BCG Daily Tuesday 29th July 2014

FringeReview at Freestival

Welcome to our coverage of Freestival, a new free finge in Edinburgh in August. A wide variety of shows are on offer and we are delighted to dive into the theatre, comedy and cabaret that is on offer.

Review: One Man Two Guvnors

It's less than two years since One Man Two Guvnors last played the Royal and it is a mark of its popularity that it has returned so soon.

How fan fiction made improv cool

Hobbit sex fantasies are all very well, but what if Dostoevsky met a dinosaur? Nell Frizzell finds out what fan fiction has done for standup - while Josie Long and Nick Gibb release their inner nerd.

Alex Horne: veteran who keeps upping the eccentricity

Every year at the Edinburgh fringe festival, the comedian pushes his luck a bit further - and his latest show is outright folly.

Edition 00: ThreeWeeks podcast preview

Chris Cooke introduces the ThreeWeeks podcast for the Edinburgh Festival 2014 with a medley of performances from years gone by that touches every genre at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Nadia Brooks: Speaking about the words

Nadia Brooks is a 'lexophile' with a passion for rhyming, alliteration and entertaining words; and she's coming to Edinburgh as the Lexicon Lady, promising an hour of wordplay, with plenty of poetry, prose and puns, and some free Love Hearts along the way.

3 to see ED2014: Referendum-themed comedy

Ah the referendum. Those of you who are local may be bored of the whole thing by know and wish you could just cast your vote tomorrow so everyone would shut up about it. But there's a few more weeks of debate to go yet, and expect to hear musings about it all on the Festival stage too. Though at least these referendum-themed comedy shows tipped by ThreeWeeks Co-Editor Caro Moses should make the topic entertaining.

Lewis Schaffer - now there is a book planned

In the last couple of years, UK-based American comedian Lewis Schaffer has been the subject of at least two academic studies. (It might be four).

Guest blog: First Fringe

Writer and performer Anna Andresen discusses the challenges of taking her first show, Danish Face, to the Edinburgh Fringe.

Edinburgh Fringe 2014 interview: Paco Erhard

Paco Erhard discusses why he is the worst German ever in his free show for the Edinburgh Fringe 2014.

Radio Times review

What does it take to get up in front of a crowd of strangers and try to make them laugh? Getting over "the fear" is one of the toughest parts of being a stand-up, but this line-up all manage it with aplomb. From Susan Calman's sparkly enthusiasm to Josie Long's aw-gosh awkwardness to Kevin Eldon's utter mania, each has his or her own coping technique.

The material is brilliant, but so too are Stewart Lee's backstage interviews. Unguarded and perceptive, they show how hard it is to make comedy look effortless. Keep watching through the credits for some insight into whether Dutch courage or a full roast dinner is better at steadying the nerves.

Global poll ranks Mr Bean among greatest Britons

Mr Bean beats Churchill, Diana and Charlie Chaplin in global survey of British greats while Britons emerge as polite and good humoured - at least when sober.

This week's Edinburgh Festival picks

Stuck for what to see this festival season? Here's a pick 'n' mix of 10 shows to inspire from theatre to comedy and everything in between.

BWW interviews: comedian Paco Erhard

Comedian Paco Erhard speaks to BWW:UK about his Edinburgh Fringe 2014 show - Worst. German. Ever.

Aidan Goatley's exclsuive video for Comedy Blogedy

For some it's football; for others it's fishing. For some it could be the extreme excitement of white water rafting, while others do it best over a nice cup of tea whilst reading the papers on a Sunday morning. For Brighton comedian Aidan Goatley and his dad, however, father-son bonding reached its zenith in the noble art of watching films.

Juliette Burton's exclusive video for Comedy Blogedy

Following last years critically acclaimed sell out debut at Edinburgh Festival last year with When I Grow Up Juliette Burton returns to the Gilded Balloon. Her new show Look At Me sets to be even more promising, more uplifting and even more enthusiastic.

Eric Lampaert - interview, podcast, video & more!

Various things featuring comedian Eric Lampaert.

Noel Fielding interview

In the new series I've been concentrating a bit more on letting other people play the characters - I mainly just play the coffee shop worker, who's basically a fictionalised version of me.

The free spirit of the Fringe is alive and kicking

Yes, some people will cash in, but there is a backlash in Edinburgh against the involvement of big business,

5 reasons why Mr Bean is the quintessential Englishman

Don't be surprised - our friends from abroad are bang on the money. And here are five reasons why.

5 shows Stewart Lee could do next (but probably won't)

In light of Lee's growing fondness for wordplay-based titles, we've done a bit of speculating, and come up with five Stewart Lee shows we may (...or may not) see in the future.

Five questions for Hayley Ellis

Manchester comedian Hayley Ellis brings her first solo hour to the Edinburgh Fringe in the form of We Need To Talk about Kevin. She talks to Giggle Beats about comedy, her obsession with Kevin (her dog) and the Manchester stand-up circuit.

Jay Islaam: I refuse to be an ethnic comedian

"And the award for funniest blind lesbian of the year goes to..."

Seymour Mace explains his new panel show

Seymour Macep.o[ explains his new madcap panel show Questionable Time, which debuts at the Edinburgh Fringe on Friday.

Preview: Edinburgh's returning heroes

The Edinburgh Fringe is not all about young kids flying straight out of the womb and onto the stage. There are plenty of more, how shall we put it, experienced performers who have been around the block a bit and seen a bit of life.

Edinburgh festival Fringe - Soften the Grey

A frenzied tale of life, death, and life after death. And death after life.

Edinburgh picks 2014: easy watching, evening edition

The best of the rest on in the evening...

Edinburgh picks 2014: easy watching, afternoon edition

Reliable shows for your Fringe afternoon...

Fringe preview: Ria Lina - School of Riason

Award-winning Ria Lina returns to the Fringe with an hour of eclectic comedy. Having decided to homeschool her kids, Ria took the opportunity to devise her own uniquely comedic curriculum. TPR finds out more.

Fringe preview: John Hastings - Adventure

TPR chatted to Canadian comedian John Hastings about his new Fringe show Adventure.

Fringe preview: Joey Page - This Is Not a Circus

Everybody's 18th favourite absurd comedian, Joey Page (Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Luxury Comedy, and BBC Three's Comedy Presents) comes back to Edinburgh with a silly, irreverent technicoloured extravaganza that promises 'to make you forget about rising house prices or that row you had with your lover over dinner'. TPR had a chat with Joey about his new show.

Fringe preview: Igor Meerson - Hou I lernt inglish

The Fringe's first Russian stand-up ever, Igor Meerson ruins the stereotypes about Russia and discovers stereotypes about Britain and the Westin return. Igor tells TPR about his new show.

Kate Smurthwaite interview

Kate Smurthwaite talks about how she would shake up the political system, and reveals a perfect new job for Jeremy Clarkson.

John Robins issues hurricane warning

Quick-witted, insightful and with a roguish charm, John Robins is always worth a watch in Edinburgh - and he is back at the Fringe with a new show...

Holly Walsh - opposite of an 'it' girl

Since being nominated for Best Newcomer in 2011, Holly Walsh has had a sitcom on BBC Three (Dead Boss) and appeared on the likes of Mock the Week and Just A Minute. Now she's back in the 'Burgh. Here she introduces her new show...

The absurdist with a stash of plastic herons

Meet the Edinburgh debutant who has more props and impressions of rivers than you.

Thai junta unamused by John Oliver's royal jibes

British performer and host considered a threat by government for 'undermining the royal institution' with jokes about prince.

10 secrets of being a good Edinburgh Festival visitor (Link expired)

Tourists, Edinburgh loves them. But if you want to be a good Festival visitor, here are our top tips...

Johnny Vegas's ancestors were criminals from the south

In ITV's Secrets From The Clink next month he looks into crimes his Bristol ancestors committed in the Victorian era and the punishments they received.

Camilla Cleese interview

The younger daughter of John Cleese is following in his footsteps with a comedy show at the Edinburgh Festival.

Cold Swedish Winter preview

Adam Riches is to star in his first sitcom, as a failing stand-up who moves to Sweden.