview - Click Here

11 Aug - Super Crazy Fun fun Fun - Fringe Guru - Click Here

11 Aug - The Life and Times of Albert Lymes - The Scotsman - Click Here

11 Aug - Mad Science - - The Scotsman - Click Here

11 Aug - Twonkey's Castle - The Scotsman - Click Here - part of the Scotsman's Cabaret Round Up

11 Aug - About Tam O'Shanter - Edinburgh Guide - Click Here

11 Aug - Sadia Azmat - British Comedy Guide - Click Here

11 Aug - Horse & Louis - British Comedy Guide - Click Here

11 Aug - Liam Mullone: Down to the Bone - Fest - Click Here

11 Aug - Kevin Shepherd - Caronicle - Fest - Click Here

11 Aug - Horse and Louis - Fest - Click Here

11 Aug - Big Dave's Gay-B-C of life - Gay Times - Click Here

11 Aug - Rachael's Cafe - Gay Times - Click Here

11 Aug - Festival Previews - Tobias Persson Video - Click Here

11 Aug - 5-Step Guide to Being German - Three Weeks - With jokes about the War alongside a healthy sprinkling of F-words and C-words, it seems that this free show takes no time to get stuck into the predictable. And yet Erhard manages to present an amusing account of the expected nationalist clichés without depending on them entirely; his sharp and recognisably cringe worthy observations of the British on holiday serve only to gauge his capacity to identify the strangeness of stereotyping nations. A clever closing unifying twist demands a rethink of the whole show. Can there really be just five steps to becoming part of a nation? Find out, and try to bag yourself a good seat - or, perhaps, lounger (towels not necessary).

11 Aug - Oliver Meech: Live Brain Surgery - Three Weeks - Despite both Oliver Meech's medical attire and the title's suggestion of on-stage neurosurgery, it transpires that 'Live Brain Surgery' is in fact a more abstract affair. Using a combination of brain-related trivia and a penchant for psychological magic, this show aims to baffle and amuse with a series of audience-participation tricks. Meech is funny and endearing, peppering the gig with a lot of well-pitched gags and foreshadowing further tricks with impressive showmanship. However, this show uses many techniques we've seen before and one can't help but think this is like a smaller-scale Derren Brown performance. Nevertheless, the concept is fun, the audience are impressed and Meech's presentation is excellent - well worth a look.

11 Aug - John Scott - Three Weeks - Multi award-winning comedian John Scott has a lot to be made up about: certainly he knows how to extract laughs from a small crowd, conjuring up gags on the spot while admitting, "I dunno where that came from". And it is refreshing to know that this genuinely gifted comic is performing for the love of doing it, as opposed to reward. From American tourist-spotting to Scottish Tourette's, Scott's well-polished and wide-ranging routine gets the audience chuckling. That said, there is nothing especially unique about his material: the all-too-familiar topics of class-division and social-stereotyping pop up again and again. You are guaranteed a laugh if you go along, but do not expect anything ground-breaking.

11 Aug - Lewis Schaffer - Three Weeks - Clearly experienced and armed with a backlog of jokes, Schaffer instead opts for off-colour conversation with the audience. Finding yourself in a one-on-one conversation with the comedian at a standup gig is awkward; Schaffer knows this and capitalises on it. Climbing over chairs in the small dark room at the top of The Counting House to get closer to his victim, he locks you with an intense stare and dares you to break as he talks to you for the next few minutes. While not laugh-out-loud funny, it is an entertaining 45 minutes that is over in a flash. That is not to say it should be any longer.

11 Aug - ShMOZle - Three Weeks - How can you be a double act if you're only one man? Simple. Create a partner by pre-recording your own voice and perform sketches opposite yourself. That's what Moz does in this highly original show. Unfortunately, things go awry when Shmozle, his eponymous comedic partner, suffers an existential crisis upon realising he is in fact just a voiceover with his every word predetermined by a script. At this point he rebels, forcing Moz into a metaphysical conflict with his own words. The exceptionally clever writing is counter-balanced by enjoyably puerile humour, which consistently amuses without quite hitting the heights of hilarity. Very enjoyable, and you have to admire the amount of work which has clearly gone into it.

11 Aug - SomeNews - Three Weeks - Nestled in the basement of a New Town pub is this little gem of a comedy news show hosted by the charmingly affable Steve N. Allen, who bounds on-stage, determined to make the best of a small, slightly rain-sodden crowd. He opens with some chat before launching into riffs and rants on hot topic news stories, a couple of fun musical interludes and a handful of varying-in-quality impressions. His patter with individual audience members is witty and well-honed, instantly allaying the small audience syndrome. Allen hits the mark more often than not, with an effusive mix of biting satire and gleeful mud-slinging that recalls Russell Howard by way of Ian Hislop. More than worth a look.

11 Aug - Super Crazy Fun Fun - Three Weeks - There may be a script somewhere, but it doesn't seem to be important. Bafflingly funny, Adam Belbin and Padraig Ryan are by turns a pair of squabbling brothers and two cartoon faces telling us stories about their lives. Thrown in for good measure are numerous multicoloured drawings, a fourteen-inch wand and a joke involving the giddily phrased "voiced bilabial plosive". Though rambling at times, they never lose their way for long, and work well both as a double-act and when having alone-time with the audience. The show's apparent lack of preparation is completely overshadowed by the performers' outright confidence on stage and in front of a crowd, of which they both deserve a lot more.

11 Aug - Three Man Roast - Three Weeks - The fact that lots of successful comedians are a little geeky does not mean that all geeks are comedians. 'Three Man Roast' constantly stress their socially awkward outsider status as if this alone will light up their set. It doesn't. Dan McKee and Alex Holland are enthusiastic and friendly but end up hobbling through a series of bland jokes, propped up by predictable audience banter. So it is a delight when Will Howells confidently takes to the stage and begins darting between critical grammar quibbles, Facebook obsessions and the danger of apostrophes as a gateway drug. At its best, geek humour makes it look hip to be square – and Howells is hip as hell.

11 Aug - The Dipper - Three Weeks - "Where would all you journalists be without people like me?" asks one of the characters. What would the Fringe be without shows like this? What the venue and acting skills lack, is made up for by enthusiasm and a wonderful script that is unconventional and charming. The show consists of two sisters - one good, one bad - a lady, and the Yard. Lace and trench coats put the audience right into an Agatha Christie mood as they listen to the sisters arguing right and wrong. Is it better to live a decent life and deny who you are, or to be true to yourself even if that means deceit and dishonesty? Concentrating on the words, it makes for charming and light afternoon entertainment.

11 Aug - The Life and Times of Albert Lymes - Three Weeks - This is a hyperactive little one-man psychological comedy. Actor Justin Cliffe offers us a dozen characters who all bother poor Albert Lyme, a dull neurotic on a very bad day; Lyme is endearing, however, because everyone else in his world is so much worse. It's part confession and part pantomime, as we're carried along on Cliffe's rapid fire expressions; he's indebted to Terry Jones most of all, with his screeching falsetto when imitating women, his explosive grunting, and Lyme's bravura tics. He deals well with a couple of mistakes and missed cues, moving too fast to linger on them. With visual tricks - a Scrabbleboard becomes a newspaper - and charmingly deliberate plot holes, this show is full of life.

11 Aug - AAA Batteries - Three Weeks - This audience-participation show was, sadly, hit-or-miss. Of the hits: Liam Williams. Having created the best audience rapport, as well as being the most natural on stage, Williams is the true highlight of this show. Although Chris Turner shows much promise initially and finishes with a sensational finale, his pun-tastic routine becomes slightly soggy in the middle. The final act, Adam Hess, struggles to find his rhythm throughout an ill-structured routine, though he eventually manages to squeeze a few laughs from the audience. Perhaps a simple switch of performers would solve many of this show's shortcomings, which is bound to get better with each day of the festival. See it, but leave the kids at home.

11 Aug - ACME Stand-up - Three Weeks - Standard yet polished comedy fare is in abundance in this three-piece stand-up show. Compere Matt Richardson engages the audience well with his likeable banter – a word the first comedian Alex Clissold-Jones would no doubt cringe at, as this and several other fairly well-trodden comedy routines are discussed in his set. Nevertheless, a few big laughs still surface from his performance, but none quite so large as with the final comedian Chris Turner. With his mixture of puns and deadpan humour, Turner is the closest to something truly original and innovative in the show. Like most ACME products, this fails to go off with a big bang, but it is certainly still an entertaining hour of free comedy.

11 Aug - An Australian, An Italian and someone from Slough - Three Weeks - The title of this show really says it all, and there's unfortunately not much more in the way of depth. But as our guitar-strumming host Cecilia (someone from Slough) meets and greets, we're treated to some beautifully quaint and charming acoustic music. After settling us with some stories about her hometown (where the first Mars Bar was manufactured), she introduces an exuberant and perfectly pitched Austrian comic Alice Frick. Italian comedian Giacinto Palmieri's academic investigation into language proves, at times, fascinating. The show is let down, however, by its London-influenced content, with many gags about specifically English preoccupations and Hackney cabs; it's a shame more effort didn't go into broadening its appeal to a wider audience.

11 Aug - Around the World in 80 Men! - Three Weeks - In an absolutely jam-packed upstairs room of a pub, Joanne Jollie entertains a receptive crowd with enthralling tales about the various men from her chequered dating history. An eminently likeable lady, she has a fair set of pipes on her; this is amply demonstrated when she illustrates her tales by belting out a number of classic soul and disco hits, alongside three self-written songs. Though the comedy in her act is not particularly original, covering such well-worn subjects as online dating, it is an entertaining, unchallenging show. It's the kind of show where one can just switch off and let the entertainment wash over you, and sometimes at the Festival, this is exactly what is needed.

11 Aug - What's On Stage interviews Jonathan Prager - click here

11 Aug - What's On Stage talk to 'Being Gorgeous' - click here

11 Aug - Bratchy - Beer and Loathing and Lost Wages - A Local's Guide - Click Here

11 Aug - Doug Segal - A Local's Guide - Click Here

10 Aug - Tony Bournemouth - Three Weeks - 'The Festival may have just started but it still must be disheartening to travel such a way just to have two people attend your first show. Despite this, brave Tony Bournemouth takes to the stage with as much confidence as if he were greeting the crowd of a packed Hammersmith Apollo. His love for cheesy puns would almost be cringeworthy were it not for his loveable grandad-like charm. He just about pulls off gags such as, "I got these new snake-skin shoes made from Boa constrictor – my feet are killing me," while getting himself into all sorts of bother with his microphone wire, mic stand, jacket, and pretty much anything he touches. An adorable performance, if a little odd.

10 Aug - 10 Aug - Liam Mullone - Up to the Eyeballs - Three Weeks - Liam Mullone endeavours valiantly to entertain. Initially unnerved by the looks of blank incomprehension from his mostly non-native English-speaking audience ("These puns make sense to you guys? No? Evidently not..."), Mullone struggled to get going. But when he did, he revealed an impressive verbal dexterity and an astoundingly detailed knowledge of everything from Sunny D – whose ingredients he nonchalantly lists – to the naming of the Canadian lakes and jellyfish. The rambling delivery is deceptive; he's surprisingly eloquent and incisive, and the humour is intelligent. With a dry wit reminiscent of Dylan Moran and Jack Dee, Mullone has some great material which could really flourish in a warmer environment.

10 Aug - Ze Hoff and Friends - Three Weeks - Who remembers Knight Rider? Baywatch? David Hasselhoff's pop career? Well, leave all that at the door before seeing Stefan, the third best David Hasselhoff impersonator in his German village. Kicked off by two guest performances, this show is one of musical interlude, PowerPoint presentation and audience interaction. Sporting tight trousers, Stefan takes his audience on a tour of all the Hoff has done for the world since its creation. The headlining act exudes real love for the leather-wearing star as he drives this bizarre-sounding concept that surprisingly succeeds to entertain. Be ready to join in a show of accents and paper planes with a dash of historical licence. Meet the Hoff as you never knew him.

10 Aug - The Michael Farcical Show - Three Weeks - If you have ever referred to Terry Wogan as a 'national treasure', this satire will not be for you. A cocaine-addicted, egomaniac talk-show host interviews four equally troubled guests – including a gangster poet and a celebrity assassin – in this spoof that explores and exploits the mingling of entertainment and politics. By far the best thing this comedy has got going for it is an enthusiastic and charismatic cast. The puns are geared towards a British audience, or those who are semi-familiar with British pop culture. Yet while the writing is nearly almost there, this farce often falls short with the endurance of wit required for such a statement piece. But for free, it is an hour well spent.

10 Aug - Manos the Greek - Three Weeks - Immigrants. The ubiquitous topic, the tabloid favourite – but how does it feel to be an immigrant in Britain? Manos the Greek attempts to educate us in the back room of the Meadow Bar equipped with just a notepad and a Corona. Manos wanders figuratively from Greece, London, Reading and Dagenham telling personal anecdotes of his travels, at times touching, other times amusing. There is nothing too offensive or explicit (including only a passive raspberry at the Daily Mail), but just skimming the issues leaves the show without depth. That said, gentle, subtle humour and a splash of poetry is just the kind of thing you'd ask for from mid-afternoon comedy. Greek father Socrates would be proud.

10 Aug - The Guardian includes East End Cabaret in the Editors Picks - click here

10 Aug - REVIEW: East End Cabaret - The Stage MUST SEE SHOW - click here

10 Aug - REVIEW: East End Cabaret - Hairline - - click here

10 Aug - REVIEW: Sanity Valve - The Skinny - - click here

10 Aug - What's On Stage talks to brotherly Love's David Schaal - click here

10 Aug - Aaaand now for something completely Improvised - Three Weeks - 'ANFSCI!' can be seen as nothing more than an act whose title is stolen from 'Monty Python'. Yet, at times during their one-hour show, these four men genuinely reach the heights of the early Python sketches while still retaining their family-friendly style. With only four men to play several different characters, no real set, and the fact that they're completely reliant on the audience's ideas for content, the limitations of their act seem insurmountable. Yet, it is here that this small troupe really shines, when things seem to be going wrong, they're at their finest.

10 Aug - Aaaaaaaargh! It's the Monster Stand-up Show - Three Weeks - It is said that less is more, and giving seven comics seven minutes to showcase some of their best material whilst plugging their own shows is one of the best ways to share the hidden gems of the Festival with many who would otherwise have been oblivious for the rest of the month. Better still is that the selected comics (a different line-up every night) explore a different range of topics and techniques, from religion on Facebook, through offering cookies to the homeless, to the high school anecdotes of a proper redhead. Not everyone met the same comic standard but the intimate audience definitely wasn't short on laughter. Highlights included Felicity Russell and James Redmond (yes, that bloke off telly).

10 Aug - A brief history of Time - Three Weeks - Michelangelo's Heroes may have won the BBC New Talent Award, but they admittedly haven't done much since. Their debut show at the Fringe proves, however, that they do have much to offer. Structured in the form of a science lecture, 'A Brief History Of Time' showcases the act's penchant for goofy humour and comical sketches which may or may not bear any relation to the main theme of the show. This can be a little distracting at times, particularly when they shove a picture of a woman being gangbanged in your face, using the old "Oh, how did that get in there?" line. Nevertheless, the show is an early sign of bigger (and much better) things to come.

10 Aug - Attention Deficit Lets Go Ride Bikes! - Three Weeks - With a name like 'Attention Deficit Let's Go Ride Bikes!', I went in expecting a high energy hour. Instead, the stand-up felt disjointed and at times lacked momentum. Ben Van der Velde had the first half hour of the show, and told some great jokes that went down very well, but others that missed the target completely. Matt Richardson, meanwhile, brought a bit more energy and some very funny moments to the second half. Although there were a number of big laughs during the hour, you get the feeling that the guys could do with a much later time slot and a slightly longer set. However, they're both talented comedians, and with some more confidence, they could offer a great hour of comedy.

10 Aug - Bruce Fummey - Three Weeks - Name-calling, racial ignorance, and a side-parted afro – Bruce Fummey had a tough childhood as a mixed race kid in Perthshire, but boy, has he turned it into a fantastic show. A natural storyteller, Fummey recounts tales of meeting his biological father in Africa, being raised by two white Scottish aunts and trying to get by as the only mixed race child in his town. Fummey is such an amiable character that you can't help but get swept up by his stories, and the fact that he's obviously enjoying the show so much is incredibly infectious and the audience is on his side from the start. His material may not set the world alight, but it's a joyous way to spend an hour.

10 Aug - Please Hold, You are Being transferred to a Uk based Asian Representative - Three Weeks - It's hard to be Asian, to be female, and to sell car insurance. Sadia Azmat's bite-sized show essentially spends 30 minutes telling us this, as well as touching on racism and dodgy hold music. Utterly faithful to her script, she starts off looking uncomfortable on the stage, but later becomes warm and welcoming, and is surprised when the tiny room fills with laughter. One-liners are well delivered, and we're shown part of the world which normally stays hidden – at times in possibly too much detail. The production occasionally lacks flow, but this is something which may improve as the festival continues. On the whole, it's not at all bad to be connected to this 'representative' – and there's no annoying hold music either.

10 Aug - Mike Belgrave - Three Weeks - "Hobosexual" Belgrave was hyperactive and witty, performing a speedy yet rambling narrative of his life as an Irish-North Indian Primark Prince and Hagrid lookalike. At times the hairy Londoner lost his thread completely; checking his trusty iPhone for prompts, he eventually finished the set early as he forgot his own material. However, his self-effacing charm seemed to compensate for this and the audience forgave him. The show was a mixture of stand-up and music and I was "lucky" enough to have a song performed especially to me on the ukulele; however, as it was about stalking women I felt less honoured than fearful. Nonetheless, Belgrave made a likeable and entertaining comedian, if a little pervy.

10 Aug - Liam Mullone - Three Weeks - Liam Mullone bumbles across the stage, drink in hand, a little like a strange Uncle at a family gathering; it's oddly pleasant and certainly amusing. There is an obvious prowess to the way his comedy is written and some of his analogies are genius. He takes umbrage to being described as pedestrian, so I will avoid that word, but he is terribly safe with his jokes. I very nearly panicked when he began blathering about his newly acquired children, something many comedians seem to engage in when they become parents and thus discover kids exist for the first time. To my relief, this was not dwelt on for long. He has the right raw ingredients for a very good show.

10 Aug - Politically Erect - Three Weeks - Any comedian, or indeed group of comedians that slate the Daily Mail readership are okay with me. These boys do just that in a brutally honest comment on British attitudes and culture: their satirical game show sketch about asylum seekers is nothing short of hilarious, and the rest of the audience seem to think so too. There is a pleasant grubbiness to Politically Erect. They work well as a threesome - both aesthetically and comically - and the quirky, matching, all-white costumes place them somewhere between hospital porter and convict. You do get the impression, however, that they've made up the routine over a pint, as they lost the hilarity in one too many of their sketches. Worth a look, nonetheless.

10 Aug - Pearse James Presents - Three Weeks - Pearse James was funny; the others, not so much. Do not be deterred however, as this show promises to showcase fresh meat every night and if new comedy is what you're after this is one place to be. The newer comics did certainly provide some laughs but their nervous demeanour and tendency to continually look towards James for approval or time checks was distracting at best. James kept the evening moving along nicely and the atmosphere was warm despite the nipples-could-cut-glass cold of the venue. I was entertained by the improvised art competition that surprisingly went down well. Certainly something a little different, but do bring a coat, gloves and a thermos of tea unless you want to catch pneumonia.

10 Aug - Rachel's Cafe - Three Weeks - There's a precious gem buried at the Jekyll and Hyde pub: 'Rachael's Cafe'. A charming and slightly sad monologue delivered by the titular Rachael, a transgender cafe owner from Indiana. The play concerns itself with questions of gender and identity and offers a sensitive, and often insightful explorations of the transgender experience. The stage is somewhat at odds with the subject matter, and initially suspension of disbelief is hindered by the incongruity of an ancient Egyptian sarcophagus looming over an Indiana cafe – although this does allow for a neat visual metaphor later. Occasionally the play drifts into heavy-handed soapbox territory, but overall, this is a gemstone well worth digging for.

9 Aug - The Scotsman - Talks to Free Fest Director Alex Petty about the popularity of Free Shows - "Alex Petty, promoter of the Laughing Horse Free Festival, said: “We’ve not had to look at introducing a token system yet, but we tend to make sure that we have got pretty big venues for the bigger names in our programme like Phil Kay, Lewis Schaffer and David Schaal. The crowds we’ve had have been a lot bigger this year. I think part of that is down to the fact that we [The Free Shows] seem to be an accepted part of the Fringe for the first time. There are lots of people coming to Edinburgh now just for the free shows, we’re getting a lot of reviews, and the snobbery isn’t there that we’ve seen in the past.”

8 Aug - A Local's Guide - At the Free Fest Launch - Click Here

8 Aug - REVIEW: Brotherly Love - The Stage - http://ed.thestage.co.uk/reviews/1351

8 Aug - REVIEW: Please Hold You are Being transferred to our UK Based Asian Representative - - click here

8 Aug - Fest - Best Free Pick - Martha McBrier - I'm Eric Barthram - This underrated Scottish stand-up has found a novel approach to the tired old "Are women funny?" debate: take it out of the equation by performing as a man and see if it makes any difference. Best known for her off-the-cuff comedic acrobatics, she's back with a daring and original experiment... oh! Hold on. It's an anagram!