The Buxton Festival Fringe has long been the home of comedy over the summer, but, with the addition of the Pavilion Arts Centre to Underground Venues' rosta of performance spaces, is now attracting bigger and bigger names.
The Arts Centre this year plays host to Radio 4's favourite failed author Ed Reardon, German comedy ambassador Henning Wehn (fresh from appearances on The Unbelievable Truth, The News Quiz and The Now Show), and Matlock-raised comedian and musician Isy Suttie (better known as Dobby from Peep Show and also star of Whites).
In the more traditional home of Underground Venues, the Barrel Room and the Paupers Pit below the Old Hall Hotel, there's the return of Buxton favourite Helen Keen (recently on Radio 4 with her series It Is Rocket Science!), time-travelling comedy from Birdy Chick-Chick in Alice! Your Thyme Is Up, make-believe observational storytelling from Amadeus Martin, the return of musician turned comic Rosie Wilby and character comedian John Cooper (fresh from supporting Milton Jones and ITV's Stand Up Comedy Hero).
Look out too for a solo stand-up show from Edward Eales-White (previously acclaimed at the Fringe for his appearances with Clever Peter), award-winning comedy duo Max and Ivan, a comic history of riots from policeman turned stand-up Alfie Moore, BBC New Comedy Award-winning performer James Sherwood and charming storytelling with belly laughs from Elis James
Comedy and magic mix with regular Fringe favourite Dr Johnny Façade In Pursuit of Miss Adventure, and a smorgasbord of physical comedy, manipulation, escapology, mind reading, music - and some pretty impressive magic from The Wizards of Odd, as well as comedy mediumship from Ian D Montfort.
There's sketch comedy from Kooky Babooshka and Teakshow, while the winner of last year's Fringe Award for Comedy Performer, Gerry Howell, returns with his new show, Moonshine and Trumpery. All this and Underground Venues' regular comedy club night, Barrel of Laughs.
And although the lion's share of comedy at the Fringe takes place Underground, the Grove Hotel plays host to songs and story from the Lady GaGa influenced Victor Barstool, while the Hydro Café is where you can find the inimitable Freda Shittington, a husky, northern dog-trainer with more than a passing resemblance to 2010's Stockport sensation, Crozzy!
This year's Buxton Festival Fringe runs from Wednesday 6 to Sunday 24 July and details of all its events are available online at http://www.buxtonfringe.org.uk or in the widely available free printed programme.
The Fringe is hugely grateful to its many supporters including its main sponsor The University of Derby Buxton as well as The Osborne Group, High Peak Borough Council, The Old Hall Hotel and a new funder for 2011 The Cavendish Shopping Arcade.
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