The Phoenix (Broughton Street)

13-18 / 20-24 August

20.45

Free Fringe

This afternoon I was walking across the top of Broughton Street, when I found myself accosted by a crazy-haired, flyer-waving individual named Victor Pope, shouting, ‘a wet piece of card you’re gonna look at once & then throw away!” So I took the flyer, but instead of throwing it away I decided to give this love-able scamp a chance.

Partnered by a sasquatchesque all-round musician named Roy, Victor proceeds to strum his guitar like a man possessed & croon his way through a series of increasingly funny songs. His subjects often leaves the audience tittering (or leaving the room in the case of Kunt), ranging ftrom pscychotic dentists  & the political persuasion of Jesus. My favorite song, which Ive dug out on you-tube, was called Careers Advice for the Young at Heart.

Victor also mixes things up with a couple of hilarious poems & a pastiche parady of Fifty Shades of Grey, which I didn’t quite get cos I haven’t read the book, but the girls beside me were tittering all the way through.  These, combined with the pretty decent standard of musician for a comedy singer, & the sheer uniqueness of his material has earned the fellow FIVE STARS.

Reviewer : Simon Sumner

Pleasance Courtyard

Aug 10-24,

21:45 pm- 22:45 pm

Prices: £ 8.5o- 9.5o

The Canadian John Hastings took the audience through an autobiographical ‘adventure,’ commencing with his childhood & concluding with his becomeing a stand-up comedian in London. It was all rather reminiscent of Wordsworth’s epic poem, the Prelude. On the way, John described how he was bullied as a fat child, the drunken nights in London and a story with the Megabus. There were some funny bits particularly when it comes to the cultural differences between Canada and the UK. For me, the way he described his entry via the UK borders was probably my only amusing part of the show.

On the other hand, there was a bit too much shouting. It looked more like a theatrical performance than a stand-up comedy. He tended to spice up the show by intimidating the audience. However, this made the session uncomfortable. In addition I am not sure about whether people from audience who he swore at found it acceptable – & taking off his shirt while describing a drunken night did not make the bit funnier and more exiting.

This was an average show with too much noise. Some parts demonstrated his potential, which I believe could be improved upon by a tad better writing. TWO STARS 

Reviewer: Grace

Assembly Roxy

2-24 August

21.30

£8-£10

Tony Roberts is a wise-cracking, highly amiable sorcerer from Australia. This occasional escapologist now finds himself in Edinburgh performing some amazing, & I mean amazing, card tricks. After twenty minutes of funny introductions to his life & world – like the time he asked his wife to play a game – guess the flavour of his flavoured condoms, & she said cheese & onion & he said he hadn’t put one on yet – he asked two members of the audience onto the stage to be his assistants. 

There follows a series of card-tricks that literally leaves the audience gasping. He has the ability to click his fingers & change cards right before your eyes. The highlight for me was after a comprehensive shuffle of the deck, he managed to deal out in sequence every level of hand in texas hold em poker, concluding with the final hand of the 2005 World Series of Poker.

Tony’s comedy is a little bit dodgy at times, & occasionaly he finds himself the only one laughing in the room. ‘That one’s for me,’ he’d quickly quip & swiftly move on with his show. But it hardly matters, for his magic is the true star of the show, or should or say FIVE STARS.

Reviewer : Damo Bullen

Ace Dome

11-25 Aug (not 12)

17.20

£8.50-£12

With an introduction of How Deep is Your Love, the tone seemed to be set for the show. Slow-moving gags directed at relationships left us wondering where the laughs would come from, but his Glaswegian take on relationships started to throw up a good few laughs and allowed the audience to finally engage . A show that everyone could relate to when it comes to the  love of your life. As stand up goes, the pace was a bit shuffly, and was more like story telling at some points – but whenever the right points were hit the audience were in fits off laughter!

I sensed the audience left the room feeling the good factor, but maybe a few more laughs would have sealed an extra star. Indeed, as the couple behind me were leaving, I overheard them they arguing  in a very heated manner about the show and its contents, with both having complete opposite takes on it! For me, it will have to be THREE STARS.

Reviewer : Spud

Stand 4

14.20

12-24 August

£7-£8

Born in India, Sameena Zehra moved to London where she picked up both the accent & the native British wit. The crux of her show is a ‘cull-list,’ where she targets the certain ‘undesirables’ of society in order to cleanse humanity. I mean, its a little brutal, but the subject provides Sameena with an interesting angle to approach her comedy.

Visceral & honest, she connects well with the audience, touches a wide range of subjects & litters her quite intelligent patter with genuine jokes. If one is looking for thought-provoking comedy,  Sameena is a good bet. THREE STARS

Reviewer : Damo Bullen

Assembly George Square Gardens (Venue 3)
Aug 5-7, 9-25
£ 10.50 – 11.50
18:20

The fabulous four are back again with their fifth show at Edinburgh Fringe, The Big Screw Up!  I thoroughly enjoyed Four Screws Loose a couple of years ago in the Bosco tent, so my hopes were high!  Thankfully they did not disappoint, maintaining their fast-paced, energetic, hilarious sketch show skills, even though Joseph had broke his ankle doing Beyonce’s ‘single ladies’ routine!  Directed by Matthew Floyd Jones (Frisky and Mannish), this original, explosive comedy and music show is unpretentious and extremely funny.

Instead of politely requesting audience patrons to switch off our mobile phone, it’s portrayed through a musical number including the delights of wikipedia and an obsession of YouPorn via the mobile.  The FSL team give it their all through high-energy routines, sing original music, ludicrous outfit changes, dance sets and parodies.  See a community choir conducted by a gangster rapper, Home and Away boxing match, Great British Bake Off/Breaking Bad spoof, Carol’s favourite Christmas sketch, a different heavy metal band, burger love, a brilliant take on Jeremy Kyle, The Panto and finally a 1980s medley!

The boys work effortless well with one another, showing off their impressive vocal talents and topical humor.  Described by them as “Funny, fast, furious, frolicking, fundamental, filling, fluffy, most words beginning with F. Have we left any out?”  Expect some audience participation, entertaining from start to finish. Constant laughs throughout, with standing ovation from the audience at the end. 4 fabulous stars

Reviewer : Sarah Lewis

22:45 (60 mins)
30, 31 Jul; 1-10, 12-17, 19-24 Aug 2014
Gilded Balloon Teviot – Dining Room
£9-£13

Sirens go off as Hope & Gloria, the hostesses of Club Titty Bar Ha Ha are caught for killing their ex hushand/lover.  Sentenced to life in prison.  Both dressed in tight black corsets, scarlet shinny leggings and black towering heels they kick off the show with a song.  We, the audience, are the designated inmates and the dirty duo want us to help them escape!  They share moonshine shots with us and create various ludicrous games to find the cream of the crop to assist their escape.

This is the second part in their trilogy of live shows following last years show.  They sing their way through musical smut, their hateful friendship, youth lingo, fuck buddies, porn and spinsters.  The devilishly fifthly pair work well together, by means of witty jokes and showing off their musical talents. Follow their prison journey as they plan to break out utilising blow-up dolls, moonshine, seduction and the inmate recruites.  Pull you’re best sex face and join their crusade!  It’s going to be ‘Fucking Vintage Darling’! 3 super stars

Reviewer : Sarah Lewis