Sam Eley Is Basil Crumbwick review – cantankerous cult hit brings laugh after laugh

Monkey Barrel, EdinburghThere are shades of Vic and Bob as well as Frank Sidebottom when this embittered git with bloodshot eyes holds courtEvery room in Edinburgh has its ghosts, and its particular character. This one is all about the late-night cult …

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Sam Eley Is Basil Crumbwick review – cantankerous cult hit brings laugh after laugh

Monkey Barrel, EdinburghThere are shades of Vic and Bob as well as Frank Sidebottom when this embittered git with bloodshot eyes holds courtEvery room in Edinburgh has its ghosts, and its particular character. This one is all about the late-night cult …

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I Made You a Mixtape review – frothy fringe fun as dorm mates party like it’s 1999

TheSpace Triplex, EdinburghNine college students fall out and make up as they dance to punk-pop and alt-rock in this lively showThis is such a festival show: uncategorisable, buzzing, slightly chaotic and unlike anything else. As director Christie Lee …

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Abby Govindan: Pushing 30 review – playful comic makes the case for marriage as a side quest

Pleasance Courtyard, EdinburghGovindan’s debut takes aim at patriarchal stereotypes with pranks, PowerPoint and easygoing storytellingIn south Asian culture, marriage continues to be paramount, with women still largely bearing the brunt of this societa…

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Jonno: Here Comes Mr Funny review – Sheeps comic leaves flock for revelatory solo

Monkey Barrel, EdinburghThe Saturday Night Live UK writer, who is one-third of the sketch troupe Sheeps, balances sincerity and shtick in a show with big laughsThere are reasons to take up standup, and then there’s Daran “Jonno” Johnson launching this …

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The Last Drop review – everything is rotten in this dark domestic comedy

Zoo Playground, EdinburghDante Passarelli’s play, part of the São Paulo Showcase, is an atmospheric hour borrowing themes from HamletThis year’s fringe variously puts Hamlet in the Big Brother house with Lady Macbeth, makes him “Prince of Sweden” in an…

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Atsuko Okatsuka: ‘Fans have cut their hair to look like mine, which is a huge commitment’

The comedian and actor on her love for White Chicks, getting a bad Yelp review as a dog walker and doing stand-up during an earthquakeYou went to film school; what movie do you rewatch or return to most?This would not be an answer that my film school w…

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Charlene Kaye: Diversity Shredder review – killer riffs slay toxic music industry

Gilded Balloon Teviot, Edinburgh This is a fun and feverish journey, with well-crafted comedy and screaming guitar, through the star’s career so farIn an industry that claims to be inclusive, it’s so easy to feel tokenised. For musician and comedian Ch…

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Ayo Adenekan: Homeland Insecurity review – SNL UK writer woos the room with summer romance

CabVol @ Monkey Barrel, EdinburghA fringe fling is the backbone for a mischievous set with deft jokes and a fresh perspective but some of this material needs another draftAyo Adenekan’s ascent has been swift. Last year, the rookie comic cracked a joke …

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A Foot Is Not an Appropriate Prize for the Tombola review – a fateful day at the fete

Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh Daniel McVey merrily recruits the audience for a fun hour of cosy crime that bleeds into cosmic horrorWith a title like that, perhaps it’s no surprise that this afternoon’s show is sold out. Who wouldn’t want to find out …

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