Ralph Brown – Dead Inside 4****

There is a quiet kind of thrill in watching a comic step into their prime. Ralph Brown, long a clever and likeable presence on the circuit, arrives this year with something far sharper, deeper — and frankly, funnier — than … Read More

Deage Paxton – Inappropriate 4****

Brazen, bizarre, and at times brilliant — imagine Adam Sandler transplanted into a Geordie vessel and set loose on a stage.

Newcastle’s Deage Paxton is one of this year’s surprise packages. If you don’t know him yet, you should. He … Read More

Gareth Waugh – This Guy 4.5 ****

For more than a decade local lad Gareth Waugh has been a major player on the Scottish comedy scene, and elsewhere, often opening for TV comics on their tours. It is not hard to see why; he is definitely a … Read More

Material, Girl – Susan Riddell and Amanda Dwyer 4****

The Stand Comedy Club is famous for presenting compilation comedy bills most evenings throughout the year. But this was 13.15 . Lunchtime. Okay, how will that work? Not daunted I went along to see an all-woman hour and do you … Read More

Robin Grainger – Refurb 4.5 ****

It must be galling at times being in the stand-up industry. You slave away for years and only one person turns up at your opening night. The show that has been honed over many weeks, ignored by most. But lady … Read More

Gareth Mutch – Modern Man 4 ½ ****

Gareth Mutch has had an interesting past 12 months he muses shortly after coming on stage and a gentle warm up. A lot has happened. On turning 30, he claims on of the worst ages, not old, but not young … Read More

Gavin Webster – An Hour Of Shouting And Swearing 4 .5 ****

Dressed in a dinner suit, albeit with a bow tie somewhat a skew, Gavin Webster bursts into his room making the whole audience immediately pay attention. And he held their attention for the full hour. Webster, a veteran of many … Read More

Alex Love – How to Win a Pub Quiz Returns 3 ½ ***

This is a concept that quiz guru Alex Love has been bringing it the Fringe for nearly a decade now and taps into the British love of a pub quiz merged with stand-up comedy, and judging by the sell-out late … Read More

Jo Caulfield – Pearls Before Swine 4.5 ****

For more than a decade now each Fringe I make a point of going to see Jo Caulfield’s latest show. Why so regularly one might ask? The answer is simple, it guarantees a high quality hour, of laughter packed material … Read More

Jade Kelly – Nasty Wee Bitch 3.5***

Jade Kelly is a comedian from Glasgow-way, and there’s a style of interaction with the world that is unmistakeably Glaswegian. Ms Kelly has it in spades. It is inherently good-humoured, but that’s hiding a core of granite, and heaven forefend … Read More