Ten shows from other sections of the programme

As if the 1,000 or shows filed under ‘comedy’ don’t prove enough, there are delights for stand-up fans Hidden away elsewhere in the Fringe guide too. But you don’t have to ferret though it, we’ve done the hard work for you…

1. The Fair Intellectual Club

Lucy Porter has written this play, which is set at the dawn of the Scottish Enlightenment in 1717. Billed as a ‘tale of teenage love, friendship’, it is based on the true story of three Edinburgh girls who formed The Fair Intellectual Club in 1717 to study literature, science and philosophy. They were sworn to absolute secrecy, but betrayed – exposing them to scandal. Assembly Rooms, 11:00

2. Don’t Tell Him Pike

In the spoken word section, this show has Ian 'Stupid Boy' Lavender discussing his time with Dad's Army – his first professional acting job – and illustrated with clips from the series, naturally. Assembly Rooms, 16:00

3. A Slight Ache

Simon Munnery makes a rare acting turn in this version of Harold Pinter’s tragicomic play about a married couple’s insecurities, particularly of growing old. The three-hander also stars comedy favourites Thom Tuck, who produces, and Catriona Knox. Pleasance 12:45

4. Alexis Dubus: Cars and Girls

Though in the spoken word section, there is plenty of wit in comedian Alexis Dubus’s compelling storytelling show – delivered entirely in rhyming verse, even though this impressive achievement is unobtrusive to the entertaining narrative about ‘finding himself’ through travel. Read our review from the Melbourne Comedy Festival here. The Stand V, 15:00

5. My Obsessions

Paul Merton’s missus, Comedy Store Player Suki Webster wrote a half-hour comedy play about a stand-up meeting his number one fan. And who to star? Who do you think… Underbelly Bristo Square, 14:30

6. Phill Jupitus: Sketch Comic

You have to venture into the ‘events’ section of the programme to find this one. At 10am each morning, the Never Mind The Buzzcocks star visits one of Edinburgh’s big galleries and sketches an artwork live. He’s at the Scottish National Gallery on August 4th to 8th; the Scottish National Portrait Gallery on August 11th to 15th; and the Scottish National Gallery Of Modern Art form the 18th to 22nd. And at 6.30pm on Thursdays he’s joined by fellow art buff Hannah Gadsby at the National Gallery for a comedy-art lecture. And all this for free…

7. I Killed Rasputin

Richard Herring has been obsessed by the Mad Monk for some years, and as long ago as 1993 staged Ra-Ra-Rasputin at the Fringe: a biography set to the music of Boney M ‘years before Mama Mia or We Will Rock You,’ he likes to point out. Most recently he was working on a TV comedy on the theme, which seems stuck in limbo. But now her has used his knowledge to pen a new play based on the real-life 1967 encounter between American journalist EM Halliday and Felix Yusupov, an aged Russian Prince and conspirator in the murder of Rasputin. Assembly George Square, 15:35

8. Otiz Cannelloni’s A History Of Magic

Comedy magician Otiz Cannelloni is one of the longest-serving stalwarts of the circuit, and this year he can be found in the kids’ section – although adults should find plenty to enjoy in his factual-based guide through magic’s chequered history,  all illustrated with tricks, of course. The Stand 3 and 4, 10:45am, to 17th only

9. The Closure of Craig Solly: A Dark Monologue by Russell Kane

Stand-up turned novelist, and now playwright, Russell Kane has written this ‘dark monologue’ in which a psychotic gangster tries to justify his vile actions to the audience, who assume the role of the friends and family of his victims. The blurb warns of ‘very violent, explicit, and racial language throughout’. And at lunchtime, too… Underbelly Bristo Square, 13:30, 18th to 24th only

10. The Book Festival

Beyond the Fringe entirely, there are a handful of comedy names at the book festival, reading extracts from their work, being interviewed and taking Q&As.Mark Watson promotes Hotel Alpha at 6.30pm on the 13th; Katy Brand talks about her novel Brenda Monk Is Funny at 8pm on the 15th; Kevin Eldon makes an appearance at 9.30pm on the 16th; Nicholas Parsons anecdotalises at 1.30pm on the 18th, and the 22nd boasts Omid Djalii (3.30pm); Dave Gorman (6.30pm) and Francesca Martinez (8pm).

Published: 17 Jul 2014