Nathan Caton – Straight Outta Middlesex

By Ron Bingham
Nathan-Caton
This was a very relaxed hour of chat and stand-up from Nathan who is a dab hand at mixing the personal with the political. He tells a number of stories about still living at home with mum, the problem with the “n” word, religion in comedy, racism (I found it very strange and interesting that more people were prepared to answer when Nathan asked if anyone had been called racist than were prepared to say anything when he asked if there were any people of faith in the room) and of course straight out politics. Just after Nathan had mentioned Donald Trump and the possibility of Boris Johnson becoming prime minister if David Cameron does resign, I realised this would be a sure sign of the apocalypse, especially if Tony Abbott manages to cling on in Australia. Be warned, people.

Nathan is the only comedian I’ve seen in Edinburgh who gave vent to the new 5p cost of plastic bags in Scotland. Wales and Ireland have had this for a couple of years but I can see a civil war when they try to introduce this into London. There were also a few mentions of his disappointment over Bill Cosby which he referenced along side Rolf Harris, unfortunately this was without making it clear that their crimes are quite different.

The room was a medium size but very hot, especially with the heat lamps trained on the audience before the show started. Bring a fan and a bottle of water.

It was a lovely friendly hour of comedy from Nathan and he made a very entertaining host. Highly recommended.

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/nathan-caton-straight-outta-middlesex

Amy Howerska – Sasspot

By Ron Bingham
Amy Howerska
Amy was having a difficult show the night I was seeing her. The audience was very small and some people in the front row were rather off-putting, so the atmosphere was not what one would like for a comedy show. The mature aged couple sat there, he with his arms folded, without cracking a smile for the entire hour and Amy tried to engage them in conversation at times to find out if they were enjoying the show or uncomfortable and the response never moved from monosyllables. You have to wonder why people would pay money to see a show and then refuse to engage in any way with that show, or if not enjoying it, why not just leave and ask for their money back? Maybe they had a big argument in the bar before the show and it had nothing to do with the talented Amy Howerska. I saw Amy perform the same material to a more receptive audience the previous evening and this was a completely different experience. I will just review the show I experienced and hope that this was the low point of the festival (it was Thursday in the middle of the fest, so crowds were down) and that things improved for her afterwards.

The astonishing and hilarious story Amy tells of growing up in a Polish-Irish Jewish family living in Wales, with three generations of sky-diving enthusiasts throughout the family was enthralling.  Her father was an ex-assassin who suffered from PTSD and used to take Amy and her sister on survival training missions in the Welsh hills during winter when they were 7 and 9. They grew up on the drop zone of the parachute centre (thus seeing a lot of accidents and fatalities) and were left in the creche at the shooting range (kiddie targets). She described a whole series of mad relatives (although Auntie Barb sounds like a pretty cool nutcase), hating weddings and loving funerals (the buffet and lack of judgement winning it for the latter) and enjoying living in London. There were no props or music, just Amy telling increasingly bizarre stories about her family. I did get the feeling there was enough material still untapped in Amy’s past for a sit-com or book so that bodes well for her career as a comedian.

All I can say is that this is a very good show looking for an attentive audience ready to enjoy some exceptional storytelling.

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/amy-howerska-sasspot

2 Girls, One Cup of Comedy – Sam & Helen

By Ron Bingham
2 girls 1 cup
This is a selection of shows from the fringe presented by Sam and Helen, whose show I had seen (in the same room) a couple of hours earlier. Our friendly hosts start the show by getting to know the audience with a little gentle banter, then they get down to business and introduce the first act of the evening.

Aideen McQueen gave me the line of the evening by describing the room as the inside of an obese gay man’s coffin which was surprisingly apt. Aideen was very funny with her tale of picking up a younger man through a simple vocal misunderstanding. She doesn’t appear to have a show at the Fringe (her name didn’t appear on the fringe search and I don’t seem to have a flyer for her).

After Aideen, we had the token male Sean something (he gave me a flyer after the show, but it turned out to be for someone else’s show. That’s not helping!). He told a few tales about being mistaken for Phil Jupitus (in bad light) and being heckled in the streets of Edinburgh by an emo (do emo’s still exist?) but he lost my respect when he started picking on Australians. His gauche attacks on the noble Australians were rebuffed expertly by the next act (with a little half time aerobics from out hosts between), Yve Blake.

Yve is a delightful Australian who’s website requests people to share their deepest secrets with her, which she then turns into songs. Yve only had the time to perform one song, about a young lady who was determined to lose her virginity for the bragging rights, and it was a corker. Another show to add to the ever-growing list of shows I’d like to see.

Following Yve was the final guest from the overflowing comedy cup, Amy Howerska, a Polish-Welsh Jewish redhead who brought the evening to a smashing end with some funny routines about her family and other mad people. I’m seeing her show today.

To summarise, this is a lovely fun hour of entertainment hosted by a friendly and engaging duo, featuring a ever-changing cast of guest artists from round the Fringe showcasing the best of their shows/material. The room was sold out on Wendesday so booking would be an excellent idea for those looking for a funny, comedian-packed end to the evening.

It’s in the Just The Tonic’s Wee Room.

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/2-girls-1-cup-of-comedy

Sam and Helen – Out There

By Ron Bingham
Sam and Helen
Samantha Baines and Helen Sorren are a funny and engaging comedy duo and it is not surprising that they are gathering a fanbase. Their comedy relationship reveals itself to be very competitive throughout the performance. This may (will) involve some audience interaction to help determine who get to wear the superhero pants at the end of the festival.

Out There consists of some competitions, a little individual stand-up from each lady and some more fun and games. The comedy isn’t as challenging as the title would suggest, and it’s not terribly hi-brow, but it is a fun and goofy hour of entertainment which will leave you with a smile on your face. One of the duo could possibly be stalking Brian Cox, but I wouldn’t wish to point fingers. Oh, alright, it was Sam. She even tried to learn some science just to impress him. It doesn’t seem like it’s all sunk in yet, though.

If you’re looking for an hour of fun and silliness, with a few high kicks and a bit of friendly chat from some talented up and coming comedians, then book a ticket for this show. Bring your dancing shoes.

Note that they are playing in Just The Tonic’s The Wee Room, which is through the same entrance as The Fancy Room, but the sign advertising this is hidden under some overhead flower baskets. The room is up a couple of flights of narrow stair and round some sneaky bends (I think you end up under the road somewhere) and it’s a little whiffy. Apart from that, it’s an excellent venue.

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/sam-and-helen-out-there

Kitten Killers – Woof

By Ron Bingham
Kitten Killers
The Killers are one down from the team I saw last year but the three girls still committed to pumping out the comedy sketches and are as sick, silly and demented as ever. One entire hour of quickfire sketches with a lot of costume changes and some entertaining audio links, ranging from a private diary, what teenage schoolgirls really get up to in their bedrooms, what really happened to Bill & Ben the Flower Pot Men, some charming and heart warming songs about transmitting pictures of male genitalia and the government’s stance on the luxury nature of female sanitary products (something happening in Australia too). They explain why there is only one unicorn and the show finishes with a surprisingly spectacular grand finale.

The three performers, Fran Bushe, Kat Cade & Perdita Stott, work very hard in the tiny cramped shipping crate, they manage their elaborate costume changes extremely quickly and the jokes and situational humour is of a very high standard. If you enjoy sketch comedy at a frenetic pace performed by three talented comedians, then I heartily recommend this show (and be warned, the small room sells out very quickly). There is no cute and fluffy humour here, but at least they didn’t kill any (toy) kittens on stage like last year. Maybe I should ask for my money back! Then again, they make a lot out of very little and really give you your money’s worth.

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/kitten-killers-woof

Aisling Bea – Plan Bea

By Ron Bingham 2015AISLINGBea

This show is selling out so I recommend getting a ticket before reading any further (actually you may be too late, although Aisling has added some extra dates….). Aisling Bea won ‘So You Think You are Funny’ in 2012,  was a nominee for Best Newcomer at The Edinburgh Fringe in 2013 and won a British Comedy Award for best female comedic on TV in 2014 so her star is shooting up pretty fast right now (she has a sitcom in the works). In this, her second festival show Aisling gives us a little of her life story about growing up in rural Ireland surrounded by women and with only US TV shows to keep her company, moving to London to study drama and becoming a fine actress, finding love and losing it again. There is a through line about the importance of following ones dreams.

Aisling is a very fast talker (and quite the dancer as well) and there is an amazing amount of material packed into the hour. We don’t hear much about her role in the Sky TV series Trollied or her appearance on such venerable institutions as 8 Out of Ten Cats, QI or Would I Lie To You, (material she might be putting aside for future shows) but we do get a glimpse into her first acting role and the circumstances surrounding it.

An hugely entertaining hour of comedy and storytelling from a bright and slightly unhinged Irish lady, who also made some lovely fans handed out to the audience members for some welcome relief in this hot hot room. This is one of the highlights of the festival. The pre-show entertainment is also excellent but you will melt just watching it.

Now go on with you and grab a ticket.

It’s in the Pleasance Dome.

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/aisling-bea-plan-bea-1