Sean Patton: Edinburgh Fringe 2017 interview

This New Orleans native tells a story of heartbreak, natural disasters, and celebrating the one thing that unites us all: human flaw.

Reviewer review: Martin Gray, The Scotsman

When you work at the Scotsman, I guess, you don't feel you need to impress anyone. I mean sure, the paper is going down the tubes faster than a KY-jellied eel poo at a waterpark but for the moment it's still the grand dame of Scottish journalism. Or croque monsieur, since Scotsman is the most patriarchal title on earth. But enough of this flannel. Martin Gray is a flannel-free reviewer.

Fringe: How is the festival going so far?

Plan as if you were going to war, winkle out the discounts, and never break cardinal rule No 1... Veteran festivalgoer Chris Bratt continues his oldies' guide to the world's biggest arts event.

BWW Q&A- Fiona Sagar

Fiona Sagar interview.

EdFringe70 interview: Joan Ellis

Prior to making small talk with killers, she larged it in 80s Adland, foolishly juggling working with animals, children and celebrities with bringing up baby. She dropped a lot of balls.

Jan Ravens: I'm glad I left it late to make debut

Feminism comes in many forms. Sadly many of those forms exist nowadays only on stages, social media and T-shirts. Jan Ravens is from a time when women were still storming the metaphorical barricades of the literal boys' clubs.

Pauline Goldsmith can't stop dying on stage

Death becomes Pauline Goldsmith. Or at least that's how it seems, as the Belfast born actress and writer revives her funeral-based solo show which she first performed it at the turn of the millennium.

Joz Norris picks his perfect playlist

Hi Chortle, I realised today I forgot to include an introductory paragraph to my Perfect Playlist, saying something like "Hello and welcome to my Perfect Playlist!" If it's not too late, is it OK to interpose this paragraph (including these words I'm typing now) into the article just before the first video to function as a nice introduction? Thanks so much, Joz.

Rory Bremner vs speech recognition software

The comedian and impressionist mimics people for fun. But he says the science behind speech recognition is deadly serious.

Paul McCaffrey: Edinburgh Fringe 2017 interview

Tour support for Sean Lock and Rob Beckett, Paul McCaffrey is one of the most solid stand-ups around.

Courtney Act interview

Aussie drag superstar Courtney Act tells Arusa Qureshi she plans to keep things upbeat in her new Fringe show with a celebration of all things Oz.

Kate Smurthwaite interview

We chat polyamory with the political comedian and activist.

Courtney Act: 'Drag is a strength and not a weakness'

Courtney Act is astonishingly beautiful. I don't mean that in a creepy objectifying way. Beauty, in her line of work, is more of a toolkit than anything else. Because Courtney is the internationally renowned drag persona of Australian performer Shane Jenek, and she looks the way Virginia Woolf uses a paragraph: as a weapon that helps search something deeper.

Narin Oz: Edinburgh Fringe 2017 interview

One of the comedy scene's true eccentrics, Narin Oz takes on the role of mad scientist at this year's festival.

Edinburgh festival 2017: the shows we recommend

Plan your viewing with our list of top shows, ordered by start time. This page will be updated throughout the festival.

Why did immigrant families see themselves in OFAH?

As part of our 90s comedy week, we look at why the story of a white working-class family was so popular among those who - on the surface - had nothing to relate to.

An interview with Siân Docksey

Siân Docksey interview.

The Edinburgh interviews 2017: Loyiso Gola

Loyiso Gola is increasingly gaining in popularity, having appeared on Mock The Week in 2016 and being nominated for various awards over recent years. Loyiso will be performing his latest show Unlearning at the Gilded Balloon Teviot throughout August.

The Edinburgh interviews 2017: Naomi Sheldon

Naomi Sheldon's debut Edinburgh show explores the contrast between being a 'good girl' and being a fully matured woman. Good Girl is about self-identity and developing oneself in a 21st century world. Naomi will be performing the show at Just the Tonic at The Mash House throughout August.

My audience reviewed by Jo Caulfield

This is a review of the audience watching Jo Caulfield's performance by Jo Caulfield.

How be a poker player preapred me for stand-up

I'm doing my first hour at the Fringe this year, but I've also been a professional poker player for the last nine. I dropped out of a maths degree at Cambridge to pursue a life of gambling and took up stand-up a couple years after.

What happened to moral disgust? Maybe it isn't funny

We may like our comics angry - but the fact is that they're there to entertain us, and we shouldn't delude ourselves that they can actually change the world.

A day at the Fringe- Rhys Nicholson

Rhys Nicholson interview.

Wise up sucker!

When I was 10 I never really noticed middle-aged people, unless they were the Joy Interrupters like mothers or teachers. They were irrelevant, past it, boring. They didn't even realise how they embarrassed themselves with their mutating jellyfish bodies and dress sense. They actually thought they looked OK.

EdFringe70 interview: Sören Niewelt, Virtuosity

Double bill showing two faces of dance. Niewelt's neoclassical style is fast, vigorous and exact, to showcase the talent and discipline of his international team of dancers.

EdFringe70 interview: Brian Haimbach

They may pull at your heart strings, but if Percy has his way, you will walk out with a more confident swish in your step. A world premiere gay romp!

EdFringe70 interview: A Dash of Theatre, Class Mates

Take one community centre, three evening classes, six skill-seekers and then stand back!

EdFringe70 interview: Patty the Clown, Clowntown

Multi-talented Patty and Dandy from Canada's top clown band bring audiences of all ages to their feet, singing, dancing and laughing with hilarious antics and award-winning original tunes from their four hit CDs.

Interview with Michael Stranney

Michael Stranney takes some time to talk to Voice about the show, inspirations, and to give advice to young people.

Interview with Ian Smith

Ian Smith takes some time to talk to Voice about the show, inspirations, and to give advice to young people.

Interview with Harry and Chris

Harry and Chris takes some time to talk to Voice about the show, inspirations, and to give advice to young people.

The worst place comics have stayed during the Fringe?

Comedians relive their Edinburgh nightmares.

Geoff Norcott on his unforgettable five gigs

'I'm sure my comedy's the talk of Kandahar'

Luke Kempner and Tom Neenan spoof The Trip

Their copy of Joel Dommett and Iain Stirling is spot on.

Annie McGrath: Edinburgh Fringe 2017 interview

Member of Twins and great deadpan performer in her own right, Annie returns with her second full solo hour.

Urzila Carlson: Edinburgh Fringe 2017 interview

A South African-born, New Zealand-based comedian who is out to educate.

Ab Fab will show how fun life was before Brexit

As part of 90s comedy week, we ask: could the Remain campaign have done with some help from Edina Monsoon?

Short Com podcast: Sunil Patel

Anne Klein sat down with Sunil Patel and chatted about growing up and his pathway into comedy in the first of Short Com podcasts at the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe.

Three To See on 10 Aug

Three recommended shows to see on Thursday 10 Aug...

7 sensible questions: Simon Munnery

He's master of the accessible avant-garde; of understated lunacy and any other contradiction-in-terms you like. A stuffed monkey interviews him.

The subversive genius of Joe Orton

Fifty years ago the playwright Joe Orton was bludgeoned to death by his boyfriend at the peak of his career. What is Orton's legacy, and what would he have made of the strides towards equality made since his death by gay people in the UK?

Interview with Shappi Khorsandi

Shappi Khorsandi interview.

Interview with Tape Face

Sam Wills interview.

Interview with Red Bastard

Red Bastard interview.

An Interview with Steve Whiteley: a.k.a. Wisebowm

Wisebowm interview.

An Interview with Vicki Sargent

Vicki Sargent interview.

Edinburgh Fringe day 8

It has been a bad Fringe for me in the sense that, so far, I have not seen a truly terrible show. Where have all the shit shows gone?

Joe Orton's Loot will be performed uncensored

Joe Orton's classic farce Loot will be performed in its uncensored glory for the first time since its 1966 premiere.

A production at the Park Theatre will open next week to pay tribute to the murdered playwright, who was killed by his partner Kenneth Halliwell 50 years ago.