The Comedy Manifesto is an improv show presented as a panel game. Each day there are different guests. The content half uses items from this week's news and half is new laws the comedians would like to pass. The audience vote for the laws and give points for the comedy.

Host Kate Smurthwaite warns the audience as they are still entering that any Americans might pretend to be Canadians and, as the venue fills, threatens to match people up so they can sit on each other's laps.

As the show proper starts she asks where everyone is from, introduces everyone on stage and only has a slight poke at Americans.

Jools Constant relates an experience with a banana, a camp site and a brilliantly-matched disabled couple. Gill Smith explains why she is not going to have a baby and what she would like to do with Amy Winehouse. David Mulholland says what it's like to come from New Orleans and who really writes the Daily Mail. David Meech is disturbed early in the morning, would like to wear a particular sort of ring, and knows what all the people in Somerset should wear.

The game begins with each panellist giving a version of which public figure said what and what it was about. Quotes today include 'These stories are not accurate', 'What are 1 in 5 people doing wrongly?', 'I'm feeling like a greased panther', 'Who looks considerably worse in real life?' The comedians' explanations are uniformly inventive and funny, though the men have a more aggressive attitude in their replies than Gill Smith.

The group are asked to provide suitable challenges (and much better than the real questions asked) as part of a Britishness test. Gay innuendo, Jaffa Cakes, the offside rule and being in charge all apparently have a part to play.

Finally 'The Comedy Manifesto' itself. Which new law would each comedian pass if he/she had the chance? The audience is allowed to ask questions and they have to expand their answers or avoid the question as any politician would.

Almost as an afterthought the comedians pitch the other shows that they are in.

The concept behind this show is an old one, and the whole thing is well-worn territory. But it is very well executed. The comedians admirably demonstrate their improv skills. The laughter continues throughout the show..

Cast Credits: (alpha order): Jools Constant - regular. David Meech - guest. David Mulholland - regular. Gill Smith - guest. Kate Smurthwaite - host.

Company Credits: Writers / Directors - individual performers. Technical Operator - uncredited. Producer - . Company - PBH's Free Fringe.

END

(c) Peter Andrews 2008

reviewed Tuesday 5 August / Beehive Inn, Edinburgh

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

www.fringereport.com