a hugely ambitious show which, amazingly enough. actually works. Despite kicking off with a couple of sketches that would make the most diabolical visiting student sketch group cringe. they redeem themselves with a clutch of inventive spats on a musical bent which are anything but corny. Big and clever. (Mark Robertson) I Gilded Balloon Teviot, 226 27 57 , until 26 Aug (not 22), 8.30pm, £70—E77 (28-89).

RICKY GROVER

Menacingly funny boss man 000

Fists punching air to the Rocky theme. Grover's entrance is emblematic of his set as a whole occasionally running out of steam, but for the most part menacingly funny. Autobiographical too. By far the best part is the end. after the dust has settled. when a sober Grover remembers his time as boxer, hairdresser, and jewel-thief wannabe. It's oddly moving when the heavy-set cockney - who, in the character of Bulla. was working the crowd with intimations of violence just 20 minutes earlier offers male members of the audience the frightening chance to become his new ‘puppy'. Guardian readers and the vegan- inclined should approach warily. (Jay Richardson) I Gilded Balloon Teviot, 226 27 57 , until 26 Aug, 70.45pm, 29—2 7 0 (28-29).

"PORNOGRAPHERS, remain pure and uncorrupted - so

avoid TONY BLAIR!"

COUNT ARTHUR ONG’S

STR FORGOTTEN EGYPT

Golden performance from a golden age 000.

Technical troubles mean the septuagenarian Doncasterian has to improvise his lecture on the golden age of the pharaohs, filling it with cookery, musical tributes to British cinema heroes from the 19505 and debates on the medicinal qualities of 'apple juice'.

Part vaudevillian, part modern surrealist, but mostly just the observation of senility. Strong gets lost so often that you wonder how he ever made it to Edinburgh, before you remember it's only pretend. Aside from some weaker material in the middle third, this is fantastic; his falafel crescendo makes for compulsive viewing, proving again that character comedy is a skill few can truly master.

Take a bow Count Arthur Strong. but mind your back.

(Mark Robertson)

I Gilded Balloon, 226 2757, until 26 Aug (not 79), 5.45pm, E7—E8 (26—27).

WE’RE GONNA BUGGER YOU Neigh laughs 000

Self-styled “bunnies of the apocalypse' Christine Wonder and Bernadette Horse’s concept cabaret show is crudely split in two halves. First, a time- travelling murder mystery in which the intrepid rabbits interview suspect residents of hometown Beresford

through the ages in an enjoyany relentless all- singing, all-dancing affair.

The second, a present day examination of the bunnies' peCuliar homelife. which. despite being superbly acted with some marvellously crap props. takes tangential plot turns only Vic and Bob can pull off. Consequently, WonderHorse struggle for laughs. Ultimately the show is most memorable for the sympathy felt for the bunnies' domestic hell, and a spinning head. (Jan F Zeschky)

I P/easance, 556 6550, until 25 Aug, 2pm, £7—E8 (ES—£6).

SANDY NELSON

Pop/rock stand-up 0...

Welcome to Sandy Nelson's dilapidated bedroom, where it's still cool to read NME at 30 and dream of rock superstardom. Nelson mixes musical mimicry (including a particularly cutting Alanis Morissette) with straight stand-up and comic rock tunes.

Make sure you know your music or you might feel left out during his jazz covers of Green Day, for example. Boasting special guests (ranging from Hue & Cry to Snow Patrol). the weirdest backing band in Edinburgh, plenty of profanity and bags of vitriol, this Glaswegian comes across like your best mate after a few pints too many (and that's meant as a compliment!) (Henry Northmore)

I The Stand, 558 7272, until 26 Aug. 9.20pm, £6 (£5).

'SINGEING THE FRINGE'

LENNY LEOPARD

IS C LEB IN

Vl'IIIIt' l’i lllil iiiIi-Jiix ill (iiiliilloy Slit'i‘l

mum'm emu: mouzooowdruom

Four lettered. four wheeled. four eyed. foreskinnedless. His entry alone fills the Ego Ronay

empty-headed but truthfully covet his minimalist brain.

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lulu .‘.“.l I‘)II

liniiji- |'.u.\ llIIIH' ill ii .'.’i\ llllllll

Guide. Critics call him

Aug 12 - 26 15:30 (1hr) £5.00 (£3.50)

A beautiful mind

_.'v.. r, Wer

SARAH KENDALL

Smarter than the average gagster 000

This witty Australian comedian charms the audience from the very start of her performance - her friendly, chatty style of discussing somewhat ‘difficult’ issues serves her well. She talks about subjects such as suicide bombers, porn and mental illness in a hilarious but inoffensive manner through smart observations and impersonations which many of her peers wouldn’t have the capability to pull off.

Her integration with the audience is spot-on, reeling them in without ripping the pish out them for cheap laughs. You’d have never have thought that this intelligent, engaging gal has an IQ which is two points above retarded. (Carolyn Aiken)

I Gilded Balloon, 226 27 57 , until 26 Aug (not 7 9), 8.30pm, 28—29 (0—28).

0011110“ Scotsman

as seen on Smack the Pony

26th August

(no periormances on 6th and 20th)

PLEASANCE DOME when» 0131 556 6550

yd? SWORD www pleasanceco uk

15—22 Aug 2002 THE LIST FESTIVAL GUIDE 27