Our Edinburgh Fringe previews continue...

1. Bridget Christie: An Ungrateful Woman

Feminism is now a hot topic in comedy, as demonstrated by Bridget Christie taking last year’s Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award with A Bic For Her. Well, now she’s back at The Stand, back at another ungodly hour, and back with more feminism… including a section on female genital mutilation which, let’s face it, HAS to be funnier than it sounds. She succeeded in getting laughs last year without making light of the issues, so all eyes will be on her again in 2014. The Stand, 11:10

2.Adrienne Truscott's Asking for It: A One-Lady Rape About Comedy Starring Her Pussy and Little Else!

Adrienne Truscott was another 2013 winner, taking home the Panel Prize for spirit of the Fringe. The title may be offputting, but the content was provocative and thought-provoking - and she returns to the Fringe with another eight performances of the same show. Heroes @ Bob & Miss Behave's Bookshop, 23:00 August 6-9 and 13-16

3. Rosie Wilby: Nineties Woman

Back in the early Nineties, Wilby worked for a feminist newspaper called Matrix – Greek for ‘womb’. Twenty years on the comedian traces her former colleagues and finds out what has become of them – and how far the cause has advanced in two decades. Her story, presented with multimedia accompaniment, has already won an award from Planet London. Voodoo Rooms, 12:05

4. Katherine Ryan: Glam Role Model

If some of this feminism stuff sounds a little earnest, Canadian Mock The Week regular Katherine Ryan illustrates her agenda via the medium of preposterous dance, à la Beyonce or Miley Cyrus. Other skilful routines cover everyday sexualisation and, boldly, her visit to an abortion clinic – which never fail to keep the eye off the funny. Here is our review from an heartier London run.Stand 5, 18:45, July 31 to August 10 only.

5. An Introduction to Twerking

Talking of feminism in dancing, Sarah Cassidy’s show – which she describes as ‘dick jokes for feminists’ – promises a mix of pop culture, gender, sexism and politics. Southsider, 19:00

6. The News at Kate: Leftie Cock Womble

A talking head in many a TV producers’ contact book, Kate Smurthwaite had her highest-profile appearance to date this year, appearing on Question Time in January. She’s always banged the left-wing, feminist, atheist drum – so expect more of the same from her new offering. Viva Mexico: 17:00

7. Carly Smallman: Made In Penge

Sexually aggressive abuse is, sadly, par for the course for almost any woman who dares have a public profile. Smallman did nothing more that appear in a stupid ITV2 show, for which she attracted such charming tweets as: ‘You are a fat whale I wish I could come into the studio and shoot you and the rest of those cunts.’ This is her response to that sort of vitriol. 17:30

8. Chris Coltrane: There's No Heroes Left Except All of Us

Why should feminism be just for the women? There’s a dissertation topic right there… but ‘Tory-smashing’ political comic Chris Coltrane cites the equality battle as part of his show that more broadly tackles issues of social justice… but in a silly way. If you like Mark Thomas, you’ll like this. Banshee Labyrinth, 15:30

9. Feminism For Chaps

And sticking with the men Andrew Watts – a nice-guy comic who makes much of his ineffectiveness as a cosseted and polite member of the middle class –  also takes the baton… admitting he didn’t even know he was a feminist until now. The Counting House, 18:15

10. Maxine Jones: Invisible Woman

Newish comedian and former journalist Maxine Jones discusses why older women like herself seem to be invisible in society in her second Edinburgh outing. Spotlites @ The Merchant's Hall, 15:00

Published: 21 Jul 2014