EDINBURGH 2010: BWW Reviews: JOSIE LONG: BE HONOURABLE 2010/08/15

If anyone ever asks me for the name of my favourite comedian, I will always instantly answer that it is Josie Long. Although I've been a fan of hers for several years now, this was only the second time I've seen her perform live. She's earned quite a following in the years since my last Josie encounter, and rarely is there an empty seat at any of her shows.

Josie may be my favourite comedian but I wouldn't say she's the funniest comedian I've seen. Her material is rarely side-splitting, but always entertaining and often thought-provoking. Her stories are sometimes not quite as fascinating as she thinks they are (I don't really care about an American man who photographed his breakfasts for a year) but her enthusiasm is infectious.

Josie doesn't provide the most hilarious jokes of the Fringe but of all the performers I've seen she's certainly the most inspirational. Even better than her stories and impressions is her very genuine call for people for stand up for what they believe in. It helped of course that Josie's beliefs and opinions are very similar to my own, but anyone who's ever longed to make a difference and be part of something meaningful will sympathise with Josie's rants. I also absolutely loved the free zine (handmade mini-magazine) she gave away in lieu of a programme, so delightful it would have been worth the ticket price alone.

Josie Long: Be Honourable is on (almost) every day at 7.40pm courtesy of Just The Tonic at The Caves until 29th August.