Edinburgh 10x10

We’ve already highlighted plenty of free shows in these features – but here are ten more that look like they might be worth checking out… After all, what have got you to lose?

1. Alpine Horn with Flange Krammer

Neil Dagley’s outrageous creation – an Olympic skiing sensation and ‘world class ladies’ man’ – is a brash character whose bizarre catchphrases and corny puns are delivered with such conviction that audiences have not option but to laugh. Expect some guest characters, too. Laughing Horse @ Espionage 20:45

2. Look At This Massive Picture Of My Face....

Established stand-up Nick Doody almost slips in under the radar with this Free Fringe show. He’s a strong, inventive writer with dark sensibilities and a topical bent, so this should be good. Canons' Gait 20:25

3. Andrew O'Neill and Marc Burrows Do Music And Comedy And Hideous Murders

Playful occultist Andrew O’Neill has a stand-up show in the paid-for part of the festival – but he’s also in a Victorian-themed ‘steampunk’ band called The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing. Here half of that band present a ‘right old knees-up’ with songs about zombies, bedlam, balloon travel and engineering empire. Canons' Gait 19:15

4. Gentlemen Bears

A cult Brighton comedy night brings a spin-off show to Brighton featuring a comic dressed as an actual trained grizzly bear. Beyond the gimmick, Nicholas Cooke Laurie Rowan and Keiron Nicholson do stand-up. The Hudson Hotel 13:30

5. 10 Films With My Dad

Though largely off the radar, Aidan Goatley got a couple of good reviews last year – including one from The Scotsman’s notoriously hard-to-please Kate Copstick – for his heartwarming comedy. And we have to say the trailer is rather charming:

Voodoo Rooms 14:40

6. Mike Sheer In Undergod

Smart, snappy stand-up with a brain from this Canadian who muses on the existence of God, while largely sidestepping any of the atheist clichés. Laughing Horse @ The Counting House 13:05

7. Nathan Cassidy: Free Pound

Even better than free, Cassidy is giving everyone in his audience £1 in this show about generosity and the trappings of money – part of a long project he’s had to give away cash. He wrote a Chortle Correspondence piece about what he thinking here. The Royal Mile Tavern, 20:30

8. Trodd en Bratt

Lucy Trodd and Ruth Bratt (who you might have seen on the BBC Two show Fast and Loose) first met doing improv in 2007, and became founder members of Showstopper! They’ve been working on quirky sketches, too, and this is their Edinburgh debut. Laughing Horse @ The Free Sisters 17:45

9. Nick Sun: Potty Time

First a warning. There is every chance this could be a car crash, as Nick Sun has a reputation for being one of the most self-sabotaging comics around. But also he’s one of the most original, on his day. Most likely you’ll get a mix of the willfully weird, alternative social commentary and strange anecdotes. Alternative Fringe at The Hive. 19:45

10. The Raphael Attar Variety Hour

Rapper Attar has just got some attention for his silly track about Gary Barlow, that got played Radio One airplay thanks to DJ Nick Grimshaw And should you want any more encouragement, Chris Moyles hates him. His blurb promises comic songs, interspersed with ‘poetry, storytelling and sock-puppetry’. Here’s the Gary Barlow video:
Mood 17:30 4 to 15 only

Published: 28 Jul 2012