Vlad’s week two guide to the best comedy shows

Double Scottish comedy award winner Vladimir McTavish provides a guide to the top comedy shows to see in week two

POLITICAL ANIMAL
The Stand Comedy Club, York Place, 11.20pm, 15^th-17^th and 22^nd-24^th Aug
You can only see this late-night show on a weekday, and it shares the same time slot as The Stand’s Friday and Saturday Late Show.  Hosted by the hilarious Andy Zaltzman, there is a changing line-each night, some of the finest political comedians from throughout the world.

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.

RICHARD GADD: MONKEY SEE, MONKEY DO
Summerhall
This is definitely a show to catch on a week night, as it will almost certainly be sold out at the weekends. The surprise winner of last year’s Edinburgh Comedy Award, Gadd presents a hugely moving autobiographical show which deals with an incredibly dark event in his life.

PUPPET FICTION
Laughing Horse @ The counting House, West Nicholson Street 
I make no apologies for continually recommending this hilarious hour of comedy. Indeed, it is proving such a hit this year that you will be lucky to get a seat at the weekend.  Back for a third successive year, these puppeteers-cum-improvisers from New Zealand are presenting one of the most unique events at the Fringe, telling the story of the classic movie Pulp Fiction through the medium of puppetry.  Their pupating skills alone can often draw uproarious laughter and their spontaneous wit and love of the absurd make this a must-see show.

FERN BRADY: SUFFER, FOOLS
The Stand Comedy Club, Stand 2, North St David Street
One of the most caustic yet hilarious comics to have emerged from the Scottish comedy scene over the past few years, Fern Brady has built up a following large and faithful enough to be selling out larger rooms in the evening.  However, this prefers to perform at lunchtimes during the Fringe. This hour of thought-provoking stand-up is the ideal way to start your day at the Festival.

LAUGHING HORSE PICK OF THE FRINGE
Laughing Horse @ Cabaret Voltaire, Blair Street
Of all the afternoon showcase gigs on the Fringe, this is by far the most enjoyable, set in the atmospheric cavern that is the basement of Cabaret Voltaire.  With a regularly-changing bill of some of the best acts on the Fringe, the show is compered by the affably charming Dave Chawner.  This is definitely one event to go to on a week day, as the venue tends to be packed to the rafters on Saturdays and Sundays.

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 27^th August