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In a change from the Fringe brochure, this free hour of stand up now pairs occasional TV presenter Dan Wright with storytelling Cornishman Matt Price. Wright went first, mixing tales of school trauma as both pupil and supply teacher, with nods to his other job – flying around on a wooden spoon for CBeebies’ show ‘Big Cook, Little Cook’. Price’s warm-hearted routine sprung from his unenviable attempt to bring light relief to the inmates of Broadmoor Hospital. This evening’s sun-struck, over-refreshed audience seemed to present almost as much of a challenge to the good-humoured pair’s patience.

Laughing Horse @ The Quadrant, 22 May
Rating:
Stuart Huggett

A fine venue choice for their debut Fringe show, an expanded line-up which included new drummer Brian and old guitarist Jim Briffet performed an enthralling greatest hits set peppered with tasters from the forthcoming third album. The sound mix was perfect and made Will and Mike’s strings sound more majestic than ever. ‘Boat Song’ was an eyes closed blissful experience and ‘Oliver’ was perfectly executed.

A rapturous plea for an encore was rewarded with the playful, new song ’For Heaven’s Sake’ – the perfect soundtrack to a summer’s day, and a request for old favourite ‘Muswell’. A truly faultless performance.

The Old Courtroom, 21 May
Rating:
Steve Clements

OMG! We all know a Phillipa and Will – one of those couples who carry on their whole relationship through sickly Facebook comments involving snuggles and sexual innuendo, followed by the inevitable massive break up in full view of family and friends. Rather like The Office, Phillipa and Will Are Now in a Relationship was an excruciatingly embarrassing, slightly exaggerated version of real life and it captured perfectly the kinds of conversations teenagers have with each other. This was one of those comedy shows that had to be either brilliant or dreadful and fortunately it turned out to be the former. It was totally cringeworthy, but in a good way. LOL! Like!

Upstairs at Three and Ten, 20 May
Rating:
Jenni Davidson

What sets The Maydays apart from other comedy improv groups is that you can tell it is completely made up, not over rehearsed sickly slick performances with improv shoe-horned in. ‘Confessions’ are provided by the audience just prior to the start of the show. The troupe then perform the secrets in a make-shift confessional and improvise a couple of scenes, either directly imitating the confession or ripping on a theme. Sure, some fail to get going (by no means all) but at least you know it’s honest and you can see them struggle which is endearing. First class improv-comedy.

Komedia Studio, 21 May
Rating:
Lee Stevens