ARGComFest at King's Cross this Sunday: the line-up in full
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The 18 Edinburgh previews at King's Cross this Sunday, fully dissected...
There are eighteen (EIGHTEEN) eighteen comedians at the Actually Rather Good Comedy Festival (or ARGComFest, as you may have read some teenagers texting it) this Sunday. This is quite a lot of comedy.
But guess what? We've been doing handy Edinburgh round-ups of late which we're hitting up to help you decide who you want to see.
Before we hit that, a few words from the organiser...
Natassia Caffery says: “I've been thinking about putting on a day of previews like this for a couple of years, after seeing Lisa Keddie's 'Jokes Newington', which was so much fun. She wasn't able to repeat it the following year as she was too busy and I and a lot of my comedy-going friends were really disappointed. We essentially wanted to put on a comedy festival that we would go to, with all of our favourite acts playing.
“Selfishly, I'll be working a lot in Edinburgh this year (teching shows) so I was worried that I'd miss out on seeing a lot of shows!
“I see a lot of comedy and have so many acts that I'd call my 'favourites', so it was very hard to choose who to have on, and has ended up being determined more by asking everyone and having the acts who could make it.
“I think we have a good balance of sketch and stand-up and most of the bookings are based on me seeing a preview and absolutely loving it. Most of the acts I've been following for years, bar two.”
Pappy's: Last Show Ever!
Pleasance Dome, 1-27 August, 20:20
What we say
The title say it's their last show ever, but let's be honest: whatever comes out of it is going to be worth seeing. The parents of modern sketch invention, it's silliness done in a way that doesn't make your skin crawl.
What they say
Pappy's return with a brand new show full of sketches, songs and silliness! But is this really the end for 'the funniest sketch troupe on the fringe'? (Scotsman). After appearances on Channel 4, Radio 4 and BBC3, five hit Edinburgh shows, three national tours and two award-winning podcasts, are they finally throwing in the towel? Edinburgh Award nominees, Chortle Award winners, Loaded LAFTA winners. **** (Independent on Sunday). **** (Mirror). **** (Chortle.co.uk). 'Masterful comic invention' (Guardian). 'A jaw-dropping, laugh-a-second spectacular from three young men who are supremely talented writers and performers' (Chortle.co.uk).
A video
Hear without your ears:
Max and Ivan are...Con Artists
Pleasance Courtyard, 1-27 August, 15:30
What we say
Fresh from their Edinburgh Comedy Awards panel prize in 2011, the sharpest-dressed duo in comedy return with a plot-driven sketch show with a lot of a lot of characters. Expect a bellowing, limb-driven performance (as in, they're good at larking about and using a space well).
What they say
Six ex-cons, one final job. The Hacker. The Smooth Talker. The Mercenary. The Driver. The Architect. And Graham (he does HR, mainly). All are reunited by the Ringleader to conduct one final sting - taking down a sinister oligarch. If we told you any more, we'd have to kill you. Luckily, that's more or less the plot. An epic narrative sketch comedy heist from Max and Ivan. Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Award Winners/Total Sell Out Show 2011. 'Hugely ambitious and impressive' (Guardian). TimeOut Critics' Choice. Directed by Jessica Ransom (Horrible Histories, Doc Martin).
A video
The pair chat with our friends at Com Comedy:
Henning Wehn: Wehn Knows Bestest
Just The Tonic at the Caves, 15-26 August, 21:15
What we say
The Radio 4 favourite goes for a lot of easy laughs about Germany, but the description for this year's show suggests we might be going in a new direction. He's a solid comic so this could all work out rather well...
What they say
The German comedy ambassador is a fountain of knowledge; he knows there's no shortcut to success, hard work will eventually pay off and life should mean life. But even Henning doesn't know which separatist idiot decided to schedule the Olympic Games to coincide with the Fringe. Recent radio and TV appearances include Matt Lucas Awards BBC1, QI BBC2, Dave's One Night Stand, 7 Day Sunday and Fighting Talk Radio 5 Live, Now Show and News Quiz BBC Radio 4 and his own six part BBC Radio2 series Henning Knows Best.'Side-splittingly funny' (Scotsman).
A video
On Dave's One Night Stand:
Bridget Christie: War Donkey
(from our pick of the New Reliables)
The Assembly Rooms, 1-26 August, times vary
What we say
This year's show description sounds like the housewife surrealist is engaging with reality, albeit her own intriguing version of it – and given the fierce intelligence that has clearly lurked beneath the gag-heavy performance of past, this can only be a good thing.
If we were doing a top five shows we're excited about this year, this would probably be on the list, I would think..
What they say
What are Tory feminists? How did Hitler choose soups in restaurants? Why isn’t there a Spielberg blockbuster about donkeys, and why did Colonel Gadaffi hate them? Bridget Christie knows. And will wear stilts. Baffling stand-up and grotesque manifestations from someone who’s been on Radio 4’s News Quiz, E4’s Cardinal Burns, Sarah Millican’s Support Group and Harry Hill’s Little Internet Show. ‘Avant-garde comedian of prodigious talent’ (Guardian). ‘True, beautiful insanity’ (Sunday Times). ‘Brilliant political bite’ (Arts Desk). ‘Insightful, intelligent, absurd … hits highs of genuine brilliance’ (Chortle.co.uk).
A video
Here's Bridget as an ant:
Sara Pascoe: The Musical!
Assembly George Square, 1-27 August, 21:15
What we say
Incredibly it's only two years since Pascoe's debut Edinburgh solo show, but she's had her fingers in so many other comedy pies you wouldn't tell.
Utterly engaging in a distracted sort of way, the description of this year's show sounds like the best take on the 'here's my life' solo show. Should be a winner.
What they say
The uplifting and inspiring tale of Sara who lived from the 1980s to 2012. Sara was born as a baby, meaning she could neither talk nor walk, but she didn't let this hold her back, she faced adversity in the face and grew up to be the overachiever you're all jealous of today. The show includes catchy tunes, stand-up and many morals. Sara's life includes being on TV in Stand Up For the Week, Todd Margaret, Free Agents and Campus (C4), The Thick of It, Being Human and Twenty Twelve (BBC).
A video
Here's one of those they-get-good-people Amnesty videos featuring Sara:
Michael Legge: What A Shame
The Stand, 1-26 August, times vary
What we say
Filing Michael Legge into a category for our picks would have been difficult if it weren't for Gregg Jevin, the star of Twitter obits that Legge organised a memorial night for at the Soho Theatre. The Robin Ince collaborator returns for his second solo show.
What they say
Try to imagine being caught by your mum with your trousers down kissing a statue of Kim Jong Il made out of ladies’ underwear you stole from Poundland. And then come and see this show. Award-winning comedian Michael Legge returns to the Fringe to explain why there’s no shame in being embarrassed. No matter how much of an idiot you’ve made of yourself, Michael has done way worse and, disturbingly, he’s proud of it. It’s time to embrace your inner beetroot. Better red than dead! www.facebook.com/michael.legge.
A video
Here's Legge and Ince singing for children:
Thom Tuck Flips Out
Pleasance Dome, 1-27 August, 20:10
What we say
Last year's Straight to DVD show put Thom squarely on the solo, post-Penny Dreadfuls map (the show toured, had a Soho Theatre run and got a Christmas spot on Radio 4) so this second solo show will be met with high expectations. We haven't seen previews but the description suggests we're moving from high-ish concept to a regular hour of stand-up. Which is neither good nor bad, merely a 'thing'.
Side note: why do no two pictures of Thom Tuck ever look the same? We think it might be something to do with the hair.
Read our chat Thom about his 2011 show here.
What they say
2011 Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Thom Tuck returns to the Fringe with a show about animal instincts, gender... and gymnastics. 'Fruity, befuddled and increasingly melancholy' (Guardian). 'Shades of Stewart Lee' (Chortle.co.uk). 'A watchable, charming performer' (Independent).
A video
Here is 15 seconds of Thom Tuck getting shot by a child:
Tony Law Maximum Nonsense
(from our picks of the Comedians' Comedians)
The Stand, 1-27 August, times vary
What we say
Excitable children's drawing Tony Law has really knuckled down to his comedy work in the last couple of years, and it shows on stage. He's keeping the deconstructionist spirit alive, hacking up jokes wherever they spring up, but it's done with so much gusto, and with trips down so many surreal side streets, that it never quite collapses in on itself. Read our chat with Tony from April here.
What they say
A kind of comedy show about the meaning of life. Or not. Bloody award-winning! This year featuring cliché. Mrtonylaw is a way of doing comedy but is it proper? No. Award winning! Loads of stars! 'A gloriously virtuoso display of absurdism... Law is a master of the deconstructionist style of comedy' (Scotsman). Ludicrous. 'A stream of joyous nonsense ... as clever as it is loud, ridiculous and hilarious ... a gem' (Comedy.co.uk) and another! 'Clever and blithely zany...' (Telegraph). Big words, but I sense they are positive. Start your day with lawunch, geddit? Quality.
A video
Here's the entire episode of Buzzcocks that Tony was on, unexpectedly forming comedy's best double act with X Factor ray of sunshine Stacey Solomon:
James Acaster: Prompt
(from our pick of the Young Guns)
Pleasance Courtyard, 1-26 August, 20:15
What we say
There's always a risk with whimsy that it can collapse under the weight of its own cardigans and cups of tea, but Josie Long and Milton Jones have both chosen Acaster as their support for a reason: he knows how to do it well. Read our chat with James in 2011 here.
What they say
James Acaster returns to Edinburgh with a show full to the brim of comedy. Prepare yourself for flights of fancy, remarkable gesticulation and maybe even some tempo changes. One thing's for sure - you will go absolutely bananas. 'Blisteringly funny and highly original' (List). 'An undeniable and wickedly original talent' (Fest). 'Blissfully whimsical' (TimeOut). 'Deliciously daft and no slouch in the surprises department' (Evening Standard). As seen on Russell Howard's Good News, Show and Tell, Dave's One Night Stand and Live at The Comedy Store as well as on tour with Josie Long and Milton Jones.
A video
Acaster on the OH GOD PLEASE COME BACK Show & Tell:
Nish Kumar: Who is Nish Kumar?
(from our pick of the First Hours)
Underbelly, 1-27 August, 20:20
What we say
Big-time PLEB botherer Nish Kumar has a talk about where he has come from (in the grand scheme of things, not the Underbelly bar). Like all the PLEB boys there's an energy and sheer gusto that takes the audience with him. The most successful gigs at the purple cow seem to be built on loud conviction, so it should be a good match.
What they say
1. A stand-up comedian. 2. One half of acclaimed sketch duo the Gentlemen of Leisure. 3. A 'rising star' (TimeOut) who is 'ludicrously charming and razor sharp' (Spoonfed.co.uk). 5. A British Asian. 6. An idiot. The answer is all of the above. A stand-up show about being proud of your roots and ashamed about everything else. Praise for the Gentlemen of Leisure - ***** 'gloriously entertaining' (Scotsman). **** 'a comic force not to be ignored' (Chortle.co.uk). 'Highly skilled writing - touched with genius' (Guardian). 'Intelligent. Cultured. Literate. I laughed anyway' (Emo Philips).
A video
A nice chat with Nish Kumar from our friends at Com Comedy:
Jessica Fostekew: Brave New Word
Gilded Balloon Teviot, August 1-26, 18:30
What we say
Fostekew is a marvellous gossip, a woman with an air of white wine-drinking, Silk Cut-chain smoking and something charmingly self-deprecating in her back pocket at all times. (These are supposed to be good things, incidentally.) How will her gossipy outlook fit with a word-based show? Is this some kind of bid for a Radio 4 audience? TIME WILL TELL. Here's a chat with Jessica from last year.
What they say
Jessica Fostekew: Brave New Word. Gag-suffused show about etymology, brave words, new words and brave new words. Not just for nerds. 'All about the jokes, winning delivery' (Chortle.co.uk). 'Sharp wit' (List). 'Tremendous charm' (Scotsman). 'Original, elegant and funny' (FringeReport.com). www.jessicafostekew.com.
A video
Here's an utterly bizarre clip of her discussing onesies on BBC News:
Claudia O'Doherty: The Telescope
Underbelly Cowgate, 2-26 August, 19:45
What we say
Over to Natassia... ”Claudia O'Doherty's The Telescope is another show I'm looking forward to. I saw a preview this week and she's one of the most original and interesting acts I've seen in a while. She mixes stand-up, characters, audio and video together really well.”
What they say
No more jokes. No more laughter. Everyone is changed once they look into The Telescope. Please join Claudia O'Doherty for her first foray into confronting, upsetting theatre. This show will not be funny. 'Wickedly funny… stunning and bizarre' (Guardian). 'Refreshingly different and outlandishly funny' (List ). 'A captivating manic surrealist… a barrage of brilliant nonsense' (Skinny).
Sheeps: Dancing with Lisa
Pleasance Courtyard, 1-26 August, 17:10
What we say
Cheery (albeit divisive) sketch show from the Cambridge Footlights graduates, so expect strong acting and energy. There's a flood of strong sketch groups on the circuit right now – last year the question marks generally hung over whether Sheeps had original enough premises to mark them out, but a year on some of those earlier problems should be flushed out...
What they say
***** – Edinburgh Guide, **** – Daily Telegraph, **** – The Independent, **** – The Metro, **** – The List, **** – Three Weeks, **** (and a half) – Edinburgh is Funny, *** – The Scotsman, *** – Fest, *** – British Comedy Guide, *** – Broadway Baby, ** – Such Small Portions. Average star rating: 3.461. ‘One of the most exciting sketch acts to emerge in years’ Time Out. ‘Something quite different and very exciting indeed’ Independent.
A video
A skit from last year's show:
Kieran Hodgson: Supervillain
The Voodoo Rooms, 4-25 August, 13:15
What we say
Let's hand over to Natassia... “I saw Kieran Hodgson, by accident at a gig put on by Laugh Out Loud (Ben Target had pulled out of the gig), and was blown away by his show, which seemed already near perfect in early June. He inhabits such a vast range of characters so well, not only in performance, but in his writing too - every one is recognisable.”
What they say
In a small town beset by crime, one man must stand up for justice! Join Kieran Hodgson’s hilarious cast of regional master criminals and inept have-a-go heroes in this fast-paced character comedy. Will truth conquer evil? Will strength conquer ignorance? Will anyone make it out of Mansfield alive? Find out in an hour of joyous comedy and riotous invention that puts the ‘local’ in ‘Local Man Arrested for Wave of Post Box Vandalism’. Starring Kieran Hodgson, of Fringe favourites Kieran and The Joes. ‘Relentlessly hilarious’ ***** (Daily Telegraph). ‘Intelligently written, skilfully acted’ **** (Chortle.co.uk). **** (Metro).
That's it from ARGComFest but do check out our full Edinburgh guides here...
Person(s):
Claudia O'Doherty
Person(s):
Kieran Hodgson
Person(s):
Sheeps
Person(s):
Jessica Fostekew
Person(s):
Nish Kumar
Person(s):
Max & Ivan
Person(s):
Tony Law
Person(s):
Sara Pascoe
Person(s):
Thom Tuck
Person(s):
Henning Wehn
Person(s):
Pappy's
Person(s):
Bridget Christie
Person(s):
Michael Legge
Person(s):
Tony Law
Person(s):
James Acaster - Printer-friendly version
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