Fest Best: Political animals

Mark Thomas

EXTREME RAMBLING (WALKING THE WALL), THE BONGO CLUB, 8-20 AUG, 7.30PM, £10-£14.50

The opinionated, firebrand comic and self-proclaimed “libertarian anarchist” returns to Edinburgh following his thoroughly entertaining (and often enlightening) audience-centric show It’s The Stupid Economy. This time, Thomas recounts his time spent rambling in the Middle East along the entire length—and both sides—of the 750km Israeli separation barrier – arrests, stonings, blisters, hummus, the lot.

 

Andy Zaltzman

ARMCHAIR REVOLUTIONARY, THE STAND COMEDY CLUB III & IV, 3-28 AUG (NOT 15), 5.20PM, TIMES VARY, £7-£9

Seasoned Fringer, Oxford classics graduate and host of the late-night, invited guest Edinburgh show Political Animal, Zaltzman has his own gig this year, Armchair Revolutionary. It's a perfect forum for him to murmur his approval at the uprising of the oppressed from the comfort of his living room. Self-deprecating, smart and pin-sharp, there’s plenty of well-aimed, waspish wit beneath that mild-mannered, mad professor presentation.

 

Lee Camp

YET ANOTHER AMERICAN MISTAKE, THE STAND COMEDY CLUB III & IV, 4-28 AUG (NOT 15), TIMES VARY, £6-£8

Another vociferous American standup with an itch to scratch, Camp’s 2011 show Yet Another American Mistake sees him take rapid-fire potshots at US right-wing sensibilities, covering all manner of sociopolitical favourites: education, celebrities, capital punishment, consumerism, the media, grammar, war and more. He mightn’t be to everyone’s taste, but for sheer bravery, brio and a passion for tackling proper world issues head-on, few can match him. [Joe Spurgeon]