Edinburgh Fringe comedians are a cut above

Jul 31 2010 by Sam Wonfor, The Journal

Edinburgh preview double bill: Alun Cochrane and Chris Ramsey, Live Theatre

AS THE days and previews go by, I’m looking more and more forward to my Edinburgh Fringe trip. Thursday night was a particular catalyst.

Having only caught glimpses of both Alun Cochrane and Chris Ramsey during respective appearances on Mock the Week and Russell Howard’s Good News, I was unsure which one of my pre-stand up gig states would be appropriate.

Excited is the one I employ when I’m waiting to see someone I know and love, curious is the one which comes to the surface when I have little or no experience of the comic in question and fearful is the one reserved for comedians I love enough to see despite a good chance of getting picked on.

After sitting through each of these blokes’ shows-in-progress, I can confirm I’ll be in no doubt of how to feel next time. Excited indeed.

While laid-back Yorkshireman Alun Cochrane’s blend of observational and punchline comedy offered a steady stream of gentle laughter, punctuated by more than enough out loud laughter spikes, South Shields’ very own Chris Ramsey was a joy to behold from start to finish.

His show, Aggrophobic, zipped along, featuring a series of very funny anecdotes which combined to explain his on-edge state when it comes to life’s ‘aggro’ moments.

Memories about schoolyard fights grounded in crisp-request etiquette and vegetable-oil soaked OCD were mixed with stories including an account from a visit to the Jeremy Kyle Show, the poshest comedy gig ever and (my personal favourite) the time he wore a full purple Le Coq Sportif tracksuit to his cousin’s wedding.

I think I’d go as far as to predict a nomination for the best newcomer gong for the very likeable Chris, who is surprisingly making his Fringe debut in 2010.

Not even the (insert expletive adjective here) parking ticket which adorned my naughty car could wipe the smile away as I left.