Fringe: The best of the comedians (Part 1)

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You can't escape comedy at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

In every pub you'll find a stand-up performing to a handful of folk, while the big names pack out The Stand and the big venues run b y Underbelly, the Pleasance and the Gilded Balloon.

The stars are all here - Jason Byrne, Ed Byrne, Frank Skinner etc - and pulling them in.

Jason is as hyper as ever, a buzz bomb of a human who sweats more on stage than some rock singers.

He can electrify an audience within seconds and keeps the momentum going - nowhere more so than when he talks directly to his audience,

Ed Byrne makes comedy look effortless as he ponders the wisdom he can hand down to his kids,

This was a set which built gradually and delivered just enough howitzers to nail it.

Frank Skinner - simply the guv'nor.

He's warming up for his UK tour with a Fringe stint which simply underlines his mastery of the mic.

His comments on Bruce Forsyth  were as sharp as they come - and drew a few intakes of breath. They were also razor sharp and funny.

But away from the big theatres you will find some comedy gems.

Danny Ward's Got Talent (Banshee Labyrinth, 3:35pm, Free Fringe) is worth a punt,

It tells the true story of his experience auditioning for Britain's Got Talent and what it's really like to face the judges for that one shot at the big time.

And check out Alistair Williams at The Caves - caught a preview of his show when he appeared on Nicholas Parsons' Happy Hour, and his material was excellent.

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