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FOOLS' GOLD?

StandupCom Magazine's CHRIS WILSON previews the comedy talent at the Edinburgh Fringe 2001

COMEDY, COMEDY everywhere - but not a clue to what's hot and what's rot!

That's how many punters feel when confronted with the mammoth programme of comedy events at the Fringe.

Well, here are some pointers on how to spend your hard-earned cash on the right shows - and avoid buying a pup.

Firstly, take care about who you believe when reading the publicity on shows.

Remember that the guidance in the Fringe programme is paid for and written by the performers, their managers or publicists.

So if they claim to be a 'comedy genius' or 'unbelievably talented', take it with more than a pinch of salt.

Also don't trust the snatches of reviews that are printed.

Sometimes they are not what they appear to be.

I can see at least one rave quote in this year's programme claiming to be from a journalist, who is actually working as the act's publicist!

The comedians know they need these endorsements and will stop at nothing to get them.

Of course many critiques are genuine - but even then they reflect the views of comedy critics who may be highly inexperienced or partial to certain performers for all the wrong reasons.

There is also the problem that gang shows sometimes include a quote from a review of last year's production - which generally featured a completely different set of performers, making it meaningless.

So what can you trust?

The daily newspapers may contains some good comedy criticisms and should at least give you some idea of what the shows are like.

StandupCom Magazine prides itself on the fairness and honesty of its reviews - and there is other good journalism there out!

But beware of reviews that contain personal attacks on the performer or what they do.

The comedy may be unusual and inspired, leaving the befuddled critic miles behind.

For unlike theatre criticism, some of the national papers only really bother reviewing comedy during the Fringe.

And with the critics coming to it fresh, they can easily get it wrong, failing to draw a line between the original and the hackneyed, the unique and the all-to-familiar.

But there are great shows out there.

Here's what StandupCom has its eye on at the 2001 Edinburgh Fringe.

The return of JOHNNY VEGAS is almost certain to be outstanding.

His performances in the past have been first-class: comedy similes and pathos; sadness and joy; pottery and a good old sing-song.

I wouldn't miss his show Being Johnny Vegas, at the Gilded Balloon, for the all China in teapots.

Then there's BIG AND DAFT, featuring ROB ROUSE (pictured) and his co-stars IAN and JON.

This trio of loons have done two very good Edinburgh shows, and the word about their third, The Big and Daft Christmas Show, at the Gilded Balloon, is that it's also very funny.

Intelligent Irish comedian KEVIN HAYES returns to The Stand with Kevin Hayes: The Devil's Drop.

And if it's anywhere near as good as his History of Ireland two years ago, it will be well worth seeing.

DANNY BHOY has also shown a lot of promise. It'd be hard to believe his show at the Pleasance won't be a very enjoyable one.

And the same goes for a couple of double acts, ORAM AND MEETON and SAM AND CY, both at the Pleasance.

And PRIORITE A GAUCHE is another combo likely to deliver value for money.

Of course there are many, many others shows that will be funny - some of them hilarious.

Word of mouth is the best recommendation for most of these - and that also goes for bad shows.

If you mate has seen something and hates it, the chances are you won't like it either.

Free-on-the-door comedy shows are OK, provided you set your expectations low.

The highly-eccentric PETER BUCKLEY HILL usually puts on some amateurish productions, graced by the occasional professional comic.

If you're doing nothing else, his shows are worth a look but don't be upset if they're crap.

Also be careful of anything connected with a school or college.

They may have stumped up the cash to put on an Edinburgh Fringe show, but that doesn't mean they have any great comedy experience or talent.

It is also a good idea to avoid acts that are listed in the wrong section.

For instance, SUPERGIRLY are in my view not comedians and should not be in the comedy section.

When they first went to Edinburgh, their brand of nasty lyric-changing was listed in the Music part of the programme, although I can understand other musicians not wanting to share a page with them, either.

They are a commercial success but still avoid like the plague!

But most of all, experiment a little with different shows - and have a good time!

And if it all goes wrong, don't blame me!

* This article was written at the very start of the 2001 Edinburgh Fringe.

© Chris Wilson 2001