2012 Edinburgh Fringe

Kate Copstick interview

Kate Copstick, Glasgow born actress, is nowadays considered the mother of all Edinburgh Fringe reviewers and has been writing for The Scotsman for many a year.

Promoter seeks Fringe public break

Edinburgh would get a new public holiday under plans put forward by a leading Fringe promoter to help boost tickets sales at the end of the Festival.

Fringe round-up II - will 2012 be a turning point?

One of the running themes of the Edinburgh Fringe is the (I think perfectly legitimate) whinge that performers underwrite the whole thing - a cost that is then passed onto the punters.

Should VisitScotland do more to promote the festivals?

As Edinburgh's big festival month reaches its climax this weekend, with the Mela on Leith Links and the International Festival's grand firework finale over the castle, tourist board VisitScotland has seemingly hit back at criticism that it should have done more to promote the capital's summer festivals this year, given the competition of that big sporting event happening in England.

Fringe round-up I - clowns, rape gags and Stewart Lee

Now the 2012 Fringe is done, some closing thoughts...

Edinburgh Fringe 2012: Ticket trouble and tantrums

So it is all over for another year, but what has the Edinburgh Fringe 2012 taught us?

The future of the Fringe? Think smaller

So - officially - it wasn't as bad as everyone feared. A post-Olympic rally meant Fringe ticket sales were just one per cent down on last year, albeit spread over six per cent more shows.

Lexicon of loss

In honour of August 2012 - the Fringe of Misery, as it shall e'er be known - I've compiled a handy lexicon of Fringewords for performers.

Laurence Clark: my life as a superhero

Comedian Laurence Clark has cerebral palsy, uses a wheelchair and is tired of being told he is 'inspiring'. Here he explains how he raised funds for puppy-cide, and why not every Paralympian is a winner.

That Was The Fringe That Was

It's ironic that in the year that the Edinburgh Festival Fringe introduced a Spoken Word category for the first time, its biggest comedy awards recognised silent comics.

Who beat Olympic effect and who didn't...

Edinburgh's Festival venues have reported a mixed year after many shows went head to head with the London Olympics, The Scotsman can reveal.

My festival: Simon Munnery, comedian

Simon Munnery's selection of Fringe shows.

Change coming to the Fringe

This year I genuinely feel we are standing at the turning of a tide. Next year's Fringe will, I believe, look different, be different.

Sandi Toksvig: 'I don't understand boredom'

Comedian, playwright, novelist, TV personality: Sandi Toksvig is a one-woman cottage industry. She talks about coming out, panel shows and why she's turned her back on the Lib-Dems.

Dear Edinburgh Fringe...

I don't quite know how to say this, but I think the performance poet Lily 'Rose' Allen put it best in the title of her award-winning 2009 Edinburgh show: "It's not me, it's you." In other words, Edinburgh Fringe... You've got fat. I'm sorry. But I'm telling you this for your own sake.

Sarah Kendall: what I will & won't miss about Fringe 12

In her final EiF blog, Aussie stand-up Sarah Kendall is counting down the days till she can leave, and the months until she can come back.

Tim Fitzhigham and the fainting audience member

Buccaneering comedian Tim Fitzhigham discover he has a killer gag in his set - almost literally.

An exhausted Noise Next Door during their #24HourFringe

Ace improv group The Noise Next Door are pinned down towards the end of their 24-hour Fringe adventure and speak about its considerable highs and lows - including man-eating comedy reviewers and sunrise at Arthur's Seat...

Don't ask about dosh: The true cost of staging a Fringe

It was suddenly no laughing matter when Claire Smith decided to investigate what it really costs to put on a show at the Fringe.

Video: How did you find out about your nomination?

Some of the nominees of the Edinburgh Comedy Award 2012 reveal how they first heard they were on the shortlist for the award.

Fringe diaries #7: Mace and Burton

It's almost over. The third week of the busiest three weeks of my year is nearly at a close. And what an amazing three weeks it is every year. Last year's Fringe ended in a pretty special way...

Laughing Horse tops The Scotsman's Free Fringe picks

The Scotsman's list of the best free shows puts the score at 8-1 to Laughing Horse.

Stop me if you've heard this one: Long on shortlist

Josie Long has been nominated for the biggest comedy prize at the Edinburgh Festival for the third year in a row, competing against five "inventive" rivals including a mime and a sketch troupe.

My Edinburgh: Mark Watson, comedian

I've been to the past thirteen Edinburgh Fringes as a punter, student, director, aspiring stand-up, actual stand-up, 24-hour marathon man and - my current incarnation - jaded old veteran. There are various tricks you learn, when you've been in the game as long as I have.

Helen Arney - how to flirt with monkeys

Musical/geek comic Helen Arney (below with Matt Parker) writes about pulling some moves on a primate, on her trip to Edinburgh Zoo's new research arm.

Greatest Show On Legs perform again

"That was the first night of real laughter I've heard since I did the show with Malcolm thirty years ago. I saw people crying with laughter and, when I went behind the stage to change, I could hear some people in the bar still shrieking with laughter."

Stand-up comedy only gets better with age

Comedians Daniel Kitson and Simon Munnery demonstrate the benefit of experience at Edinburgh, where their audiences are treated to something rare in comedy - calm.

No stars for critics after poor showing in the football

This truly is a dark time for journalism - and I'm not talking about phone hacking or any other 'dark arts' stuff here. No, 11 men brought shame on the good profession last Sunday at the Meadows, losing the annual Amnesty International Comedians versus Critics football match by four goals to three.

An interview with Cardinal Burns

As a success story of the Edinburgh Fringe, Dustin Demri-Burns and Seb Cardinal have just finished their first series of Cardinal Burns on E4 (still on 4od). The boys are back in town doing a 6 night show in the Pleasance Dome. But how did it all happen?

Fosters vs Fisters: Choosing the best Fringe comedy

Is technology improving the Edinburgh Festival experience?

Rhys Darby, comedian and actor: Portrait of the artist

'My high point? Being in a film with Jim Carrey. I can't believe I got away with it'

The 100 best jokes from this year's Fringe

Following a debate yesterday on what makes a good gag on the Fringe, our comedy critics pick their favourites from this year's crop.

Feminists urge comedians to stop telling rape jokes

Fringe performers have been urged to stop cracking jokes about rape and sexual assault during this year's festival.

Video: Andrew Doyle gets beer thrown at him by heckler

If you're wishing you were at the Edinburgh Festival right now, you might want to watch this video - and think again.

Dave's one-liner award misses the point of comedy

By suggesting humour can be captured in a few words, Dave's one-liner award sells Edinburgh fringe comedy short.

My Edinburgh: Jessie Cave, comedian/actress

My family are here to help me. I managed to get them Underbelly passes with their roles on. For example, Mum: Main Assistant. Brother: General Assistant. Brother's Girlfriend: Bonus Assistant. They help me with props and pep talks.

Mike Sheer admits why he's really at the Fringe

The Edinburgh Fringe has been deeply mythologised. People either talk about how it used to be better or how it is now worse. How the Big Four set are to be aspired to, or how the free and alternative approach is the way forward.

Daniel Sloss discusses comics, critics and cookery

The Fife comedian is a dab hand at cooking 'chicken thing' with rice.

Magical Edinburgh Fringe

For over 10 years I've spent most of August in Edinburgh at the festival and for five of those years I've been performing shows. Now working on a year on, year off system I took the opportunity to enjoy Edinburgh without the stress of doing a show and to catch up on what my magical colleagues were up to.

Rick Shapiro: King of chaos

It is hardly a surprise that even Rick Shapiro himself sometimes struggles to describe his own act.

Fringe extensions - the comics with extra shows

A quick heads-up about some of the comics putting on extra shows due to demand.

Audio: Al Murray on the effect his show has on others

Al Murray features in his first new stand-up show at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival since 1999.

The comedian, known for his Happy Hour and Pub Landlord shows, returns to the stage with new material.

He told 5 Live's Richard Bacon what it was like to be back and how one of his shows 'broke a couple up'.

Audio: Alfie Moore - stand-up comedy is like policing

Policeman-turned-stand-up comedian Alfie Moore told 5 Live's Richard Bacon that in some ways 'stand-up is similar to police work'.

Mr Moore has returned to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with his show I Predicted A Riot.

Alongside comedian Al Murray, he revealed the best ways to create a connection with the audience- be they in a theatre or on the street.

Foster's Comedy Awards: who is the funniest of them all

Mark Monahan dissects the Edinburgh Foster's Comedy Awards shortlist.

David Hasselhoff is Hoff the wall

My seven-year-old son has only one question. Does David Hasselhoff arrive at his Fringe show in the car from Knight Rider?

Jongleurs Comics are 'owt but Idol up in Edinburgh

Club chain's acts are laughing it up...

My baptism of fire with the famous on the Fringe

Gina Allum recalls David Baddiel and Bettany Hughes in Edinburgh.

Fringe play distorts my life story, says Tommy Sheridan

The play urges punters to "marvel at a magical world of fluffy handcuffs, lies and swingers' clubs" and is based on Sheridan's defamation case and perjury conviction.

My Edinburgh: Rhod Gilbert, comedian

Wake up, avoid reviews, cold pizza, go see a show, get soaked...

Claudia O'Doherty: After the laughter

Aussie standup Claudia O'Doherty is leaving comedy behind; she's decided to get into Serious Theatre. Only her new show, The Telescope, keeps going horribly wrong. Lyle Brennan investigates.

Simon Evans's favorite Fringe things

I have two favourite things about the Fringe.

Comics share their fest highlights

Some final Fringe recommendations from performers including Billy the Mime and Chris Ramsey.

Sheeps tell bad reviewer to flock off

One of the hardest things as a performer is to withstand bad reviews. Well, Sheeps don't just withstand, they counter. Here's Al (adorable Sheeps, centre) with a furious riposte.

Gags... but not as you know them

This year's comedy trend at the Festival is for visual humour - Bruce Dessau introduces the new sight-gaggers.

10 questions with Max and Ivan

Award-winning duo Max & Ivan are back at the Edinburgh Fringe with an epic narrative sketch comedy about a heist. Want to know more? You're in luck! The pair have just answered our 10 Quick Questions...

Badly named things with Catie Wilkins

This year Three Weeks favourite Catie Joy Wilkins has a show all about the many things in the world that just fail to live up to the names they've been given. Starting with her own middle name. To get you in the mood, she sets out her manifesto for more accurate naming here in Three Weeks.

Not getting argumentative - Luke Toulson

We've been fans of Luke Toulson ever since he first came to our attention as one half of comedy sketch duo Toulson & Harvey back in the day. We also enjoy his solo stand-up shows, so were glad to see him back in Edinburgh once again. With his new show called [o]Luke Who's Talking[/i], we got him, ahem, talking to Three Weeks.

Shattering expectations - Chris McCausland

Chris McCausland has a pretty good record of pleasing Three Weeks reviewers, so it seemed like it was time to throw some questions in his general direction...

Into the real comedy zone - John Robins

A TOWIE star may have stopped him from getting his big TV break, but that's not stopped Three Weeks reviewers falling in love with John Robins' comedy, and again this year for new show Incredible Scenes. Putting our "why's he not on the telly yet?" frustrations aside, we questioned Robins on his comedy, his Fringe so far, and high scoring Scabble words...

Hot and messy - Vikki Stone

After a very successful Fringe debut in 2011, Vikki Stone is back wowing ticket-buyers and Three Weeks reviewers alike with her show Hot Mess. ThreeWeeks caught up with Vikki to find out just how hot the mess really was...

The sweet life with DeAnne Smith

Canadian-American comedian DeAnne Smith is back in Edinburgh promising her audience the "sweet life" treatment. And some songs. And some candy. What more could you possibly ask for? DeAnne spoke to Three Weeks about her show, her uke and her bus pass. Though not necessarily in that order.

Fleming's Fringe: Time for a rather late publicity push

Malcolm Hardee Comedy Awards organiser and prolific blogger John Fleming writes...

Fresh Fringe's 24-hour challenge!

Starting at 10am on Wednesday 22 August, an intrepid broadcasting duo of Christian Illingworth and Finlay Niven will be hosting a 24 hour radio marathon live from the Pleasance Courtyard, on Fresh Air in aid of Waverley Care, the Edinburgh-based charity supporting those affected by HIV and Hepatitis C.

Katherine Ryan: From baby beauty pageants to stardom

Hotly-tipped Canadian comic Katherine Ryan talks about her first job as a reality TV presenter and the challenge of balancing motherhood with an increasingly successful comedy career.

Video: Stewart Francis talks about joke win

A gag about David and Victoria Beckham has won comedian Stewart Francis the award for the best joke of the Edinburgh Fringe.

Stewart Lee interview

Stewart Lee - currently playing the Edinburgh Festival - talks panel shows, Jimmy Carr, and cost-effective comedy.

Sean Hughes interview

Sean Hughes discusses his Edinburgh shows, why stand-up comedy and TV are a bad mix, and the death of his father.

James Everett adds his voice to the Fringe ticket price

'What if Michael McIntyre was charging £50? Is it then OK to pay £25 for Stewart Lee?'

Five-minute festival: Sandi Toksvig

Comedian Sandi Toksvig returns to Edinburgh for the first time since 2001 with a show linked to her new book, Valentine Grey. Here's her guide to the festival.

David Hasselhoff: 'It's about my crazy journey.'

David Hasselhoff, whose one-man show runs for a week at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, talks to Celia Walden.

Rape jokes: It's about the comic and the context

As a female comic who has dealt head on with the issue of rape, I debated whether to include it in my show this year. It's a hot comedy topic to be sure - between the controversy with Daniel Tosh in the US, and the countless anecdotes of male comics shoehorning it into sets for shock value, as illustrated by Tanya Gold's well-written piece in the Guardian at the weekend.

Will joy help me get through the end of the Fringe?

We are over half way through the Fringe. It's the weird but fun tipping point where we're nearly on the home straight but not quite sick of everything yet. There are clues we are half way through this glorious test of endurance. Firstly the comedians are starting to look a bit tired. Secondly, when you speak to them, they say 'I am a bit tired.'

Interview: Stephen Carlin

Performers don't just stumble across cult comedian status. It takes a certain curious kind of steely determination, a masochistic urge to throw yourself at reticent audiences in dingy clubs again and again, to make it as a stand up. The need for such perseverance is doubled if you're offering something a bit different, material and a persona that has a tendency to divide people. Stephen Carlin is just such a comedian.

Darby day

Jay Richardson talks to Rhys Darby about almost drowning, the army and life after Flight of the Concords.

Dear Rachel: Jim Smallman

Our resident agony aunt Rachel Stubbings continues to stub out comedians' problems. Jim Smallman is the next to write in for a touch of her unrivaled wisdom.

'Comics should avoid the Fringe spending binge'

This year more than ever, the cost of performing at one of the main Edinburgh Fringe venues is being questioned. Why should the festival's talent carry the cost burden? Is it worth it for them? Comic/rapper Doc Brown moved into comedy from the music business - and says comedians could learn a few things from musicians.

Ruby Wax to judge So You Think You're Funny? 2012

It's one of the most prestigious competitions for up-and-coming stand-up comedians - and on Thursday the winner will be determined by a panel of judges including TV and comedy star Ruby Wax.

Hugh Grant turned away from Edinburgh comedy show

Actor refused entry by bouncers after some members of his party were unable to provide proof of age.

Naz Osmanoglu finds empire in Edinburgh

An interview with Naz Osmanoglu about his show Ottoman Without An Empire.

Jen Brister's Fringe: or Why I Ignore The Critics

Stand-up comedian Jen Brister shares her latest insights from the Edinburgh Fringe.