"Everything you have is never enough" claimed Andrew Lawrence, in yet another venue where you could cook meat. But, his interesting point, and indeed his whole show, seemed to be lost in a flurry of bad accents, lack of laughs and his incessant need to shout down the microphone.

The Intelligent Finance Comedy Awards, the UK's premier comedy awards, are now in their 28th year. The two awards are given for the most outstanding up-and-coming, funny, original comedy show

Bridget Christie has a twinkle in her eye when she delivers this wonderfully engaging piece of comedy. Her timing, delivery and ability to hit that quirky angle of humour is quite extraordinary.

Maeve Higgins arrives at the bar in the Gilded Balloon with a freshly-baked cake that she plans to give away at her show this evening. There's something that not many people would do, isn't it? Having being bowled over by the realness of her stand-up, I was interested to see what she would be like to chat with. The simple answer? Exactly as I had expected, and more!

Former Perrier award winner Rich Hall brought a smile to many a face as he read passages from his book, Everything Snowballs, and his forthcoming piece of work, Magnificent Bastards.

Within the confines of yet another random room in the Pleasance, semi-competent ventriloquist (her words, not mine) Nina Conti took to the stage with her monkey, Monk.

Having loved their sketch show Idiots of Ants 2008, I was excited when I had a chance to meet the guys behind the sketches.

Celebrating their 125th Anniversary this year, the Cambridge Footlights (old home of Rowan Atkinson) proved that there was still youth in the old dog yet.

In her third show at the Fringe, and her fourth year as a comedienne, Maeve Higgins claims that she "doesn't want to be famous." If this is true, she's really not going about it the right way.

With a sell-out show, the heat was on, literally, as Jimeoin managed to skate his way to a hundred laughs or more.

Having never really thought much of McIntyre on BBC’s Mock
the Week, I was surprised at how enjoyable his live show was.

“Let’s get ready to punble!” says Tim Vine, dressed in a
cowboy costume. Puns, or plays on words, are something that you don’t really
think about. And when you do, it’s usually followed by, "no pun intended."

"To-night you will be Miss Saigon," but tomorrow you may be Miss Sign-On: The Untold Story of a Diva on the Dole.

After a roaring success last year, the Ants are back for even more hilarious sketches and some good old-fashioned bloke humour.

Female comediennes Ingrid Oliver and Lorna Watson are Festival favourites, returning for their third year after two years

Morning events are a welcome change of pace. I was thankful to the Pleasance for having their press launch at

Yet again, the weather let me down. The rain came on as I arrived at the Gilded Balloon preview show, and I was happy to be inside. Until everyone else arrived, and like me, everyone was scrambling for the door.

Where's the best place to people watch? Or to feel the sand between your toes? What's the best place to take the kids? Or best show to make plans for world domination? Prepare to tackle the Festival with these recommendations.

After some of the delights on show at the Underbelly, I was excited about what could be on offer at the Assembly Rooms, another venue that I had yet to experience.

On my arrival in Edinburgh, I was a bit gutted. The main reason being, that the sun wasn't out. I'm sad I know. So, with no rays of sunshine, but still laced with a heat, I made my way to the first media preview launch of the evening.