BCG Daily Wednesday 30th July 2014

Five questions for Tommy Rowson

Quirky Welshman Tommy Rowson brings his debut solo show, Down and Out in Powys and London, to the Edinburgh Fringe. The former So You Think You're Funny winner talks to Giggle Beats about stand-up, poetry and being Welsh.

Best comedy to see from Stewart Lee to Josie Long

A selection of some of the best acts at this year's Fringe.

How to spend £30 at the Edinburgh Fringe

Expensive isn't it, the Fringe? What with those pesky opportunist landlords and those pesky twilight boozers.

London is Funny is sadly unable to intervene when it comes to sweeping rent controls, or alcohol licensing legislation, but LiF CAN help when it comes to having a cracking day of comedy without breaking the bank.

Behold the London is Funny Fringe day planners! (£50 article to come later this week)

Edinburgh Fringe 2014 interview: Robin and Partridge

Robin and Partridge are a comedy double act of wonderful silliness and superb surrealism. Their Edinburgh Fringe show this year is all about the death of one of them.

The Alternative Comedy Experience - TV review

A refreshing comedy experience where women can stand up and be counted.

Radio Times review

A middle-aged woman is flying to Venice with her husband when their plane hits terrible turbulence. While he clutches her hand in silence she uses these 13 minutes for an interior monologue on his years of adultery.

Written by Jenny Eclair, this is an exquisitely crafted piece of work, where every simile, every quip, every moment of self-analysis is an orgasmic explosion of language. Lesley Manville sounds like she has so much fun voicing this. I know I did listening to it.

Sarah Campbell: Top Fringe worries

This is the biggest cultural extravaganza on the planet bar none. For you ticket buyers that can result in the fear that the show in the room next to the one you're sitting is where the really big laughs, dramas and wonders are to be found.

3 to see ED2014: Sketch comedy

Time for some more comedy tips everybody? How about three top sketch troupes for your enjoyment? Here's ThreeWeeks Co-Editor Caro Moses with some more recommendations.

The one important thing I've learnt about the Fringe...

Over the years, I have learned one really important thing about the Edinburgh Fringe. But, to explain that, I have to give you some background.

Luxury Comedy 2 preview

I remember watching the first series, and how I felt after, but this time around I enjoyed it a lot more.

Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival appoints new trustees

The charity behind Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival have appointed three new trustees to its board.

Rob Beckett interview

Performing at the O2 was amazing. It's so ridiculous playing to 18,000 people.

His Master's Voice preview

"There's no great satire going on," says Rob Brydon, who expertly voices both characters in His Master's Voice. "But it was done with aplomb. I suppose in that time somebody being cheeky to authority was very appealing."

Holly Walsh: I build my comedy block-by-block like Lego

Standup is a great way to process bad things that happen to you. I love filling a routine with ideas and mini-punchlines.

Simon Pegg hints at Star Wars Episode 7 voice role?

Simon Pegg has fuelled speculation that he has a role in Star Wars Episode VII.

Big fat Fringe bribe blog 2014: Rat: Induction

The Free Fringe sketch trio keep us sweet with some edible rodents.

Why don't journalists ask comics really cool questions?

I've had six years of these boring questions, I've had enough and I've decided to do something about it. So listen up Edinburgh Fringe journalists, here are several fresh and interesting questions that you can ask comedians.

Sleep problems

It's fair to say I've never slept well. Decades of insomnia, night terrors, sleep walking, sleep talking, sleep apnoea, sleep paralysis and sleep paranoia means, if nothing else, it's a laugh riot sharing a bed with me.

Peacock versus Gamble

Video of Ray Peacock and Ed Gamble, normally a double act, on doing seperate shows.

Richard Tyrone-Jones & the sweariest show in Edinburgh

Down the more experimental end of things is a curiosity from Richard Tyrone-Jones, who explains all. Some. Explains some.

Andrew Watts explains feminism to chaps using cricket

Thanks to Bridget Christie's award-winning show, we know that feminism can be a subject for comedy - now Andrew Watts takes the baton with a male perspective.

Brian Gittins interviewed by his robot

Reclusive comedian Brian Gittins was once so lonely that he built himself a robot companion and called it Charles Petrescu. The oddball couple still live together, not always in harmony. Here, Charles interviews his master and creator.

Big fat Fringe bribe blog 2014: Two More Liars

Stand-up Struan Logan buys some valuable exposure with a minimalist bribe.

Unique variety show Bacchanalia lined up for Fringe

Cabaret, magic, burlesque, comedy and circus line-up successfully peddling comedy and smut hosted by Titty Bar Ha Ha.

Edinburgh preview: Everyone's A Winner

I know that Edinburgh should be about looking forward rather than looking back, but 2014 may be the year that more previous Edinburgh Comedy Award winners are appearing at the Festival than ever before. Of course, there are more Edinburgh Comedy Award winners than ever before, but there does seem to be a plethora of them returning. Is it to cash in on their fame? Is it to show the young whippersnappers how it's done? Is it just sentiment and trying to recapture the spirit they had when it all began? Is it all that and more? Who knows, but here are some famous names to look out for.

Edinburgh previews: Some Tips

A selection of tips for this year's Fringe.

20 things I wish I'd known on my 1st day at the Fringe

Comedy blogger and Edinburgh Fringe fan Imogen Sebba takes us through 20 things she wishes she knew on her first day at the Festival.

The Tom Stade extended interview

Do you recognise Tom Stade? You should, he's been on every major stand-up TV show in the UK... Live at the Apollo, Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow, Stand-Up for the Week... he was also the co-writer and co-star of Frankie Boyle's Channel 4 series Tramadol Nights. Martin Walker gives him a call.

Edinburgh picks 2014: Sketch acts

The sketchiest acts in the business...

Edinburgh picks 2014: The Unhinged

Climb on board, compromise your sense of reality for a bit and see what comes out of the other side.

Suranne Jones interview

"I class Scott & Bailey as a serious day job and A Touch of Cloth as my naughty evenings," says Jones.

7 reasons to be excited about The Inbetweeners 2

Why should we be excited?

This sitcom sleeper hit still making a good impression

In fact, the best scenes are rarely to do with mimicry. The moment that had me spluttering into my drink last night was a back and forth between Martin and Jean (the wonderful Jo Hartley from This Is England) after Martin, in a brief stint as a caretaker, stumbled upon a homeless man.

9 things you need to know about A Touch of Cloth 3

Here are just a few things we learnt from the spoof cop show screening...

Fringe cut: Best of the northwest in Edinburgh

Every August our friends in the North ruthlessly steal all of our comedians for an entire month. Frankly, it's not on. Still, we've rounded up some of our favourites from the Northwest circuit you should check out if you head to Edinburgh for the Fringe.

Trevor Lock: Heckling

In defence of the noble art of telling people they're rubbish.

Juliette Burton: "It's all about perception"

Returning to the Fringe with Look At Me, a new one-hour show featuring prosthetics, hijab and nudity, Juliette Burton explains why it's crucial for comedy to start discussions.

Political comedians aren't funny any more & that's good

Feelgood gag-and-punchline stand-up is bigger than ever, but a certain stratum of comedians have already moved on to a place where the audience is laughing inside rather than out, or not at all.

New Matt Lucas comedy show filmed in Langleybury

Film crews for the new BBC show, "Pompidou" were seen in Langleybury Lane and will see Alex MacQueen join Matt Lucas in the comedy which is set to be aired early next year.

Russell Kane & Richard Herring for gig at 35,000 feet

To celebrate this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Virgin Atlantic Little Red flights have become the unofficial 300th venue as part of Virgin Atlantic Live: On Air activities for 2014.

ITV Studios boss Kevin Lygo writes under pseudonym

ITV Studios boss Kevin Lygo has emerged as the author of forthcoming BBC1 police drama Walter.

Interview: Lucy Benson-Brow on Kate Bush

'I vividly remember "Wuthering Heights" ... Her music lends itself so well to dramatisation'

11 reasons my Edinburgh show will be a failure

My Edinburgh Festival Fringe show for 2014 is called Success Is Not An Option.

Why Germans ARE funny

German-Jewish comic Lucie Pohl defends the fatherland.