Double Scottish comedy award winner Vladimir McTavish provides his tips for comedy shows to see in Edinburgh as the Fringe enters week three
KATE COPSTICK & JOHN FLEMING: THE GROUCHY CLUB
Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, West Nicholson Street. 2.15pm
Ease yourself into a day on the Fringe with this hour of chat. The grande-dame of UK comedy critics, Kate Copstick joins forces with Fringe stalwart and founder of the Malcolm Hardee Comedy Awards John Fleming, in a gentle afternoon pre-amble to a day on the Fringe. The proceeds of the show all g to charity.
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.
THE FIVE-THIRTY CABARET
New Town Theatre, George Street. 5.30pm
Previously housed in The Famous Speigeltent in St Andrew Square Gardens, this early evening show has re-located to the New Town Theatre at the West End of George Street, which serves as a Masonic Hall for the other eleven months of the year. A mix of of comedy, variety and burlesque, it is perfect teatime entertainment,
LJ DA FUNK: LAST BREXIT TO ‘OOKLYN
Laughing Horse @ Moriarty’s, Lothian Road. 8.45pm
I recommended this show at the start of the Fringe, on the basis of having seen it in preview in Brighton. In the subsequent two months, he has truly grown into a masterpiece of satirical comedy. Allegedly from Greenbow in Alabama, LJ Da Funk is really the invention of Hertfordshire-born Zak Splijt, LJ comes on stage in gangster rap chic, complete with beanie hat and cheap bling., after which he proceeds to deliver an hour of acutely-observed comedy about Brexit. Satirical and silly in turn, this is one of the finest political shows on this year’s Fringe.
TOPICAL STORM
Stand 2, Stand Comedy Club, York Place 6.20pm
This show runs monthly throughout the year at The Stand, where it has built up a healthy following. Hosted by world-class imposer Stuart Murphy, this show also comprises satirical comic Keir McAllister plus a wide range of guests including Mark Nelson. The show is a mix of stand-up, cross-patter and video footage and is one of the finest satirical shows currently running in the UK.
BOB DOOLALLY’S LOAD OF OLD BALLS
Stand 3, Stand Comedy Club, York Place. 9.10pm 21st and 22nd August only
A star of BBC Scotland’s iconic Live Floor Show, Bob Doolally (you may recognise him in another guise) purports to be a legendary Scottish footballer-cum-manager-cum media pundit, with a serious drink problem and even more serious anger management issues.
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 www.outstandingtickets.com
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