as funny as he is bizarre. Openly prisoners, and everyone can (and EDITION #19: COMEDY obsessed with puns, it was hard will be) subjected to his wit! not leave the show feeling at least Dragonfly, until 24 Aug (not 15, 22), 3.15pm. WED 21 AUG 2013 Calm and Collected slightly intrigued by the wordplay, tw rating 4/5 | [Mairi McNicol] (Making Faces) a tribute to his thought-provoking set. Tilwalli’s personality seemed CABARET Making Faces have created an Milo McCabe: Schiz exhilarating and animated sketch absolutely integral to his comedy, with a quirky disposition and (IMWP) Pick A Card, Any Card show, whose ‘aim’ is to find a solution to anxiety and stress- awkward demeanour proving to ‘Schiz’ revolves around the chaotic (No, Not That One!) related problems. Featuring Ed be an endearing combination. With inner workings of Milo’s McCabe’s (John Henry Blackwood / Mayhew, Dan Curtis and Lizzie flawless logic he connects sex with mind, through the interesting PBH’s Free Fringe) Kevan, the show is bustling with mathematics, St Augustine with concept of split personalities. A traditional sleight-of-hand card energy and vigour - it’s anything Usher and even Vin Diesel with And what a busy place his mind magician, John Henry Blackwood but ‘calm and collected’! Highlights Gandhi - this comedian is anything seems to be! Combined with a tells you he’s tricking you, fluffs it included life-sized Guatemala dolls, but unoriginal. selection of short video clips, deliberately, then really tricks you. hilariously dire poetry, and Curtis as Just the Tonic at The Caves, until 22 Aug McCabe introduces us to a number That’s the show. Everyone will be a box-wearing, confused teenager (not 13), 8.00pm. of his eccentric characters. He begins strongly, with an energetic familiar with that tingle in the back on roller skates. It has everything tw rating 4/5 | [Ankur Anil Shah] DAILY of their brain that comes from from poetry, improv, spoken word upper-class Wilko worker, kicking things off nicely with a dose of being tricked, and Blackwood has and singing to conventional sketch The Horne Section Live In A comedy; proving itself to be one of satirical humour and clever word an easy, relaxed patter that lulls the Cow (Avalon Promotions) audience into this receptive state. the most diverse shows around. It play. However, although the Underselling his considerable skill did seem chaotic at times, trying “There will be music, comedy, characters certainly showcase Milo’s with a warm, charming presence, to pack too much randomness into chatting about the weather and imaginative energy and creativity his tricks are proficient and well- this comedic rollercoaster of an no politics”; that’s what we’re told as a comic, a number of them practiced. He provides a simple hour, and louder doesn’t necessarily to expect at The Horne Section (including his ‘Boring Facebook background on the origins of the mean funnier. Overall, a cartoonish Live in a Cow, and 3 out of 4 are Friend’) eventually offer nothing card-deck in tarot, and at times portrayal of life’s problems. spot-on. Showcasing different acts more than a vaguely amusing SNAP OF THE DAY: Fraser Millward’s coach driver may have lost his each night, as well as pieces from touches on meta-commentary, Laughing Horse @ The Newsroom, until spectacle. Overall – an interesting the whole band and particular concept, undoubtedly entertaining, linking these techniques to 25 Aug, 3.35pm. passengers, but you’ll find his show at Just The Tonic . Photo: Kat Gollock members, the Horne Section has but nowhere near the realm of side- advertising, gambling or comedy. tw rating 4/5 | [Shiv Das] But for the majority of the show, it’s something for everyone. Jazz splitting. singer Gwyneth Herbert was one just deceptively simple-seeming, Colin Geddis - Comments Gilded Balloon Teviot – balcony, until 25 both as a serious problem and in situations with a cheeky sense of Shirley Gnome elegant card tricks, presented with of the guests present, and she left Aug (not 7, 13) 5.00pm. everyday situations. How many pride. Harriet Dyer bounces about (Heartichoke Arts) Disabled (Green Dragon everyone in the room awe-struck risks would you be willing to take? the stage, reliving her wilder days smooth transitions, without any tw rating 3/5 | [Kayleigh Head] This is everything you want Media Ltd) – her music was punchy, beautiful This theme allows him to talk and cracking jokes that have you pretensions otherwise. from a late night comedy show; The internet sensation and YouTube and well-suited to the show’s calibre. through parts of his life, comparing laughing in dismay. A show with The Street until 24 Aug, 2.45pm. Gordon Southern: frivolous, embarrassing and simply star, responsible for introducing From magic tricks to the part where life as an adult with childhood. very complementary characters, tw rating 3/5 | [Joe Abel] The Kerfuffle (Julz Hay) brilliant. Hailing from Vancouver the world to Barry “The Blender” the audience helped to conduct Carlin is as charming as he is funny, which feels anything but awkward. and equipped with the voice of a Henderson, takes to the stage to try the band, and a competition to see Whilst Southern may not have maintaining the audience’s focus Laughing Horse @ Espionage, until 25 goddess, the burlesque comedy stand-up comedy. The multimedia which band member is the best kicked up a huge fuss on the and keeping the show flowing. Aug, 3.45pm. singer-songwriter takes the spectacle, meant as a social satire looking, the Horne Section was a comedy circuit, he has certainly At the same time, while the show CHILDREN’S tw rating 4/5 | [Grace Brennan] audience on a musical journey, with about the youth of today, simply delight, and most certainly not to be caused some tremors along the is about chance and risk, the act the running themes of sex and toilet SHOWS incorporates Geddis’ various gripes missed.. way. Armed with a set of jingles is not exactly ground-breaking. 53 Minutes About 52 Sheep humour. Glittered up, wearing a pink about the world, perpetuating Underbelly, Bristo Square, until 25 Aug, (facilitated by a bargain piece of kit There’s a sense he’s playing it safe, (Pustelnik and Bispebjerg hat and shining brightly on stage, Ali McGregor Jazzmatazz the sense that he has become old 10.30pm. off eBay), Southern spends the hour mostly sticking to routine and telling some undisputedly hilarious Gnome shows that she doesn’t (Ali McGregor/ Spiegeltent) before his time. Videos from a tw rating 5/5 | [Sarah Virgo] family-friendly material. This isn’t Comedy Corner) anecdotes and observations, take herself too seriously with her Ali McGregor turns jazz music into selection of his personas keep the necessarily a bad thing though, as Despite the name, this show notably educating the audience on pixie-like, naughty numbers about family fun in this exciting, interactive audience engaged, while his sheer Carlin does present a well-rounded, doesn’t actually have much to do Absolutely Will Not Stop, the darker side of discount websites. periods and anal sex. She takes a hour. Children are invited onto the lack of political correctness adds funny and entertaining show. with sheep. Instead, Danish comic Ever, Until You are Dead A musical send-off in honour of lot of her song-writing influence large dance floor to jig to the music, an element of shock value to the Pleasance Courtyard, until 26 Aug (not 7, Valdemar Pustelnik (a name he (Stuart Laws) hip-hop felt surreal, after seeing from country music, and at times it pop bubbles and interact with the performance. The sidesplittingly 14), 6.00pm. believes is responsible for making This title is not a misnomer; him complain about performing is difficult to hear such a stunningly special dancing duo Miss Jenny inappropriate Geddis pushes the him “grow strong”) incorporates Stuart Laws really does not stop! to Prince Harry just minutes tw rating 3/5 | [Julian Joseph] beautiful voice singing about farting and Mr Monkey - even some parents boundaries of propriety in a show a range of comedy styles to both He is relentlessly dedicated to earlier. Whilst none of the material and tampons, but maybe that’s the joined in on the fun! McGregor’s that is most certainly not suitable shock and entertain. He begins as a his material. He demands your is particularly extraordinary, it Ain’t It Awkward whole point. Definitely not one for supreme professionalism and vocal for your grandmother. A great show, fairly likeable stand-up, discussing attention and your participation, certainly is original, and it was (Harriet Dyer and Freddie the easily offended! talent is evident, as she manages but definitely not one for the easily his frustrations with women, love of as this reviewer found out when refreshing to see him mock teenage Farrell) Underbelly @ Cowgate, until 25 Aug, to make children’s favourites and offended. cake and lumberjack appearance; having to emulate drinking from values without assuming that Ali 10.20pm. pop classics alike sound sultry and Underbelly, Bristo Square, until 25 Aug What do you get if you cross a but then takes a rather steep turn, a punch bowl, fashioned from G is still the precedent for young tw rating 5/5 | [Shiv Das] elegant. Small children delight in (not 12), 9.25pm. Brummie who’s just become a delivering one-liners that have another audience member’s people stereotypes. acting like dogs, producing jungle tw rating 4/5 | [Peter Dorman] parent and an erratic ex-partying the audience unsure of how the outstretched arms.