Bad Reviews

Michelle from Its Alright For Some (who produce some of the best shows in Edinburgh this year) has issued the following plea.

Hello
I am very keen on the idea of putting together a collection of badly written
reviews from this year Fringe, because I am petty and it would amuse me.
If you have found any sloppily written, hypocritical or just badly written
reviews then please let me know and I may end up doing something with them.
All submissions gratefully received.
Stuck for ideas? Have a look at these sites:
http://www.emporiumofmirth.co.uk/index.php?s=news&pg=Shows%2005
http://www.one4review.com/all_index_pages/comedy_2005_.htm
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/browse.asp?ord=genre&gid=609236185
My favourite remains this beauty from Three Weeks:

Ben Willbond
I was blown away! Not your regular stand-up, this show adds character comedy
and a love story into the mix - and it really works. Join Dermot the estate
agent "with a heart" (at least that's what he'll tell you before you sign),
and Colin Jackson "no relation" with his stories of astro-physical failure
and secret longing. I'm sure I've met all the characters before - and one of
them is my mum! It started good, got better and I laughed so hard a little
bit of wee came out! My only complaint is that the two co-actors don't get a
mention in the title.5/5

Dubble Act Shortlist

Six new comedy double acts are up for the Dubble Act Award at Edinburgh
Fringe, sponsored by Dubble the funky Fairtrade chocolate bar

The Dubble Act Award today announced the shortlist of six double acts
being considered for this year’s outrageous Dubble Act Trophy at the
Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The winner, selected by a panel of judges
including comedy critic Kate Copstick, will be announced at Mervyn
Stutter’s legendary ‘Pick of the Fringe,’ The Metro Gilded Balloon on
Saturday 20 August 2005 at 1.00pm. Where there will be lots of Dubble
chocolate available for all!

The Shortlist for the Dubble Act Awards 2005, in no particular order,
is:
John Oliver & Andy Zaltzman
Penny Spubb's Party
He Barks, She Bites
Pajamamen
Toulson & Harvey
13 O’clock

Charlotte Borger, spokesperson for Dubble says: “There is a big
emphasis on stand up at the Festival Fringe and Dubble is keen to
support the superb double act tradition that we are so proud of in the
UK by acknowledging the six short-listed talented double acts. Previous
years winners, Laurence and Gus and Japan's Gamarjobat have gone on to
great things and Dubble hopes the award will encourage more double acts
to the fore.

"Dubble created the Dubble Act Award to continue to bring the Fairtrade
message to the chocolate loving UK in a positive, fun, entertaining
way. Fairtrade is vital for improving the lives of developing country
producers and their families all over the world. It guarantees
a fair, stable price so that they can develop their businesses
and build a better future for their communities, using the extra income
to invest in vital things such as clean water wells and medical
clinics.

“Edinburgh has played a prominent role this year
in Making Poverty History with the G8, marches through the city and the
Homeless World Cup. Dubble is really pleased to continue this by
ensuring a Fairtrade presence at the Festival Fringe,” concluded
Charlotte.

This year’s Dubble Act Award winners will follow 2003 winners ‘Laurence
and Gus’, who went on to secure a comedy series on Radio 4, and 2004
winners, the Japanese duo Gamarjobat, presented with their award by top
comedian Dara O Briain, gave the award a distinctively international
flavour.