A tight 5: August 18

FINALISTS have been announced in this year's So You Think You're Funny new act competition, held at the Edinburgh Fringe. Harriet Braine, Kelly Convey, Sophie Henderson, Ruth Hunter, Jamie M, Stuart McPherson, Heidi Regan, Arielle Souma and Danielle Walker – all of whom are very new to stand-up – will compete for the tile at the Gilded Balloon on next Thursday night.

RICHARD GADD has been nominated for a Total Theatre award at the Edinburgh Fringe, the only comedy show to get such a nod. Monkey See Monkey Do is up for the award for innovation, experimentation & playing with form.

IRAQ OUT LIVE, the 24/7 reading of  the Chilcot Report into the Edinburgh Fringe is expected to come to an end on Saturday morning, organisers have announced. Comedians, politicans and members of the public have part in reading the 2.6 million word report in half-hour shifts. The task will have taken 17 days,  faster than originally estimated.

EDINBURGH venue The Pleasance has raised £48,000 for HIV and Hepatitis C charity Waverley Care thanks to the Tartan Ribbon Comedy Benefit gig held this week, and collections after various other festival shows.

THE town of Alderburgh in Suffolk is to host a new three-day comedy festival called Laugh East, featuring  Stewart Lee, Bridget Christie, Alexei Sayle and Tina C, taking place from September 30 to October 2. Website.

Published: 18 Aug 2016