Edinburgh 10x10

1. Return Of The Lumberjacks

Fifteen years ago three fresh-faced Canadian comics - Stewart Francis, Craig Campbell and Glenn Wool - made their Edinburgh debut at the fledgling Stand Comedy Club. These days they can each fill theatres on their own, so this 90-minute showcase of three excellent comics, doing a mix of new and old material, is a definite treat. Assembly Rooms Fringe 20:10

2. Chortle Presents: Fast Fringe

Well, of course we’re going to plug our own show… but we wouldn’t be doing it if we didn’t think it was a genuinely excellent showcase. With an ever-changing bill of 12 acts, each doing three minutes, plus a compere, there will be a total of 325 performances at Fast Fringe – from big names like Richard Herring, Hannibal Buress and The Boy With Tape On His Face, to exciting up-and-coming acts and talented variety turns. Daily line-ups will be published on Chortle, but every day’s a doozy… Pleasance Dome 18:40

3. The Comedy Reserve

The Pleasance’s talent-nurturing line-up features the winner of just about every new act contest going this year, the delightfully downbeat Matt Rees. Bawdy Suzy Bennett is there to pick the pace up, while John Kearns is there to be utterly – and possibly bafflingly – weird for his 15 minutes. Punmonger Chris Turner completes a nicely diverse line-up. Pleasance Dome 21:30

4. The Super Serious Show

Something of cult hit in Los Angeles, this night likes to foster an atmosphere of alternative experimentation, and mixes stand-up, sketch, character and musical comedy. Back in the States it attracts some of the best names around – although this primetime slot might make it difficult for the top Fringe comics, given it may clash with their own shows, but the independent ethos should remain intact. Assembly George Square 20:55

5. AAA Batteries (Not Included)

Reigning Chortle Student Award champ Adam Hess teams up with one of the excellent contenders who hope to take his crown at this year’s final on August 13, David Elms. Hess is a manic, Tourrettic, one-line merchant; Elms is a languid comic singer-songwriter, making for a strong contrast. Laughing Horse @ Meadow Bar 14:05

6. AAA Stand-Up

Sticking with the first page of the Fringe programme, this enticing three-hander offers relative rookies Tom Toal – a quirky but sure-footed charmer who likes referring to himself in third person, tongue-in-cheek; amusing and sometimes dark youngster Rhys Jones; and the highly political Joe Wells, who makes much of his Communist beliefs. Pleasance Courtyard 19:15

7. Spank

It’s long taken over from Late N Live as the anarchic, slightly scrappy, pretty boozy late-night gig to be seen in. It often runs the risk of being victim to its own publicity, and hosts James Wren and Leon Fleury aren’t the most professional in the world, but there’s still a sense of risky chaos to the room. Underbelly Cowgate 00:00

8. Norwegians Of Comedy

We know nothing about this trio – Martin Beyer Olsen, Lars Berrum and Adam T – but if the Fringe is about seeing things you wouldn’t normally, three Scandinavian visitors might be worth a punt. Similarly, you might also want to try Big in Dubai in this venue immediately afterwards for some UAE-based comics. GHQ 18:20

9. Angela Barnes and Matt Richardson

Barnes won the BBC Radio 2 New Comedy Award last year, which immediately makes her one to watch. Her dry and confident delivery of material that’s mostly of the endearingly self-deprecating kind definitely sets her apart from other comics. Matt Richardson was more hit and miss in last year’s So You Think You’re Funny final, though he has lots of energy, and his best material zing. Laughing Horse @ Espionage. 14:30

10. Comedy Gala 2012

The Fringe should be about finding exciting new stuff… but if you want established names, you can get your hit in this one-offf charity gig for Waverley Care, produced by superagents Off The Kerb. Expect the big guns to be wheeled out, and overseen by MCs Seann Walsh and Josh Widdicombe. Festival Theatre 19:30, August 23

Published: 25 Jul 2012