The Edinburgh Fringe is almost upon us, with a host of TVO favourites set to descend upon the city between 2nd and 26th August.  In the build up, we’re bringing you a smattering of recommendations of great shows to go and see throughout July – from our regulars to acts beyond the usual confines of Onion Land.

Today’s showcase highlights a double whammy of great shows from just outside the usual remit of TVO – the delightful musical comedy act Jonny & The Baptists, and the debut solo stand-up show from their frontman, Jonny Donahoe.

THE SHOW:

Jonny & The Baptists: Bigger Than Judas // Jonny Donahoe: Class Whore

THE VENUE

Pleasance Dome // Udderbelly

THE DATES

31 July – 26th August // 1st August – 26th August

THE TIME

21:40 // 13:25

TICKET LINK

Bigger Than Judas // Class Whore

The dotted history of The Velvet Onion is such that its works of interest span back into the 1980s, yet the family of collaborators behind it all is ever growing, and newer artists are developing in stature and acclaim each year.  Recent times have seen the likes of Rachel Stubbings, Aisling Bea and Colin Hoult amongst those who have cemented a position on the alternative comedy circuit just as their influences and fellow family members consolidate their successes.

One of the latest additions to the outer layers comes from a highly acclaimed group of talented musicians and gifted comic minds who won a lot of praise for their Edinburgh debut last year.  And whilst Jonny & The Baptists have yet to create anything in direct connection with our regulars, their shared sensibilities often see them on the same bills, and attracting the same crowd of admirers.

If you’re not yet one of them, allow me to give you a quick summary: after their debut early last year, they’ve rapidly risen to attention with appearances at Latitude and numerous other festivals.  On tv and radio, they’ve already turned up on The Now Show, Infinite Monkey Cage, Sketchorama and even Channel 5’s The Gadget Show.  No, we’re not sure about that one either, but it’s not hard to see why they’re so in demand.

Like the best musical comics, Jonny & The Baptists take stock of our society and prick its pomposity with hilarious results.  See, for example, their urbanite rap song about the rising trend for Upper Middle Class Gangster Children, which manages to sound like the bastard offspring of Tim Minchin and Goldie Lookin’ Chain.  Or their ingenious idea to revitalise Barrack Obama’s post White House career, set to a soultastic pop track.

You see, the very best musical acts make sure the tunes are worth their weight with equal importance as the gags, and this essence is run right through The Baptists like Blackpool Rock.  It’s impossible not to fall in love with their ode to Britian’s libraries, which may not be safe for work, yet you’ll still be singing it to yourself a little too loud after hearing it.

Their second live show, Bigger Than Judas, could be the one that launches them into the stratosphere, and it couldn’t happen to a more deserving bunch.  And if that’s not enough, frontman Jonny Donahoe is also up at the Fringe with a second show which offers his debut stand-up production.

Raised by a single mother surviving on benefits, Donahoe claims he is what the Daily Mail would unquestionably call a ‘vile product of Welfare UK’.  He also has an extraordinarily posh voice, having been awarded a bursary place at an Oxfordshire public school in the 1990s.  This clash has prompted him to try and get the hang of the British Class System, as he works out if he is a sleeper pleb, a toff traitor or simply a class whore.

TVO reckons that if you’re in Edinburgh, you’d be mad to miss either show.  Donahoe is a star on the ascendent, and he’s bringing his delightful Baptists with him.  Join the ride, but do not go near the children’s section…

Bigger Than Judas runs from 31st July to 26th August at Pleasance Dome. Class Whore runs from 1st August to 26th August at Udderbelly. We’ll have more Edinburgh recommendations throughout July, so stay peeled!