Edinburgh Fringe 2012: Character comedy

Andrew Mickel3 August 2012

The best character comics and sketch characters this month...

The Edinburgh Fringe brochure is, no matter how you slice it, a thumping information overload of a tome. It's hard to even know where to begin – so we've done the work for you, slicing August's bible nto easy-to-consume guides. From the all-important first hours to the Free Fringe, these are intended as starting points to help you snaffle out the best shows. They're not exhaustive, instead picking out the shows that caught our eye in given categories, but when your brain can't process another flyer we're pretty sure this is the best way to work out what to see.

This is a guide to the best character comedy, covering both sketches with strong characters, and shows all done in character.

Cariad Lloyd: the Freewheelin' Cariad Lloyd

(Also on our list of Young Guns)

Pleasance Courtyard, 1-27 August, 16:45

Ed Fringe | Cariad Lloyd

What we say

After her newcomer nomination last year took another sizeable step to putting the Free Fringe on the map, the prolific character comic brings characters including Andrew the child stand-up and David Lynch's mum to the stage. It's going to be one damned hot ticket...

What they say

Cariad was nominated as Best Newcomer in the Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards for her debut Edinburgh Fringe show ‘Lady Cariad’s Characters’, and she won the EdTwinge award for having the most positively tweeted about show. She has appeared in Cardinal Burns’ acclaimed E4 series, is currently filming for new CBBC show Fit, will appear in BBC Radio 4’s My First Planet and she performs regularly in acclaimed impro show ‘Austentatious: An Improvised Novel’. She returns to the Fringe with a brand new show at the Pleasance.

Chris Corcoran and Elis James – the Committee Meeting

Underbelly Bristo Square, 3-27 August, 13:30

Ed Fringe

What we say

Wales' regular comedy variety show heads to the Fringe, with Corcoran and James in character as Little...Waleslanders? Little Welsh? Little Welsh. It's been long-honed on Radio Wales so this should be a more practiced venture than it first appears. Read our interview with Elis from last year here.

What they say

The best thing to happen to the Valleys since 1992's Garden Festival of Wales, Chris Corcoran (Radio Wales' Rhod Gilbert Show) and Elis James (BBC2's 8 Out of 10 Cats) bring the best of their 21st-century take on workingman's club culture to Edinburgh. It's a comedy gang show committee style, plus bingo. All members are expected to attend. Simply by reading this you are a member. 'Hilarious - a totally unique experience. If all committees were this much fun I'd buy a blazer and run for council' (Rhod Gilbert).

Catriona Knox: Hellcat

Underbelly Bristo Square, 3-27 August, 17:40

Ed Fringe

What we say

Rarely has a show been better-named: the Boom Jenny's sketch pedigree means she knows how to hurl herself whole-heartedly into her creations. Criticism of last year's show focused on the lack of effective characters for to inhabit, but another year gives another chance to find the right set of characters.

What they say

Back after last year's critically acclaimed hit show. This time the volume's been turned up even higher. Acutely well-observed and high octane, this is the ultimate in red-blooded character comedy. Including 80 rare-breed dogs, a cavalcade of dancing monkeys and one hellcat (line-up subject to change.) 'Hilariously executed with commitment, verve and a cracking script – endlessly entertaining' **** (Chortle.co.uk). 'Knox inhabits her characters like squatters in an Islington townhouse' **** (FestMag.co.uk). 'Near ridiculously pitch perfect. The room erupted with everything she said' **** (TheNewCurrent.com). 'Deliciously entertaining' **** (BroadwayBaby.com). www.catrionaknox.com.

Bring Me The Head of Adam Riches

(Also on our former Edinburgh Comedy Award winners list)

Pleasance Dome, 22-25 August, 23:00

Ed Fringe

What we say

Four-night victory lap for last year's winning show. You should know by now that if you decide to get in the audience, there's a pretty good chance you're also going to end up on the stage, being bellowed at by Daniel Day Lewis.

What they say

2011 Foster's Comedy Award-winner returns for four nights with his breath-taking hour of character comedy, anarchic stagecraft and fearless level of audience engagement. Join talent agent Ian Dustry, Swingball champ Pedro Azul, Superstar Daniel Day Lewis and more – with whoever else happens to be sat on the front row – for a cavalcade of barely controlled chaos from the Time Out Comedy Person of the Year and Sky Arts South Bank Award Nominee for Breakthrough Artist. ‘I never stopped laughing once’ **** (Independent) ‘The best sketch show I have ever seen’ ***** (Chortle.co.uk).

Doctor Brown - Befrdfgth

Underbelly Cowgate, 2-26 August, 21:05

Ed Fringe

What we say

Sleaze, menace and mime: Phil Burgers is back as the only act on the Fringe with a more sensible pseudonym than his actual name. You can expect to always feel one step behind the beautifully warped thinking of the good Doctor, which will only make it all the more impressive when you catch up with what he's doing.

What they say

Rapidly becoming an international comedy sensation, 2011 Total Theatre Award nominee Doctor Brown returns with a brand new hour of absurd visual humour. 'His combination of clowning, oddity and low-level menace constitute one of the funniest shows on the fringe' **** (Guardian). ‘An extraordinary talent… So visceral it is addictive' **** (Scotsman). 'If you want your imagination stretched, pinged back again and stretched once more — and ditto, your conception of what a comedy show can be — Doctor Brown's Becaves is a must-see' **** (Times). 'Unforgettable... Doctor Brown is good for what ails you' ***** (Fest).

Austentatious: An Improvised Jane Austen Novel

(Also on our Free Fringe list)

Laughing Horse @ The Counting House, 2-26 August, 13:30

Ed Fringe | Austentatious

What we say

Improv star Cariad Lloyd, friend of improv Rachel Parris, one of the writers of Private Eye, someone whose name we recognise from music journalism: to say the members of Austen improv troupe Austentatious are diverse would be comedy's biggest understatement. After a successful run at the Wheatsheaf in London, it's off to Edinburgh.

What they say

Come and see a new, hilarious, improvised Jane Austen novel every day - it's free! Six talented improvisers cook up an entire play full of wit, flirtation and dastardly behaviour, based on audience suggestions. After months of sell-out London shows performing Austen's 'lost works' (Pride and Predator, Sixth Sense and Sensibility), it's Edinburgh's turn. Austen's never been so funny. Starring 2011 Best Newcomer nominee Cariad Lloyd and Rachel Parris. 'Whip smart and on the button funny' (Londonist.com). 'Had the entire audience roaring with laughter from start to finish … masters of their craft' (TheatreBubble.com).

Barry Morgan's World of Organs

Underbelly Bristo Square, 2-27 August, 19:20

Ed Fringe

What we say

Songs, slick hair, Australian accents, safari suits – is Barry Morgan the more family-friendly son of Bob Downe? Probably not, but this could be a great way to round off a day's-worth of comedy for the not-staying-out crowd.

What they say

Australia's 'fast-becoming-a-celebrity' organ salesman Barry Morgan is packing up his Toyota Crown and crossing the Pacific! He will delight and entertain you with the Golden Syrup sounds of his 1981 Hammond Aurora Classic. Sit back, relax and be swept away by the mesmerising power of Barry's Zither Arpeggiator, his fascinating fingers and his celebrated one-finger method. Barry knows exactly what Edinburgh has been waiting for - to rediscover the joy of the organ! All polyester safari suit and blow wave hair... joyous clean fun’ **** (Herald Sun, Melbourne).

Tom Cottle's These Twisted Folk

Underbelly Cowgate, 3-26 August, 22:45

Ed Fringe

What we say

Macabre comedy with puppets terrifying looking enough that the horror seems guaranteed to lay on the surface. Rather tempting to drop some acid to see quite how bad things can get.

What they say

Michael Twist was born with baby girl's hands. Sad! Has this affected his life? Yes! Join this 87-year-old charmer, Tom Cottle - 'Comedy Gold' ***** (WhatsOnStage.com), 'You can feel a TV contract beckoning' **** (TimeOut) - at his flat (The Iron Belly) for lemon bonbons and an evening of twisted tales and strange happenings. A macabre look at humans, their insecurities and tangled idiosyncrasies. Imagine Roald Dahl meets Samual Beckett with some League of Gentlemen muddled in for good measure! Expect headless mannequins, real people and elongated appendages...