Edinburgh Fringe 2012 picks: Free Fringe and free gigs

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 up into 30 easy-to-consume guides. From the all-important first hours to Fringe favourites, and from the Free Fringe to the best flyers, 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.

 

We're publishing them every working day until the Fringe as a sort of advent calendar of comedy, and today we're doing the the Free Fringe (and other free gigs). This has turned into easily the longest list of all thirty guides, and there are some substantial overlaps with our other picks. That's a reflection of the incredible offerings from both PBH and the Laughing Horse, bringing a mixture of big names and giving breakout stars their first breaks. Of course, these are just the shows we know about – you can guarantee there's an array of sleeper hits in the catalogue waiting to break out. But for now, here's our pick of the best free shows going this year... 

 

INDEX | First hours | Young guns | New Reliables | Solid sorts | Comedian's comedians | TV stars | New TV faces | Double headers and team efforts | Antipodeans | North Americans | Podcast folk | Radio 4 sorts | Free Fringe and free gigs | Innovative formats | Musical comedy | Chat shows | Story-tellers | Character comedy | Political cuts | former Edinburgh Comedy Award winners | former best newcomer winners | former panel prize winners 

 

 

 

 

Laughing Horse @ Meadow Bar, 2-26 August, 22:45

Ed Fringe | Luisa Omielan

 

No-one has pushed their free shows harder ahead of August – and it's hard to think of any with a better buzz at this stage – than Luisa Omielan. She's a stand-up improviser with a squirly energy who has already made herself one to watch this year. 

 

Single Ladies! You know when you fall Crazy In Love, but it all goes wrong and you're like Me, Myself and I, but then you Get Me Bodied, you're like he’s the Best Thing I Never Had! I must have bumped my head, because Who Runs The World? Well, if like me, you're an Independent Woman still living with your mumma, come check up on What Would Beyoncé Do? Forget your Bills Bills Bills, this show's free. Come Say Hello and let’s get this party Jumpin’ Jumpin’! 'Hilarious, nothing short of astounding’ ***** (ThreeWeeks).

 

Let's watch Luisa go speed dating: 

 

 

 

 

 

Alternative Fringe @ The Hive, 2-27 August, 16:45; Laughing Horse : The Free Sisters, 2-26 August, 20:15

Ed Fringe | Lewis Schaffer

 

The Free Festival stalwart has made his name for bringing fresh thinking to tried and tested subjects. It's intriguing how all the good political comedy is on the free programmes this year – try Schaffer for the social commentary end of the spectrum.

 

The irrepressible Britain-based New York comic in a new show. Other comics try to push boundaries: He pulls the rug out from under you and himself. He makes fun of others at his own expense. 'I would pay to see Lewis Schaffer' **** (Kate Copstick, Scotsman). 'His shows are unique - quite unlike anything else on the circuit' (Paul Fleckney, LondonIsFunny.com). 'If you consciously choose not to see him don’t bother coming to the Fringe' **** (Paul Hampson, Chortle.co.uk). A Malcolm Hardee Award Winner. @lewisschaffer. www.lewisschaffer.co.uk.

 

Five minutes of wibbly phone footage. I wouldn't expect great videos in this pick guide, you know: 

 

 

 

 

 

Mood Nightclub, 13-17 August, 13:45

 

One of two forays into the Free Fringe for Long this year, joining up with a newcomer who tweeted at her after he failed to secure open mic spots (dangerous Twitter precedent alert...) There's a intriguing interview with Sam about it and the show in The Portsmouth News. 

 

Edinburgh award-nominated Josie Long is joined by brilliant newcomer Sam Schäfer to share tales of loves lost, loves won and loves made-up. This is an idle threat: If you don't come we'll wreck your knees.

 

Here's Sam on his (in)ability to talk to girls: 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Ed Fringe | Austentatious

 

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.

 

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).

 

No Austentatious on YouTube so here's some Rachel Parris: 

 

 

 

 

 

Siglo, 4-26 August, 17:45

Ed Fringe | Matthew Highton

 

Playful, warm and involved, Highton has full confidence in his off-kilter story telling. How many other young stand-ups breeze into the Fringe with so loose a description from which to hang their show off? Worth seeing now, it's hard to imagine he'll be free for long...

 

I have 100 words to coax you into my show. I have just wasted 10 – I’m just that confident with it. What to expect, buzzwords include: Abstract! Stand-up! Storytelling! Incredibleness! Different! Arggh what was that? Film References! What? Mega LOL, ROFL, LOLICOPTOR! You trust stars and quotes don’t you? Well here have some… **** (ThreeWeeks). **** (BroadwayBaby.com). ‘Wonderful Surrealism’ (Guardian). ‘Something Quite Special’ (Chortle.co.uk). If you want to see something unique and experience a show like you haven’t before, I’ll see you there and please wear those shoes I like.

 

A trailer! That does nothing to illuminate the show!

 

 

 

 

 

The Canons' Gait, 4-25 August, 16:55

Ed Fringe | Yianni

 

 

There's a fair few science-y shows about on the Fringe this year but despite the title this won't be a sub-Monkey Cage affair: Australian Yianni is an inventive enough kind of guy that when we're promised 'logic-fuelled absurdity' we can safely expect something good.

 

Hyperlogical comedian obsessed by numbers gets diagnosed mildly autistic aged 33.3 (recurring) and finally understands why! An irreverent hour of number-based, logic-fuelled absurdity. Don't panic. No maths knowledge required! Top Five Free Fringe Shows (List). **** 'Wonderfully funny' (Time Out). **** 'Sharp social commentary to compare favourably with Woody Allen' (Chortle.co.uk). **** 'The next big thing' (ThreeWeeks). **** 'We are witnessing a phenomenon' (Beat Magazine, Australia).

 

Showreel time:

 

 

 

 

 

Globe, 4-25 August, 14:15

Ed Fringe | Chris Coltrane

 

We've not exactly hidden our penchant for comedians who do something out-and-proud political and Chris Coltrane's show promises to scratch our itch. It's directed by Josie Long to boot (and you can catch both of them and more in the also-free, also-political Crunch The News) as Chris Coltrane brings story-telling about protests with UK Uncut et al. He's to Coalition cuts what Phil Hammond is to the NHS. 

 

When the government makes you sad, fight back with love and mischief! Chris Coltrane presents an hour of political stand-up comedy that will leave you informed, inspired and ready to protest. Come for the jokes, stay for the revolution. (Directed by Josie Long). ’One of a handful of comics who are the future of British political comedy’ (Mark Thomas).

 

Audio of Chris on abortion protests: 

 

 

 

 

 

Ciao Roma, 4-25 August, 14:10

 

Cracking line-ups from our friends over at London Is Funny. One of those nice early afternoon slots, or as they're known during Edinburgh, early breakfast shows.

 

Ciao Roma - Four comics every night! For free! Hand-picked by London comedy bible LondonisFunny.com! Featuring headliners such as Rufus Hound, Josie Long, Paul Sinha, and stars of Michael McIntyre's Roadshow, Mock the Week! PLUS MC Tom Webb and plenty of rising stars from London's circuit. It's a safe pair o' hands.

 

Audience surveying with compere Tom Webb...

 

 

 

 

 

Cabaret Voltaire, 4-25 August, 22:05

 

One of the big names on the Free Fringe this year, seeing Thom Tuck revive (well, let's be honest, it's never really gone away) last year's Edinburgh award-nominated show if you missed it last time. Very much worth a look. Read our chat with Thom about it last year here. 

 

Last year's Best Newcomer Nominee reprises that show for free. Come and see Thom go slightly mad as he recounts watching every single Disney straight-to-DVD movie. Will also include tales of heartbreak. *may include special guests

 

What's always funny? Well-spoken people singing swears:

 

 

 

 

 

Cabaret Voltaire, 4-25 August, 12:05

 

Former Michael Gove advisor (no, really) Gareth Morinan brings us some long-form improv. Now either we've only just woken up and noticed, or there are a lot of American-style improv shows making waves of late (this is directed by David Shore, who is also working on improv chat show Monkey Toast this Fringe). Adding to the sense that this is a remarkable pile-up of talent, Gareth is joined by Ben Target and Sara Pascoe, who as far as we know have never advised any members of the Coalition government.

 

Chicago-style improvised ‘Harold’ sketch show from one suggestion. The Wilmops include Sara Pascoe, Ben Target and Gareth Morinan. Directed by award-winning improv tsar David Shore (Monkey Toast). It will be good. The Wilmops do long-form improv, they are sort of like a cross between Second City, Upright Citizens Brigade and something based in the UK. They improvise a dynamic sketch show with a narrative. At their London gigs they have performed alongside the likes of Tim Brooke-Taylor and Phill Jupitus. Part of the Gareth Morinan Fringe. Go see Truth Doodler.

 

Gareth doing his main Fringe show:

 

 

 

 

 

The Voodoo Rooms, 4-25 August, 13:15

 

Kieran and the Joes, minus the Joes. With the number of sketch troupes making it big in the last few years it's no wonder that we're now seeing lots of them emerge as solo acts (although Kieran and Joe are also on the paid Fringe this year). Hodgson is fun enough, though, that the high energy and planning needed to do a solo character show for an hour remains an appetising prospect.

 

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).

 

 

 

 

The Canons' Gait, 4-25 August, 21:35

 

King of the Free Fringe Peter Buckley Hill introduces new acts every night. Come as a mark of respect for where all free things Fringe started.

 

The show that started the Free Fringe. Four different comedians every night. Guest compere Wednesdays. Here's a haiku. Summer in EH: The sun shines every third year / I'm always indoors. Another: I should plug my show / some say I too should be plugged / into the socket. Neither of these will be in the show. Look, we'll have some jolly good guest comedians, as always. And me, PBH, compering. Can't have everything. Can you?

 

 

 

 

Laughing Horse@Espionage, 2-26 August, 13:15

 

Don't forget to pack your flat cap this Edinburgh: first hour debutante Luke Benson and David Hardcastle (now sans Rachel Parris) join forces for lunchtime variety with a meat pie flavour. If you're feeling delicate after the night before this is probably the best lunchtime bet to shake you out of your torpor. 

 

Comedy, variety and music. Darts, bingo and a meat raffle. Luke Benson and David Hardcastle host an hour of booze, laughs, games and top turns to ease you into the afternoon. Ladies and whippets welcome. Southerners tolerated. Working Men’s Club travels north from its Leicester Square residency and condenses it’s three hour light entertainment dreadnought in an hour’s worth of tightly-packed shambling fun for all. What are people saying about them? ‘Hotly tipped’ (Chortle.co.uk). ‘A definite must-watch' (SuchSmallPortions.com). ‘Superb ... made the audience laugh a lot’ (GreatComedyNights.co.uk). **** (ThreeWeeks).**** (List). **** (ViewLondon.co.uk).

 

Some of the Geordie giant at a preview: 

 

 

 

 

 

Canon's Gait, 4-5 August, 14:25

 

As well as returning to the main Fringe, Hodgson is giving two hours of old material on the Free Fringe from the last seven years in the opening weekend.

 

Canons' Gait - Punk folk storyteller and Perrier best newcomer presents two one off hour shows of material from previous critically acclaimed Fringe offerings. "Genius" - Russell Howard, "An Alan Bennett for the South West" – Guardian

 

A 60-second set from, erm, Metro: 

 

 

 

 

 

The Hive, 2-27 August, 15:45

Ed Fringe | David Mills

 

After serving out his service as Scott Capurro's sidekick, Mills is on solo duty. There doesn't seem to be enough arch bitchiness in comedy right now; David seems a good way to right that wrong.

 

Droll raconteur and 2011 Hackney Empire New Act of the Year, known for razor-sharp, hilarious banter, cutting commentary and stylish delivery. Ruthless, hysterical rants delivered with acidic precision and spiked glee. In 2011 Mills was the regular sidekick on Scott Capurro’s catty chat show at the Gilded Balloon. Can't get enough of David Mills? Twitter - @DavidMillsDept. 'David Mills is heading for the big time. His talent for whip-cracking one-liners is audaciously thrilling. Most definitely one to watch’ (Time Out). ‘A gifted, bravura performer. His ruthless, cynical bitchiness is hysterically funny’ (SF Bay Times).

 

Basically a full-length show with David and Mae Martin: 

 

 

 

 

 

Canons' Gait, 4-26 August, 12:10

Ed Fringe | Domestic Science

 

The earliest comedy show we will pick – ever – as lunch gets sciencey with singer/ladygeek Helen (women in science are ALWAYS called Helen) Arney and Rob Wells of Festival of the Spoken Nerd fame.

 

Join Helen Arney and Rob Wells for a lunchtime hour of home-cooked science and comedy. They’ll be investigating cosmological conundrums, solving microscopic mysteries and trying to maintain their own domestic bliss. Fingers crossed then. New guests daily, see website or Twitter - @DomesticScience.

 

Helen, singing: 

 

 

 

 

 

The Hive, 2-26 August, 19:45

Ed Fringe | Nick Sun

 

It's a tricky balance to strike, being in the audience for a Nick Sun gig: you have to simultaneously nhinge your mind while being on your guard. An unexpectedly early slot for what could be one messy show, but always worth a look...

 

Enjoyed by the likes of Doug Stanhope, Chris Rock and Daniel Kitson, come see why Nick is the underground wildcard of international comedy. Random tangents of personal anecdotes, acidic satire, surrealism and gallows humour, colliding with unorthodox crowd work and absurdist freak-outs. Intelligent, raw, distasteful, weird, blazingly original. A show about a man with too much free time and no fixed address as he attempts to make friends with death. Stand-up for people sick of stand-up. Not for stupid idiots. Free! (Cash, food, drugs, sexual favours, clothes and guns accepted).

 

First of six parts of a WHOLE SHOW of Nick's on YouTube:

 

 

 

 

Also on the TV stars list)

 

 

The Jam House, 4-25 August, 16:00

 

This year's Free Fringe offering is lining up to be a great one, aided by a few big star performances, and that includes a month of Jupitus revisiting his performance poet roots.

 

In 1985 Phill Jupitus left the white-hot cauldron of the civil service for life as a performance poet. He has finally managed to get an hour together. Just about. Un-ticketed event. Strictly first-come-first-admitted - doors open at 3.00pm. www.offthekerb.co.uk.

 

Phill in Porky mode at Glastonbury:

 

 

 

(Also on the double headers and team efforts picks)

Laughing Horse@Meadow Bar, 2-26 August, 14:05

 

This would be a solid pairing even before the fact you consider it's on the Free Fringe. Adam Hess is the first person to effectively graduate the Tim Vine school of one-liners – you'll have to pay attention to the lines but it's a gentle way to start a full day of comedy. David Elms brings quiet and calm laugh-along sort of songs. The family friendly tag is true, but don't let that put you off if you're childless and/or drunk. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

 

The Fringe 2011 hit returns - Chortle Student Comedian of the Year 2011 Adam Hess and David Elms 'Original, intelligent and madcap' (What'sOnStage.com) present an hour of sharp gags, intelligent observations and comic songs. Suitable for all ages, and completely free! 'This show has to have wide appeal. Thankfully, it has bucket-loads ... a masterclass in audience interaction ... a great show' **** (Skinny). 'Intelligently comic and joyously silly' **** (BroadwayBaby.com). 'Doesn't so much raise the roof as catapult it' (Spoonfed.co.uk). 'Virtually batters the audience into laughter' (Chortle.co.uk). 'Laughter here is guaranteed' **** (ThreeWeeks). Family friendly.

 

Adam after his Chortle student award win last year:

 

 

 

 

(Also on the double headers and team efforts picks)

 

 

Laughing Horse@Espionage, 2-26 August, 14:30

 

Having done every new act competition under the sun between them, the self-deprecating lady and funny child are teaming up. This is, in short, a great pairing: her comedy is straight-down-the-line, his is exuberant. Last chance to see them before probable first hours next years, we reckon. You'll also see them rotating through the Late Night Laughs rota, alongside other acts including Romesh Ranganathan, Ellie Taylor and Paul Sweeney. 

 

Join two of the hottest rising stars of comedy for an hour of pure, no-nonsense stand-up. As heard on BBC Radio 2, Radio 4 and seen on BBC 2 and E4. Angela Barnes (BBC New Comedy Award winner). ‘Hers is a world-weary and devastatingly matter-of-fact outlook on the world that really makes her stand out’ (Guardian). Matt Richardson (SYTYF? and Chortle Student finalist), ‘Brash, slick and delivered with an irresistible twinkle. Richardson may be full of self-confidence but he has the broad appeal to back up the cockiness’ (Guardian).

 

Here's Angela on RuHo's Good News: 

 

 

 

(Also on the double headers and team efforts picks)

 

 

Laughing Horse@ The White Horse, 2-26 August, 15:30

 

Hotly-tipped pairing, both of whom play to differing extents on what it means to play for white-led audiences in comedy: Romesh has made himself a circuit regular with a dry wit, while Jason ring of  a more laidback Nathan Caton.

 

Two of the circuit’s most hotly-tipped newcomers each deliver half an hour of comedy for your delectation. Enjoy the razor-sharp wit of Jason (Brown Eyed Boy – BBC3) and the acerbic observations of Romesh (The Comedy Store – Comedy Central) in an hour of top quality stand-up. Jason delivers slick tales of his childhood and run-ins with US customs, while Romesh balances the demands of bringing up a young family with cynical social commentary. Tipped by many as the free show of the year to check out. Make sure that you do.

 

Romesh in one of those always-good Amnesty videos: 

 

 

 

(Also on the double headers and team efforts picks)

 

 

The Cabaret Voltaire, 4-25 August, 17:00

 

Another strong contender from the Free Fringe line-up, this is a heck of a pair: Pat Cahill has made quite a name for himself with his straight-faced absurdism and one-man band songs; Tim Shishodia offers up an off-the-beat view into his distracted mind. All those comparisons in the section below? Utterly fair. If you're a Free Fringe snob, then you're going to be hard-pushed to find a better show to win you over.

 

Leftfield stand-up, sketches and songs from two of comedy’s most exciting emerging acts. Tim Shishodia (winner, Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year 2010, Chortle nominee 2011). ‘Part Harry Hill, with a hefty dose of Rich Fulcher’s style and a dash of Tony Hancock’s pathos-ridden world-weariness’ (Chortle.co.uk). Pat Cahill (winner, New Act of the Year, formerly Hackney Empire, 2012, AmusedMoose Laugh Off 2011, Chortle nominee 2012). ‘Imagine a cross between Sean Lock and Eddie Izzard and you might be getting somewhere, but nowhere close’ (Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard). The highlight of the Free Fringe.

 

Tim in action a year ago: