The Horne section is a chaotic showcase of some of the Fringes finest comics, accompanied with flair by a group of jazz musicians, and presided over by the witty, affable, and understated Alex Horne. Horne (whose brilliant solo show is also worth a look) is a charming host, getting to know the audience through an innovative adaptation of the Battleships format and introducing a dazzling selection of Fringe talent. The show I saw featured the shambolic genius of Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Tim Key, alongside the pun-slinging Tim Vine, the lunatic charm of Mike Wozniak, not to mention an unbilled appearance from Bo Burnham. The calibre of this line-up indicates the brilliant roster of comedians that Horne draws his guests from, and this high quality of guests, along with the unique combination of live jazz with live comedy, puts this a cut above the many late-night comedy showcases. This is not a slick production, but the loose nature of the format only added to the shows anarchic charm, and there was a warm atmosphere in the venue as the audience revelled in the nights quirky spontaneity. This is a quintessentially Fringe affair, and a lovely way to spend an evening.
