MATT GREEN: GROW UP GREEN
ANDREW CLOVER: DAD RULES
TOM ALLEN: A VOYAGE ROUND MY MOTHER
MILES JUPP: DRIFTING
ANDREW CLOVER'S CRAZY KIDS' SHOW
KATE ROBBINS: SONGS FROM THE POOL
PLESTED AND BROWN IN HEALTH AND SAFETY

MATT GREEN: GROW UP GREEN

Hilarious solo debut from Comedy Zone star and Hairline Award Winner. Are we all treated like children or is that just him?
"Gifted comedian" (The Scotsman)
"Original material, impeccable delivery" (Three Weeks)
"Astute political and topical gags that demonstrate a surprising maturity in outlook" (Chortle)
"going to be a big name sooner or later" (Evening Standard)

Fest
His audience departed with a collective satisfied glow and a wave of admiring applause

Three Weeks
Matt Green is one of those clever comedians that manage to fool other ,less intelligent comedians into thinking stand-up is easy. His natural, easygoing style makes him immediately likeable and ,although his mix of anecdotal and observational humour may not break any ground as such, it is intelligent, well constructed and, more crucially ,it is funny. He covers all the usual topics-drink, sex, politics, pooing- but his sublety and timing brings fresh life to things that in the hands of others could be hackneyed and vulgar. He quickly develops a friendly rapport with the audience ,interacting but never invading, and the response speaks for itself .Nicely put together, skilfully delivered ,this is great pre-pub amusement

One4 Review.Com ****

ANDREW CLOVER: DAD RULES

"She says: "Let's have children." I know this is a historic moment. I must respond like a man. So I ignore her." Based on the Sunday Times column, Dad Rules is a hilarious, feelgood mix of stand-up and stories from Andrew Clover, Perrier Nominee, Ashes to Ashes clown (BBC),
"The Hunter S Thompson of parenting."
"Comedy tour-de-force," *****Scotsman

Based on the Sunday Times column, 'Dad Rules' is a hilarious, feel good mix of stand-up and stories from Andrew Clover, Perrier nominee ('Ashes to Ashes' Clown, BBC).
The Hunter S Thompson of parenting ...
Comedy tour de force - Scotsman

Chortle ****
Clover is a distinctive and enthusiastic performer, he's clearly enjoying himself and putting his all into sashaying about the stage; a perfect dad he may not be (who is?) but you certainly get the impression that he's a fun one.
Both ends of the child rearing spectrum are covered, the hellishly early mornings and his desire not to turn into his own father, coupled with the surreal role play and a memory that brings about a revelation about his dad; all culminating on a truly magical note as Clover discovers what life is truly about.
Almost makes you want one of your own. Well almost…

The List
Clover is hugely likeable with an infectious enthusiasm for conceiving and delivering stories.

TOM ALLEN: A VOYAGE ROUND MY MOTHER

Winner BBC New Comedy Awards and So You Think You're Funny. Tom Allen wanted to know about his family history, so went on a research trip…with his parents. Hilarious new show about family history, personal identity and his mum.
"One to watch" Times
"****Wonderful" Three Weeks
"Classy" Herald
"Affable and clever" List
"Velvety, grandiloquent…rich with deliciously trivial details" Chortle
www.tomindeed.com

The Telegraph
His easy charm often sugaring un-PC riffs, he pits Ryanair pilots against Filipino sweat-shop children for impecuniousness, British teenagers against terrorists for ferocity. And, in terms of laughs-per-minute, the show scores well.
Over at the Gilded Balloon Turret, with his debut Edinburgh show A Voyage round My Mother, Tom Allen is another winning performer, if a superficially very different one.
Gay, bald, and dapper - his manner like an English, less outré Graham Norton… the sly dexterity of his delivery has you hooked, and he's definitely one to watch.

The Observer
One of the most promising newcomers this year….
The title is something of a shaggy dog, but it's the on;y shaggy thing about this immaculately groomed comic whose act is almost, but not quite, as polished as his manners.
There are some great moments, including a very funny reflection on the immortality og Facebook profiles.

MILES JUPP: DRIFTING

Following his reasonably busy and critically acclaimed run at the 2007 Edinburgh Fringe, Perrier nominee and reluctant comedian returns with fourth solo show, exploring procrastination, cricket, stories, jokes and the French horn.
"Miles Jupp is hilarious at this comedy lark" **** The List
"A surprising, fresh, personal and hugely funny hour" **** Scotsman
"An absolute winner" Time Out
**** Independent
*** Fest

Scotsman ****
Jupp's delightful hour is characterised by the use of terms like "racy" and references to his "winkle". Not that he makes many such references, I hasten to add. Just one, in the context of a highly amusing anecdote about testicular torsion and the treatment necessitated by the condition.
His three-word description of the East End of Glasgow is worth a star all on its own. His restaurant tale, told to illustrate a point about the lack of real communication in today's world, will strike so many chords you will want to join in the chorus.
The hour ramps up as Jupp warms up his irritation at the shortcomings of railway travel to a veritable blowtorch of outrage. He also voices awe at instantly decisive types and decries the TV news industry's newfound penchant for public access. A class act, as always.

Metro ****
He claims to be 28 years old, but Miles Jupp seems to be getting younger. Hair neatly cropped and minus the spectacles through which he saw the world in his 'young fogey' persona, Jupp has moved away from character comedy to a gentler, more accessible form of stand-up.
Drifting sees Jupp in smoothly sympathetic form. Opening with a blast of suburban rage about having his book stolen while on a rail journey, Jupp quickly launches into a detailed salvo about his testicles.
His skill with gags and his keen sense of the ridiculous remain intact, and he has developed plenty of laugh-out-loud material, but also a likably non-aggressive persona that should win him many new fans.

Chortle ****
It's often noted that stand up's lowest common denominator is the white middle-class male. Some trade on their meek upbringing and mild mannered demeanour, but no one does it quite like and to the extent of Miles Jupp.
You can easily imagine that if you were to cut Jupp, he would bleed raspberry coulis with a crème fraiche drizzle.
Verbose and highly eloquent, Jupp has a turn of phrase and keenly observed detail for all situations. When he interrupted his mother's preparations for a dinner party by presenting her with a painfully swollen groin, he notes that before ringing for a doctor 'my mother covered the food with foil'.
But it's dishonesty and the trend for unbelted, low-slung jeans that get his proverbial goat the most, with fine rants against both. Surely Drifting marks a new level of middle-class angst in comedy.

ANDREW CLOVER'S CRAZY KIDS' SHOW

For primary school children, Andrew Clover - Dad, Perrier Nominee, writer of the Sunday Times column Dad Rules - is doing three special shows which mix stand-up, silly impressions, and stories about princesses, aliens, and a dog that's scared of Chiwawas. THREE SHOWS ONLY!!!
"The wild man of comedy comes of age" Time Out.
***** Scotsman.

KATE ROBBINS: SONGS FROM THE POOL

Regular guest on Jammin' (BBC Radio 2), Richard & Judy (Channel 4) and the female voice of Spitting Image Kate Robbins, sings and plays songs reflecting her Scouse roots and McCartney heritage, taking us on a journey revisiting Beatles melodies, Liverpool folk songs and her surprising impressions, including Amy Winehouse, Marge Simpson, Dido and more.

One4Review.com *****
Songs from the Pool is about music from her native Liverpool and as well as a few of her own, Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Beatles and cousin Paul McCartney numbers are featured as well as a up tempo version of her major hit 'More than in Love'
If you want to see a consummate professional deliver a tip-top show, then beat your way to the box office and get your ticket today. If you delay who says there will be any left.

The Telegraph
Accompanied by a slick band, Robbins weaves brilliant anecdotes of her upbringing and hilarious impersonations of Cilla, Cher and Victoria Wood in and around rousing renditions of Ferry Cross the Mersey and the Leaving of Liverpool. Watching the lady who began her career as a cocktail pianist feels like you're watching one of the last, great, traditional entertainers and she commands the stage with panache.

Scotsman
Spot-on, hilarious imitation. Not only does she skewer the celebrity in question, but it is right on the money - clever and creative. The third star is entirely for her Cher imitation - so accurate I laughed my mascara off.

PLESTED AND BROWN IN HEALTH AND SAFETY

Over zealous Health and Safety expert meets thrill-seeking Stacey in jungle..... It's an accident waiting to happen. Epic jungle romance stamped with government health warning. From big screen to small stage, the only thing missing is Danny Devito. From the creators of Hot Pursuit and Minor Spectacular.
"Impeccable comic timing" Scotsman
"Hilarious" **** Three Weeks
**** The List
**** One4Review

One4Review.com ***** (and another * * * * * for the set if I could)
Clare Plested and Adam Brown are the intrepid duo who have been delivering excellent comedy shows over a number of years and having discovered them a year or two ago there is no chance of any of our review team getting the review ticket IT'S MINE!!!!
Both Plested and Brown are versatile comedy actors, who can extract humour for any situations, and can ad lib their way our of any anything should something go wrong. As usual, as in previous productions, Amanda Wilshire somehow manages to direct this part farce, part slapstick part ……almost any comic genre you can name, as well as combining with these two superb comedy actors in writing the piece.
I've intentionally left the set to last. I thought previous shows sets had been elaborate and inventive, but you truly haven't lived until you have seen the design and application of this one. It is worth the admission money alone.
Please take this reviewer's advice kill to get a ticket. It is way, way the best thing I have seen on the Fringe so far!!

Chortle ****
The plot has geography teacher Stacey leaving the UK for the Isle of Sambuca, having finally snapped due to the oppressive rules infringing on her school outings. She soon discovers that she has been inadvertently followed by the ultra-careful health and safety officer (and her ex-boyfriend) Michael, lured there by the promise of a conference.
There are so many sublime moments when the pair conduct a scene change or theatrical effect with inventive and silly ideas - Michael's flight to Sambuca is portrayed with a toy plane and a red scarf.
Plus there are some simple and delightful ridiculous moments to enjoy such as when Michael dressed only in swimming trunks 'finds himself' amongst the crowd and Stacey briefly transforms into Shirley Bassey after eating some dodgy peanuts.
Quirkily daft stuff.