Comedy review: Ava Vidal; The Stand, Edinburgh

ON HER twitter page, Ava Vidal describes herself as a comedian who does “politics, race, gender stuff”. This was a gift of a week for her then, what with the potential commentary she could offer on the Diane Abbott furore and the Stephen Lawrence verdict.

Yet instead, she chooses to trot out material on the Madonna adoption and her own daughter (apparently overweight and very annoying) that she previously performed on the Michael McIntyre Comedy Roadshow. Almost three years ago.

What should have been her game-changing moment in 2009 has been anything but and other than providing her with the best joke of her set here, it seems to have left a residue of bitterness: why else would she criticise an unenthusiastic audience within seconds of taking to the stage? Headliner Ian Coppinger had little problem getting the crowd on his side with some marvellous self-deprecating banter about his nationality (Irish) and stature (properly diminutive). A long finale about drinking too early on Christmas Day did wane but Coppinger can probably be forgiven considering that he had just spent ten minutes slaying a pair of front-row drunks.

Completing the bill were former Scottish Comedian of the Year Sean Grant whose dry delivery and even more parched material failed to hit the target while more warmth was to be found in Gareth Waugh’s promising work. A consistently funny middle was inadvisably bookended by disappointing “ginger” jokes and a poultry-based football gag that would probably only be fully appreciated at a Hibs supporters club function.

Rating: ***