Stefanie Lyons

Paul Merton needs no introduction. He's the star of Have I Got News For You, countless Radio 4 panel shows and other TV productions. His shows at the Fringe are the stuff of legend so to have him back with his brilliant Impro Chums - Suki Webster, Richard Vranch, Kirsty Newton and Mike McShane - is a gift for us all.

Full disclosure: I saw Solve Along A Murder She Wrote in London a number of years ago. As soon as I saw it was on at the Fringe I elbowed my way through the other BW reviewers, pushed a couple of them over, stepping over their bodies, shocked looks on their faces ignored, just so I could get to the front of the queue and see this show again. And it did not disappoint. 

​​​​​​​Don't go into A Gay Dad with any expectations. Honestly. Don't. I had the feeling it was a stand-up show about being, well, a gay dad. And it was funny. But it was also a heck of a lot more, in many surprising ways.

​​​​​​​Going in, I wasn't sure what to expect from this show. And as it turns out, neither do the performers. With no script, no plot and no directions, the lovely group from ShakeItUp Theatre create a modern Shakespeare play in front of your very eyes. 

Mental health features a fair bit in this lovely show, a hot topic with a number of comedians these days. And I'm all here for it. Especially Alison's understated, open and refreshing look at her own 'Menty B'. 

My salad days were spent growing up as a teen in the Blair era. My life has been shaped by Cool Britannia, The War on Terror and Sexed Up Documents. It's in my blood and created the outline of my now fully-formed Millennial Angst. Therefore, of course I wanted to review a show, examining and laughing at the very first Pop Prime Minister. I'm just not sure I enjoyed it.

If you have a couple of hours to spare and you want to try smoky, deep, fruity, warming, delicious whiskies, while also listening to folk tales, tasting notes that will blow your mind, and live singing that will haunt your heart and soul - look no further and make sure you get a ticket to Whisky & Witches. 

If you enjoy RENT then go and see this. If you, like me, hadn't seen it and would like to, go and see this. It's not Broadway, but it's pretty close. 

Madeleine Hamilton blows. Her pipes. She blows her pipes and she blows them well. But this is not your average bagpipe show. Through the medium of Scotland's most famous instrument, Hamilton demonstrates with deft and witty imagination that these noise tubes are actually just like men, and falling in (and out) of love and lust. 

It might be impossible not to have heard about the musical, The Book of Mormon. Unless you've been locked away from the world for the last couple of years. Oh. Well, pandemic aside, this show needs almost no introduction. 

Sometimes we need joy, laughter, great songs sung by people in incredible costumes and the best, biggest and brightest hair and make-up. And that's what you get with Queenz - The Show With Balls!

Sofie Hagen will make you laugh so hard that, when I saw her show last night, I didn't stop for the entire hour. In fact, I made ridiculous noises, like a donkey, trying to recover myself from her witty brand of comedy. 

Within ten seconds of Susie McCabe walking on stage she has dropped the f-bomb. And I love it.

This one man play about his experiences takes us on a literal and metaphorical journey through LA, his life, his passengers and how he met and lost the love of his life.

In Silkworm, Ewa Dina and Antonia Layiwola play Abidemi and Omolade respectively, two Nigerian asylum seekers escaping persecution because of their sexual orientation and their love for one another.

Dice rolling! Voting! Mad phone tapping! Shots and beer chugging! This show has it all. 

Nothing I can write will truly describe the brilliance of this stand-up show. There simply isn't enough hyperbole. 

Bilal Zafar is natural, easy-going and full of his own brand of chilled out sarcasm. 

I had an idea it was about two boys learning to swim but I had no idea how thoughtful, moving and funny it would be.

Putting current events to the songs from musicals, this show is inspired.