comedy review

Old Rope In The Courtyard

Tiffany Stevenson And Guest Hosts

Circuit comedians make their money from repeating old material night after night ad infinitum, a problem exacerbated by the format of the Edinburgh Festival. The excitable Phil Nichols offers the solution: a night where new or established acts try out untested material, or else hold onto 'old rope'. Inevitably it will be hit and miss, but this is to its credit. Experimental it may be, but disappointing it is not, indeed, it makes comforting viewing to see big names not quite hit the mark. Everyone wins with this chance to catch the best comedians stringing together threads of wit, and an arena for jokes you won't see at other variety nights, this is the only ropey gamble you're guaranteed to win.

Pleasance Courtyard, 1 - 24 Aug (not 5, 12, 19), 10.45pm (11.45pm), prices vary, fpp 83

tw rating: 4/5

published: Aug-2008

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