The free fringe tends to be something of a lottery, welcoming uncertified and invariably inexperienced performers holds an obvious and inherent danger. Consequently, when you stumble upon an act of real quality, the satisfaction feels somehow amplified. Yianni’s Numb and Number, is just such and act.

Inspired by Yianni’s recent discovery that he may be mildly autistic (the reason for his ‘mild’ mathematical genius), this is ostensibly a show about the performers love of numbers. A curious choice for comedy subject matter perhaps, but those of an arithmaphobic disposition ought not to feel discouraged, this is no maths lesson.

The Set List is a hilarious addition to the vast array of late night stand-up comedy variety performances.  As audience members take their seats, they have to fill pieces of paper with random suggestions.  These are then put into a box that goes onto the stage.  What makes this show original is the fact that all the comedians performing have to improvise.  The topics appear on a screen behind them and they have to include elements from the suggestions within the box.  You can tell that the comedians have not seen the topics before as a few misread the made-up words and then started to stumble over what to say. 

and a half

Before seeing this show I really had no clue of what to expect from Ian D Montford.  The idea of comedy and spirit mediums combined made me cringe a little bit, nonetheless I was intrigued.

Whilst queuing for the show we were handed a piece of paper to fill out – A dead celebrity’s name, your name and your deepest, darkest secret.  I was trying to imagine what Ian D. Montford could be like, I pictured a well-spoken, serious type in a suit – A Derren Brown alike.  However, I couldn’t have been more wrong.  Onto the stage came a flamboyant and extremely personable Ian D. Montford with a Northern accent, dressed a bit like Aladdin or a yoga instructor.

Free comedy shows are a hit and miss game, especially ones with several emerging comedians. Whynot comedy is certainly more hit than miss, but definitely needs to work on compering. On the plus side, this compere prepares the audience for something, anything better than the random swearing in place of actual structure and jokes.

Hanks and Conran are a female comedy double act, described in their promotional material as: one sweet one sour. This unfortunately does not come across, from the onset they attempt to make jokes supposedly offending the other about her demeanor, but neither seems to be the stereotype of what she is trying to portray. You would expect a duo to play off one another, but they just seemed to be mildly amusing friends having a go at comedy together.

Adam Strauss is both an amazing storyteller and stand-up comedian.  This show concentrates on the story of his life at a time when he was experimenting with a variety of drugs after reading some then contemporary scientific research. Adam’s aim was to find that one ‘trip’ (experience) that might alleviate him from the everyday problems associated with having crippling Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.  This makes for a very interesting, original and honest performance.

Consummately silly but wonderfully engaging, Chris and Paul combine slapstick comedy and clown-like buffoonery to create some superbly daft sketches.

It is a uniquely warming show. The pair have an endearing, childlike disposition (Paul in particular, who seems the human incarnation of a hapless puppy) and from the moment they tentatively emerge on stage it is clear that the audience are well and truly won over.

The idea itself is appealingly quirky; a voice in your ear telling you some of the choice stories of Fringes gone by, harking back to the good old days and simpler, more drunken and ridiculous times interspersed with music and small tasks to perform while nobody else knows what you’re doing. And these little tasks really do make you giggle with a glint in your eye at the mischief you are up to and all the while nobody around you has a clue. It’s a fun way to kill forty minutes between shows and an interesting insight into the growth and history of the Fringe.

Suggs has always seemed like one of those people who could do anything he turned his hand to, without making too much of an effort. From his years as the charismatic front-man of Madness, to his TV presenting and even playing on top of Buckingham Palace, Suggs makes performing look easy. He doesn’t make appearing on a stage, offering an evening of storytelling and song, look quite so straightforward, but thankfully he offers enough cheek, fascinating stories and laughter to make this a very worthwhile show.

As a success story of the Edinburgh Fringe, Dustin Demri-Burns and Seb Cardinal have just finished their first series of Cardinal Burns on E4 (still on 4od). The boys are back in town doing a 6 night show in the Pleasance Dome. But how did it all happen?