The Early Edition
Marcus Brigstocke, Andre Vincent & Guests
E4 Udderbelly’s Pasture @ 11:55, Aug 4-26, (1hr), £8.00 (£6.00), £10.00 (£8.00)
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There are many shows at the Edinburgh Fringe this year that will be completely different every day and this is easily one of the more reliable. There isn’t a great deal I can tell you about what to expect, other than Marcus Brigstocke, Andre Vincent and two guests… but you’ve pretty much been told that already. Each day, after perusing the papers for a bit, they’ll recount some of the day’s news stories that took their fancy. This they do with chummy irreverence whilst fuelling themselves heartily on their wit, intelligence, repartee and some doughnuts.

It’s a relatively composed and docile affair given the time of day and the effect that a busy Fringe schedule can have on people. As they plod through the papers, discussing and dissecting the chosen stories of the day the various panellists put in their comments and observations in a (reasonably) well-mannered gentle free-for-all.

Brigstocke displays enormous skill, measure and dexterity in his role at the helm of this show, making me wonder why his television appearances in such a position seem stuck in the late-night realms of digital broadcasting. This is a great shame, although his regular position on ITV1’s NewsKnight suggests that his mainstream recognition is in the ascendancy.

As a safe way to kick off a day of frivolity at the Fringe , this is a sure-fire bet.

by Ian Phillips

The National Student's
2007 Edinburgh Festival Fringe
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