Best of the fest 04/08/2012

NINA CONTI

‘Exceptional … she takes ventriloquism about as far as it can conceivably go.’ That was our four-star verdict on Nina Conti’s last Fringe show. So we’re thrilled that she’s agreed to perform some of Dolly Mixtures, her new Pleasance Dome show, at our first Best of the Fest show of 2012.

JIM JEFFERIES

‘This could be your last chance to see Jefferies at the Fringe. Treasure it.’ So concluded our  four-star review of the Australian’s 2010 show. But he’s back, at the Assembly Hall – and we’ve got a sneak preview for you on Monday.

MARK THOMAS

We’ve given plenty of glowing reviews to Mark Thomas’s comedy shows over the years, so we’re always pleased to have him back at the Fringe. This year he’s doing something a little different, a very personal show at the Traverse paying tribute to his late father. Find out more about Bravo Figaro! on Monday.

KIERAN HURLEY

‘An outstanding show; clever, ruthless, compassionate and full of political insight’ is what we had to say about Kieran Hurley’s Beats, an exploration of early-1990s rave culture at the Arches in Glasgow. Beats is now at the Traverse – and Hurley will perform an exclusive extract at our Best of the Fest show.

YOUR HOST: FELICITY WARD

‘In everything she says and every move she makes on a stage full of deliberately rubbish props, her brilliance shines through,’ was our verdict on Ward’s last Fringe show. And we’re delighted to have her as our compère.

FASCINATING AIDA

‘As smutty as they’re elegant and tuneful, Fascinating Aida send you out into the night with a massive smile on your face and a spring in your step,’ concluded our review of last year’s show, Cheap Flights. If you missed the show – the title track of which became a viral YouTube hit – it’s back at the Gilded Balloon for the whole month. And they’ll be joining us on Monday.