Double Scottish comedy award winner Vladimir McTavish gives his tips for the best shows to see over the final weekend of the Fringe
JO-JO SUTHERLAND & SUSAN MORRISON: FANNIES AHOY! Stand 2, Stand Comedy Club. North St David Street, 5.10pm
One of the surprise hit shows of this year’s festival, as Ms Morrison and Ms Sutherland only decided to do the Fringe at the last minute. Two of the best comperes in Scotland, they have put together a delightful hour of inter-active comedy, largely improvised from suggestions from the audience. Marvellous, silly stuff.
DONALD ALEXANDER & STUART McPHERSON
The Nightcap, York Place. 8pm
The Nightcap bar on York Place next door to The Stand opened just before last year’s Fringe and is running a programme of shows featuring new Scottish comedy talent. This two-hander features a pair of the most promising up-and-coming acts on the Scottish circuit, performing half and hour each. Alexander was voted Best Newcomer at the 2017 Scottish Comedy Awards, McPherson having won the same title last year. These two comics are utter polar opposites in terms of their performance styles and their world view, but they complement each other perfectly, Alexander’s nervy awkwardness proving the ideal foil to McPherson’s assured, laconic self-deprecation.
CHARMIAN HUGHES: SOIXANTE MIRTH (right)
Stand 4, Stand Comedy Club, York Place. 2.25pm
I saw this show at the Dunedin Fringe in New Zealand and it is a heart-warming life-affirming hour in the company of one of the UK’s most under-rated comics. Indeed, after 25 years on the circuit, it is pleasing to see her finally receiving the acclaim she has long deserved. She was nominated for the comedy award at this year’s Buxton Fringe for this show which celebrates her reaching the milestone age of sixty. A must-see show.
GUS LYMBURN: BUFFOONERY
Scottish Comedy Festival @ The Beehive, Grassmarket. 5.15pm
Gus Lymburn is not a character comedian, but some audiences may be forgiven for thing the opposite. A true force of nature, Lymburn is one of the funniest people in Scotland. His of-the-cuff, often alcohol-fuelled flights of fancy make him one of the must-see acts on the Fringe. All the more so this year, as he is talking about quitting comedy at the end of August. I certainly hope that he doesn’t, as the Scottish stand-up scene will b much the poorer without him. However, just in case he does, do make sure to catch this hour of madcap, infectious nonsense.
KEV’S KOMEDY KITCHEN, THE SECOND CUMIN
Just The Tonic at The Mash House, Guthrie Street,
Kevin Dewsbury and back for a second year, with another hour of kitchen-based silliness. This live cookery show, which features a different guest every day, takes place in a real kitchen, which they built in the venue, and which they brought up from Manchester on the train. A delightful hour of daftness.
JOHN SCOTT: DELUSIONS
Laughing Horse @ Espionage, Victoria Street 6.30pm
John Scott was one of the best new wave of Scottish stand-ups to emerge in the late 1990’s when The Stand Comedy Club first opened its doors. In the subsequent 18 years, Scott has carved out a reputation as one of the most effective comedians in the country. Having written some overtly political over the past few years, Scott takes a departure from this path in 2017. “Delusions” is an intensely personal piece about his struggle with bi-polar condition, but no less hilarious than his previous offerings.
Vladimir McTavish’s solo show at the 2017 Fringe, “Scotland: The State Of The Nation” runs at The Stand Comedy Club at 7.30 pm daily until 27th August
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