list.co.uk/festival Arthur Smith Socks | FESTIVAL COMEDY

happy feet

As Arthur Smith puts on an exhibition dedicated to the world of socks, we set him a test. Could he identify the owners of some

cosy footwear from a longlist of high-end Fringe acts and a selection of pictures? Frankly, no, but he gave it a good old shot

Those Arthur: Superman socks: well, Barry Cryer IS Superman. The owner is Lucy Porter: ‘This pair was bought as a gift for my son but they were too big so I nabbed them. They’re really comfy but they’re from BHS so I don’t know whether I’ll be able to get another pair.’

sports

Arthur: The black & white stripey socks look a bit like school so probably Daniel Sloss as he only left school last month. The owner is Puddles: ‘I’ve had these socks for a long time. They’re pretty rugged considering I’m such a big softee. They always stay up even when I’m feeling down.’ socks,

Arthur: The black socks look boring but as an expert I know them to be worth £700 each as they’re made from a special type of cashmere wool which only becomes available every 200 years. So they must belong to Puddles the Clown. The owner is Daniel Sloss: ‘I chose these because they don’t have cum all over them.’ Arthur: Those scabby grey socks were the ones used by Stewart Lee as a contraceptive during the Vietnam war. The owner is Phil Nichol: ‘These knee-high socks have helped carry me up Ben Nevis, through the rainforests of Queensland, down the slopes of Méribel, and have canoed through the lakes

of Algonquin Park. They have protected my feet which are the most important part of an adventure. Also, I love a good knees-up.’  Arthur Smith: Mindlessness A Beginner’s Guide, Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, 6–21 Aug, 1pm, £10–£12.50 (£9–£11). Preview 5 Aug, £7.

Arthur: The red socks with blue spots are very clean so they most likely belong to Jo Cauli eld who has rigorous standards in both comedy and cleanliness. Daniel Sloss: So?, EICC, 0844 847 1639, 6–28 Aug (not 15, 23), 8.40pm, £10–£17.50 (£10–£15). Previews 4 & 5 Aug, £8.50–£10; 12 & 13, 19 & 20, 26 & 27 Aug, 10pm, £14.50–£17.50 (£12–£15).

The owner is Nicholas Parsons: ‘I like bright and colourful socks. There are not many areas of clothing in which a man can be a bit of a peacock, but when it comes to socks you can really show off.’ Eurobeat, Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, 6–29 Aug (not 16, 23), 9.45pm, £15.50–£17.50 (£13–£15). Previews 3–5 Aug, £8.50.

Arthur: Those colourful socks on the rugby ball and tartan pyjamas? Dei nitely Rula Lenska as you could recognise those pyjamas anywhere and I know she once played rugby

for Poland. The owner is Sam Simmons: ‘Here’s my foot in the socks I kick my footy with: these are my footy socks. I also eat crumpets with Vegemite in my socks.’

Arthur: The multi-patterned pair on a duvet with pictures of elephants must be Simon Munnery’s, as he brought back that duvet cover after his last yoga retreat in Croydon.

The owner is Eurobeat’s Rula Lenska: ‘I love these. Warm, cosy and ethnic.’ Arthur Smith: The Arturart Museum of Socks, Pleasance Dome, 556 6550, 3–29 Aug, free.

Lucy Porter: Consequences, Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, 6–28 Aug (not 15, 22), 5.30pm, £10–£14 (£8–£12). Previews 3–5 Aug, £7. Nicholas Parsons’ Happy Hour, Pleasance Courtyard, 556 6550, 6–14 Aug (not 8 & 9), 5.10pm, £12.50–£13.50 (£11–£12.50). Preview 5 Aug, £6.

Phil Nichol: Twenty, Assembly Checkpoint, 623 3030, 6–28 Aug (not 15), 9.45pm, £12.50–£14 (£11.50–£12.50). Previews 3–5 Aug, £6.

Puddles Pity Party: Let’s Go!, Assembly George Square Gardens, 623 3030, 6–29 Aug (not 15, 22), 7.25pm, £14–£16 (£13–£15). Previews 4 & 5 Aug, £10. Sam Simmons: Not a People Person, Underbelly Potterrow, 0844 545 8252, 6–28 Aug (not 15), 8.15pm, £13–£15 (£12–£14). Previews 3–5 Aug, £7.50.

4–11 Aug 2016 THE LIST FESTIVAL 43