Phil McIntyre Entertainments presents
BEFORE THE FRINGE

The Tabard Theatre has teamed up with Phil McIntyre Entertainments, the comedy and promotions agency behind Russell Brand, Mark Thomas and John Bishop, to bring you a season of exceptional stand-up comedians as they prepare for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Monday 23 July: Danny Mcloughlin & Alfie Moore
Tuesday 24 July: Sara Pascoe & James Acaster
Wednesday 25 July: Chris Martin & David Trent
Thursday 26 July: Nish Kumar, Joel Dommett and Frisky and Mannish
Friday 27 July: Pete Firman and Frisky and Mannish
Saturday 28 July: Dan Mitchell, Rob Beckett and Frisky and Mannish

MONDAY 23 JULY

Danny McLoughin: The Truth, The Half Truth and Nothing Like The Truth

After supporting the likes of Micky Flanagan, Sean Lock & Justin Moorhouse on tour in the last year Danny's stock is rising. Join one of the best of the new crop of acts breaking through for a debut hour of stand up and see why he's widely tipped as a name to look out for.

“Brilliant, just brilliant… He’s going to be massive.’

Alfie Moore- I Predicted A Riot

Serving cop Alfie's thrilling insight into life on the front line will alter your perspective on the boys in blue revealing what it’s like on the other side of the riot shield. Last year he actually did predict a riot! A charismatic and hilarious raconteur, this irrepressible story teller shows his everyman likeability revealing the mundane and the macabre about life on his beat. He’ll shock, enlighten, challenge and entertain. Find out what it’s really like on the beat. As seen on ITV’s Show Me The Funny. “He’s a very funny man” Rhod Gilbert

TUESDAY 24 JULY

Sara Pascoe: The Musical!

The uplifting and inspiring tale of ‘Sara’ who lived from the 1980's to 2012. Sara was born as a ‘baby’, meaning she could neither talk nor walk, but she didn’t let this hold her back, she faced adversity in the face and grew up to be the overachiever you’re all jealous of today. The show includes catchy tunes, stand up and many morals.

Sara's life includes being on TV in Stand Up For the Week, Todd Margaret, Free Agents & Campus (C4); The Thick of It, Being Human & Twenty Twelve (BBC).

James Acaster – Prompt

James Acaster returns to Edinburgh with a show full of comedy. For real.

“Blissfully whimsical” – Time Out

“Deliciously daft and no slouch in the surprises department” – Evening Standard

Seen on ‘Russell Howard’s Good News’, ‘Show and Tell’, ‘Dave’s One Night Stand’ and ‘Live at The Comedy Store’.




WEDNESDAY 25 JULY

Chris Martin: Spot the Difference.

After a debut sell out show, Chris ((as seen on Dave’s One Night Stand) & tour support for Jack Whitehall, Terry Alderton & Pete Firman), returns with a brand new show for 2012 in which he explains how to wind up squirrels, shows techniques to confuse a pervert and how not liking cheese will lead to violent abuse. “Destined for greatness” (Sunday Times), 'Hilarious…takes this years’ Fringe by the scruff of the neck'
- Metro, 'A well-deserved sell out…there’s no denying his obvious talent'
- Edinburgh Evening News


David Trent – Spontaneous Comedian

David Trent makes phenomenal comedy using a computer and a projector. This is his Edinburgh debut. It will blow your mind. He wrote this himself.

“A creator of bold, category-defying comedy” The Stage

“His use of video, animation and repetition is brilliant and unique…genuine originality” Chortle

THURSDAY 26 JULY

Nish Kumar – Who Is Nish Kumar?

Stand up comedian? British Asian? Idiot? The answer is all three. A show about being proud of your roots and ashamed about everything else.

“Ludicrously charming…razor sharp” spoonfed.co.uk

“A comic force not to be ignored” Chortle

Joel Dommett – Nunchuck Silver Medallist 2002

Joel Dommett – MTV News, Russell Howard’s Good News (BBC3) – returns to Edinburgh with his hotly anticipated new show. Do you have what it takes to be a nunchuck silver medallist? Joel did.

Hilarious **** Scotsman

**** Time Out


Frisky and Mannish – 27 Club

Cobain, Hendrix, Winehouse… Why did so many of the world’s most, talented musicians meet their deaths at 27? Was fame too much? Or not enough?

Analysts of pop, its natural Frisky & Mannish, eventually, look at this rather more macabre phenomenon. At age 27 themselves, perhaps it was high time.  Not for the faint of heart or queasy - a darker show than usual. Well vs Cheryl Cole!

 

FRIDAY 27 JULY

Pete Firman – Hoodwinker

Don't miss Pete Firman, 'the new poster-boy for British comedy magic' (The Telegraph), as he returns to Edinburgh with an all-new box of tricks.

Fresh from BBC1's 'The Magicians', with his own trademark blend of comedy and jaw-dropping magic, this is a show not to be missed!

“The man from Middlesbrough sets the pace for comedy-meets-magic in the 21st century.” The Times

“Firman is responsible for making it socially acceptable to say that you like magic again.” The Guardian

“The best magic tricks in the Universe.” The Independent

Plus Frisky and Mannish (see Thursday 26 July)

SATURDAY 28 JULY

Dan Mitchell – Free Egg

Trapped in his house, with nothing to entertain him, Dan Mitchell has no option but to let his mind free. Once free, it wanders up a hill and down dale, poking squirrels and visiting some strange places along the way. Fate. Destiny. Breakfast.

“Absolutely brilliant” Ross Noble

“A joy to watch” Bob Mortimer

Rob Beckett – Summer Holiday

Multi-award winning comedian and rising star; Rob Beckett presents his debut stand-up show. He’s from South East London, was in Fresh Meat (C4) and has nice teeth.Comedy is Rob’s job and the Fringe is technically a business trip but he enjoys it far too much to call it work, he’s on holiday. In this highly anticipated show Rob explores, class, family, expectations and Jeremy Beadle.

“A revelation” **** The Scotsman

“Whip-sharp writing” Chortle

“He already has the confidence of a veteran” – The Times

Plus Frisky and Mannish (see Thursday 26 July)