Secret Edinburgh: the guidebook to the comedy capital

Andrew Maxwell, Marcus Brigstocke, Greg Proops, Tony Law and many more comedy acts have contributed to the 2013's most original comedy product: a guidebook to Edinburgh.

SSP at Mimetic: the best acts in comedy come to Enfield

We're bringing Tony Law, Chris Dangerfield and more to Enfield July 20-26. Come join us...

The Spotlight on ... Jim Campbell

That Jim Campbell, he's a stand-up, regular on the Football Ramble podcast, and has a real-life sidekick which is a dog that looks like Tony Law. Read on...

Dylan Moran, Tony Law for Larmer Tree Festival

Dylan Moran is set to headline the Larmer Tree Festival alongside Alistair McGowan, Rich Hall and Tony Law.

The Alternative Comedy Experience is a show 'curated' by Stewart Lee to showcase what he considers to be some of the most exciting stand-ups around today. As with most undertakings by Lee, this is in no way meant to pander to the general population. The show features a line-up of stand up comedians, cutting between sections of their material and backstage clips with Lee himself interviewing the acts. The line-up is predictably eclectic, this week featuring Andy Zaltzmann, Glenn Wool, Stephen Carlin, Sam Simmons and Maeve Higgins.

It's unlikely that you'll enjoy every stand up on each show, but the mix of styles and material mean that you are almost certain to find something that you will like, and maybe even discover someone you would not have previously considered. In earlier episodes I've greatly enjoyed Tony Law's routines, having previously discounted him based on certain panel show appearances.

Maeve Higgins was my highlight from this week's show, though, with a fantastically understated routine of ideas for films in which she could play the starring role. It was a real disappointment that her segment was so short, and I hope that we see more of her in next week's final episode. Andy Zaltzman and Glenn Wool were funny as usual, although in entirely different ways. Stephen Carlin seemed to rely too heavily on material derived from Scottish stereotypes, and didn't bring anything new to the table that we have not seen in some form or another before.

Unfortunately I just didn't 'get' Sam Simmons. Certain members of the audience seemed to really enjoy his incoherent rambling and energetic delivery, so I can't fault his appearance; this show is meant to push the boundaries of TV stand up, acting as almost an antithesis to shows like Live at The Apollo (which it directly follows on Comedy Central).

The thing I like most about this show, though, is not the acts, nor is it the short interview sections. It's the realism. Although the show is heavily edited, you really get a feel that it is being thoroughly honest; it's in a proper comedy club (it stresses this at the beginning), the audience are up for it but not overly forgiving, and when jokes don't land they don't leave them on the editing room floor.

Udderbelly Festival 2013: the top ten comedy shows

This year's Udderbelly three-month programme offers over 40 chuckle-inducing shows. Time Out picks Tony Law, Ardal O'Hanlon, The Boy with Tape on His Face, Susan Calman, Doc Brown, Austentatious, Glenn Wool, Nick Helm and Simon Munnery.

Review: Tony Law: Maximum Nonsense

Some routines fall flat, like his "bits" on dragons and Planet Banter, but Law's frantic persona holds the show together. We're happy to indulge him anyhow, of course; he's earned that.

Glasgow Comedy Festival 2013: Ones to watch - Tony Law

Suddenly Tony Law is everywhere, making his Have I Got News For You debut, playing a Dutch action film star on Sue Perkins' sitcom Heading Out, and advertising Sky's TV packages in the guise of King Arthur.

Interview: Tony Law

Tony Law is a surreal and unique stand-up comedian, who looks like a cross between a 1908 Olympic athlete and - his words - a 16th century Genoese sailor. His TV appearances include Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle and Have I Got News For You. Here he talks to Hilary Wardle about his current show, his plans for this year's Edinburgh Fringe and - of course - Vikings.