BCG Daily Wednesday 26th July 2023

Robin Grainger: Only selling one ticket to my show launched my career

Like many performers, comedian Robin Grainger hoped that the Edinburgh Fringe might be a springboard to stardom. That may have looked unlikely when he only sold a single ticket for his show last year - but his decision to go ahead with the gig changed the course of his career.

The British Miracle Meat: the story behind one of the best TV hoaxes in history

Terrestrial television may sometimes seem old-fashioned - but this only enhances its ability to tease and surprise its audience. This week, Channel 4 brought back satire with a bang.

Josh Pugh Live at Birmingham Town Hall, review

Pugh rattles through the hour, and the gag count is high in what is often a subtle examination of the psyche of the modern British male. And his knob gag is just marvellous.

Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2023 - Our picks Part 2

As we get ever closer to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2023 we wanted to highlight some shows that our picks for this year's festival programme.

Edinburgh Fringe 2023: Top Picks - Kids

From acrobatics to beatboxing there's something for every young festival lover.

Edinburgh Fringe 2023: Top Picks - Theatre

Our pick of the best theatre at the Fringe, from sci-fi adventures in space to powerful stories of healing and redemption.

Edinburgh Fringe 2023: Top Picks - Cabaret and Variety

Discover the must-see cabaret shows from late-night live music to a vibrant celebration of South African culture.

EdFringe Talk: All is Pink in West Berkshire County

"We are all Fringe virgins, me, the prod team, and the cast."

EdFringe Talk: Lachlan Werner - Voices Of Evil

"You have to buy the right kind of fake blood or it will get all over everything."

David Tennant and Michael Sheen on Good Omens: 'It's hard to see what's offensive'

Ahead of its second series, the stars of the devilish TV drama talk backlash, blasphemy and the nature of good and evil.

Beano marks 85th birthday with Adele, Harry Styles and Stormzy

The Beano, the world's longest-running comic, has marked its 85th anniversary with guest appearances from Adele, Stormzy and Harry Styles.

Scots comic's voice saves hiker from US bear attack

Retired Edinburgh vet Iain McAllister said his life was saved because he was playing BBC Scotland's Breaking The News programme on a speaker in his backpack. He said the bear heard Glasgow comedian Raymond Mearns's voice and took off.

Michael Barrymore is back in showbusiness

Michael Barrymore is back working in showbiz - directing a West End show about Stan Laurel and Charlie Chaplin.

BBC offering audio/TV comedy development opportunity

We're partnering with BBC Radio 4 on a new comedy development opportunity for independent producers.

Good Omens Series 2 review

Gaiman and Pratchett's fable is now devilishly infectious.

Anna Thomas on her whirlwind year

Anna Thomas, who is from Burry Port, recently released her first BBC short film - Lady Bigfoot - and has been talking about her life and her advice for comedy hopefuls.

Matt Hutchinson's Fantasy Fringe: At home, fun and not entirely uphill

Matt Hutchinson has some wild dreams about the Edinburgh Fringe being fun, affordable and not exhausting? We've had a Space Fringe and a Medieval Fringe but this may actually be the most unreasonable scenario yet...

Kathy Maniura: The Fantasy Fringe of 3 staple Fringe objects

Kathy Maniura has a gift - she knows what sort of person an object would be. She's collected all the most interesting ones and is ready to share them with you in her character comedy show Objectified.

Theatre At The Fringe - interview - Groovicle

"Groovicle is a 21st century contemporary dance cabaret!"

Good Omens 2: Behind the scenes with an infernal demon

Good Omens, the screen adaptation of Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett's much-loved novel is back. Let Laura Kelly give you a demon's eye view of the set

The Power Of Parker captures the particular quirks of Nineties northern England

Sian Gibson and Paul Coleman's new series is comic perfection - but perhaps not everyone will find it funny.

Lloyd Of The Flies buzzes over to Tubi in the US & Canada

Fox-owned AVoD platform Tubi has acquired Aardman's CG-animated comedy series Lloyd Of The Flies for the US and Canada.

Good Omens Series 2 review

It became evidently clear following the release of Series 1 that Good Omens was one for the fans and their support gave the show life.

Edinburgh Fringe 2023: Top Picks - Comedy

From heartfelt stories to tech-savvy mayhem, these comedy shows are set to leave a lasting impression.

Interview: Reuben Kaye

Returning to the Fringe with global success and a national media scandal in tow, Reuben Kaye tells Arusa Qureshi why comedy, cabaret and drag can offer a moment of levity.

EdFringe Talk: Truly Madly Baldy

"A big thing I took away from last year's fringe was to not be afraid to speak to strangers or fellow creatives."

Fringe in 5 - Ruby McCollister

Amy chats to Ruby McCollister ahead of the Fringe, Ruby is performing in one woman show - Tragedy.

#SNAPCHATZ Episode 47: Embracing the quirkiness of life at #EdFringe 2023

This episode of #SNAPCHATZ is brimming with the quirkiness of life, as we traverse the dark comedy of Hollywood Boulevard's costumed performers in Super, meet a peculiar George Clooney lookalike in Nick Pupo: Addicted, and find humor in a dramatic domestic saga with Bilal Zafar: Imposter.

Interview with comedian Robin Tran

"I was an English major in college so I had to write upwards of 50 or more essays, and I learned that jokes have a very similar structure to an essay. Once I figured that out, joke-writing became very easy."

Interview with comedian Sachin Kumarendran

"I often encounter a trope that Asian acts will primarily talk about being Asian. I'd like to be known for something other than that, and I feel like in my experience audiences do want to see something more original than that."

Interview with comedian Patrick Susmilch

"When I first began comedy, I had a joke that was less sensitive than the others. The audience loved it, but after the show the headliner spoke to me and said, 'I watched your whole set. You're better than that joke.' She was right. I never did the joke again."

Interview with Lauren Shearing, Showstopper! The Improvised Musical cast member

"The strangest and most wonderful things normally come from brilliant mistakes and misunderstandings in an improv show; you can come on as a background cleaner, but another cast member might think you're their long-lost twin, and suddenly you're an integral part of the scene and the wider story."

Interview with comedian Sikisa

"I would hopefully like the audience to see a different side to me and also see how I have grown as a comedian since I was last at the Fringe. I hope people leave the show feeling uplifted and they have learnt something about me, but also perhaps themselves."

Interview with Sophie Santos, comedian, actor, and author

"I love writing about misfits. People who are square pegs fitting themselves into round holes. I also used to NOT write about my sexuality or my OCD for fear I wouldn't fit in (or summon my OCD)..."

80 picks in theatre at Edinburgh Fringe 2023, part 1

In this post I'll be looking at shows which are listed in the Fringe guide under the 'Theatre' section. There are old favourites, new titles, and quirky originals.

Michelle Brasier's best and worst of the Fringe

"Is it legal to bring dogs to shows in Edinburgh?"

Benjamin Alborough's Interactive game for you, the Fringe Tsar

Benjamin Alborough, connoisseur of interactive comedy, has created this interactive roll-a-dice game for you, the reigning monarch of the Fringe, to decide how you will spend your day (and money).

Theatre At The Fringe - interview - Bill's 44th

"Bill's 44th is an hour-long wordless puppet tragicomedy (for adults!) with an original recorded score."

Fringe in 5 - Charlie Vero-Martin

Amy chats to Charlie Vero-Martin as she prepares to take her show Picnic to the Fringe!

#EdFringe 2023: Lubna Kerr talks Tickbox 2!

Comedian, actress, and writer Lubna Kerr has been a regular face across the Scottish arts scene since 2013.

#SNAPCHATZ Episode 48: A roaring ride of irreverent laughter

In today's second #SNAPCHATZ, it's clear to see that #EdFringe2023 will be brimming with irreverent laughter, as we traverse Steve N Allen's comic perspective on memory, SUPERFAN's audacious stunt-laden exploration of masculinity, and EGTG's spirited feminist interpretation of life's cocktail.

Good Omens Series 2 review

A comfy slice of supernatural romance, comedy, and intrigue.

Gregg Wallace's 'human meat' show slammed with hundreds of Ofcom complaints from disgusted viewers

Gregg Wallace has been slammed with hundreds of Ofcom complaints for his latest TV show.

The presenter, 58, came under fire from sickened fans after he appeared to encourage people to eat 'human steaks' on Channel 4 's The British Miracle Meat.

Dan Tiernan picks his Perfect Playlist

"It's gross, immature, disgusting - and one of my favourite things."

Edinburgh Fringe: Edinburgh set for American invasion

A look at some US shows at the Fringe.

Schalk Bezuidenhout: Where to sleep in Edinburgh (when you have no accommodation)

It's only a matter of time before accommodation at Edinburgh Fringe becomes so unaffordable that artists can't afford to stay in a flat or room AT ALL anymore. Here is Schalk Bezuidenhout's top 10 places to sleep for the month.

Funny At The Fringe - interview - Sophie Santos... is Codependent

"After going through a breakup, award-winning comedian Sophie Santos butts heads and belts it out with their personified OCD."

Funny At The Fringe - interview - Chloe Radcliffe: Cheat

"I'm a serial monogamist who's very bad at one of those words."

Have a Gander - Mad Ron: Crime School

In these uncertain economic times, why not take matters into your own hands and turn to a life of crime?

Edinburgh 2023: Coming Out To Dead People Q&A

BWW caught up with Ricky Sim to chat about bringing An Asian Queer Story: Coming Out To Dead People to the 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Edinburgh 2023: Mighty Kids Beatbox Comedy Show Strikes Back Q&A

BWW catches up with the team behind The Mighty Kids Beatbox Comedy Show Strikes Back to chat about bringing the show to the 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Edinburgh 2023: My Life Online Q&A

BWW catches up with Scott Eyerly to chat about bringing My Life Online to the 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

In Conversation: Eden Sher and Charlie McDermott

When you've played a character on TV for a decade, what happens when others refuse to see your true self?

In Conversation: Moses Storm and Brook Tate

The American comedian and English theatre-maker-musician get together to discuss growing up in religion and what it means to leave this world behind.

Top Picks - Dance, Physical Theatre and Circus

Immerse yourself into worlds of imaginative storytelling, from clowning to the cosmos.

Fringe in 5 - Liam Withnail

Amy chats to Liam Withnail before he heads to the Fringe with his show Chronic Boom!

Prom 10: 'Orrible Opera review

Sure, the regular Proms are good an' all, but what would a season be without something a little bit out of the ordinary thrown in to shake things up?

Edinburgh Fringe Q&A - Ed Gamester (Mythos: Ragnarok)

"I had a broken arm, slept in a van and worked up to 20 hours a day."

Edinburgh Fringe Q&A - Charlie Vero-Martin

"This picnic turns into a one-woman wicker man."

80 picks in theatre at Edinburgh Fringe 2023, part 2

If you are in Scotland in August, please consider supporting some of these shows (or any Fringe show!) by buying a ticket or spreading the word.

Edinburgh Fringe Rarely Asked Questions - Ange Lavoipierre & Jane Watt

Already a critical success at the Adelaide Fringe, this marks the first time she has moved away from straight stand-up and, no longer concerned with or constricted by genre, presents THE show she has really always wanted to do.

Interview - Robin Ince

Ahead of this years festival we spoke to the wonderful Robin Ince, who tells us about his history with the Fringe, what to expect from his two shows this year and the (very good) reason why Brian Cox has told him not to mess with time.

16 shows to see at this year's Fringe including Tom Moran and Joe McTernan

More acts to see in Edinburgh this August.