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New Moon is nothing if not an international advertisement for the hungry virtues of virginity and young people can’t get enough of it
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Theatre
A smart, prickly and rewarding view of sexual and emotional confusion
Cock
Restaurants
Kitchen W8 is a bargain for this area, if such sophistication is what you crave
Kitchen W8
Too long and drawn out but very entertaining with excellent special effects
This is a peculiar play and does not work for me. Some of it is very funny but there are real flaws
Alex has a strong powerful voice and was faultless, she is far better now than she was on the X-Factor
London,
Bruce Dessau's rating
Reader rating
Jason Manford is a stand-up in the mould of Peter Kay
You could call Edinburgh 2007 the Invasion of the Telly Panellists. Within a short walk one can see Phill Jupitus, Russell Howard and Frankie Boyle, desk jockeys usually spotted on the box with their legs hidden. All this and Jason Manford from C4's 8 Out Of 10 Cats, too.
At times you can barely get a fag paper between Manford and early Peter Kay. Like Kay this cheeky Mancunian specialises in conversational have-you-ever-noticed? banter. Utterly undemanding, very effective. If they ever revive Granada's conveyor belt schedule-filler The Comedians, Manford should be top of the wish list.
It is a shame that so much of this likeable, talented scamp's patter treads well-trodden ground. Overpaid footballers get the boot, Gillian McKeith gets a stuffing. Brokeback Mountain and Mick Hucknall get namechecked.
At least two gags reworked old jokes, which is certainly not suggesting Manford filched them m'lud, rather that his own ideas are painfully limited.
Much has been said about big acts spoiling the spirit of the Fringe. Manford is proof that smaller acts can lack the pioneering, inventive spirit of the Fringe, too.
• Until 27 Aug (www.edfringe.com).
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
