Edinburgh Festival

They say 'write about what you know', so Irish comedian Michael Downey decided to write about being blue, because he's experienced all its shades. Yes Michael has been blue but who hasn't? Michael knows the despair of making tea and discovering he has no milk, he knows the sadness of sitting an exam with nothing but blind optimism in your head that you might pass. And he's suffered the darkest blue by missing an episode of Coronation Street.

das Blackout is an insider's guide to Earth's final frontier: the eerie yet fascinatingly dark landscape of the German soul - a mysterious place, were guilt, Schadenfreude and bratwurst reside. Along the way Michael will be also be journeying into the uncharted realms of Austrian nuclear intelligence, Swiss erotica and hijackers from Outer Space in his efforts to make the world realise that German funny bones should be an essential dish on every comedy connoisseur's menu.

'WANT AN ALL OUT LAUGH-FEST WITH GAGS-A-PLENTY? MAFF BROWN IS YOUR MAN. I SAW HIM TEAR THE ROOF OFF, GENERATING MORE JOY AND MORE LAUGHTER THAN ANY ARENA-SELLING COMEDIAN' - GQ From the writer of Shooting Stars and Mock the Week comes a brand new show featuring some of the sharpest one-liners you're likely to hear at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe (or anywhere else for that matter).

'ONE OF THE NATION'S FUNNIEST IMPERSONATORS' - Independent Jess Robinson, the star of BBC1's Dead Ringers, Impressions Show, and the UK tour of Jim Cartwright's Little Voice, is proud to present her debut solo show at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe. 'A BLIZZARD OF SONGS. SHE BRINGS THE HOUSE DOWN' - Express Join Jess for a sublime hour of music and laughter as she impersonates everyone from classic Hollywood stars to pampered pop celebs. Discover why she is a mimic (her overbearing Jewish mother) and learn some impressions yourself so you can impress your mates. You may never be yourself again...

"A TOUR DE FORCE...REALLY HIT HOME WITH THE AUDIENCE…I IMPLORE YOU TO WATCH THIS ACT AS SOON AS YOU CAN" - Salfordian Lee Martin for Gag Reflex is proud to present the debut full-length show from Gein's Family Giftshop. An hour of dark, absurd and fast paced sketches marrying the tragic with the riotous. This unique trio has rapidly (or should that be rabidly) become known for applying their very own warped world vision to the hilarious subject matter of abject misery and human tragedy.

American satirist Erich McElroy returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year with the final show in his British Trilogy - a brand new show inspired by the forthcoming referendum for Scottish independence. Erich's first show in 2006 - Brokeback Britain - looked at the UK from the point of view of a foreigner in a foreign land and in his 2012 show - The Brit Identity - he chronicled his transition from expat to immigrant. Now in his latest show, The British Referendum, Erich makes his case for the Union. He's proud of his British passport and when he got he didn't realize the Scottish section might get torn out. Having Scottish ancestry, becoming British made Erich feel like he had come home. However, if the referendum passes there will be a border guard to the top floor of Grandpa's house. And that's where all the whisky's kept. Could it be that this American - turned Brit - with Scottish heritage is the only comic at the Fringe to stand by the Union Jack?

'A MASTER OF PUNS... BRIMMING FULL OF ENERGY, IMPROVISED HUMOUR AND FINELY TUNED ROUTINES...QUICK WITTED, WITHOUT CYNICISM, AND HILARIOUS' - Broadway Baby After four sell-out runs with Fringe favourites Racing Minds (Aaaand Now For Something Completely Improvised), 1.5 million views on YouTube and sold out tours to Australia and India, BBC New Comedy Award finalist Chris is proud to present his debut solo show.

Gilded Balloon are proud to present American Comedians Camilla Cleese, Sarah Tiana and Cort McCowan in their Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut show. Three American stand-ups, and guests, bring American humour to our shores, and show us how to laugh... Sarah Tiana (Chelsea Lately, and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson), Cort McCowan (twice voted best in Vegas, and regular at The Comedy Store in Hollywood) and Camilla Cleese (she of the tall father - making her own way in the world of stand-up) soon to appear in the movie Bachelorette Weekend.

Gilded Balloon are proud to present the debut full-length solo show from Comedian Andy de la Tour at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Only two human activities happen in front of a brick wall. Standing at a mic telling jokes or being shot by firing squad.

Actress and writer Apphia Campbell speaks to BWW:UK about her Nina Simone inspired play which debuts at the Edinburgh Fringe festival.

Actor, choreographer and cabaret sensation Velma Celli speaks to BWW about bringing her show to the Edinburgh Fringe 2014.

Actress and singer Christina Bianco speaks to BWW about her upcoming performances at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Direct from a sell-out run and huge public and critical acclaim at the Melbourne Comedy Festival, US actor/comedian Miles Allen will debut his solo show ONE MAN BREAKING BAD at the Edinburgh Fringe this summer.

Sh!t Theatre/Escalator East to Edinburgh present Guinea Pigs on Trial in its World Premiere at Edinburgh Fringe 2014.

Annie Siddons/New Wolsey Theatre/Escalator East to Edinburgh present Raymondo at Edinburgh Fringe 2014.

Old Trunk/ Escalator East to Edinburgh present: The Secret Wives of Andy Williams at Edinburgh Fringe 2014. Like The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie - only in habits and on crack...

Two Destination Language/Escalator East to Edinburgh present Near Gone. One bare stage, 2 performers, hundreds of fresh carnations, one heartfelt story about survival at Edinburgh Fringe 2014.

Milk Presents/Escalator East to Edinburgh present SELF SERVICE at Edinburgh Fringe 2014.

Bucket Club/Farnham Maltings/Colchester Arts Centre/The Pleasance/Escalator East to Edinburgh present Lorraine & Alan, a playful modern day re-telling of Scottish Selkie myth with live sound design and music at Edinburgh Fringe 2014.

Menagerie/Mercury Theatre Colchester/Escalator East to Edinburgh present SWIMMING by Jane Upton. BONES writer returns to the Fringe with a show that is very close to home.

Full House Theatre Company/Half Moon/Escalator East to Edinburgh present: BIG RED BATH. Splish! Splosh! Splash! Adventurous theatre for the very young. Rubba-Dubba-Giggle, Rubba-Dubba-Laugh, there's magic to be found in the Big Red Bath.

Full House Theatre/Escalator East to Edinburgh present: The Snow Dog, a poignant, playful and magical exploration of love and loss for children and families at Edinburgh Fringe.

Figs In Wigs/Escalator East to Edinburgh present: Show Off, a variety show with no variety from live art collective. More fun than you can shake a fig at...

The Neutrinos/Sal Pittman/Norwich Arts Centre/Escalator East to Edinburgh present KLANGHAUS. Noise art/rock collaborators create an immersive multimedia salon of surprise and the extreme.

Quoted as 'the real bloke from the book 'The Curious incident of the dog in the night time' Robert White is making an odd and hilarious comeback after his successful debut at The Edinburgh Fringe in 2010 with 'THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE GAG AND THE GUN-CRIME....PLUS MORE STUFF'. The show runs at The Hive - Big Cave, July 31st - August 24th (not 11th & 18th) at 5:30pm (6:30pm).