Five of the best free comedy shows this Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2012

• Brian Donaldson
• 25 July 2012

This article is from 2012.

Cariad Lloyd brings her Austentatious to the Fringe

Cariad Lloyd, David Mills, Trodd en Bratt, Sam Fletcher and Mace & Burton show that a free can also be very, very funny

Austentatious

Best Newcomer nominee Cariad Lloyd takes time out from her solo character show thing with a return to her free roots. In which a crew of similarly expert improvisers make up an hour-long tale in the style of Jane Austen purely from audience suggestions.
The Counting House, 667 7533, 2–26 Aug (not 14), 1.30pm.

David Mills

The 2011 winner of what used to be called the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year is a cabaret performer turned stand-up who has been the co-pilot on Scott Capurro’s chat show.
The Hive, 226 0000, 2–27 Aug, 3.45pm.

Trodd En Bratt

This pair met on the improvised scene through the acclaimed Showstopper! and are glad to have out their past lives behind them: Trodd was in advertising for seven years and Bratt previously earned some keep as a London tour guide.
The Free Sisters, 622 6801, until 4–26 Aug (not 13), 5.45pm. Previews 2 & 3 Aug.

Sam Fletcher

Sometimes you should just let someone’s blurb do the talking: ‘Right, so here’s my first proper thing on the Fringe. I will be delivering a handsome collection of uplifting, charming drivel involving jokes, drawings, conjuring, a song about shoes, etc.’ For your info, Fletch used to be Tim Key’s sidekick sound-man.
Bannermans, 226 0000, 4–25 Aug, 12.30pm.

Mace & Burton

Lizzy (Mace) and Juliette (Burton) wonder whether love is just a big fat fraud in their storytelling show Rom Com Con. This busy pair also host check in to the Heartbreak Hotel, a free comedy chat show at Buffs Club.
The Canons’ Gait, 226 0000, 4–26 Aug (not 7, 14, 21), 1.15pm.