Celebrating its fifth triumphant year, the non-residential crash course in stand-up offers a unique opportunity for would-be performers to experience the Edinburgh Fringe from the inside. Nine three-hour sessions introduce newcomers to the skills of gag-writing, stagecraft, microphone techniques and persona/character development in a comedy environment. The final afternoon the public showcase consolidates the learning experience by replicating some Fringe show elements providing some real stagetime in an equipped stand-up comedy room on the Fringe proper.