2010 Edinburgh Fringe

Fringe hecklers should exit stage left and right

It's perfectly fair to ask which direction theatre and live comedy should go in, but critics should stop sniping and instead celebrate the size and success of this year's festival.

It's time to rename the Edinburgh Fringe

Having spent the last 4 weeks in Edinburgh it is clear that anything but a fringe festival is taking place.

Edinburgh Fringe defends ticket sales total

Organisers of the Edinburgh Fringe have defended their decision to count customers of free shows in their box office sales.

Funny Women semi-finalists revealed

The shortlist for the Funny Women Awards 2010 has been announced.

This year's comedy debutants are a mixed bunch

This year's comedy debutants are a mixed bunch, but it wouldn't be the Fringe if they were all as slick as Michael McIntyre.

Edinburgh Interview: Greg Davies

Having performed stand-up comedy since 2002, this year Greg Davies takes his first solo show to Edinburgh.

Heard the one about Zadie Smith's brother, Doc Brown

As the dust settles on this year's Edinburgh Fringe, one of the most exciting breakthrough stars of the Festival has mixed feelings about his August adventure being over.

Lee speaks about Fosters Comedy Awards 'cunning stunt'

After he received the Malcolm Hardee Cunning Stunt Award 2010 at the Edinburgh for his outspoken stance against the Fosters Comedy Awards search for a 'Comedy God', Stewart Lee didn't hold back in his view of the corporation's "dishonest appropriation of comedy".

Fringe box office breaks records

The Edinburgh Fringe has broken last year's box office record by selling almost two million tickets.

Frank Chickens win 'Comedy God' award

Little-known Japanese performance art troupe Frank Chickens have won an online poll to find a Comedy God.

The Amnesty International Comedy Podcast: Episode 8

For the podcast's Fringe finale we go behind the scenes at the Edinburgh comedy awards.

Story-telling elevated to a work of genius

Daniel Kitson's new Edinburgh show makes other drama seem superficial and pointless, says Sarah Crompton.

Edinburgh Interview: John-Luke Roberts

John-Luke Roberts talks about writing for the BBC at university, getting inspired by Simon Munnery as a teenager and his new murderous comedy show.

Edinburgh Interview: Andi Osho

Edinburgh Interview: Jason Cook

Emma McAlpine speaks to the exuberant Geordie stand-up about making women cry, bottling dolphins and 'Harry Pottering'.

Edinburgh Interview: Miles Jupp

Miles Jupp returns to Edinburgh with his seventh solo show about attempting to become a cricket journalist. Emma McAlpine speaks to the actor and stand-up comic about meeting your heroes, David Bowie's recycling and his best TV work to date.

Edinburgh Interview: Helen Arney

"I love how immediate live comedy is. You can write a funny song during the day and perform it at a gig that night." Emma McAlpine speaks to musical comedian Helen Arney.

Why did Edinburgh Comedy Award settle for second best?

By choosing Russell Kane over Bo Burnham, the judges missed a trick. Isn't it time they rewarded a comic with genuine originality?

One thing we can all agree on is that we can't agree

I've mentioned before that I have been wary of writing about comedy since I once said that the state of women's stand-up wasn't very good that particular year, and the comedy editor of the magazine Time Out wrote with a straight face: "David Lister should expose himself to more female comedians."

Stewart Lee wins Malcolm Hardee Fringe stunt prize

Comedian Stewart Lee has won the award for the best publicity stunt at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Hitting the Fringe wall

Mark Allen needs some time out...

Edinburgh comedy awards: 2010 nominees

The winner of the Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Awards will be announced on Saturday.

Scot claims prestigious comedy prize at Fringe

Sole Scottish finalist James Kirk has been crowned the winner of Fringe newcomer stand-up competition So You Think You're Funny?

Poet, comedian, or both?

From Kevin Eldon to Tim Clare, Edinburgh has showcased the increasingly blurred boundaries between comedy and poetry.

Journalism ruse just wasn't cricket for Miles Jupp

Award-winning comedian and TV actor Miles Jupp has told STV about why he's used his disastrous attempt to become a cricket journalist for his latest show at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Hard work pays off for free comedian Imran Yusuf

Imran Yusuf must be the hardest-working comedian in Edinburgh.

Watch my lips: ventriloquism deserves centre stage

Derided as cheap kid's entertainers, ventriloquists are custodians of a venerable art form - and it's time they showed it, writes one of their number David Strassman.

My Edinburgh: Brendon Burns

My first time at Edinburgh was in 1996. I don't think the festival has changed all that much.

My Edinburgh: Tom Wrigglesworth, comedian

This is my third year coming up to Edinburgh and by now I've found my secret weapon: fruit smoothies, laced with plenty of ginger.

The best comedy jokes of the Edinburgh Fringe (Link expired)

Everyone by now has probably heard the winner of the best gag on the Fringe prize, Tim Vine's pun-tastic one-liner, "I've just been on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday. I'll tell you what, never again." But what about all the rest?

Scott Agnew: the rising star of Scottish comedy

Stand-up comic Agnew set to follow in the footsteps of Boyle and Bridges after successful Fringe run.

Richard Herring's Edinburgh

This year will be Richard Herring's 19th Edinburgh Fringe, having taken an impressive total of 27 shows there over the years. We get him to look back over some of his best and worst memories...

Edinburgh Interview: James Sherwood

Emma McAlpine talks to James Sherwood about life-changing advice, why he's changed his style in recent years and why one audience member will be taking home his piano...

Judge's diary: meet the joke that knows it's a joke

Comedians this year want to open the bonnet of comedy and show us the workings - but is it just too clever by half?

Edinburgh Fringe grilling: Susan Harrison

Next to take a sip from Sport.co.uk's gilded goblet of giggles is Susan Harrison, who this month brings her Creatures sketch show to Space @ Jury's Inn on the Royal Mile...

Internet star Bo Burnham is Edinburgh hit

You know you are getting older when the comedians are getting younger. Bo Burnham turned 20 during his run at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Tim Key and Bo Burnham in conversation

Tim Key the star of last years Fringe sits down and chats to the star of this years Bo Burnham for an hour of self indulgence, deep comedy philosophy and back slapping, it's also over 3000 words long.

Interview: Tom Wrigglesworth (Link expired)

Tom Wrigglesworth tried to write his new show while still touring his old one. No wonder he pulled his hair out, he tells Kate Copstick.

Miles Jupp: Fibber In The Heat (A Cricket Tale)

Miles Jupp would not have an Edinburgh Fringe show this year without the Western Mail.

Why Felicity Ward has dumbed down for Fringe return

Australian comedian Felicity Ward has been reading from the Book of Moron at this month's Edinburgh Fringe, and she talked to STV about what makes the grade for her revealing show.

Our Edinburgh: The Penny Dreadfuls

The Penny Dreadfuls (Humphrey Ker, David Reed & Thom Tuck) talk about what they have been doing at the Fringe.

Interview: Nick Mohammed, actor in Mr Swallow (Link expired)

An interview with Nick Mohammed about his show.

Edinburgh Interview: Jonny Sweet

Emma McAlpine chats to the 2009 Edinburgh Best Newcomer winner about his second solo show, filming Pete and Dud: The Lost Sketches and taking on the Frank Chickens...

Edinburgh Interview: Alex Horne

Fringe favourite Alex Horne is performing three shows in Edinburgh this year, but which to see? The gambling one, the jazzy one or the one with loads of ridiculous comedy tasks? To help you decide, Emma McAlpine gets the low-down from the horse's mouth...

Holyhead comedian performs at Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Anglesey comedian Eiriona Jackson has been raising her profile as part of duo Ginger and Black at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Profile of the Edinburgh Comedy Award hopefuls

Here is a glance at the five acts who are in the running for the prestigious honour...

The comic potential of viral marketing

A viral campaign could see obscure performance artists Frank Chickens voted the best comedy act of the last 30 years.

Video: John Bishop

John Bishop speaks about the importance of the festival and how his career has changed since last year's nomination.

Edinburgh comedy endorsements are no laughing matter

Aspiring standups are forgiven for cutting deals to make ends meet but the Fosters-sponsored awards face a backlash.

Bo Burnham: Words, Words, Words

How does the 20 year old YouTube sensation feel about being shortlisted for comedy's most prestigious prize?

Comedy judge's diary: Bo and co show strength of list

The shortlist for the Edinburgh comedy awards is strong - even if I do say so myself.

Bo Burnham talks about Edinburgh debut

Acclaimed for his debut Fringe show, teenage US comedian Bo Burnham talks to STV about why he decided to come to Edinburgh, and reveals the latest about his future plans, including the musical he's writing in collaboration with Hollywood comedy director Judd Apatow.

My Edinburgh, Doon MacKichan, actress

In 1984, I slept on the floor of the ladies toilet in venue 333 with my university theatre group.

Tim Vine interview

As we chat I fail to find any dark side to Vine.

Sam Simmons - Fail

Simmons is the most modest of men, and he has absolutely nothing to be even slightly modest about. Since starting out in comedy 2003 he has won more comedy awards than many shows here have sold tickets.

Bo Burnham: 'I'm honest - for two minutes'

His multi-character comedy show is the big hit of the Fringe. But will the real Bo Burnham ever shine through? Brian Logan meets the precocious comic on the last day of his teens.

When heckling goes bad

The battle of wits between standup and audience is integral to live comedy - but what happens when it gets out of hand?

The Amnesty International Comedy Podcast: Episode 7

The podcast goes behind the scenes at Stand Up For Freedom, Amnesty International's sold-out Edinburgh show.

Of course comedy has coarse ingredients

Puns, one-liners and double entendres are meat and drink for playwrights and comics, says Andrew Cunningham.

Jim Bowen hits bullseye with new fringe show

Veteran comic and former host of cult 80's show Bullseye back at Edinburgh Festival.

Jarred Christmas takes a stand at the Edinburgh Fringe

Now an award-winning comedian who's appeared on Mock The Week and in a BBC sitcom, Jarred Christmas is standing up for himself in his new show. We spoke to him about that, his first experiences of the Fringe, and the challenge facing the thousands who travel to Edinburgh every year to try and make their name.

Russell Kane: Smokescreens and Castles

So what do I watch? It's like the chef trying to find the restaurant which lets him un-think cooking. Almost impossible.

The Late Late Show with Paul Zenon & Mikelangelo

The Late Late Show with Paul Zenon and Mikelangelo is chaotic, slightly amateurish at points, but perfect if you're just arriving for a stay in Edinburgh and have no idea what to see.

Fashion: no reason to laugh at these comedians' styles

There is a brand new breed of fashion icon shifting through the ranks that has got everyone more than a little surprised. The comedian has burst out of his humorous shackles and started on a style ascent that no-one saw coming.

Comedian Tim Vine 'exposes' BBC studio backdrop on air

Comedian Tim Vine 'exposed' the backdrop of the BBC's Edinburgh studio, which shows the city's famous skyline, while live on air on the BBC's News Channel.

He was being interviewed by Emily Maitlis on the channel about winning the best joke at the Edinburgh fringe festival: "I've just been on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday. I'll tell you what, never again."

Edinburgh comedy judge's diary: fringe's funniest joke

Like the universe or Stevie Wonder, the number of awards for standups continues to expand. And the latest gong on the block is from the 'home of witty banter'.

Charlyne Yi talks about the Fringe benefits

After a memorable cameo in Judd Apatow's Knocked Up, US actress comedian Charlyne Yi went on to become creator and star of Sundance award-winning quasi-documentary Paper Heart - and is now at the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time.

Tim Vine's holiday pun 'is festival's funniest'

Comedian Tim Vine has won a prize for the funniest joke of this year's Edinburgh Fringe.

My Edinburgh: Josie Long, comedian

This year I've done three things differently from any other year I've been at the Fringe.

Smith: No reviewers in unless they can juggle kippers

We send comic and expert juggler Stuart Goldsmith to take him up on the offer.

Edinburgh fringe comedy round-up

From Des Bishop and Greg Davies to Nina Conti and Pippa Evans, reviews the best of this year's word-of-mouth comedy hits.

Johnny Vegas makes return to Gilded Balloon

Johnny Vegas is joining a host of celebrities for three special shows at Edinburgh's Gilded Balloon.

"Council has put the brakes on taxi ads for my show" (Link expired)

One of the Fringe's top-selling performers claims he has been banned from promoting his show properly on Edinburgh's taxis.

Comedians aim to play their cards right

They are not renowned for their poker faces, but a group of Fringe comics are going to have to keep their faces straight if they've got any chance of winning a PokerStars tournament.

Edinburgh Fringe grilling: Chris McCausland

Next to hitch a ride in Sport.co.uk's pickup truck of truth is Liverpudlian stand-up Chris McCausland - a Sunday Times 'Must See' and The Times 'Critics' Choice' - who this month brings his Emotional Retard show to the Pleasance Courtyard...

Edinburgh Fringe grilling: Gemma Goggin

Next up for a rodeo ride on Sport.co.uk's fence-leaping bull of curiosity is Gemma Goggin, who this month brings her Get Laid or Die Trying show to the Gilded Balloon...

Edinburgh Fringe grilling: No Son of Mine

Next up to take a sip from Sport.co.uk's enchanted goblet of truth is Rufus Jones of "father and son" comedy double act No Son of Mine, who this month bring their hotly-tipped show to the Pleasance Baby Grand...

Standup comedy: can radio DJs cut it?

Scott Mills and Nick Grimshaw's comedy turns in Edinburgh are part of a tradition of traffic between radio DJs and comedians.

Comic stars line up for Gilded Balloon 25th anniversary

Johnny Vegas, Jo Brand and Tim Minchin are among the comic legends who are set to return to the Gilded Balloon at the end of the month to mark the comedy institution's 25th anniversary.

The Amnesty International Comedy Podcast: Episode 6

John Bishop introduces the latest Amnesty International Comedy Podcast from the Edinburgh fringe with standup and songs from Kevin Eldon, Miles Jupp and Dead Cat Bounce.