The Stand is the thinking man’s Edinburgh Venue. The one where the real comedy fans hang out, being cool and liking comedy and stuff.
That might be because as one of the country’s premier year-round comedy venues, come Fringe time it usually has hands down the best alternative comedy line-up at the festival. But it might not. Who knows?
This year is no different, with a jam-packed line-up containing an intriguing balance of established names and rising stars from the comedy circuit.
Stewart Lee continues his recent tradition of ‘work in progressing’ at the Fringe, but since it’s Stewart Lee a work in progress will still be one of the better things you’ll see all month. And at least he won’t be lonely: his better half - the wonderfully barmy Bridget Christie – is going one better than her husband and doing a full blown show in the next room, while his old sparring partner Richard Herring is using The Stand to host a daily podcast about all things Edfringe. If you can’t get along, it’s available free on Itunes.
Former Perrier winner Phil Nichol promises to go simple with his set this year, while Simon Munnery does nothing of the sort with a blurb that claims he’s doing a musical about a 1930’s airship. Both, as ever, will be more than worth your money.
Elsewhere we’ve got quite a soft spot for James Dowdeswell (not the funniest comedian around, but a wonderfully accomplished storyteller), Fringe regular Paul Sinha can usually be trusted to provide an hour that’s insightful as well as rib-tickling and we’re itching to see what The Now Show’s Mitch Benn has put together for his much anticipated return to Edinburgh.
After all that’s done and dusted, some of the best names around can usually be found at The Stand Late Show, providing boozy refuge till 2.00am, Bruce Devlin hosts an after-hours chat show and Andy Zaltzman brings back his fantastic political comedy platform Political Animal.
Should be more than enough to keep you laughing/drinking solidly till the early hours.
