Edinburgh Comedy
Tom Wrigglesworth
Pleasance
****

Tim Key
Pleasance
***

If there has been a theme to this year’s Fringe it has been the absence of a theme. Political comedy, for instance, has made few waves, but Tom Wrigglesworth’s heart-warmingly whimsical tale of one man’s fight against rail red tape reminds us that people power can make a difference.

Wrigglesworth’s deftly crafted show is an account of a recent train incident when he saw a jobsworth make an old lady pay the £115 peak Manchester-London fare due to booking irregularities. The gangly gagsmith — Postman Pat with a perm — organised a whip-round, only to be met by police at Euston, having been accused of begging.

The story ends happily. No charges were brought and Virgin Trains now has a human pricing policy. Further happy news should follow for this accidental hero, whose charming way with language compares favourably to fellow northerner Daniel Kitson. When the Edinburgh Comedy Award shortlist is announced on Wednesday a nomination would be just the ticket.

Another Award contender is Tim Key, an ex-Footlights clown who plays an excruciatingly pretentious boozy poet. This sort of thing can either be genuinely bad or truly good and Key’s nuanced, eccentric performance makes this a winner. Like Wrigglesworth, Key has funny bones and can bring the house down with the merest flicker of an eyelid. His shambling, blank-faced buffoonery is not to everyone’s taste, but buying into this character is a sound investment.
Until 30/31 August. Information: 0131 226 0000. www.edfringe.com.