Festival COMEDY

DOCTOR BROWN Award-winning bexperimenter knocks Edinburgh’s socks off

C omedy industry types have been rubbing their hands with glee ever since Doctor Brown was awarded last year’s Foster’s Comedy Award. Not simply because they were delighted for the absurdist American clown who has spread his palette to entertain the kids as well, but because they relished the prospect of witnessing this good Doctor performing the traditional ritual of handing over the gong to his successor. The shortlisted acts will be trembling in their shoes, almost praying that they don’t win: we can picture it now.

As for the paying public, a real treat is in store with Phil Burgers (as his family know him), dipping deep into his back catalogue. For six late-night shows, he will perform from

his three Fringe solo hours, including the award-winning Befrdfgth (no, we still don’t know how to pronounce it either, we just call it his award-winning show). And on the 13th (falling on a Tuesday this year, you lucky people), he gives 50-minute performances starting on the hour which build in elements from each prior show to create a blockbuster event at 7pm. Bexperiments by name, bexperimentation by nature. (Brian Donaldson)

Bexperiments, Underbelly, Cowgate, 0844 545 8252, 13 Aug, hourly from noon–7pm, £7; Because / Becaves / Befrdfgth, Underbelly, Bristo Square, 15–20 Aug, 11.30pm, £15 (£14).

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HITLIST THE BEST COMEDY EVENTS

Bo Burnham After storming the city as a teenager in 2010, big Bo (above) is back with What. See interview, page 14. Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, 9–19 Aug (not 13), 11.15pm, £12–£13.50 (£11–£12.50).

Pajama Men The New Mexico

duo deliver another intoxicatingly brilliant masterwork of physical fun. See review, page 53. Assembly Roxy, 623 3030, until 26 Aug (not 12, 19), 9pm, £13–£15 (£12–£14).

Nadia Kamil The Welsh-Iraqi comic delivers a passionate and darned funny

show slaughtering some misogynistic beasts. See review, page 36. The Stand III & IV, 558 7272, until 25 Aug (not 12), 3.30pm, £7 (£6).

James Acaster The drily brilliant comic cuts down the competition with his

Lawnmower. See review, page 41. Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, until 25 Aug, 7pm, £9–£12 (£8–£10.50).

Doctor Brown You wouldn’t want him working on a bleeding ulcer, but we’re

happy seeing him do his clowning thing. See preview and show details, left.

Jenny Éclair Proving she still has it,

the Perrier winner of yore is Éclairious. See review, page 44. Gilded Balloon Teviot, 622 6552, til 17 Aug, 7.30pm, £13.50–

14.50 (£12.50-£13).

David Baddiel Just a few days left to see him discuss Fame and Misfortune. See

review, page 42. Assembly George Square, 623 3030, until 11 Aug, 7.30pm, £15–£17.50.

8–15 Aug 2013 THE LIST FESTIVAL 33 8–15 Aug 2013 THE LIST FESTIVAL 33