My review of Sam Simmons’ show hardly matters because his remaining performances will have already sold out on the back of his recent nomination for the Edinburgh Comedy Award. Nevertheless, as a devout acolyte of understated, confessional and quintessentially British stand-up, I was extremely surprised to enjoy one hour of extravagant and eccentric grandstanding from an Australian wearing an astronaut’s costume. Flitting from one surreal and illogical routine to another, like a hallucinating ecstasy addict suffering from severe attention deficit disorder, Simmons left some audience members considering refund opportunities, but the remainder treasuring every hugely imaginative second. If you’re searching for something genuinely different this festival, watch this show – even if you have to beg, borrow or steal a ticket.

Gilded Balloon Teviot, 3 – 28 Aug (not 15), 9.15pm (10.15pm), £9.00 – £11.50, fpp146.
tw rating 4/5
[jf]