A snapshot of comics behind-the-scenes at the Edinburgh Fringe 2011.
You've read the interviews, you've seen the shows, you may have even manhandled a comic or two and told them how much you love them. But what do we really know about these fascinating creatures and what do they get up to in their natural habitat when they're not performing? We spent hours hiding under beds, pretending to browse in supermarket aisles and sneaking into dressing rooms to obtain some rare shots of off-duty comedians at the Edinburgh Fringe for your perusal. Welcome to Planet Mirth...
Rob Deering
Photographer Alex got into a spot of bother with the authorities waiting to catch Rob Deering out jogging. Apparently loitering near children's playgrounds sporting a macintosh and dark glasses looked 'a bit sinister'.
Steve Hall
At home with Steve Hall: "I didn't know that I didn't know how to use blinds. An entire month spent awkwardly inching them down over the course of several minutes each time. I am 34 years old. My wife arrived, showed me the error of my ways, called me a dick. Our bedroom is directly above the outside smoking area of a bar. It stinks."
Men of War
It's all glamour backstage at the Pleasance Courtyard. We snuck into Men of War's dressing room-cum-portacabin to find them horsing around with some of the props from their show including a turkey baster that "doubles up as an anal probe." Nice.
Marcel Lucont
When he's not presenting his raucous chat show, French misanthrope Marcel Lucont is never without a Gauloise and a pretty redhead. Or two.
Steve Pretty
In the deepest bowels of the Underbelly, we found the multi-talented Steve Pretty warming up one of the many bizarre instruments in his Perfect Mixtape show. It being the final week of the Fringe, Steve had a horrible cold. Not idea for trumpet playing and secular chanting.
Stuart Baggs
"I'm not a one-trick pony, honest!" While not strictly speaking a comedian, Stuart 'The Brand' Baggs gave us plenty to laugh about while out flyering for his one-off Edinburgh show Stuart Baggs and his Field of Ponies.
Alex Horne
When he's not performing his late night comedy jazz show or solo hour Seven Years in the Bathroom (about the amount of time we spend doing menial everyday activities), Alex Horne is busy tidying up after his kids. How many years is that Alex?!
Stephen Carlin
We loved Stephen Carlin's solo show Guilty Bystander but were unaware he was also appearing in Alchemy EH1, a free sketch mash-up of sorts starring Scottish comics. We found him rehearsing his lines in the Trinity Apse, a beautiful Edinburgh hidden gem, located down an alleyway off the Royal Mile.
Diane Spencer
Full of potassium, bananas are an essential foodstuff for the weary comic. Diane Spencer's show actually has a lovely banana story in it. And by lovely we mean depraved.
Photo credit: Alex Brenner
Return to the Edinburgh Fringe homepage
Add an event
Frieze Art Fair to launch new section for young galleries in 2012
Frieze have today announced details for the 2012 edition, their tenth art fair in London. Taking place...