Review: Bill Bailey, Larmer Tree Festival

Welcome to the world of Bill Bailey, the comedian best known for appearing in the sitcom Black Books and as a resident captain on the music quiz Never Mind The Buzzcocks.

Ashley Jensen interview

Ashley Jensen on motherhood and new films.

Fringe 2015 - Rap Guide To Climate Chaos

Back yet again to the Athens of the North the Philosophical groover from Vancouver, Baba Brinkman, brings his unique take on the Hip-Hop, Freestyle genres of Urban uber cool-munication, agitation and revelation.

The best thing I watched last week: Inside No. 9

This week I watched a series that has everything I look for in a British TV show; innovation, an element of the unexpected and something that is just plain well written. That is Inside No. 9 in a nutshell.

That's nice! Mrs Brown lookalikes invade town

That's nice! A crowd of Mrs Brown lookalikes invaded Finglas and set a world record for dressing up as the comedy character....

The Javone Prince Show, BBC Two

Strong opener for new black sketch comedy.

Review - Shappi Khorsandi at Latitude

A strong penultimate set for the comedy arena.

Fringe preview: theSpaceUK

Over 300 shows from across the world, ranging from the best of theatre, comedy, physical theatre, through music, dance, cabaret and musicals, to spoken word, sketch, improv, children's and circus. This is what theSpaceUK have in store for their 21st year at the Fringe in 2015.

Edinburgh Fringe interview: Felicity Ward

Ward is one of the strongest female comedians on the circuit with a razor-sharp wit that is instantly infectious... just don't mention The Goonies being remade... you've been warned!

Edinburgh preview: Trygve Wykenshaw

His form of immersive performance, impersonating animals, dancing to music, is much more cuddly. If he does approach you don't worry, just dive in. You won't regret it.

Latitude review: Jason Manford

This was classic observational stand-up with knobs on.

Latitude review: Jason Byrne

Once more Byrne went where few comedians dare to go.

Latitude review: James Acaster

I won't go into too much detail about James Acaster's Latitude set because it was clearly an excerpt from his forthcoming Edinburgh show, Represent. I will say for starters though that if you are going to Edinburgh and don't have a ticket yet get one quickly.

Interview: Penny Ashton

There's numerous Jane Austen related shows at this year's Fringe (aren't there ever?) Not all of them, though, can boast a relation to one of her most famous characters. At least that's what Penny Ashton, writer and star of the affectionately mocking musical Promise and Promiscuity tells us she is. When we interviewed her, we had to ask...

A Book for Her by Bridget Christie book review

The prizewinning standup's comic genius transfers brilliantly from stage to page.

Ten from the theatre section

We kick off our series of ten Edinburgh Fringe previews, with ten shows in the theatre section that comedy fans might be interested in.

Comedian Simon Brodkin throws money at Fifa's Blatter

Fifa chief Sepp Blatter was forced to halt a news conference when UK comedian Simon Brodkin threw a pile of banknotes at him.

Fifa has been in crisis since seven of its officials were arrested in a corruption investigation.

Best Exotic Marigold Hotel checks out of 3rd instalment

Director of successful films about Indian retirement hotel says another film not on the horizon, citing age of principal cast as major factor.

10 North American comedians to check out at the Fringe (Link expired)

Here are ten American and Canadian acts you should definitely check out.

David Walliams says he can be serious too

The 43-year-old comedian is best known for comic roles. But, he tells Gerard Gilbert, he can make an audience believe in him as an Agatha Christie sleuth.

Season 2 Episode 3 review: 'A Vicious Circle'

I don't know where Negatus got those sweet sailboat pyjamas in this week's episode of Yonderland, but boy do I wish I did: as he and his team face a vicious downsizing, at least he's doing it in style.

Review: Jason Manford at Latitude

He hasn't been to Latitude for nine years, and hasn't played any other outdoor festivals in the meantime, but it's not for want of appreciation. The audience here love him, no matter what his level of cool.

Fringe - Will Seaward's Spooky Midnight Ghost Stories

Blood! Ghouls! Creaky doors! Wailing! What could possibly be better?

Preview: The Dark Room, Gorilla, Manchester

John Robertson - could-be cult leader and sinisterly grinning stand-up comic - brings his interactive, live-action video game The Dark Room to Manchester's Gorilla on the 24 July, peddling a dark and bizarre mele of improvised comedy, gaming and audience abuse. (Perhaps this is an adult's adult Funz and Gamez).

9 North East comics you need to see at the Fringe

The Fringe is lovely, isn't it? People from all around the globe descending on the historic city, bringing culture and worldly wonders galore. Still though, there's no place like home. If you're a Geordie, a Mackem, a Smoggy, or any other variety of North-Eastern beast in Edinburgh, pining for a taste of God's Country, here's a gaggle of outstanding local talent to sate you. Brown Ale and chicken parmo not included.

Review: Ian Hall - Greater Manchester Fringe

Ian Hall isn't keen on his name. Once in the top ten of boys' names, it's now number 174. No Ian's, he says, have really made their mark on the world.

Greg Davies talks about Taskmaster

I was lucky enough to catch up with Greg Davies at the official press launch of Taskmaster which tests the wiles, wit, wisdom and skills of five super competitive well known comedians.

Javone Prince - the new Mr Darcy?

We spoke to Phil Bowker and Javone Prince about their latest project for BBC Two, which is a mix of stand-up comedy, live music and sketches.

Memorial plaque plan to remember Eddie Braben

The family of Liverpool comedy legend Eddie Braben - the third man behind the success of Morecambe & Wise - hope to pay tribute to him with a plaque in his Dingle birthplace.

Review: Barnard Castle Comedy Festival 2015

A small-scale festival of a rare standard, Barnard Castle's first comedy festival is an incontestable success, and proof that comedy really can work anywhere, when it's done right.

Terry Deary: 'I don't really like historians'

The Horrible Histories author on how the bestselling series began and what West End audiences can expect from Barmy Britain Part Three.

Here Comes Hancock

When actor Neil Pearson found a stash of lost Hancock's Half Hour scripts, he knew he had to revive these forgotten gems for a new audience.

Alien nation

When stand-up Sonya Kelly fell in love with an Australian, she had to fight to keep her girlfriend in Ireland. Her light-hearted new play at the Traverse charts their journey.

Bananas for Pajamas

Mixing sketch, character comedy and improv, perennial Fringe favourites The Pajama Men return to the festival with a show based on an existing tale for the first time, with the epic 2 Man 3 Musketeers.

Patting the black dog

Tim Grayburn's lifelong clinical depression is the inspiration behind a surprisingly lighthearted show at the Traverse, as creator Bryony Kimmings explains.

So you think you're punny

With rapid-fire jokes and deadpan delivery, Darren Walsh and Milton Jones are giants in the pun game. Quite literally, in Walsh's case.

Fringe 2015 - Dyer & Whitney

Following their successful debut last year, Dyer & Whitney return to Edinburgh Fringe with more of their unique and hilarious character comedy sketches and songs. This NEW duo sold out at the Leicester Square Theatre, London in April 2014.

Fringe 2015 - "Late with Lance!" chat show

Peter Michael Marino's newest creation is here. Meet Lance ... a delusional cruise ship entertainer, celebrity stalker and pathological musical theatre fanatic.

Interview: Jem Brookes - Punisment

'Two treacle sponges were arrested for shoplifting. They have since been detained in custardy.'

Andrew Doyle interview

Andrew Doyle is an up and coming stand-up comedian. He chats with Martin Walker about his Edinburgh show, 'Minimalism!' and the nature of offence in comedy. He also talks about the infamous (and rather funny) YouTube clip, where Andrew gets beer thrown in his face.

Interview: Steve Bugeja's journey from USA to stand-up

A summer camp in Pennsylvania was the unlikely stage for former Bishop's Stortford High School pupil Steve Bugeja to try stand-up comedy.

Interview with Ed Gamble

You may recognise Ed Gamble from his E4 series, Almost Royal, or his recent appearance on Mock The Week, but from the 8th to the 30th August, you can catch him at the Edinburgh Fringe performing his new hour, Lawman.

George Egg is cooking at the Edinburgh Fringe

George Egg started performing when he was still at school. Now he is 42 and he could win the Best Newcomer award at the Edinburgh Fringe this year because he has never ever performed there before.

Some of the lookalikes are hilariously crap

There's a new show about lookalikes and some are hilariously crap.

Lookalikes, review: 'painful to watch'

Overall, Lookalikes has the feel of a series that looked brilliant on paper, and promptly failed to live up to its potential.

Was that possibly the weirdest reality show ever?

Lookalikes wasn't without its entertaining side - mainly when it came to grading the lookalikes. Gordon Ramsay: good. Linda Robson: er, really? Del Boy and Patsy Stone: brilliant.