Edinburgh Fringe picks: Story-tellers

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 guide is to the best story-tellers - the people with the most intriguing stories on offer.

 

 

Pleasance Courtyard, 3-27 August, 17:00

 

He might have readily proven himself to be a greasy little man – quitting the Daily Star doesn't undo working at the Daily Star in the first place, especially when you leave in the most self-aggrandizing way possible – but that doesn't mean Peppiatt won't have something interesting to say. He'll be preaching to the choir at Edinburgh on what's wrong with tabloid papers, but it'll be fascinating to see if he can manage it with any finesse or style. 

 

Rich Peppiatt's Leveson Inquiry evidence 'reduced the public gallery to hysterics' (Guardian) after having ‘the newspaper industry’s greatest Jerry Maguire moment’ (TheMediaBlog.TypePad.com). Now the former red-top hack pursues redemption by hilariously turning the tables on the tabloid power players, testing the public’s right to know to its eye-opening extremity. Career suicide at its most shocking. ‘A petulant scoundrel’ (Daily Telegraph). ‘A Judas’ (Nigel Pauley, Daily Star). ‘A self confessed liar’ (David Wooding, Sun on Sunday). ‘I believe everything Peppiatt said was true’ (Sir Tom Stoppard).

 

 

Assembly Roxy, 3-26 August, 18:45

 

Monsieur Lucont drops the character to bring us some real-life stories about life on the road. He's even doing his own travel documentary for the Discovery Channel later this year. That's right: this shit just got real.

 

Winner: ThreeWeeks Editors' Award - Top 10 Fringe Experiences. Selected travel tales (the funny ones). May include traces of UFOs, truckers, cockneys, the Nevada desert, bean festivals and the Dutch. From the man who brought you the international hit shows A R*ddy Brief History of Swearing and A Surprisingly Tasteful Show About Nudity. 'Brilliantly fascinating' ***** (ThreeWeeks). 'A huge amount of gags and information ... the hour whips by' **** (Chortle.co.uk). 'A mixture of fascinating trivia and richly amusing autobiographical detail, which somehow invests a crude subject with a lot of gentle charm' (Guardian). www.alexisdubus.com.

 

 

Alternative Fringe @ The Hive, 6-26 August, 17:45

 

Filth, filth, filth, a small amount of abuse, a mild glint in the eye that just about lets him get away with it, filth filth filth. Given that it's set in Thailand, this seems pretty set on being the stories-down-the-pub version of the Hangover Part 2. Bradley Cooper's torso not guaranteed.

 

My name is Chris Dangerfield and I went to Thailand for a seven-week sex holiday. It didn't go according to plan. Whores, drugs, guns, anal issues, ladyboys, occasional crying. I'm a child trapped in a sex pest's body. 'I love Dangerfield: he's got something special' (FringeGuru.com). 'A much needed breath of vulgarity' (Julian Clary). 'Absolutely hilarious' (Mackenzie Crook). 'A very, very amusing fellow' (Will Self). 'Original, surreal, filthy, confrontational and really, really funny' (Alex Zane). This show is free.

 

 

 

 

Pleasance Courtyard, 3-27 August, 19:30

 

Boy's Own adventurer made flesh FitzHigham is back with an airborne tale, this time based around a not-entirely-specified 'thing' to do with a pigeon. Basically, he does all the most ridiculous things imaginable so you don't have to. Well, all the most ridiculous non-sex based things, that's what we have Chris Dangerfield for.

 

The true Spirit of the Fringe, multi award-winning, Perrier-nominated comedian, author, explorer and air recycler Tim FitzHigham is back with a brand new show and his most dangerous gamble ever. Tim is a man with bad ideas - he rowed the Channel in a bathtub, now he takes on his greatest challenge to date. Co-host of Maxwell's Fullmooners mayhem: 'Gut bustingly funny' (Scotsman), 'Inspirational' (TimeOut), 'A national treasure' ***** (Chortle.co.uk), ***** (Comedy.co.uk), ***** (TheDailyDust.co.uk), 'the perfect British Eccentric' (Dara O’Briain), 'FitzHigham is completely unhinged, completely without hinges' (Eddie Izzard).

 

 

Assembly Hall, 3-26 August, 22:30

 

What's that? A sci fi show cast member who is gay, has great hair, went to Africa and adopted a Ugandan orphan, and has now written a comedy show about it? Has someone been in my dream journal again? 

 

Johnny O'Callaghan's (Stargate Atlantis) comedic true story is about his adventure to adopt a Ugandan orphan. No one expected the single, ladies man (who likes the gents a little more), to ever become a father. But a documentary shoot in Africa turns into a nine-month odyssey of the heart. It's a passionate and infectious comedy with irreverent insights that will touch you deep in your gut, while making you belly laugh throughout. ‘…of the best of the year.’ Frontiers Magazine ‘Go’ LA Weekly ‘Critics pick’ Backstage West ‘O'Callaghan's buoyant show is a charmer.’ LA Times.

 

 

The Assembly Rooms, 3-26 August, 15:45

 

'Broadcaster' is one of those slippery words where you're never quite show what it means, but Sarfraz Manzoor seems to fit the bill. A bit Radio 4, a bit Guardian, thoughtful in an on-topic sort of way, he explains how Bruce Springsteen's lyrics have shaped approach to family, fatherhood and more. If this truly is the summer of the festival dad, then this should sell. Although it frankly would have been a lot funnier if it was done with LMFAO lyrics.

 

In his brand new show Sarfraz Manzoor tackles race, religion and rock’n’roll. He believes Bruce Springsteen's songs contain the secrets of life, love and happiness. The Guardian journalist and Radio 4 broadcaster takes us on a personal journey and reveals how the Boss’ words saved him from a life in Luton. Using Springsteen’s songs as a starting point he tackles everything from family to fatherhood to faith. Inviting the audience to share their dilemmas, he offers heartfelt advice based on the lyrics of Springsteen. www.sarfrazmanzoor.co.uk. Twitter @sarfrazmanzoor.

 

 

Assembly Roxy, 3-27 August, 16:15

 

Nothing is stronger than the faith of a convert, even if they are a convert to, erm, notFaith. Frances-White's bravado makes a lot more sense when you discover that she used to be a follower of organised religion. This show follows how she got from following the word of God to giving relationship advice.

 

Atheist comedian Deborah Frances-White used to be a Jehovah's Witness. This is the surprisingly hilarious story of what she learnt knocking on your door and how it prepared her for stand-up comedy. 'Gloriously talented! ' (TimeOut). 'Hilarious ... the crowd actually groaned with disappointment when it came to an end ' **** (ThreeWeeks).

 

 

Laughing Horse @ The Phoenix, 2-26 August, 22:45

 

All the best filth is on the Free Fringe and this is no exception, following Pope's time as a phone sex operator. This has peaked our interest, having formerly lived with a webcam girl and knowing what THESE SORTS get up to. Expect to learn how to talk in effective filth...for free! 

 

Michael Pope tells the stranger than fiction tale of applying for a mystery job in the Empire State Building and discovering himself to be the world’s greatest phone sex operator. Channelling the great Henry Miller, this one-man show takes adults of all ages and orientations on a rollercoaster ride of absurdity, obscenity and the true spiritual meaning of ‘nothing left to lose’. Gay-for-Pay.com. Sexual content.