BUXTON FRINGE 2014: Jam-packed programme of comedy continues to grow

Comedy magicians Morgan and West present their Parlour Tricks showcase. Photo: Steve Ullathorne.

If you like television and radio comedians, such as Terry Christian – known for 8 Out of 10 cats among other programmes - or Alfie Moore, star of Radio’s 4 It’s a Fair Cop, the Fringe can provide.

If you are keen to see a sneak preview of the shows heading to Edinburgh such as To be Continued with their show Absolute Improv, The Dead Secrets with Bulletproof Jest, Nathan Cassidy with Date of Death, Kelly Kingham with Inside Out or Gein’s Family Gift Shop, with their show Gein’s Family Gift Shop - Volume 1 – the Fringe can supply.

The festival also has up-and-coming acts such as Simon Fielder, Joe Rowntree and Claire Cogan, alongside award-winning comedians such as Scott Bennett and Amadeus Martin. And there is more improvisation comedy with Scrap the Script’s The Good, the Bad and the Unexpected.

There’s singing comedians in the form of Sharnema Nougar and Leo Conville with their show His and Hers Wild Vaudeville, and Ruth E Cockburn with Toast, as well as comedic magicians, with Morgan and West’s Parlour Tricks, and Oliver Meech’s show When Science and Magic Collide.

Comedy can often throw a light on serious issues. Alastair Clark discusses political apathy in his show Vote for Russell Brand, Bill Woolland explores fatherhood in Comedy Dad, Andrew Watts considers Feminism for Chaps, Maxine Jones finds herself an Invisible Woman as she reaches middle age and Lolie Ware talks about caring for her parents in Too Cool to Care.

Add to these Caimh McDonnell (see cover) asking how to be a good citizen in Southbound and Down and it is clear that the Fringe has plenty to pique your interest and make you think.

But if you fancy something more random, try Samantha Mann’s, Stories about Love Death and a Rabbit, Tilly Mint Theatre’s Amateur Zookeeping or John Cooper (better known for his Danny Pensive character) with Pictures of Cats. Roland Gent’s Do you Remember Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio? offers torrid tales of the airwaves while Gary Colman’s Chunt provides a fresh take on the ‘crushing banality of life’.

Three’s Company’s Shakespearience will provide laughs for families, and Underground Venues will present its traditionally sell-out Barrel of Laughs shows - a variety of comedy acts in one night.