Two shows at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival

I am bad at attending shows at The Fringe. I can never seem to choose among the hundreds of things that are available – the listings seem endless – and I don’t have the time to read through reviews or do the research to make a good choice about what I’d like to see. Normally, if I see anything at all, it’s because someone else has done this work and has suggested something they think would be fun. I’m lucky to have such wonderful friends.

This year I’ve been to see two things so far, both comedy. Firstly I went to see Aditi Mittal’s Global Village Idiot with my friend B, and secondly, I went to see Jimeoin’s Ridiculous with my new work colleagues.

Aditi Mittal

 

I really recommend looking out for the 2-for-1 deals at the Fringe, £5.50 is a great price for an hour of comedy

 

I’d never heard of Aditi Mittal but after B suggested we go see her, I noticed that she also has some stand up on Netflix. I took that to be a good sign but elected to avoid the Netflix show just in case the jokes were repeated. Later, B confirmed that the material was entirely new, which is good news because Mittal is hilarious.

There were probably a few jokes I didn’t really get or might have appreciated more if I were Indian, or if I’d ever visited India, but Mittal knew her audience – most people in Edinburgh have probably never been to India. Her humour is light-hearted and cheerful without being ditsy or meaningless and she is a master of ironic observation.

Jimeoin

 

Jimeoin. Image credit: Wikipedia

 

I’d also never heard of Jimeoin (ok, I guess I don’t watch a lot of comedy these days) but apparently one of my work colleagues tries to see him every year at The Fringe. Sitting in the audience, I suspect that was probably true for a lot of people who made up the crowd, who tended to be older than I’d expected. Of course, that could just be a coincidence.

Anyway, I’d described Jimeoin as being just fine. He wasn’t offensive (which is obviously good when you’re going out with a work crowd including your boss) but he wasn’t hilarious either. He didn’t seem to have a great deal to say. I laughed here and there, and he sang a song at the end which was a genuine highlight, but I don’t think I’d see him again.

 

There’s still time for me to see more! The Edinburgh Fringe Festival runs right up until the 28th of August and I admit to having a hard copy of the listings sitting, mostly ignored on my coffee table. Maybe I’ll actually analyse it at some point. In the meantime, if there’s anything or anyone you think I shouldn’t miss, please let me know!