Show Reviews & Press 2006

Unfortunately we were unable to add review from after August 20th

20^th Aug – Mike Belgrave: Out to Lunch -  - Three Weeks

A very enthusiastic and energetic performance from this crazy man with a beard who admits himself that he's a cross between Lionel Ritchie and Jesus.

He does have just enough charm and good material (depending on your sense of humour) to warrant praise, and considering the huge effort he puts in for this free show it's worth popping in to find out if he tickles your funny bone or not.

20^th Aug – Kevin McCarron: Nuclear War -  - Three Weeks

From the outset the audience warmed to kiwi comic, Kevin McCarron. Admittedly some of his early audience banter was a little forced, but he soon relaxed and started enjoying himself. What material he did have was amusing - and at times hilarious. He covered a range of topics including facial tattoos, films, and fatherhood; and even a predictable mention of 'Brokeback Mountain' segued into some nice observations about old fashioned westerns. There is often a worry with free shows that you get weaker comics because you don't pay. Laughing Horse, however, proved to be a 'bargain basement' which was friendly, funny and free whilst offering quality acts.

20^th Aug – The Great Big Comedy Picnic -  - Three Weeks

Apparently there's no such thing as a free lunch. But having digested a slice of 'The Great Big Comedy Picnic,' it's hard to agree with such generalised proverbs. Serving up three of the Fringe's least exotic comedians, the menu seems as palatable as a battered Mars Bar and the combination of deadpan humour and derivative dialogue turns this into a buffet fit for a king. From invincible toddlers to "Womble bumming", it's a self-deprecating dollop of childish humour that's as sweet as sticky toffee pudding and with such varied portions, there's enough here to tantalise the most exquisite of taste-buds. It may not seem the most fulfilling of shows but once you've left this picnic you'll be hungry for more.

20^th Aug – Kockov’s Free Mind Show -  - Burn Magazine

Blend magic, comedy and a mullet and you get Kockov, Monrokvia_s most famous magician. Focusing mainly on the mind reading elements of conjuring, Kockov provides an hour of mental magic, including guessing audience members underwear, trying to avoid impaling his hand on the _Plunge of Death_ and challenging the world record for a magic square. Although an enjoyable hour, Kockov_s main letdown was his venue, which due to its unique shape, left much of his magic only seen by the first 3 rows. Still, you can_t knock a free magic show, even when its being performed by a mullet wearing Monrokvian

20^th Aug – Pappy’s Fun Club -  - Burn Magazine

The free gig: that most dangerous of things. The vast majority of people will equate _free_ with _rubbish_ while for a performer, the practice of asking for a donation leaves you relying entirely on your talent: if people don’t like it, they won’t pay.

Pappy’s Fun Club is an exception to the former. The show is a series of often inter-linked skits performed by the four members of the Fun Club (Pappy being their unseen benefactor) featuring an array of unusual characters, The Three Gay Hitlers _ _Ooh! Blitzkrieg!_; The Minstrel; The Black Knight and the band Gomez being among the most memorable. The show does lose steam somewhat in a mis-firing rendition of _Where Is The Love?_ during the frankly bonkers climax and the whole affair occasionally gets a little too close to feeling like a Rather Jolly am-dram night. But these concerns aside, the rest of the show often borders on the inspired (there’s even a live link-up with the Slovakian incarnation of the Fun Club) and is ridden with some great catchphrases. It will be worth seeing what they can come up with for 2007.

20^th Aug – Comics Die in Hot Cars - - Chortle

http://www.chortle.co.uk/edfest2006/kevinshepherd.htm

20^th Aug – Martha McBrier – Sex Kitten/Corpse -  - The Scotsman

FREE FRINGE FIVE STAR REVIEW  - “the funniest woman I have ever seen on the Fringe” – Kate Copstick, The Scotsman

http://www.edinburghfestivals.co.uk/reviews.cfm?genre=Comedy&start=17

18^th Aug – Andrew Roper - - Chortle

http://www.chortle.co.uk/edfest2006/andrewroper.htm

18^th Aug – Radio Pear - - Chortle

http://www.chortle.co.uk/edfest2006/radiopear.htm

18^th Aug – Jojo Sutherland  - - Chortle

http://www.chortle.co.uk/edfest2006/jojo.htm

16^th Aug – Laughing Horse Free Comedy Selection -  - Three Weeks

"Be careful of too many of those pasties - you might just end up with a council flat," warns Patrick Monahan. Another night of choice comedy graces the Fringe as part of the ongoing Laughing Horse free comedy series.

The Festival experience can all too easily lead to burning pockets, and Laughing Horse comes as welcome relief. Canon's Gait, one of the four venues taking part, is the kind of cosy traditional pub you can sit back in for a long
time, and the free comedy completes the experience nicely.

Highlights of the night include Monahan and Yianni with their unique take on everyday life, oh, and Americans. (Why is there always some poor American in the front
row?)

Charming, unpretentious, plain good humour.

16^th Aug – Hurren & Rice Lunchbox -  - Three Weeks

“I wish my mother had given me a lunchbox to take to school as full of as
many little gags and laughs as these two have packed into their one.”

15^th Aug – Lewis Bryan: My family and other Alcoholics -  - Edinburghguide.com

http://www.edinburghguide.com/festival/2006/fringe/review_comedy.php?page=m (scroll down the page a bit)

15^th Aug - About Comedy: Stand-up courses -  - Three Weeks

I knew it took a good deal of work to be a stand-up comic, but I didn't realise it involved baring your soul to a room full of strangers. This is a two-day stand-up comedy workshop, hosted by comedian Jay Sodagar, who taught us how to generate material and then how to edit and find the punch lines.

We watched videos to discuss what makes a good comedian, he [Jay] managed to give his full attention to every group member. Here, you can begin your stand-up career away from critical audiences or you can face-up to them: Laughing Horse will book in your 5 minute slot for you.

Bill Bruce, star of Free Fringe 2005 is interviewed in the South London Press

http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/display.var.873774.0.0.php

14^th Aug - About As Funny As It - - Three Weeks

These three really are as funny as it gets at lunchtime. The line-up
includes: Karl Edrik - the Gordon Ramsay look-alike ex-convict; Tom
Clutterbuck - the Jesus look-alike who's quite nifty with an accordion, and
Abi Roberts - master impersonator with an awful lot of hair. Each act
differs broadly, though they all unite in a hilarious song. The audience
loved the confession of home truths and personal horror stories - from
offensive men in white transit vans to one night stands - it would seem that
life's traumas affect everyone - but particularly these guys. The venue is
great; as one of them commented, it does resemble a second hand furniture
store room, but it was a very comfy basement hideaway for a lunchtime laugh.
Laughing Horse @ Lindsay's, 6 - 18 Aug, 1:15pm (2:15pm), free, fpp 16.
tw rating 4/5 [fc]

14th Aug – Lunchtime Life Lessons - - The Scotsman

http://www.edinburghfestivals.co.uk/reviews.cfm?id=1185582006&genre=Comedy

14th Aug – Patrick Rolink - - Chortle

http://www.chortle.co.uk/edfest2006/patrickrolink.htm

14th Aug - Comprehensive Steve Day - - Chortle

http://www.chortle.co.uk/edfest2006/steveday.htm

13th Aug - Comprehensive Steve Day - - The Scotsman

AT A festival where everything's pricey, Steve Day might be the bargain of the Fringe. Not only is he a appearing for free, but he's not skimped on writing a solid show either. Day is a househusband raising five children, is a deaf stand-up, and was part of last year's Fringe showcase for performers with disabilities, Abnormally Funny People. His routine about Jimi Hendrix's parrots is reasonably funny, but insights into the Abnormals' shared flat are pure gold, especially the revelation that stuttering comic Jaik Campbell was ousted from the original bill - comedy about disabilities is a cutthroat business. Tales of feuds in the deaf community are equally enlightening, and the alternate frustration and affection Day feels for his kids is touching, despite his best efforts to appear grouchy. He also knows how to exploit his deafness for anecdotes and asides, but these are a tangential part of this rambling yet amusing show.

13th Aug – Richard Coughlan - - Three Weeks

The free fringe can be a real mixed bag, but occasionally you find yourself being entertained a good deal more than by some of the ticketed acts out there. Richard Coughlan will make you laugh out loud with his thoughtful analysis of the male ego, assortment of sordid sex jokes and self mockery regarding to his Tourettes syndrome. The show is only half an hour long but you'll definitely leave with a smile on your face so if you find your pockets empty then you might
as well pay Richard a visit.

                                       13th Aug – Kevin Shepherd – Comics Die in Hot Cars

“Highly Inventive and well worth watching” – Festival FM

13th Aug – Comprehensive Steve Day

“A Warm and Excellent show” – Festival FM

13th Aug – Deathmatch Performer Hospitalised

http://www.edfringe.com/story.html?id=1606&area_id=31

12th Aug – Martha McBrier - - Three Weeks

Anyone worried at the title of this show needn't fear - there's not a hint of necrophilia in sight as McBrier delivers comedy observations around the subject of ageing. There are some cringe-worthy moments, but the mark is never overstepped - although it may be danced around a little. McBrier improvises well, basing her interaction not so much on audience participation, but with light ridicule - nobody is singled out for any special attention, however, everyone is on the receiving end of similar teasing. The subject matter may be slightly taboo, or just plain unpleasant, but it's made all the funnier by hearing personal experiences on the matter from Martha herself.  Included in the performance is a rundown of what to expect when hitting "a certain age". A very astute comedy performance from a sharp-tongued comedian.

12th Aug – Steven Young - - Chortle

http://www.chortle.co.uk/edfest2006/stevenyoung.htm

11th Aug - Andrew Roper – ‘Cos I’m Free – Three Weeks

Andrew Roper was dressed neatly, but his humour could not be cruder. Much of
his material deals with aggression - swearing, driving, colliding in the
supermarket - and learning the facts of life. He did bring things together nicely at the end and has good timing and a likeable style. There was a genuine plug for the 'free fringe', no requests for money and the suggestion that if you don't like the show, you should tell lots of people.

11th Aug – Malcolm Hay, Time Out

1. The Laughing Horse ‘Free Fringe’ shows, at three different venues, serve as a useful reminder of that frequently voiced, but now rarely encountered, concept ‘the spirit of the Fringe’. Admission is free. The performers don’t have to pay for the use of the venue. London-based stand-up Jay Sodagar, who’s appearing at Laughing Horse at Lindsay’s, tells me he’s been getting bigger audiences, as well as having a much better time, than he’s had in Edinburgh before. What’s more, he’s not running up enormous debts.
   
   The price of drinks on the 'Free Fringe' is what you’d expect to pay in any normal boozer. The comedians are generally good and interesting. They include many from the London circuit. The approach seems light-years away from that of major places like the Pleasance, the Gilded Balloon, the Assembly Rooms and Underbelly, where tickets are overpriced (at almost a tenner, and sometimes more) for a show lasting less than an hour, and buying two small bottles of lager can mean taking out a second mortgage.

11th Aug – Ian Fox – Butterfly Effect - - Chortle

http://www.edinburghfestivals.co.uk/reviews.cfm?id=1171612006&genre=Comedy

11th Aug – Marc Lucero – Fear of Ironing - - Scotsman

http://www.edinburghfestivals.co.uk/reviews.cfm?id=1171632006&genre=Comedy

10th Aug – Pappy’s Fun Club - - Chortle

http://www.chortle.co.uk/edfest2006/pappysfun.htm

10th Aug – Ian Fox – Butterfly Effect - - Chortle

http://www.chortle.co.uk/edfest2006/ianfox.htm

9th Aug - Donald Mack - Cynical Optimist - - Three Weeks

This could probably be called the fringe of the Fringe - with just two
people in the audience Donald Mack's job was going to be difficult from the
outset. However, he did a good job and came out with some of the best jokes
that I've heard in the festival so far. Moving smoothly from gag to gag
(give or take a few distractions at the end), it sometimes felt as if Mack
was performing to a much larger audience than me and one other person. It's
definitely a show worth catching, as I think Mack will improve even more as
the festival goes on. Even better, it's free!

9th Aug - Comprehensive Steve Day - - Three Weeks

A deaf comedian. It sounds like a joke, but the only funny thing about Steve
Day is his fascinating new routine 'Comprehensive', part of the 'Free
Fringe' programme at Laughing Horse@ Lyndsey's. Day, who has lost 70% of his
hearing, treats his audience to an hour of his own unique brand of comedy,
which is funny, insightful and illuminating. His delivery is crystal clear
and it's very easy to forget he can't hear his audience laughing. Day does
draw upon his disability but makes it clear he doesn't want it to define
him. And there is no reason why it should. 'Comprehensive' will not only
make you laugh, it will also make you think - and without making you fork
out for the privilege.

9th Aug - Comprehensive Steve Day - The Stage

In the early days of his career, deaf comedian Steve Day was in danger of sounding like a one-trick pony. Most of his material was about his disability, 70% deafness, and he did not appear entirely confident with it. Now Day has come of age. His performance in this basic but pleasant free venue was absolutely wonderful.

It should be said that the prospect of a comedian talking for an hour about the comprehensive school system did not augur well. However, Day made the show so much more than that. He looked at why today’s parents are so afraid of letting their children out of the house to learn about life on their own, meaning that from dawn to dusk, kids constantly have an adult looking over them. Day spoke from the heart about the difficulties of caring for his five children in yarns that would resonate with every parent, rounded off with great punchlines.

When he did tackle disability, it was with an entirely new slant - talking about the so-called Three Monkeys, having being persuaded against his better judgment to feature in a TV show shot at last year’s fringe about a blind comic, a deaf comic and stuttering comic, with some midgets thrown in for good measure, at the flat they had to share. There were some massive laughs in this material and it became clear that in terms of performance and material, Day has moved up to the premier league of stand-up.

It was great to see him range from topic to topic as the mood found him, while making it all look seamless. Day has acquired the confidence to become angry on stage, to openly question the dubious and surprising politics of deafness and lend a completeness to his performance which was previous lacking.

8th Aug - Causing A Scene - Three Weeks

WThese comedians are some of friendliest you'll ever meet, welcoming your suggestions for their act without instilling any fear that they'll mock you if your suggestion doesn't, er...work out. Full marks for effort as the team of three really tried to pull it together. But simply put, immense reliance on audience suggestions paved the way for some downright disgusting moments - something that could have been prevented with a little more input from the comedians themselves. And while certain strengths - such as brave physical comedy - shone through at times, improvisation that's based on audience input is ultimately only as good as the people you're sitting with"

8th Aug - Aggie Elsdon - Crone Alone - The List

http://www.list.co.uk/festival/index.php?w=module:article,action:view,id:301

8th Aug - Comprehensive Steve Day - The List

"His intelligently written jokes stray widely from the supposed theme (schooling) and a confident performance is received enthusiastically"

http://www.list.co.uk/festival/index.php?w=module:article,action:view,id:308

7th Aug - Aggie Elsdon - Crone Alone - Three Weeks

"Aggie's description of herself as what "your mother would be if she took class A drugs" seems pretty much spot on, as within minutes of the act's opening, the audience knows all about her sex life, her plans to drug pensioners and why she has pubic hair on her face. The clear highlight of the show, however, was the fifteen-minute slot from Jay Sodagar which forced even the chief-heckler in the room to concede one of those 'okay, he was pretty funny' looks. The other act, Mike Manera, certainly held his own, and Ms Elsdon herself exuded a certain charm as well - though not quite enough for anyone to take her up on the offer of a post-gig orgy."

7th Aug - Mike Manera

"If many comics' jokes were as funny as his true stuff the world would be a better place" - Kate Copstick, The Scotsman (as part of the Crone Alone Review below) 

7th Aug - Aggie Elsdon - Crone Alone - The Scotsman

"Aggie Elsdon is a bundle of well-matured fun and a beacon of hope for us all"

http://www.edinburgh-festivals.com/reviews.cfm?id=1147222006&genre=Comedy

31st July - Edfringe.com

Free shows on edfringe.com... with a familar looking list of comedy shows!

http://www.edfringe.com/story.html?id=1553&area_id=62

19th July - The Herald

Andrew J. Lederer's Fuind raising efforts

http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/66149.html  

7th July - Fringereport.Com - Memory of a Free Festival

http://www.fringereport.com/art0607memoryofafreefestival.shtml