Edinburgh Fringe picks 2012: Antipodeans

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 Australians and New Zealanders - and it's a big contingent of experienced names this year, with a focus on the upbeat...

 

 

Assembly Hall, 2-19 August, times vary

Ed Fringe | Adam Hills

 

Hills looks set to have a stellar summer here as he helms the nightly Paralympic show on Channel 4. He also presented a mass gay wedding on Australian TV in February, which makes him an absolute hero. It's super-nice stuff so if you're after something with teeth this might not be for you, but despite the good guy shtick he's not afraid to make a point, which is a pretty rare combination if you think about it.

 

In 2010 Adam based his show around the audience, made a stuffed toy a hero, raised cash for the Sick Kids. He's back to do it all again. 'Hills is astonishingly good at what he does' (Chortle.co.uk). Sundays with BSL interpreter.

 

Hills in action earlier this year:

 

 

 

 

 

Gilded Balloon Teviot, 2-26 August, 21:15

 

We toyed with putting Sam on our Comedian's comedians list and he could comfortably have sat there – younger comedians in particular really look up to him, which isn't surprising, considering Sam's absurdism is born of real consideration that gives a polished finished product. Read our inteview with Sam from last year here. 

 

Nominee - Best Comedy, Edinburgh Fringe 2011. Australia's maestro of suburban absurdism is back. A man is standing next to another man, they have nothing in common and nothing to speak of, perhaps they can talk about the weather. Winner - Best Comedy, Adelaide Fringe 2011. Nominee - Best Comedy, Melbourne Comedy Festival 2011. One of the top five comedy moments in 2011, (Time Out). 'A breathlessly inventive psycho-comedy' ***** (Independent) ***** (Telegraph), ***** (Herald), ***** (Scotsman).

 

Previous failing: 

 

 

 

Gilded Balloon Teviot, 3-26 August, 20:15

 

Club comic done good in, erm, Sweden (read more on that over here) in triumphant return to Edinburgh. When Al left he was all about warm audience interaction and seeing the best in the everyday world, but what effect will three years in Scandi have had? He's Sweden's comedian of the year so he must still be doing something right...

 

Now living in Sweden and following a five year absence from Edinburgh, it's time for the Kiwi who has won comedy awards in Australia, the UK and Sweden to make you laugh once more. He has missed you, now don't miss him. From his first words it was like the audience was on laughing gas, genuinely caught up in the performance. 'Great stuff' (Chortle.co.uk). 'Free-wheeling genius' (Sydney Morning Herald). So come and experience this 'hysterical comedy force' (Time Out) and his tall tales of tiny triumphs.

 

See Al get tested on his Swedish knowledge... 

 

 

 

Pleasance Courtyard, 2-26 August, 12:40

 

What we say

After his BBC Three pilot it seems safe to say that Tape Face is really one of ours, but there's a warm inclusivity that seems to fit with most of the comedians on this list. His background as a street performer shows through with his ability to work an audience withouth uttering a word. Essentially a needier Doctor Brown. Read our interview with Tape Face from last year here. 

 

The Boy is back with a brand new show! As seen on the Royal Variety Performance, BBC2's Comedy Prom, ITV1's Comedy Rocks and BBC3's Live at the Fringe. Do not miss out. See the Boy. Total sell-out 2010 and 2011. Winner Best Breakthrough Act, Chortle Awards 2011. Nominated Best Newcomer, Fosters Edinburgh Comedy Award 2010. 'Utterly spectacular! Hysterically funny - fight for a ticket!' (TimeOut). ***** 'A truly magical experience' (Chortle.co.uk). ***** 'Virtuoso' (List). ***** 'The last word in silent comedy' (Guardian).

 

From the BBC:

 

 

 

Brendon Burns, Home Stretch Baby

 

 

Gilded Balloon, 2-26 August, 16:30

 

We thought this was a reprise of last year's Matador until someone pointed out that Matador and Troubadour are not the same words. So! What to expect...Treleaven is one of the thinkiest comedians from the Antipodean contingent, and last year he promised us that this show was going to be about 'solipsism and self-obsession in the arts'. Mixed with cock jokes. That's us sold.

 

Asher Treleaven's latest offering is an autobiographical show that asks the question, 'is my life interesting enough to talk about for an hour?’ then uses Edward De Bono's Six Thinking Hats to answer. We follow Asher from the outback to living in Byron Bay, being kicked out of drama at age 14, through his circus days to now. ***** (TheAge.com.au) ***** (ThreeWeeks) **** (Comedy.co.uk). '...confirms Treleaven as one of the most interesting new comedians to have appeared at the Fringe in recent years' (Guardian). 'A post-modern Barry Humphries' (Australian).

 

Surprisingly little Asher on the YouTubes you know: 

 

 

 

Gilded Balloon Teviot, 3-26 August, 20:10

 

Adam Hills' collaborator takes on marriage with one eye on art history. Her style is so self-deprecating that she can make even a Brit squirm, and when she's talked more directly about herself it hasn't always been warmly received. But these are two topics she knows inside out (last year she gave talks on the Virgin Mary in art) so her strengths for keen thinking should shine through. Read our interview with her from last year here. 

 

This is a show about women as wives. It's a surprisingly funny show given that dinner won't cook itself. Who wouldn't want a wife? They do things for you. If Hannah had a wife this might have been a better blurb. Winner - Directors' Choice Award, Melbourne Comedy Festival. ‘Genuinely superb' (Time Out, Sydney), **** (Metro), **** (ThreeWeeks).

 

An Oxfam slot from earlier this year: 

 

 

 

 

 

Underbelly Cowgate, 2-26 August, 19:45

We'll be honest, we don't know owt about Claudia – but she was picked out by the good folks at ARG Com with very high praise earlier this year, which we're willing to take a punt on. As was said at the time, 'she's one of the most original and interesting acts I've seen in a while'. 

 

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).