Edinburgh Fringe critic: great performances can rescue weak material, awards often miss best shows

Guardian comedy critic Brian Logan held a live Q&A on Tuesday 4 August, answering readers' questions about the Edinburgh Fringe. The conversation touched on several perennial debates around the world's largest performing arts festival.

Performance vs writing

Asked whether a strong performance can rescue weak material, Logan said it can substantially redeem sub-par writing, though the ideal is both working in harmony. He noted he has enjoyed shows by performers whose stage presence makes up for average jokes, as well as shows with excellent writing that lacked dynamic delivery.

Amanda Knox's show

On the question of whether Amanda Knox's solo show would be judged fairly, Logan acknowledged that critics inevitably bring biases to their reviews. He said the best reviewers will try to mitigate them. He added that since Knox's show 'Cartwheel' appears to address her public history directly, that history becomes part of what a critic must consider. He stressed that a critic's job is not to decide whether Knox should be performing, but to honestly note if her background affects the audience's experience. The show is staged at Gilded Balloon Teviot.

Overlooked awards

Logan listed several shows and comics he believes were unfairly overlooked for Comedy Awards during his years covering the festival. Examples included Cat Cohen's show last year, Bo Burnham's 'Words Words Words' (2010), Rhod Gilbert's 'The Award-Winning Mince Pie' (2008), Natalie Palamides' 'Nate', Pappy's Last Show Ever (2012), as well as work by Doug Stanhope, Kate Berlant, Hans Teeuwen, Flight of the Conchords, The Pajama Men, and Adrienne Truscott's 'Asking For It'. Some were nominated, but none won.

Where is populist comedy?

Logan dismissed the idea that comedy is dominated by the left. He pointed to popular acts such as Jimmy Carr, Ricky Gervais and Dave Chappelle, as well as older comics like Jim Davidson and Roy Chubby Brown, who appeal to populist sentiments. On the fringe itself, he mentioned performers like Vittorio Angelone and Geoff Norcott whose 'saying the unsayable' material flirts with populist ideas. He acknowledged that the fringe audience tends to be younger and more idealistic, so it naturally selects against that type of comedy.

Is the fringe for locals?

Logan rejected the claim that the festival is only for visitors and industry professionals. He said he grew up in Fife and has family and friends in Edinburgh who attend fringe events every year. He described the idea that Edinburgh residents dislike the festival as an unhelpful myth, often spread by people with little appreciation for the arts, and said many locals are proud to host the biggest performing arts festival in the world.

Last year's best comedy show winner at the Fringe was Sam Nicoresti; this year's winner is yet to be decided.