In an age of ever rising ticket prices and purple cow shaped venues it is nice to find something that represents good old fashioned value. Mervyn Stutter has been presenting his 'Pick of the Fringe' for 15 years now, and it remains one of the most reliable starting points for anyone's Fringe experience.
The format will be familiar to anyone who has attended in previous years a few minutes of Meryn's reflections and satirical songs (this year taking a look back to what was happening 15 years ago). We then move on to 6 showcases of 6 different acts. After a 'party piece' the acts have a chat with Mervyn and explain why we should go and see their show.
As with all shows of this type, much can depend on the quality of guests. The good thing about Pick of the Fringe is that it has been around for long enough to get the Pick of the Acts. On Sunday we were treated to musician Nick Pynn, comedy from Sarah Louise Young's Confessions of a Paralysed Porn Star, the 4 Noels with Doom Raiders, comedy from Josie Long, Japanese physical theatre from Gamarjobat, and songs Montezuma's Revenge. Merv even finds time to fit in a quick unexpected song from Boothby Graffoe.
You'll leave with a good idea of what you'd like to see, what you might miss, and a nice warm feeling toward the man who brought it together for you. Here's to another 15 years for Mervyn Stutter and Pick of the Fringe.
