Absolutely Amusing

Prestigious nights such as Red Raw at The Stand used to be the place for new acts to try out their funnies, but massive demand has now led to a long waiting list, where it seems to matter more than ever that comedians prove themselves from their earliest outings.  Performing at a major venue is now a chance to be seen, not to practice, which has led to the sprouting of new seedling gigs offering essential stage time to enthusiastic young(ish) things.

At the heart of this demi-revolution is Absolute Beginners, run under the Fit O’ The Giggles brand, and currently settled in the rather pleasant Beehive at the heart of the Grassmarket. Since its birth at the Mercat, mothered by comedian Keara Murphy, it’s grown a sound reputation as a friendly night, home to a supportive community of open spots. Alan Sharp, who books for the gig, explains:

"Absolute Beginners is a kind of launching pad for new talent, a place where they can safely try out in a small an nurturing environment before they are fired onto the bigger stage of Red Raw... It also provides a nice place for the more experienced to try out new material where they won't feel pressured to perform but can play around with things and see how it works."

For £2 (£1 for skanky student types) you get to see a variety of acts, complete with experiments and chaos, which in the right light captures the risk-taking spirit of 90s comedy. The comedians might not all immediately bloom, but thanks to Absolute Beginners, they’ve got a very pretty allotment to develop in.