Often, despite best efforts, where there is room for error something will go wrong. And when this happens, just acknowledge it; deal with the problem, then come back stronger – something the success of which Maximo Park aptly demonstrated when a technical fault threatened their set.

Luckily for them, before they had even made it to the stage the Corn Exchange’s otherwise dull, pasty walls hummed with the chatter of an audience anticipating an exciting evening. So when the amps buzzed and all but cut out as the band belted out their first song, Girls Who Play Guitars, it wasn’t a huge surprise that the audience still loved it, cheerfully yelling the lyrics along with Mr Lead Singer.

And when the fault was fixed and Mr Lead Singer came back on to another round of raptuous applause, offering to play Maximo Park’s most recent hit all the way through again with better sound this time, the audience loved it even more.

What followed was an hour-long set with more energy than you’d expect from a Duracell Bunny who’d drunk a crate of Red Bull. As a result, even I, someone who was knackered from a hard day of Fringe labour and who possesses only limited knowledge of Maximo Park’s albums, was sucked in by the band’s enthusiasm. It was a joy to watch our frontman, dressed more sharply than a butcher’s knife, bound across the stage, swinging his microphone above the audience’s heads in order to pick up their word-for-word chants and just as brilliant to see the response: the rhythmic bouncing of an almost equally enthusiastic crowd.

Accompanied by snazzy lighting and performing in front of a massive, sparkly silver banner displaying their name, Maximo Park gave a lot and got a lot back, playing a range of songs old and new. The older songs were delivered with as much punch as you’d expect from having heard their records and whilst the newer stuff had a slightly more mature feel to it, the audience received it just as well and it promises to be just as exhilarating. I had come on the promise of entertainment and a good show, and in that respect Maximo Park certainly proved their worth.

Run Ends Monday 18th August 2008

Review by: Amy Brewer

Having missed out on a ‘Mercury’ nomination Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip are fervently attempting to reach number one. For this performance, however, such efforts are needless as not only has everyone memorised all the lyrics, they mimic hand gestures too. With some familiar faces in the crowd they are aware of their own popularity yet their performance never slackens and Scroobius even risks a bit of blank ‘floetry’. Although this is received by mixed applause he handles the hecklers with a similar charm to festival favourite, Tim Minchin, closing the Fringe with a timely comical act. Gimicks aside the combination of beats and poetry is gripping. This is their first Edinburgh gig and it is not a moment too soon, ‘Thou shalt always kill’ was NME’s t
rack of the week back in April 2007, surprisingly, it is not a sell out, next time around it most definately will be.

Run Ends Monday 25th August 2008

Review by: DJ Wally

Just pure flamenco, from the first clap until the last one. A well known company in many theatres around the globe. One hour and forty five minutes of energy and quality spread on the stage. Now I understand why this company has been internationally awarded.

It was a well structure performance, beginning with "La Llamada" (The call) as a clapping and singing warming up followed by "La Dama del Mar" a mix of drama theatre with contemporary flamenco dance.
After, we were delighted by the most deepest styles of flamenco: Solea, Martinete and Sigueriya. Perfectly executed, capturing skilfully the truth of flamenco. The dancers left the audience astonished, no one was able to leave the eyes away from quick and slow movements and the balance of their bodies, everything synchronized with the complex rhythm of flamenco.

It was their latest show of the festival,because the theatre was not full, some spectators moved to the free side seats, to be able to see the feet of the dancers, really important in this style. I missed the sound of the hammer during the Martinete, as there is no guitar accompanying the singer.
There was a pinch of humour at the end with a “Final party”, all standing up singing and dancing.

If you have the opportunity to watch them, do not miss it, the best flamenco performance that I have seen during the festival.

Run Ends Monday 25th August 2008

Review by: Ivan Martin

An other year with the gratifying presence of Gamarjobat, Ketch (red Mohican) and Hiro-pon (yellow Mohican), in the Fringe's comedy section.
No words were needed during the show. Is incredible how this funny couple can communicate so much making faces, noises and body movements.
The venue was nearly full, 80% more or less. In the stage, just them and a suitcase, that was the sign of the beginning of the show. We enjoyed some highlights of their firsts street theatre shows. They managed to make the audience cooperate arousing the improvisation of the comedians, creating a warm atmosphere, then “The Western” show started. With all the ingredients expected form the genre, horses, guns, the “beautiful lady”, and the music box… laughs were following one after an other. They are definitely high skilled actors.
I didn't like some allusions to a famous drink and food brands, is kind of indirect advertising. During the Western section there is a birthday party, that wasn't as funny as any of the other parts of the show, I would say that it didn't contribute too much to the plot.
A part from that, the performance is full of ingenious ideas to make people have a good time with few little things, using mimic as their best allied.
Recommended for all ages, a must seen show.

Run Ends Monday 25th August 2008

Review by: Ivan Martin

After a really long queue, and the security check, I managed to get in the concert hall. People were already shouting and dancing at the beats of the Dj, warming up the crowd before Pendulum's live performance. The first rows were packed of teenagers, waiting to see the musicians as close as possible. I decided to be more in the middle to enjoy a good stereo image from the speakers and a nice view of the band.
When they started playing there was literally no space for dancing, but I wanted to be there, with all their passionate fans. It's recommended to jump at the time of the ones beside you no to be smashed.
The venue has an excellent sound and lights system, what added to the perfect execution of the musicians made an impeccable show.
They played many songs from the album "Hold Your Colour" like "Fasten Your Seatbelt" or "Slam", Prodigy's remix "Voodoo People", and the last CD single "The other Side" between others.
I was allowed to go up to the balcony at the back of the hall where the view of the stage and the multitude enjoying the music was spectacular, close to what the band is able to feel from the stage.
I really enjoy the show and not only myself, definitely a band to see, they managed to open their Drum'n'Bass sound to a larger audience while not falling into mainstream.
The concert finished after 90 minutes of excellent beats and outstanding tunes.

Run Ends Thursday 21st August 2008

Review by: Ivan Martin

James Dowdeswell is a nice guy, he was before this show and continues to be so after. The purpose of the show for him is to try and convince the crowd that he can be assertive when pushed however the fact that he was overlooked for the role of Gareth in The Office for not being geeky enough tells you that’s going to be a tall order.

The audience, instead, are regaled with tales where he has wanted to react in a more aggressive way to situations only for it to backfire pathetically on him. In recent times he has been accosted by a group of 10 year olds in a swimming pool changing room, mugged by a kid on a bike and threatened in his local chip shop. A genuinely funny story teller who has a perfect grasp on self deprecation, he manages to get the crowd on side almost immediately and they stay with him throughout the hugely entertaining hour of light hearted comedy.

Run Ends Sunday 24th August 2008

Review by: John-Paul Mason

Rob Deering’s advertising this year cannot fail to spark interest, seeing his head rather disturbingly adorning a pair of rather lovely pair of breasts, is an image that stays with you all the way to the box office. This interest is well rewarded from start to finish in this absolute cracker of a show. Rob introduces his show as a social commentary on the state of women in society today, a theme which is stuck to very loosely.

Rob Deering is a brilliant stand up comedian but his comedian is brought above the mundane by the addition of his musical stylings. Deering makes excellent use of his musical talents and his witty rewrites of popular tunes are very funny. Deering copes well with the space he is given filling it with his talents and his big if slightly self depreciating personality.

This show is an excellent way to spend an hour on the fringe and audiences are well rewarded by Deering’s talents and passion his instruments and entertaining. Deering shows a natural ability for stand up and the versatility of his act will be hard to better.

Run Ends Sunday 24th August 2008

Review by: Phoebe Myles

The Mish-Mash is a brilliant variety show consisting of young comics joining together to have fun on stage and ensure the audience has a good time too. The main host Andrew Stanley comes into his own more so than he does in his solo show and his co-host Fred Cook is an excellent addition to the show.

The show consists of a variety of sketches, a little improv and a lot of audience participation, particularly when it comes to biscuits. Stanley and Cook, with a little help from their friends, spend an hour bounding around the stage full of energy as they do various sketches; one of the highlights of the night was 80’s myspace.

This show is a great way to round of an evening at the fringe. It’s a variety show that does not fail to entertain and is what the fringe is all about, young comics showing off their talents and having a fun time doing it. This is a brilliant variety show and one well worth a look.

Run Ends Sunday 24th August 2008

Review by: Phoebe Myles

Andrew Stanley is a very likable comic and his stand up is made up of a variety of stories about his life. He oozes enthusiasm for what he is doing and the audience takes to him immediately as he regales them with stories of his childhood.

The highlights of the show include two of Stanley’s best stories, reminiscing about the games of Knick Knacks he used to play as a nine year old and the best moment of the show has to be when he reveals the secrets of the hairdresser to all the men in the audience. Whilst Stanley is a brilliant comic it would be irresponsible not to warn you of the perils of sitting in the front row – it’s not for the faint hearted.

Whilst Stanley’s show really is very good it never reaches its full potential as some of his stories become overly long and his mile-a-minute pace can become a little over whelming.

Stanley’s show is a good example of Fringe stand up and is very entertaining, well worth a look if you fall for the good all Irish charm and are a fan of clever and witty stand up.

Run Ends Sunday 24th August 2008

Review by: Phoebe Myles

Debut shows at the Fringe can be a bit hit and miss. Thankfully Welsh stand up Lloyd Langfords debut show is a well crafted hour of comedy.
He is happy to let the audience know that when hes not performing he is really a shy lad who would rather run than fight. Despite this fact he is still able to engage in some good banter with the audience and deliver more than a few killer jokes. Langford is a like-able and honest comic with a sharp wit and great delivery. A man who I susspect will be around for many a Fringe to come.

Run Ends Monday 25th August 2008

Review by: HP

Justin Moorhouse’s latest show draws on the perils of the Facebook age where you find yourself surrounded by just too many friends. Throughout the show Moorhouse sheds the unwanted friends whilst guiding you through the process by which he decided to discard those excess to requirements.

This stand up is lifted from the mundane by his excellent use of the audience. Rather than just being passive they contribute to his act and he seems genuinely interested in what they have to add to his show. Moorhouse’s likability is only enhanced by his insistence to shake each audience members hand when they left. As Moorhouse begins to reduce his friends you learn more about him personally and he makes no apologies for his attitudes and opinions and you like him all the more for that.

Moorhouse is an excellent comic and this show is well worth a look. Though there are many stand up shows on at the Fringe this really is one of the best. Its clear structure makes it flow well whilst leaving room for audience participation. See it – its good!

Run Ends Monday 25th August 2008

Review by: Phoebe Myles

There are few words I can think of to describe Zimbani. It is a show unlike any other I have seen at this years Fringe. It can best be described as an excellent spoof of the spy movies of old, especially Bond. All the misogynistic and testosterone fuelled undertones that make these movies so classic are wrapped up in this absolutely brilliant, if slightly demented, comic adventure story.

The characters in this show represent all those typical to the classic adventure movie – the ‘hero’, his boss and the silent, but most intelligent, receptionist. The stars of the show, Colin Hoult, David McNeill and Clare Ward do an absolutely brilliant job of playing these roles and do so whilst clearly enjoying themselves immensely and the audience cannot help but become infected by the enthusiasm and sheer good humour. It’s hard to pick out a single highlight but look out for the Norwegians.

This show is very very funny. It is so difficult to categorise but I do urge people to go, you will be hard pushed to spend a funnier hour at the festival. An absolutely excellent contribution to the Fringe it deserves to be shared with as many people as possible.

Run Ends Monday 25th August 2008

Review by: Phoebe Myles

You know that feeling after seeing a mind-blowing film at the cinema when you are incapable of talking to another human being for at least half an hour after? Well this one man play had that effect on me.

Broderline, written and performed by Rob Benson a man who lived it large in the 1990s club scene and was lucky to come out the other end in one piece. Some of his friends however weren't so lucky, this play explores the come down for the 1990s club generation.

With only a solitary wooden chair as a set, Benson rushes round the stage at breakneck speed mixing poetry, monologues and physical theater bringing to life the soaring highs and crashing lows of the drug experience. The audience is taken on an emotional journey from pub to club to mental heath ward to drug dealer's seedy flats as the main character wrestles with the psychotic episodes brought on my his prolonged drug use.

This play is a true gem of this years Fringe, one not to be missed.

Run Ends Monday 25th August 2008

Review by: HP Neilson

Clarkson and Crouch’s comic debut show, Away With the Fairies, was a pleasant success from the unlikely pair with a background in acting. I was intrigued by their innovative idea of merging the supernatural with comedy and was looking forward to their final result.

The set of sketches turned out to be fast and furious; being jammed packed with ideas and characters that sent all of the audience members into hysterics.

The highlights of the numerous sketches include the Pearl and ‘Chelle sketch. In which Clarkson and Crouch superbly take the role of two Cockney women who chatter over tea and plot to gain revenge upon Pearl’s neighbour, Darren Brown, for his magical, if rather noisy, bedroom antics through the use of mind power classes.

The intelligent sketch based upon the poetry of Byron and Shelley is set in an advertising agency, where Clarkson and Crouch wittily impersonate the dead poets and enact ideas for a sanitary towel range. Crouch takes on the role of Byron and laconically suggests a tagline for the campaign that will put a “plug” in the “crimson piper that plays at a woman’s gate during Blow Job Week”.

A few sketches, admittedly, go over my head mainly due to my lack of knowledge about Superheroes, especially Spacecats. But Clarkson and Crouch swiftly move on to a new scenario, and set the scene alive again with their satire about Tramps.

Clarkson and Crouch displayed magnificent acting skills as they transferred from scene to scene with a professional ease. As well as successfully executing their various and differing character roles, Clarkson and Crouch also showed that they are actors who can deliver a cracking punch-line just as well as the professional comedians on at the Edinburgh Fringe.

This is definitely a must-see show of the Fringe, for the innovation of adapting modern urban life to an outer-world experience. So prepare yourself to be intensely entertained for the hour.

Run Ends Monday 25th August 2008

Review by: Sara D’Arcy

Deaf Shepherd were performing tonight with an unusual 7-piece line up with pipes, whistles, 2 x fiddles, bouzouki, song, guitar, bodhrán and bass peddle played by the various members of the band. Originally the hot young things of the folk scene, the question was “can they still cut it” with the answer being “of course”! The tune sets were tight – despite usual fiddler Jenna Reid being substituted by Gillian Frame, with some interesting arrangements. It’s a relief not to have a band all playing the same melody from start to finish. The pipes, fiddles and whistle drop in and out during the tunes, different instruments take melodies and harmonies but the whole time a storming beat is kept. The songs were as strong as ever – their version of “The Gowden Lock O’ Anna” remains my favourite treatment of this song and their three-time signature-treatment of “Duncan Grey” also deserves a mention as a feat of organisation, timing and memory. There were a number of Deaf Shepherd “classics” mixed in with a lot of new material which is presumably heading for the new album. The audience were with them all the way throughout the gig and a splendid time was had by all. There hasn’t been a lot of output from Deaf Shepherd for some time but this was a definite re-establishment – watch out for the Deafies!

Run Ends Wednesday 13th August 2008

Review by: Paul Murray

Bùrach are a 5-piece band who hover on the dangerous folk-rock borderline. With a number of self written songs (some from a previous incarnation when they had a female singer) and tune sets, their style is wild, woolly, thrashy and a little ragged The Acoustic Music Centre is very unforgiving to a loud band such as Bùrach, partly due to the sound limiter causing some embarrassingly silent moments. However, you do get the impression that they probably don’t play together too much these days as things were possibly a little more ragged than they maybe should have been. Some of the songs were also a little weak, a fact not helped by the fact that none of the singers are particularly strong as singers. However, the tune sets were as wild, crazy and fun as I would expect from Bùrach and there were several incidents of pure joy – notably an particularly tight version of “The Highfield Set” and a fantastic electric guitar string bending moment vs. crazy fiddle an accordion during “The Fool Inside”.

Overall though, Bùrach are still a lot of fun and will guarantee a crazy evening.

Run Ends Wednesday 13th August 2008

Review by: Paul Murray

It’s another sweltering day in Edinburgh time to go and listen to some epic depressing indie rock from three Scottish artists.
First up is John B Mckenna who has a bit of trouble a too much nerves I think. Only when the guitar gets louder and he starts singing about funerals do the crowd disengage from their pre-gig banter. Keep an eye on him for the future through.
Frightened Rabbit walk politely on stage a little while later and the crowd are nodding and singing to every word right from the start keeping most of the set list from their most recent album –Midnight Organ Fight.
Special mention goes to the demented drumming of Grant Hutchison who only stops when lead singer Scott Hutchison pulls out an acoustic guitar and sings ‘Poke’ with no mic with hushed silence form the crowd joining in to add their own quiet ‘ooooooos’

The Twilight Sad have quite an act to follow it doesn’t start well when the mic breaks in the first song, thankfully it is fixed quickly and they launch into epic sounding, sonic, transcendent shoe-gazing soundscapes.
If Frightened Rabbit allow you to sing back the words, The Twilight Sad sound with its guitars washing feedback round the venue forces massive head-nodding in time.
Respitefully they turn it down a couple of decibels to allow the crowd to scream ‘Romantic gestures with woollen plants’ and ‘…with a knife in your chest’ back at the band.
Finishing the set with ‘I’m Taking the Train Home’ singer James Graham laments about ‘your green eyes turn to blue’ the guitars are left on the effect pedals and play by themselves while the band leave quietly to respectable applause.
So in conclusion both bands are on tour in the winter, if you want a good sing-song see Frightened rabbit, if you like feedback and going slowly deaf with pleasure see The Twilight Sad
Cheers

Run Ends Thursday 14th August 2008

Review by: Thomas Hughes

First performed ten years ago, this play by Ryan Craig returns to the stage in a new form with a fresh new cast. A wittily written tale of relationship misery, the search for happiness, and the meaning thereof, this comedy will both entertain and make you think. It is well performed and slickly executed, and the already well-experienced young actors clearly have promising careers ahead of them! A hilarious episode about carrot and coriander soup had me sniggering into my notebook – just one example of the tirade of clever dialogue which draws out the individuality of each character.

Lacking gimmicks or Fringe First eligibility appeal, this show holds an audience by quality of drama alone. The attendance hasn’t been as full as a show like this deserves, but it only has the fierce competitive nature of Fringe theatre to blame for this. All in all, it is a fantastic piece of late afternoon entertainment, and well worth a look.

Run Ends Sunday 24th August 2008

Review by: Charlotte Hathaway

It was always going to be a come-down from Glastonbury to the diminutive venue that is, Bannermans. But I was excited to see such a high-profile artist as Laura Marling, at such an intimate venue.

Laura Marling was shielded by her entourage through the cramped, perspiring crowd and taken onto the tiny stage at the front of the vault on the Cowgate. She opened her fifty-minute long set with an acoustic-version of Shine which mellowed the atmosphere after a dynamic set from support band, Mumford and Sons.

Mumford and Sons set up the evening of folk music with lead singer, Marcus Johnstone’s gritty vocals and fervent lyrics. Mumford and Sons displayed their skill as musicians in their ardent love song White Blank Page; which admittedly was the highlight of my evening.

Marling took to stage shortly after and played as laconically as ever, staring into the distance as if mesmerised by her poignant lyrics.

My Manic and I was performed acutely with support from Marling’s full band, in which Marling finally released her hidden passion and sung with an intense tone of vexation in parts.

Marling continued to demonstrate her exceptional vocals in new tracks Blackberry Stone and Rebecca, which was applauded by the audience as vigorously as her well-known tunes.

Night Terror was performed passionately and led straight into the encore which included Cross My Fingers, Crawled Out of the Sea and Marling’s infamous extended live version of Alas I Cannot Swim. Marling coyly thanked her audience and promised that she would be back in a week to enjoy the rest of the festival with them.

The response was rapturous even though the flow of the set was inhibited by the constant re-tuning of guitars due to the extreme heat. But it must be acknowledged that Laura Marling has comfortable seated herself as an unforgettable live act, in both large venues such as the Glastonbury Park Stage, and Edinburgh’s Bannermans.

Run Ends 0000-00-00

Review by: Sara D’Arcy

There is, these days, almost as sense of cliché surrounding the subject of sexuality, an Edinburgh Festival favourite often made the basis either of crude comedy or difficult drama. Regretrosexual, an autobiographical play written and acted by husband and wife team Dan Rothenburg and Colleen Crabtree, treads a careful, honest path between the two and breathes fresh life into its subject matter.
It focusses on Dan (Rothenburg) telling his love-of-his-life girlfriend, Colleen (Crabtree) his big secret – that he went through a two year gay ‘period’ in his past. A skillfully structured plot traces Dan’s pursuit of happiness from his college days up to this moment of revelation and combines a good deal of internal monologuing with well observed dialogue. Both deliver a mix of humour and and complement each other effectively, and although cetain sections might have benefitted from more economical writing the quality of acting, particularly from Crabtree, ensures that the script remains compelling. The direction too is innovative and neatly injects pace into the production, establishing a number of simple conventions that allow Crabtree to play an ensemble of supporting characters alongside her lead role.

Regretrosexual in fact is as much about identity as sexuality, covering Dan’s flirtations with alcoholism and radical politics as well as with the patrons of San Fransisco’s more specialist nightclubs. And by accomodating Dan’s issues with sexuality within a broader white middle-class American identity crisis, the play offers a way in for audience members who have never been ‘curious’ or ‘conflicted’ re: their sexuality themselves, but know what it is like to feel insecure.

Regretrosexual tackles potentially tired subject matter in a refreshing and subtly sophisticated way. Well worth seeing.

Run Ends Monday 25th August 2008

Review by: Hamish Fergusson

It’s a typical rainy summer day in Edinburgh.
However inside Bannermans it is packed to the rafters and like an oven.
The audience is in anticipation for Mercury award nominated Laura Marling.
Taking to the stage first is Pete Roe a London/Bristolian singer/songwriter. He looks like a flat capped, black haired Green Arrow. He has to work through an indifferent crowd, however he turns up the guitar and sings louder and by his last song – ‘The Devil’s Dancefloor’ he has the crowd in his command while he screams about being ‘pickled in sin’
Satisfied he pits his guitar down and down and goes to the side of the stage with the other bands including Laura and Munford and Sons take to the stage.
They say they are one member down but it is hard to tell with their beautiful triphonic melody filling up the room especially lead singer Marcus who sounds like he has smoked 20 cigarettes since birth. They switch it up for the last song introducing ‘GASP’ a set of drums for a song called ‘Dustball Dance’ which leads for a resounding finale.
About half an hour later miss Laura Marling steps from the side of the stage to the main spotlight and absolute silence hits the room. No problems for her getting the crowd on her side.
Laura keeps the banter to the minimum mainly because the tiny venue is dripping with sweat so much the cello and the violin have to be constantly wiped down although she does tell an amusing story about insulting the singer of Sigur Ros and keeps swearing about the heat to keep the spirits of the crowd between her alternative folk rock.
Although both of Laura’s dates sold out quickly there is still a chance to catch some her magic as on the 15th the producer of her album – Alas I Cannot Swim Charlie Fink plays with his band Noah and The Whale. Catch them if you can!

Run Ends Wednesday 13th August 2008

Review by: Thomas Hughes

Stephen K Amos takes a break from his usual socio-political, semi-autobiographical themed shows this year to simply ‘find the funny’ – and boy does he find the funny!

Stephen K minces on stage and instantly creates a rapport with the audience hitting just the right balance between off the cuff comedy and pre-prepared material. He takes the audience on a whirl-wind tour through the funnies in everyday life and whilst the show may lack a coherent storyline, there is no clear beginning, middle or end, and it all seems to end a bit abruptly he succeeds in making you belly laugh for the full hour.

One of the biggest highlights was Stephen K declaring himself an ‘old fart’ (though it’s hard to imagine the charismatic, energetic Amos as an old fart) as he tried to decipher lyrics from current chart singles leading to a high level of audience interaction. It was with the interaction from the audience that Amos’ wit and quick thinking really began to shine.

Stephen K Amos latest contribution to the world of stand up comedy is an excellent example of observational comedy that is made exceptional by Amos’ extreme likability and warmth. This show is like being wrapped in a nice big comedy hug that is over all too soon.

Run Ends Monday 25th August 2008

Review by: Phoebe Myles

Jarlath Regan’s new show, Relax the Cax, is his most self-deprecating yet, as Regan jokes about him facing up to his fear of fighting.

Regan sweetly thanks the packed out room for coming. He instantly mocks the people on the front row, likening them to the friend who gets stuck in the front of the taxi, while the others are “in the back, having the craic!”

The anecdote of when a traffic warden squared up to Regan sets the basis for the show, in which Regan comically acts out the “de-masculating” experience of timidly accepting the car clamp and wandering back hurt, emotionally, to his fiancé who merely laughs in response.

Regan also introduces some audience participation in this light-hearted show. At one point asking an audience member to perform a heckle that Regan had seen directed towards a compére at an Irish comedy festival, which led to rapturous applauds and giggles for the excellent performances of Regan and Dave the audience member.

Regan rounded off his set with his infamous greeting cards “for situations that modern greeting card companies don’t currently cater for”, which sent the audience into fits of laughter.

Relax the Cax was an hour of Irish charm, cheeky one-liners and heart-warming giggles. It is Regan’s dulcet Irish accent that really sets the tone of his set and relaxes the audience into a late-afternoon stand-up show, but don’t expect to be laughing out loud.

Run Ends Monday 25th August 2008

Review by: Sara D’Arcy

The final gig of Back of the Moon might be a cue for Findlay Napier to take a rest but this is clearly not the case. The Bar Room Mountaineers concentrate Findlay’s own songs and also those written with Nick Turner as well as the odd cover and traditional song. The sound is as tight as you could wish for with piano/organ, fiddle and a particularly solid percussion from Paul Jennings accompanying Findlay and his guitar. Song themes are varied and run from a relationship between Charles Darwin and a tortoise (“Harry met Charlie”), flat sharing (“Such a Sweetie”) and night-time drunken fighting (“George”). It will be interesting to see the reaction of the “Folkie” audience to the Bar Room Mountaineers. The band were surmising as
to whether the titles “Acousto-Funk” or “Melodramatic Popular Song” might be better applied to them than “Folk” but your average open-minded folkie should certainly find little to dislike. There could even be something here for those less familiar with the folk scene.

The sound at the Acoustic Music Centre was as variable as ever but this was in essence a fabulous gig from a band on their way up.

Run Ends Tuesday 12th August 2008

Review by: Paul Murray

“I’m one of the last Perrier losers” says Toulson quite proudly in reference to the fact that his former double act Toulson & Harvey were nominated for the Perrier Awards in 2005 before the name change to the If.comedy awards. “Tim Minchin was the winner that year, where is he now?” He says with tongue firmly in cheek. It may be the case that Minchin is playing the 750 seater Pleasance Grand and Toulson finds himself in a cellar but a show is sometimes what the audience makes it and tonight he has a few people in the crowd whom he bounces off in impressive fashion. There’s Steve at the back who is the typically gobby but polite audience member who gives him the right amount of rope to pull on, a young lad from Worcester
who is surprisingly chatty and Sally, the only female who responds when Toulson asks all the females in the audience to cheer if they are not in a relationship, something I’m sure she instantly regretted given her crimson face for the rest of the show!

The show is based around his apparent failure in life and makes light of his time as a supply teacher and his TV role as a Space Pirate on a children’s TV show, something which doesn’t even impress his 6 year old son! The rest of his material takes in his lack of faith in budget airlines, children’s birthday parties and of course terrorism, it is not clichéd though and his delivery is such that the crowd stays with him throughout.

Towards the end, he even uses recent reviewers criticism of his ‘Scot Off’ “ an ill-advised attempt to engage the audience where he challenges Scots in the audience to better his Scottish accent”

It is of course no surprise that Steve is volunteered by friends to take part which leads to a joust that flies in the face of the criticism. Of course, on another night, it may not work as well but tonight it does and who knows, next year Toulson might make it above sea level!

Run Ends Monday 25th August 2008

Review by: John-Paul Mason

Grumpy, boring, angry, anal, bitter, misanthropic, controversial, dogmatic? All great words to describe Jon Richardson, but my favourites have to be: personable, likable, honest, funny and endearing. He's genuinely a nice guy and, like the rest of us in this country, enjoys having a good old moan about things that really aren't that big a deal.

Jon likes to start each show differently by talking about something that happened to him that day, and today it was the weather. Let's face it, that's been happening to all of us now for 3 days and we're all a bit sick to the teeth of it. He managed, however, to liken todays 2pm downpour to suddenly being trapped in a washing machine….his delivery was obviously better than mine, but it was something that people could relate to and the audience were instantly won over, including myself.

He then went on to talk about how he always likes to win at stuff, especially things like rock, paper, scissors, and will go out of his way to annoy people through firmly asserting personal opinions as true (in other words, being dogmatic). The only thing for me which let his performance down, was the political lilt in the middle. Fortunately though it wasn't long before he was back on track telling us about some comedy window wipers, about people from Bristol (which is where he, surprisingly, took Hispanic studies for a short while), and he then went on to experience a rather unfortunate, and thus hilarious, Freudian slip, where he accidentally said 'fister' instead of 'faster'.

Expect to hear stories of sexual inadequacy, street violence, comedy Bristolian accents, as well as impersonations of Jeremy Clarkson and old ladies who breath heavily and steal your arm-rests on trains. And as I said before, he's genuinely a nice guy which can be backed up by the fact that at the end of the show he asked us all to wish Leanne (which I think was her name), who was working on the door, happy birthday for tomorrow. What a sweetheart.

And here's some final words of advice for you……go to the loo before you go see the show…and if you don't, but need to pee throughout, just hold it! Or, pretend you're going to be sick….it'll be more appreciated.

Run Ends Monday 25th August 2008

Review by: Tallah Brash

Adriana is one of a generation of extremely talented female singer-songwriters who are currently emerging onto the circuit. With a programme composed almost entirely of her own songs, Adriana took to the stage in the back room of the Acoustic Music Centre accompanied only by her own guitar and Mark on the acoustic bass. Her voice is pleasant and well controlled with just a hint of her Livingstone upbringing. Influenced by the likes of Tori Amos, and Joni Mitchell, Adriana’s songs deal with love, life, relationships – notably “Jeenie’s Song”, dealing with the changing relationship with her grandmother as they both age, and “Faces”, written for the “Songs for Change” project. There was also a brave and well-executed cover of Joni Mitchell’s “Woodstock”. It was difficult to hear the bass through most of the gig, mainly due to problems with the sound system. There was also evidence of “having a bad day” but this only served to warm the audience towards Adriana’s very likable stage presence. Having previously supported Sheryl Crow, Adriana is clearly on her way up and well worth a look in.

Run Ends Tuesday 12th August 2008

Review by: Paul Murray

In true Good Cop – Bad Cop form this review encompasses both a very positive and a somewhat less enthusiastic opinion of the Shout Out Louds gig on 7th August at Cab Vol (The Edge Festival). This is perhaps a good thing, giving both sides of the experience, and settling on a 3 star rating between us, which, let’s be fair, is not too shabby at all!

Unfortunately due to some tasty felafel eating and heckling of passers-by in the street, we arrived slightly late to the show, and as such missed the support act in the form of the amazing Jesus H. Foxx. However we were assured by those lucky ones that managed to catch Foxx (and evidently are better time-keepers, or perhaps just dislike felafel) that a fun time was had by all with Jesus H. Foxx putting on an excellent set!

As for the Shout Out Louds… To kick off the gig the band entered the stage to the sound of what can only be described as “creepy child choral music”, a unique genre I think you’ll agree, and a somewhat unexpected and slightly eerie choice of music to make an entrance to. Fortunately the band did not continue with this theme and instead played a mixture of old and new tracks, including some personal favourites such as ‘The Comeback’. The band maintained their usual upbeat atmosphere with the aid of some excellent songs and some even more excellent bobbing-happily-with-guitar motions, which, when combined with a cow-bell and glockenspiel definitely made my day and resulted in much happy grinning from me and other crowd members!

However, as Bad Cop would like to point out… Despite being good, their songs could be described as a little monotonous, with a similar feel to each and not a great deal to differentiate between them. It could also be argued they haven’t progressed much over the last year, with Tonight I Have To Leave It still their best song.

So overall, a fun cheery feel-good gig with a lot going for it, and some excellent songs, but by no means perfect. I’m not gonna lie though, as Good Cop, I frickin’ loved it! Yay for Shout Out Louds!

Run Ends Thursday 7th August 2008

Review by: Tallah Brash and Jenny Humberstone

Another Fringe festival and another show from Tony Coward about football and once again it's a good'un. Much like last year's show, Tony talks a good game, finding humour in both football (well he is an Ipswich Town supporter) and life. Very friendly chat onstage that hides some nerves, but the banter flows and the crowd are good humoured.

Although there was some repatition from last year's show, Tony had enough 'new' material to keep the show fresh and it will be interesting to see the show again once the new season starts to see if he adds more to his act.

As I said last year, a very pleasant way to spend an hour or so, also the ECFC bar is the cheapest I've been to so far-so a good result all round!

Run Ends Monday 25th August 2008

Review by: Steve Murdoch

Back again with another free show, Mark and Dave (Men With Bananas) are looking for a radio show to showcase their undoubted (?) talent. They have the looks, they have the material, they have the audience, what could possibly go wrong? Well………………………..
Another MWB show and another hour of gloriously daft and silly fun invovling bananas, magic tricks and the complete works of A-Ha-well 2 out of 3 ain't bad!
If you've not seen them before then words can't really describe the act, just the sound of laughter and applause will do it. If you have seen them before then you know what to expect, bananas, jokes about Mark's size and a real sense of two guys enjoying themselves and sharing that fun with the audience.
Go see!!!!

Run Ends Monday 25th August 2008

Review by: Steve Murdoch