Matthew Osborn's SHOPPING CENTRE Comes to Edinburgh Fringe, Aug 1-26

RBM and Comedians Theatre Company presents SHOPPING CENTRE, written and performed by Matthew Osborn & directed by Maggie Inchley at The Third Door at The Gilded Balloon, 45-47 Lothian St, Edinburgh EH1 1HB, from Aug 1 through 26.

Following the extraordinary success of last year's Cul-De-Sac, comes a new play by award winning stand-up Matthew Osborn. Shopping Centre is the story of a an unhappy loner who finds solace in a shopping centre until one day it descends into a riot of sex and violence.

Matthew is a talented stand-up who started on the circuit in 2002 and went on to win So You Think You’re Funny the same year. In 2003 he was named Chortle Best Newcomer. Since then he has performed on the UK circuit and abroad in France, Belgium and Monaco, as well as supporting Harry Hill and Al Murray and appearing as part of The Comedy Zone at the 2003 Edinburgh festival. Other work includes appearing in Spanking New on 7 (BBC Radio 7), a programme featuring the most promising new stand up talent and as part of Jongleurs Live, a collections of CD’s showcasing the 'Freshest and Funniest' acts on the circuit.

In 2005 Matthew took a break from stand-up to concentrate on his writing, in which time he developed a number of plays, sitcoms and sketch ideas as well as writing his first book,’ Leisure’.

Since returning to the comedy circuit in 2007 Matthew has picked up where he left off appearing at some of the UK’s leading clubs. Most recently Matthew was named 2009 English Comedian of the and has appeared as a guest on Claudia Winkleman’s Arts Show(BBC Radio 2) and the newspaper review on Sky News. He is currently working as a writer on Channel 4’s Stand Up For the Week and recently recorded Russell Howard’s Good News (BBC3).

Maggie Inchley is co-Artistic Director of the Comedians Theatre Company. Her credits include The Zoo Story with Phil Nichol, True West, Jeremy Lion for Your Entertainment, and Matthew Osborn's Cul-de-Sac. This year at the festival Maggie is also running Itch: A Scratch Event, and is directing The Intervention and Clovis van Darkhelm.

The show plays 1st – 26th August, 4.30pm (no performances 13th and 20th August). Tickets: 1st – 3rd August, £5 (Previews); Monday – Thursday, £9 & £8; Friday - Sunday, £10 & £9. Box Office: 0131 622 6552/ www.gildedballoon.co.uk.