www.list.co.uk/comedy

LUCY PORTER I

With Chippenham on My Shoulder, former pro-wrestler and My Little Pony fan Wil Hodgson once more tackles his West Country heritage. Here, he gives our Q&A an inverted facelock that it won’t forget

What five words best describe your show this year? Punk rock folk storytelling. Which comics should be more famous in September than they are in July? Roisin Conaty. Richard Sandling, Jon Robins. What bugs you most about Edinburgh in August? The rain. Comics who boast about their good reviews. Comics who over-react about their bad reviews. Which dead comics do you wish were still alive and making us laugh today? Laurel and Hardy because they were the greatest comics ever. It's trendier to say you like Charlie ‘Commie' Chaplin but if you watch Laurel and Hardy's Depression-era stuff it's got far more social comment and it's just more subtle. is there a rumour you’d like to start about yourself? I leave any embellished stories about myself to my good friend Russell Howard.

Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, 3—25 Aug (not 11), 9pm, £10—£12 (£8.50—£10. 50). Previews until 2 Aug, £5.

FESTIVAL COMEDY

David O’Doherty The Irish muso-comic delivers more ribald whimsy with a tiny keyboard and giant talent. The Stand II/ & IV, 558 7272, 1—24 Aug (not 11 ), 9pm, £9.50 (£8.50). Previews until 31 Aug, £8.50 (£7.50).

Sarah Mlllican The north- east English lass insists she’s Not Nice. See page 21. Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, 2—24 Aug (not 13), 7.15pm, £9.50—£10.50 (£8—£9). Previews until 1 Aug, £5.

Pajama Men Physical comedy gets a good name from this hit US double act back after an all-too long absence. See page 12. Assembly Rooms, 623 3030, 3—24 Aug (not 11 ), 7.40pm, £12—£13 (£11-£12). Previews 31 Jul—2 Aug, £5.

New Art Club Will this pair live up to their title of the ‘Morecambe and Wise of dance'? Gilded Balloon Teviot, 668 1633, 3—25 Aug (not 11, 18), 3. 15pm, £9—£10 (£8—£9). Previews until 2 Aug, £5.

'I’he Meeting The gents behind last year’s sketch affair House of Windsor take us into the boardroom from hell. See page 18. Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, 2—25 Aug (not 12), 6.25pm, £9.50—£10. 50 (£8—£9). Previews until 1 Aug, £5.

Barry 1. Stuart This Scottish duo of extreme magicians aim to show us that they are Part- Time Warlocks and full-time entertainers. See page 30. Underbelly, 0844 545 8252, 2—24 Aug (not 12), 10.20pm, £9.50—£1 1.50 (£8. 50—£1 0. 50). Previews 31 Jul & 1 Aug, £6.

Wisecrackln’ Mindsqueezln’ Behemoth Two smart people with lots of clever sketches. See page 22. Gilded Balloon Teviot, 668 1633, 3—25 Aug (not 13). 5.30pm, £9—£10(£8—£9). Previews until 2 Aug, £5.

For venue addresses see Index page 80

31 Jul-7 Aug 2008 TH. “81’ "87"“ nuclqu 1 1