1 Stewart Lee: World’s 41st Best Stand-up

He is officially funnier than Steve Martin, Tommy Cooper, Johnny Vegas and Paul Merton (says Channel 4’s recent 100 Greatest Stand-ups Poll). He’s often our favourite comic on the Fringe. So why does Lee’s mother prefer Tom O’Connor?

Udderbelly’s Pasture, Aug 2-27 (0870 7453083)

2 Damascus

An English-language teacher tries to sell textbooks in the Syrian capital. But what will he have to leave out? David Greig’s big new play is about the things that are left unsaid, in every sense.
Traverse 1, Aug 5-26 (0131-228 1404)

3 The Walworth Farce

The combination of Ireland’s famous Druid company with a new play by Enda Walsh, on the tenth anniversary of his electrifying Disco Pigs, is not to be missed.

Traverse 1, Aug 5-26

4 Frank Skinner Stand-up

Book right this second now if you want to see Skinner play the Pleasance’s small Cabaret Bar before his enormotour this autumn. It’s his first stand-up show for a decade.

Pleasance Courtyard, Aug 13-27 (0131-556 6550)

5 Breaker Morant

Good film, but it was based on a stage play and it still has the irresistible drama of the courtroom. This is this year’s big vehicle for comedians to act: the cast includes Adam Hills and Brendon Burns.

Underbelly, Aug 4-27 (0870 7453083)

6 Micky Flanagan – What Chance Change?

He’s never done a full solo Edinburgh run before, but this 44-year-old former fish porter is one of the most consistently excellent acts on the circuit. Could be a contender for the if.comedy newcomer award.

Pleasance Courtyard, Aug 1-26

7 Hotel World

Ali Smith’s novel – shortlisted for the Booker – has five characters in a smart hotel, only four of whom are alive. Smith chose Kidbrooke school over professional companies to produce this first stage adaptation.

Theatre Workshop, Aug 13-18 (0131-226 5425)

8 God’s Pottery Saves the World!

The spoof Christian folk duo return from New York, where they’ve spent the past year cooking up the sequel to last year’s divine debut. Let’s pray they can sustain the joke.

Pleasance Courtyard, Aug 2-27

9 Morceaux Choisis & Ragnarök

One part clown, one part choreographer: Philippe Decouflé has now teamed up with Alan Greig for an athletic, arresting double bill.

Zoo Southside, Aug 5-18 (0131-662 6892)

10 Shappi Khorsandi: Carry on Shappi

Continuing from last year’s show, which looked at her upbringing as the daughter of an Iranian satirist, Khorsandi has new material: being pregnant.

Pleasance Dome, Aug 1-27 (0131-556 6550)

11 Truth in Translation

One of several verbatim shows, this one is based on testimony from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa.

Assembly Hall, Aug 4-27 (0131-623 3030)

12 The Human Computer

Will Adamsdale has developed a nice line in questioning the absurd way we live our hectic lives. For his latest trick, he looks at the way we interact with technology.

Traverse 3 (Drill Hall), Aug 2-26 (0131-228 1404)

13 Auto Auto

More of a musical cabaret than a play, this involves cutting up a Vaux-hall Astra every night, recalling the great days of Archaos.

Pleasance Courtyard, Aug 4-27

14 Nina Conti: Complete and Utter Conti

This is the ventriloquist’s first full Edinburgh run as a solo comic, apart from a shared bill with Micky Flanagan in 2003. She introduces new characters to share her hand with her faithful simian Monk.

Pleasance Courtyard, Aug 1-27

15 Nijinsky

One of two shows this year about the great dancer and muse to Diaghilev. This one is from Poland, the other is from America. Both look at how his delicate psyche collapsed under the weight of his genius. Take your pick.

Assembly Universal Arts Majestic, Aug 5-27

16 Trumptonshire Tales

Which freshers’ week hasn’t resounded to the key debate of our age: which was best, Camberwick Green, Trumpton or Chigley? Relive your Watch with Mother childhood with Phill Jupitus and the television show’s narrator, Brian Cant.

Pleasance Courtyard, Aug 7-14

17 Astronomy for Insects

The Moscow troupe Blackskywhite’s latest show is a terrifying journey into alien worlds using a potent blend of dance and physical theatre.

Assembly Aurora Nova, Aug 5-27 (0131-623 3030)

18 Kristen Schaal as You’ve Probably Never Seen Her Before

New Yorker Schaal’s recent London run with David Cross saw this dark, whimsical comic give the word “kooky” a good name. She’ll be on BBC Four in the autumn, playing a besotted fan in the Flight of the Conchords’ American sitcom.

Assembly Rooms, Aug 2-27

19 Jim Jeffries – 30

The expat Aussie follows last year’s compelling show with “jokes, swearing and sensitive bits to impress the ladies”. If he can remove some of the machismo from his act, the hugely skilful Jeffries will be one of the best comedians around.

Udderbelly’s Pasture, Aug 2-27

20 Gawkagogo Freakshow

Setting up their own “micro carney tent” in the courtyard, the inventive duo offer ghoulish, cartoonish creations in manageable portions every 15 minutes.

Pleasance Courtyard, Aug 18-27

FRINGE PODCASTS

Comedian Jason Byrne will be hosting twice-weekly comedy podcasts throughout August. After the success of last year’s shows, with guests such as Stewart Lee, the Goodies and Harry Shearer, Byrne will talk to more of the best acts. Listen to a preview, catch up with shows you missed and subscribe to this year’s podcasts at timesonline.co.uk/edinburgh

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