British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide
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2011 Edinburgh Fringe

Edinburgh Fringe reviews 2011

Here's a list of the shows the British Comedy Guide team watched in 2011, with the best-rated shows at the top.

Andrew Maxwell

Andrew Maxwell

Impressively funny, thoughtful stuff, told from the perspective of a chap coming to terms with getting older.

Image shows from L to R: Barry Jones, Stuart MacLeod

Barry & Stuart

Barry & Stuart combine brilliant magic tricks with top class humour to create one of the best shows at the Festival.

Bridget Christie

Bridget Christie

Bridget Christie is a captivating, energetic presence. Wonderful stuff.

Dave Gorman

Dave Gorman

A wonderful, joke-packed hour, delivered by a master of online and onstage comedy.

Dead Cat Bounce

Dead Cat Bounce

A Dead Cat Bounce gig is a lesson to us all in what a jaw-achingly brilliant mix music and comedy can be.

Isy Suttie

Isy Suttie

It's perhaps slightly surprising that Isy Suttie is still nestled away in a low-key 5pm slot despite being quite a well-known telly face these days.

John Robertson

John Robertson Blood & Charm

It's rare that a set so intelligent and interesting delivers so many jokes, and rarer still to see them delivered with such energy and skill.

Josie Long

Josie Long

Charming, life-affirming and frequently devastating, Josie Long's new show is essential Fringe viewing.

Meryl O'Rourke

Meryl O'Rourke

Meryl O'Rourke's charming delivery and sharply observed tales leave the audience in no doubt that they've just seen one of this year's Fringe highlights.

Paul Foot

Paul Foot

Paul Foot is brilliant performer, with an expertly crafted surreal set. It's not a show for everyone, but it is alternative comedy at it's very best.

Robin Ince: Bleeding Heart Liberal. Robin Ince

Robin Ince: Struggle For Existence

This is everything the Fringe should be. A tiny, stuffed, sweaty, un-soundproofed room where one of our most interesting working stand-ups can say whatever he damn well likes.

Sammy J and Randy. Sammy J

Sammy J & Randy

A wild, silly, slickly performed romp that will delight anyone who has ever watched children's TV, liked Avenue Q, or committed tax fraud.

Clever Peter. Image shows from L to R: Richard Bond, William Hartley, Ed Eales-White

The Best Of Clever Peter

It may seem strange Clever Peter are doing a 'Best Of' show when they've only done three Fringes, but their sketches are so good they are definitely worth repeat viewings.

Tim Fitzhigham

Tim FitzHigham

A great performance, made even more interesting and exciting by the genuine risks the comedian undertook to put together this remarkable show.

Tony Law

Tony Law

Anna Lowman says: "This show is so brilliant I fear I'll run out of superlatives for it before I finish..."

WitTank. Image shows from L to R: Mark Cooper-Jones, Naz Osmanoglu, Kieran Boyd

WitTank

The WitTank guys are able to spin absolute hilarity out of a relatively small budget and give everyday situations a beautifully surreal spin with an ease that a lot of sketch shows lack.

Glenn Wool

Glenn Wool

Glenn Wool flirts with dark topics in a thought-provoking and belly laugh inducing way.

Jollyboat. Image shows from L to R: Ed Croft, Tommy Croft

Jollyboat

You know that a comedy show is brilliant when the time just seems to fly by and you leave hungry for more. This describes musical duo Jollyboat's show.

Image shows from L to R: Jack Hartnell, Tom Hensby, Ben Cottam, Nick Hall

The Three Englishmen

To spend an hour with the Englishmen will see a lot more belly laughs than many of the sketch shows at the Fringe.

Zoe Lyons

Zoe Lyons

Zoe Lyons keeps her audience together with her mix of light and dark, snuggies and a fondness for fudge. Definitely worth seeing if you get the chance.

Andi Osho

Andi Osho

Andi Osho's material is punchy and pacey and she has some superb lines on a range of mundane topics.

Andrew Bird

Andrew Bird

Despite Andrew Bird's son having just been born on the very day this review was conducted, he still put on a great show.

Andrew Lawrence

Andrew Lawrence

Andrew Lawrence has mellowed significantly. It's a solid show which should still appeal to fans with dark taste... only now they can bring their friends.

Asher Treleaven

Asher Treleaven

A well-handled and enjoyable fourth solo show from Asher Treleaven.

Bad Bread. Image shows from L to R: Simon Weeds, Ant Craven, Tom Goble

Bad Bread

Bad Bread is a wonderfully funny show with three excellent comedians which telly addicts will go absolutely mad for.

The Beta Males

Beta Males

The Beta Males weave a hilarious web in The Train Job, executed with brilliant timing and delivery.

Bob & Jim. Image shows from L to R: Robert Dobson, Jim Beckett

Bob & Jim

Bob and Jim bring a contemporary edge to the old music hall acts in their new show Modern Urges, an all singing all dancing variety extravaganza with lashings of triumphant tomfoolery.

Bob Downe. Mark Trevorrow

Bob Downe

Compellingly camp Aussie crooner Bob Downe has been away from the Fringe for four years, but absence clearly makes the heart grow fonder, and Bob go blonder.

Casual Violence

Casual Violence

It's very tightly choreographed and the performances are incredibly intense.

Chris Martin

Chris Martin

All in all, an impressive solo debut from Chris Martin (no, not that one).

Chris Ramsey

Chris Ramsey

If you require a man who is enthusiastic, meaningful, incredibly friendly, full of cheeky charm, and hugely funny, Chris Ramsey confidently gives every box a large tick.

David O'Doherty presents: Rory Sheridan's Tales of The Antarctica

David O'Doherty presents: Rory Sheridan's Tales of The Antarctica

Rory Sheridan's Tales of The Antarctica is anything but a vanity project, and David O'Doherty's has crafted a splendid tale of tundra-based derring-do.

David Reed

David Reed

David Reed is a great performer and his first solo outing since the Penny Dreadfuls is a wonderfully strange, funny, fascinating show.

Delete the Banjax

Delete the Banjax

A simply a lovely bunch who are well worth spending an hour of your time with.

Diane Spencer

Diane Spencer

It's well worth a visit to the Gilded Balloon to see this very funny lady.

Phil Burgers

Dr Brown

Doctor Brown certainly has balls, as you will no doubt see, and his interaction with the audience is very bold.

Ed Reardon. Christopher Douglas

Ed Reardon: A Writer's Burden

This stage offshoot of Ed Reardon's Week is an autobiographical dawdle through the ups and downs of a lengthy literary career.

Fear of a Brown Planet. Image shows from L to R: Aamer Rahman, Nazeem Hussain

Fear of a Brown Planet

Nazeem Hussain and Aamer Rahman deliver stand-up on topics that have been touched on at length before, but their punchlines are razor-sharp.

Gavin Webster

Gavin Webster

Webster is the sort of natural performer who can't help but capture your attention. He maintains a strong presence throughout the set, and his command of the room is doubtless.

Henry Paker

Henry Paker

Cabin Fever does get off to a rather sedate start, but for the most part this is a hugely entertaining show.

The Horne Section. Alex Horne

Horne Section

The Horne Section is one of the more elaborate events enlivening Edinburgh's twilight hours this year.

Horse & Louis. Image shows from L to R: Nick Horseman, Louis Fonseca

Horse & Louis

This musical pair, playing as part of the Free Festival, really is deserving of an hour of your time.

Ian D Montfort. Tom Binns

Ian D Montfort

Ian D Montfort (aka Tom Binns) handles the audience interaction brilliantly, with very funny results.

Ian Fox

Ian Fox

A wonderfully entertaining hour and the only show that hosts the World's Shiftiest Looking Seagull Award.

Idiots of Ants. Image shows from L to R: Benjamin Wilson, James Wrighton, Andrew Spiers, Elliott Tiney

Idiots of Ants

Idiots Of Ants always have nice ideas and they are an incredibly likeable bunch.

James Acaster

James Acaster

With James Acaster you realise you're spending time with someone who is on the brink of something very special.

Jason Cook

Jason Cook

If you are seeking happiness then going to see Jason Cook's show about the subject is a pretty good place to start.

Jay Foreman

Jay Foreman

Clearly a talented chap, Jay Foreman's future looks very promising indeed.

Image shows from L to R: Tom Craine, Nat Luurtsema, Dan Antopolski

Jigsaw

We get straight into the jokes without introductions or set-up and, with sketches lasting more than a minute a rarity, the pace rarely lets up.

Kieran And The Joes

Kieran & The Joes

A well-rehearsed show with a wonderful rapport, not just between the cast themselves but also amongst them and the crowd.

Howard Read

Little Howard's Big Show

Little Howard's Big Show is silly, clever, original and unlike anything else you'll see on the Fringe.

Lou Sanders

Lou Sanders

A bit haphazard, but hugely enjoyably show from Lou Sanders...

Matt Kirshen

Matt Kirshen

Matt Kirshen delivers some amusing anecdotes about embarrassing situations, delivered in an assured and confident manner.

Matthew Crosby

Matthew Crosby

It was interesting to see Matthew Crosby on his own for an hour without the support of Pappy's next to him, and he didn't disappoint.

Max & Ivan are Holmes and Watson. Image shows from L to R: Max Olesker, Ivan Gonzalez

Max & Ivan

It's elementary dear reader... an excellent, funny show from two talented chaps.

Morgan & West. Image shows from L to R: Rhys Morgan, Robert West

Morgan & West

Morgan & West get a solid 4 stars for a genuinely rich, wholehearted, fun family entertainment with mind-boggling trickery and many comical hum-dingers.

Neil Hamburger. Gregg Turkington

Neil Hamburger

The delivery style of Gregg Turkington's character is certainly unique and definitely divides an audience not accustomed to his act.

Trexx And Flipside. Mr Brilliance (Rich Fulcher). Copyright: Hanrahan Media

Rich Fulcher

Rich Fulcher's mock lecture takes the audience on a crash course in how to become fully fledged tiny rebels.

Rich Hall: Hell No I Ain't Happy. Rich Hall. Copyright: Universal Pictures

Rich Hall Hoedown

Rich Hall's Hoedown is hugely entertaining, musically and comically, with Hall providing the wit and wisdom up front, and the band playing it impressively straight behind.

Sadia Azmat

Sadia Azmat

Taking on her first Fringe, Sadia Azmat taps into a rich comic vein with her stories of working in a call centre.

Sam Simmons

Sam Simmons

A surreal show that is silly and obscure, yet clever and incredibly well put together.

Sara Pascoe

Sara Pascoe

Pascoe's natural charm and winningly quirky delivery make up for the few weak points in the show.

Seymour Mace

Seymour Mace

Seymour Mace uses art, poetry, dance, 'impressinations' and some audience participation involving balls to cheer everyone up.

Simon Munnery

Simon Munnery

Simon Munnery presents a patchwork of eccentric ideas, flights of fancy, and bogglingly brilliant aphorisms.

Stuart Goldsmith

Stuart Goldsmith

A well thought out and clever comedy show from a very competent performer.

Image shows from L to R: Nadia Kamil, John-Luke Roberts

The Behemoth

In the nicest possible way, Nadia Kamil and John-Luke Roberts do have wonderfully warped minds.

The Fudge Shop

The Fudge Shop

The Fudge Shop is simply fun - lots of fun - for the brilliantly talented performers as well as the delighted crowd.

The Lunchtime Club 2011. Image shows from L to R: John Kearns, Fin Taylor, Suzi Ruffell, Joe Wells, Max Dickins

The Lunchtime Club

Lots of laughs in this well-priced lunchtime showcase, with compère Max Dickins singled out for particular praise.

Tom Bell

Tom Bell

Tom Bell has a great, off-beat turn of phrase and this show may be on the shambolic side, but it's also endlessly inventive, with a really sweet ending.

Wil Hodgson

Wil Hodgson

After a slightly disappointing offering in 2010, this year Wil Hodgson's show is excellent.

Alex Horne

Alex Horne

Alex Horne has all the skills of an inspirational lecturer but ultimately, regardless of how enjoyable the hour is, there are just not enough laughs.

Andrew O'Neill

Andrew O'Neill

O'Neill does a commendable job of staying in control in the challenging conditions of Assembly's new noisy home in George Square.

Carl Donnelly

Carl Donnelly

Overall this is a relaxing and easy watch. Nothing heavy, and nothing that's going to change the world, but sometimes with a Fringe show that's all you need.

Comedy in the Dark

Comedy in the Dark

The light slowly fades on the room until you really cannot see anything. Comedy in the Dark makes for an interesting experience.

John Cooper

Danny Pensive

This character has some sharp and clever lines, but there may not be too many more miles left in Danny Pensive.

Elis James

Elis James

Elis James is a polite, charming and smooth talking comedian.

The Gentlemen Of Leisure. Image shows from L to R: Tom Neenan, Nish Kumar

Gentlemen of Leisure

While some jokes in the show never quite land, the Gentlemen of Leisure do manage to hit some incredible highs.

Jimeoin. Jimeoin

Jimeoin

Jimeoin has that rare talent of being able to carve out some of the funniest material from the simplest observations.

Katherine Ryan

Katherine Ryan

Katherine Ryan comes across as friendly, while at the same time being rude and full of attitude.

Lloyd Langford

Lloyd Langford

If you want a cheery hour about clingfilm, knives and mice, give Lloyd Langford some consideration. Sure to bring a laugh and smile to any age.

Marcel Lucont. Alexis Dubus

Marcel Lucont

Did I have fun? Very much so. Would I rather just see a full show from the brilliant Monsieur Lucont? Probably...

Markus Birdman

Markus Birdman

An impressive outing for the Birdman, but structurally the show is a tad wonky.

Mick Ferry

Mick Ferry

This year, Mick Ferry is presenting a fine show about the end of the world in the depths of the Gilded Balloon.

Nick Doody

Nick Doody

Nick Doody's work-in-progress show features some good material, but there's still a few bits to be improved at the time of writing.

Steve Hall

Steve Hall

A truthful and revealing set from We Are Klang's Steve Hall.

Thom Tuck

Thom Tuck

Thom Tuck's reports from the strange world of the Disney spin-off are tremendously entertaining, but there's an unfortunate expectation that we have intimate knowledge of the more iconic Disney films.

Tiffany Stevenson

Tiffany Stevenson

Overall a strong offering, but Tiffany Stevenson was slightly let down by her audience interaction.

Axis Of Awesome

Axis of Awesome

Axis of Awesome are capable of holding a show, but it felt weak and a bit insipid.

Ben Verth

Ben Verth

This show won't change your life - unless you're an occultist who's already wavering - but a free hour with Ben Verth is very much worth your while.

Catriona Knox

Catriona Knox

A mixed bag of characters from Catriona Knox, but the show certainly does have its moments.

Chris Cox

Chris Cox

Chris Cox pulls off some incredible mind-reading stunts, but he appears to have been mis-filed under the comedy section as the show wasn't particularly humourous.

Colin Hoult

Colin Hoult

This show offers an exquisite series of character portraits, but there are simply not enough laughs to qualify as a comedy show.

David Morgan

David Morgan

Overall a pleasant way to spend an afternoon, and it is clear David Morgan's got great things to come.

Ed Byrne

Ed Byrne: Crowd Pleaser

Crowd Pleaser is a likeable, often splendidly witty show, but also lacks any staggering moments of genius, outrage, or sustained oh-my-aching-sides set-pieces.

Fitzrovia Radio Hour

Fitzrovia Radio Hour

If you fancy a break from the rush of the Fringe, then pop along to the Gilded Balloon for some teatime entertainment of the old-fashioned kind.

Gareth Richards

Gareth Richards

Gareth Richards could have done with writing a few more jokes rather than relying on a garrulous manner and waves of goodwill.

Henning Wehn

Henning Wehn: No Surrender

Henning Wehn's performance is assured and at times hilarious but it just feels that he is treading well-worn ground.

Humphrey Ker

Humphrey Ker

Humphrey Ker's show is pretty much a Penny Dreadfuls play minus the other two.

James Sherwood

James Sherwood

James Sherwood is desperately concerned about the meaning of good and bad, but his softly spoken show never reaches either extreme.

Jessica Fostekew

Jessica Fostekew

A good debut from a strong performer, although a more laidback delivery would have helped.

Lady Garden. Image shows from L to R: Eleanor Thom, Beattie Edmondson, Rose Johnson, Camille Ucan, Hannah Dodd

Lady Garden

Lady Garden's bold and impressive opening sketch promises a lot. However, the show struggles to maintain this quality and tone for the duration.

Late Night Gimp Fight. Image shows from L to R: Lee Griffiths, Richard Campbell, David Moon, Paul Richard Biggin, Matt Ralph

Late Night Gimp Fight

The humping, wanking, vomiting, incestuous prostitution, backstreet abortion and diarrhoea aren't the most disgusting parts of this show.

Lee Camp

Lee Camp

Lee Camp clearly misses the whoops and cheers that probably greet his diatribes back home.

Adam Lawrence

Life Doctor

The Life Doctor is one hell of a confusing sketch show. Ambitious, but missing something.

Matt Green

Matt Green

Matt Green's show is a well-judged hour, if a little light on big laughs.

Matt Tiller

Matt Tiller

Matt Tiller's punchlines and asides didn't always hit home in the room but were sharp and astutely observed.

Michael J Dolan

Michael J Dolan

Misery guts Michael J Dolan delivers some funny stories, but his set does have some issues.

Paul McCaffrey

Paul McCaffrey

Paul McCaffrey is decent company, but maybe just a little too plain, and whilst his act is polished, it comes across as a little wooden at times.

Roisin Conaty

Roisin Conaty

Roisin Conaty delivers an appealing set, but it won't have you rolling in the aisles.

Sheeps. Image shows from L to R: Daran Johnson, Liam Williams, Alastair Roberts

Sheeps: A Sketch Show

Three-man sketch group Sheeps has come to Edinburgh with a show which has lots of lovely ideas, but which varies in quality quite considerably.

Simon Donald

Simon Donald

A mixed bag of anecdotes and characters, from the witty to the wearisome.

Steve Pretty

Steve Pretty

Although there were humorous moments to this musical hour from Steve Pretty, there simply wasn't enough to qualify it as a comedy piece.

The Ginge, the Geordie and The Geek. Image shows from L to R: Graeme Rooney, Paul Charlton, Kevin O'Loughlin. Copyright: Alan Peebles / BBC

The Ginge, the Geordie and the Geek

The Ginge, the Geordie and the Geek offer something rare: a sketch show that the whole family can enjoy.

The Noise Next Door

The Noise Next Door

The Noise Next Door improv group are quietly becoming one of the Fringe's guaranteed bum-on-seat stalwarts.

Tom Green

Tom Green

It's probably best to avoid this show if you're blissfully unaware of Green's previous work. If, on the other hand, you're one of that small, slightly odd band who loved Freddy Got Fingered: you'll laugh 'til you hurl.

Garrett Millerick

Which One's Fergal?

While not rip-roaringly funny, Which One's Fergal? does give a professional dose of well-acted sketch character comedy.

Image shows from L to R: Ross Dungan, Aaron Heffernan, Matthew Smyth

A Betrayal of Penguins

A show performed by three guys with a real sense of fun, but let down by chaotic delivery.

My Politician Is Funnier Than Yours. Ava Vidal. Copyright: BBC

Ava Vidal

Ada Vidal talks about subjects including race and prejudice, subjects she has covered many times previously.

Christmas For Two. Image shows from L to R: Sarah Campbell, Amy Hoggart

Christmas For Two

Sarah Campbell and Amy Hoggart's ideas are genuinely creative and odd - but the execution of those ideas isn't always successful.

Mark Olver

Mark Olver

Mark Olver presents us with dark material that jars uncomfortably with a giggly, friendly on-stage persona.

Mary Bourke

Mary Bourke

This show contains a number of good one-liners and off the wall rants but not enough to sustain larger appeal.

Mike Newall

Mike Newall

Some of Newall's jokes hit the spot straight away, but certain tangential elements of the show make it feel quite disjointed.

Charlie Baker

Wedding Band: A Comedy by Charlie Baker

The issue with Charlie Baker's play is the plot, which is pretty slight. There are storylines set up here which are then either resolved too easily, or simply left hanging.

Ahir Shah

Ahir Shah

With experience, Ahir Shah is sure to be great... but he's not there yet.

Brett Goldstein

Brett Goldstein

Brett Goldstein is an engaging performer, but was let down with weak material.

Hal Sparks

Hal Sparks

American comic Hal Sparks comes across as distinctively unlikeable. He has a patronising attitude and unappealing arrogance.

Kerry Godliman

Kerry Godliman

There was a sense that the hour was a bit of a struggle to fill and, even with some obvious padding, the show came in under time.

Margaret Cho

Margaret Cho

For a supposedly dangerous performer, Margaret Cho's show is distinctively unambitious.

Men of War. Image shows from L to R: David Schaal, Stephen Harvey, Cariad Lloyd, Gareth Kane

Men Of War

You come away wondering what on earth possessed them to pitch up at this Portakabin for a month with such a patchy show.

Michael Winslow

Michael Winslow

Michael Winslow - the man of 1,000 Sound Effects - demonstrates some impressive sound conjuring, but the show is more something to marvel at than laugh at.

Tara Flynn

Tara Flynn

While Tara Flynn's songs were all well and good in their own right, they were sadly not overtly humorous.

Tom Deacon

Tom Deacon

End-of-punchline silence as Tom Deacon's jokes bombed almost became part of the act.

Wendy Wason

Wendy Wason

Wendy Wason's show sometimes felt like a trip down memory lane at a family dinner party, rather than a comedy show.

Chris Mayo

Chris Mayo

At points in the show the audience is forced to wonder whether they're paying to act as silent counsellors.

His and Hers

His N Hers

Ex-Hollyoaks actor James Redmond delivers a self-depreciating set, but his comedy partner Luisa Omielan is very short of material.

Anil Desai

Anil Desai

Under-prepared Anil Desai gets the worst BCG review so far.

Mabbs & Justice. Image shows from L to R: James Mabbett, Adam Justice

Mabbs & Justice

To say that Mabbs & Justice don't hit a high note is probably a compliment to the pair.

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