*****

5 Stars

If there is one thing that the Stand Comedy Club can excel at is putting together their nightly ‘Best ofs’ as numerous visits in the past have proved.

The format is the ‘usual’ 4 acts and a compere with a couple of breaks built in for beer, smokes etc.

Compere for the night was Stand institution Susan Morrison. Bedecked in a gold lame jacket, Susan was in top form as usual and warmed up proceedings and got everyone ready for the acts to follow. She has the ability to suss out the crowd identify targets which can be used by later acts should they wish.

Opener on the night was Keir McAlister always a Stand favourite with a incisive wit and a raft of good material. Keir handled the opening slot with his usual panache eliciting numerous laughs along the way.

Following the first interval, Ms Morrison introduced Anthony Murray to do the short slot. Again Murray was well know to me and the young guy again went down well with the very busy house. Maybe not as dynamic as McAlister, but a very good comic for all that.

The closing act of the second part was Scottish comedy veteran Parrot. Again I had seen him perform before, but it seems a while since he was regularly gigging in Scotland. He did his reputation no harm though with a funny, well crafted and delivered twenty minutes.

Headline act on the night was another Stand regular Vladimir McTavish. I have had the pleasure of witnessing him perform many, many times over the years and always find him engaging and being very funny is a given. Vlad certainly entertained one and all as only he can, his selection of gags hitting the right note from the off.

All too soon it was time to make way for the next show, but rest assured this show runs every night of the Fringe and with a different line-up each night there’s no reason why multiple visits can’t take place.

*****

Reviewed by Geoff

Stand Comedy Club I V 5

5 to 29 August