Sad Faces Threw A Party ****

This show has a simple premise. Three guys hosting a party, but there is a better party downstairs.

The Sad Faces by the looks of things are a pretty experienced sketch troupe from London, so you'd expect a pretty high laughs per minute and that's exactly what this show delivers.

They keep your attention for the full hour, it's surreal in a good way, and some of the "Icebreaker conversation starters" that people could go either way on, got more and more ridiculous as the show went on but they were a particular highlight from me.

Although I wasn't totally blown away at any point (maybe I've seen too much of this type of comedy at the Fringe), but I still enjoyed it a lot.

A very safe bet for an afternoon show. They won't disappoint.

Don't Drop The Egg ****

Some shows at the Fringe take themselves really seriously. Too many do actually. Far too many.

You can sometimes feel the intensity of the performers trying desperately hard to get noticed, suffering for their craft, even when they are putting on a pretty silly comedy show!

Other times, you get a bunch of lads who just want to arse around on stage and play exaggerated versions of themselves to see how they get on. Don't Drop The Egg is very much that. Three ex-rugby players, acting like rugby players, but turning it into an hour long play.

Certainly in the UK, pretty much everybody has either played rugby, dated a rugby player, or at least watched a bunch of rugger-buggers "on the lash" - quite possibly ruining everyone else's night out, so everyone can relate to these guys pretty much straight away.

The players welcome you in to the venue by psyching you up and asking for a "big game performance" and for the rest of the show, you are one of them; transported into the changing rooms as the "Clapham Falcons" prepare for the biggest match in their history.

The show evolved from a youtube clip which went viral and this is the first time they have ever performed live. There were one or two signs that this was the case, mainly in the structure of the play which had an ideal ending around 40 minutes in (which I can't mention without spoiling the play) which was followed by a "job interview" sketch that could have gone in far earlier and was much lower energy than the previous part.

But that didn't take away from the fact that it was a great little show in a great little room for this type of comedy (Pleasance Cellar). I've seen some brilliant stuff in there over the years including Adam Riches and "Bad Play" who are both five star shows and whilst these guys aren't at that level just yet they certainly have a similar brand of comedy which is unadulterated pretentious-free fun.

An absolute must see for all rugby types!

Minnie and Mona Play Dead ***

My first day of the Fringe had more surrealism than most and Minnie and Mona Play Dead certainly had a degree of weird about it.

It's a play about suicide, but it's funny... says the flyer.

When I took the ticket I knew it was a bit of a gamble... How funny can a play about suicide be?

It turns out that the warnings about the play being about that are overstated. It's mentioned a few times and there are 1-2 deliberately provocative mentions but overall, it's pretty tame compared to other stuff I've seen at the Fringe that didn't have such warnings... and there were quite a few laugh out loud funny moments in the play as well.

The best bit of the play was the two actors who were very into their characters, had a high degree of professionalism and didn't even come close to fluffing a line (an achievement on day one).

The worst part for me was that the storyline was slightly over-layered. When you get a play about people putting on a play things can get confusing and although I followed the plot and the sub-plot it was kind of hard work to keep up. I like to relax into a show and enjoy the performance without having to think too hard and when the actors go from playing themselves (but still in character) to playing their actual character you feel you have to concentrate a little bit harder.

Again that's very much just my opinion and others might enjoy the complications and call me too simplistic.

But overall I was impressed with the show and I definitely would see the same theatre company put a different play on (although I wouldn't be so keen to see a different theatre company put on the same play).

In The Words of Meatloaf... **

My first show at the Fringe this year was character comedian Joe Fairbrother.

His show is set in a small performance area in the McEwan Hall, or "Daisy" as it's known by the Underbelly team.

Around 13 other people joined me for what was going to be a tricky show at the best of times as lunch time crowds are not known for their liveliness.

Fairbrother is certainly a very likeable chap, his appearance is fairly similar to Simon Amstell, he's slim with dark wavy hair and he has a similar smiley way about him.

My problem was that his character comedy just didn't work in a room so small with so few people. It doesn't have any punch lines, instead he relies in getting laughs from a kind of David Brent style of awkwardness which didn't bear much fruit on this occasion.

I always feel bad giving two stars to a comic that has potential to do better, but was unable to when I was there due to the general circumstances. I could see his act working in a friendlier space at a later time slot with a bigger audience, but at that time, with that crowd in that space, it didn't.

It's a massive, massive challenge for comedians to go from friendly comedy clubs at night time, to soulless temporary performance spaces during the day and still get the same level of response from the crowd. It's a particularly hard ask on day one of the Fringe.

He certainly isn't the first to have a bad opening day and he will no means be the last. But it was a bad opening day.

2013... It's Almost Time

The thing I've noticed about this Fringe is that there have been no massive pre-fringe controversies.

There are no worries about clashing with the Olympics any more... It's back to the usual performers complaining about the Fringe being elitist, with the big four venues hoovering up all the cash and the up and coming acts complaining that the "Live at the Apollo" crew are stealing all the punters!

Richard Herring is giving away a free DVD with his show this year instead of paying a fortune for posters and flyers, which prompted less well known comedian Lewis Schaffer to give away Richard Herring DVD's with his tickets! Nice touch!

The Fringe has long had the reputation with performers of being a money drain with little reward. The old phrase "You might as well stand in a shower for a month ripping up £50 notes" has become so well used that I think almost everyone, including me has forgotten who originally said it!

But I think all performers should be coming into the Fringe with their eyes open now! The Free Festival and Free Fringe set up's both give people the chance to make a name for themselves without an initial outlay and if you're good enough you will be spotted eventually.

I've got my week off planned for the opening days of the Fringe and as usual I'll be posting all my experiences, good and bad, on here. I'll try not to be too controversial (my Spank review at the tail end of last year ruffled a few feathers, but I stand by everything I said).

In previous years I've posted lists of shows that people should see. If I do that again I'll just be repeating myself as I've not had as many chances to get out and see lots of local acts this year. All the acts I've recommended previously are still excellent.

If you are stumbling across my blog for the first time them may I point you in the direction of some previous posts:

The Big Four Venues Versus the Rest (with an interesting alternative viewpoint at the bottom).

How to make the Perfect Fringe Show

Tips for People Giving Out Flyers

And finally my tips for getting the best value out of the Fringe (since writing this, the area around Bristo Square has become a much better place to pick up free tickets as well).

As well as blogging and Tweeting I'm going to try my have at using Vine videos and if I meet any interesting performers I'll maybe give them 6 seconds which will get tweeted out!

Less than a week to go!

Burns Night

Burns night is coming up soon.. Here is my gift to you.... A modern twist on Tam O'Shanter.

As teenage neds ride on the bus

Wi’ ilka plukes across their puss

As Chelsea tractors sit and wait

Aboot the sonsie posh school gate

While noble men traipse hame fae toil

Wi clobber stained in engine oil

They ogle as they pass the nappy

But they’ve got tae keep their woman happy...

The workers pass a lonely hearse

As centuries turn, the roles reverse

Just like the honest gent inside

Man’s freedom’s on a one track ride

It’s time for maidens fair tae shine

Tae play the bingo, drink ilka wine

Get fou an roll back in at three

While the bairns sit on their faither’s knee

This truth fand honest Tam O’Toole

He’d picked his lad up fae the school

And took him hame tae watch the telly

While Kate went oot tae gaun get wellied

His boy was the apple o’ his eye

His joy his pride, for him he’d die

Tam wis right proud, his son his glory

But his mother, that’s a different story!!!

E’er since the wean had come along

The passion and the spark was gone

Her beauty faded every year

Unlike her e’er expanding rear

Tam ne’er got too many chances

Tae enjoy the thrill o’ Kate’s advances

When she was fou, she’d try it on

But by then Tam’s will was all but gone

So to our tale: A lonely night

Tam hame alone, the telly shite

Nae fitba’ on, no’ e’en darts

Just the smell of curry and wee Tam’s farts

His take away dish, stuffed in the bin

Kate could put a new bag in

If bingo’s where she wants to go

He’ll let the rubbish overflow

Then in the corner of his eye

A shinin’ sleek we toy he spied

The lid still open, light still on

Surely nothing could go wrong

Silence flowed around the hoose

Tam quickly glowered at the moose

Wee sleekit cowerin’ snazzy device

Keep well clear was Kate’s advice

But the internet’s a spider’s web

It grabs you at your lowest ebb

It drags you in wi’ muckle force

And for any pleasure provides a source

Tam gave the tim’rous mouse a shoogle

And before he’d even opened google

He felt a stirring in his loins

And his fingers wandered to his groin

Oh Tam, what pleasures await inside

The web will take you for a ride

Whate’er your secret heart desires

The web will light a thousand fires

Tam started off wi’ something light

Lesbians going out for the night

Walking past a random jogger

Chatting her up and trying to snog her

His heart was beating ilka fast

He didnae ken how long he’s last

So he minimised these ladies fair

His heart was set on something mair

His mind cast back to Halloween

His last one as a lonely teen

Invited to a student party

We lassies fair and ilka arty

A noble witch had caught his eye

And no matter how young Tam did try

He couldnae forget that cutty sark

As he wandered hame, long after dark

E’er since that night his heart was turned

And deep inside the passion burned

Not for lassies, fair and fine

But for girls wi’ evil oan their mind

And what better way to relive that pleasure

Than by browsing websites at his leisure

He quickly typed in Halloween

And was fair bowled o’er by what he’d seen

Girls dressed like de’ils, a sullen witch

They hardly even wore a stitch

Zombie sluts, the walking dead

All doing things that can’t be said

Tam coudnae stand it any mair

He dropped his troosers oan the flair

But in his haste tae bash and pound

He didnae hear a janglin’ sound

O’ Tam, you’re in some trouble deep

You really should be fast asleep

Instead you’re dreamin’ o’ lassies fair

As Kate comes wanderin’ up the stair

Through the hall to the living room door

She dropped her keys doon on the floor

She wandered in, switched on the light

And chanced upon a hideous sight

Luck wisnae on poor auld Tam’s side

The light on full, nae chance tae hide

The timing wisnae helpful too

As she wandered in, he fired his goo

He grabbed his loins with all his strength

But it wouldnae stay inside his length

He let it go and started squirtin’

All over Katie’s brand new curtains

Silence fell across the room

And Tam could sense impending doom

With Kate’s jaw still stuck to the floor

He bolted for the living room door

But Kate was closer and won the race

Her ample frame not leaving space

Tam had to stop and accept his fate

His chances weren’t looking great

His eyes looked up and met her stare

Would she be angry, would she care?

Tam got his answer fairly quick

As she gave his baws a muckle kick

Tam’ doubled o’er and near’ passed out

As Kate gave him a piercing shout

“Ya’ filthy shite, ya’ durty clart

Chuggin’ o’er a dirty tart

Stop cryin’ like a little lass

Or I’ll stick ma high heels up your arse

I can’t believe you ruined ma curtain

I hope your baws are really hurtin’”

But by no means was the violence finished

And as poor Tam’s tiny cock diminished

Shrivelled, yes, but not too small

For a well aimed handbag to the balls

As he lay there, bollocks almost deid

She cracked an ash tray o’er his heid

He slumped across the living room floor

So she jammed his fingers in the door

Then finally the coup de grace

She smashed his guitar across his face

She finally stormed off in the hump

Leavin’ poor Tams willy, scarce a stump

With the violence finally at an end

She left his poor old cock to mend

He thought it was over, he had no idea

That weekend, they were off to Ikea

“I want new curtain’s; guess who’s payin’”

Was Kate’s brand new favourite saying

“An ashtray too, and a brand new rug

The last one’s covered in your blood”

So whene’er to wank, you are inclined

And dirty thoughts run in your mind

Check she’s no’ comin’ up the stair

And remember Kate and poor Tam’s mare.

Edinburgh Outside the Fringe

The Fringe is wrapped up and everyone, except a few local enthusiasts like me, have disappeared and gone home.

Whilst I try to support live comedy all year round, a mixture of work and personal commitments and lack of cash prevent me from getting out as much as I like and seeing acts... and when I do, I tend to go to the cheaper new act gigs, partly because of the price, but also because I like to see up and coming acts and keep my finger on the pulse.

We all know that Kevin Bridges or Jimmy Carr will sell out the Playhouse or the Festival Theatre and The Stand will sell out at the weekend with the best acts all going there.

But outside of that, what is there for comedy enthusiasts in Edinburgh? Not a lot to be honest. It seems that most Edinburgers prefer to feast on comedy and culture during August and barely dip their toes in the rest of the year.

The Beehive Inn runs comedy three nights per week (Friday and Saturday plus a weekday new acts night) and a few comics occasionally run other nights in upstairs rooms of pubs, including a good monthly one at The Counting House. I've been to both the Beehive and the Counting House and audiences have been decidedly average. There are some good new acts competitions including the Laughing Horse (next up on 5th and 6th December) and the Scottish Comedian of the Year competition gets a lot of publicity too.

But all of the above doesn't exactly represent a lot of bums on seats and many of them will be visitors from outside Edinburgh (or friends and relatives of the acts in the case of the competitions).

So why is it that locals don't venture out to see live comedy during the rest of the year? Perhaps they don't think that they'll get the same quality? But in my experience, that worry is simply unfounded.

My friend Nik Coppin, (whom I've mentioned before on the blog) is coming to Edinburgh this weekend with his Shaggers Christmas Special tour. I spoke to him just before tickets went on sale he was slightly unsure about his decision to come to Edinburgh.

"I'm just not sure about Edinburgh outwith the Fringe" He said "We come here during the Festival and put on a show for free and that's fine because we're part of the Free Festival which means we are not forking out as much on expenses, but when you come to Edinburgh the rest of the year you've got a lot of costs to cover and you're not always confident you'll get it back".

But take a look at his show... It's at the same venue as during the Festival... The upstairs room at the Three Sisters so it's slap bang in the middle of town during party season. He's got a great line up including local favourite Bruce Fummey as well as Sameena Zehra, Paul Gannon and Janice Phayre. Tickets are only £10, reasonably priced for a Saturday night with all pros on the bill!

Yet he thinks he's going to have to flyer like mad just to get enough people to break even.

The lure of a sell out Fringe show seems to do the trick in other cities throughout UK, but not in Edinburgh itself it seems!

So here is my shameless plug... Get out and see Shaggers! Or if you can't make it, go and see some new acts during the week at the Comedy Competition at the Beehive! The only way for the comedy scene in Edinburgh to improve, is for people to get out and support it!