Edinburgh Fringe picks 2012: index

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 you'll find the full index of what's happened so far (as well as being updated once a week on each page of the picks). 

 

Ten comedians who are debuting full solo shows at Edinburgh, all of whom are worth watching...

 

The best comedians who are on their second and third hours.

 

The young comedians that the Fringe have come to rely on, and without whom Edinburgh just wouldn't tick.

 

Back year after year, these are acts who know the circuit like the back of their hand but make time for Edinburgh.

 

The comedians who are spoken of in hushed tones by their peers.

 

The big names who can pull big audiences – expect a lot of touring shows passing through.

 

They're fresh on telly in the last couple of years, but their on a fast track to mainstream success.

 

Up-and-coming acts together on one-hour bills, many in the Free Fringe.

 

The Australians and New Zealanders descending on Edinburgh (who aren't working bar).

 

The best Americans and Canadians on offer this August.

 

 

The station's biggest names doing shows this year.

 

The best gigs you won't have to pay for in August. (But do pay something, these guys do have to eat.)

 

The most interesting ideas being tested out during the Fringe.

 

The best comedy from people who've picked up an instrument or spat some rhymes (sorry, everyone).

 

A chance to see a variety of comedians in conversation.

 

The best of narrative comedy this month.

 

Character sketches and in-character shows.

 

The best shows with a political bent this Fringe.

 

The winners of Edinburgh's hottest award who are heading up this August.

 

The award-winning once-newbies who have become old hands.

 

The special judge's choices of years gone by who are heading up.

 

Come back for more ahead of the Fringe...