Edinburgh laughs on your doorstep – starting at the Korova tonight...

Also in July, the venue stages musical comedy Jonny Awsum (July 17) and Gein’s Family Giftshop (July 24). “We’re delighted to host such a range of top North-West acts, as they prepare to head to Edinburgh,” said Sam Buist, the owner and Creative Director of Korova. Meanwhile, Gein’s Family Gift Shop also play Chorley Little in a double bill with James Acaster on Sunday, July 27. And the Dole Lane venue also has two comedians bringing their Edinburgh shows the previous night (July 26) when Chortle Student Award semi-finalist Fin Taylor and multiple award winner Andrew Lawrence try out their shows. Tickets for both nights are £10. Neil Athey takes a look...

Harriet Dyer: Barking at Aeroplanes

“I went to a barn dance rave and got my foot stuck in a 12ft paper-mache Donkey”

After being dropped on her head in the frozen pea aisle in Tesco at the age of five, being sacked from a job directing cattle and failing to breathe fire after swallowing the paraffin, Harriet has gone from strength to strength to win six comedy awards four years into her comedy career. A unique, comical voice, combined with an awkward physical manner creates a wonderful visual platform for her hilarious jokes and anecdotes about the weird, wonderful things people do.

Harriet has taken much from her own life as a misspent youth and created a hilarious routine Barking at Aeroplanes which has set her aside from mainstream comics by creating her own style and delivery which will only continue to grow.

Winning Comedy Store King Gong two years in a row, Harriet has played up and down the country and has featured regularly at Preston’s own The Frog and Bucket.

Harriet Dyer; Barking at Aeroplanes, is on at Korova, Charneley Street opp Primark, tonight at 8pm with free entry.

Fin Taylor - Real Talk

“I like spelling my name with one ‘n’, but it does mean the endings of my e-mails do sound pretentious”

At just 23 years old, Fin has gigged internationally, warmed up for popular TV shows such as Never Mind the Buzzcocks and BBC1’s Pointless as well as supporting Canadian charm Glenn Wool.

Fin’s material involves happily analysing himself and picking out imperfections, for example, his “small head” and other snippets of life.

As a comic student, he displayed his talent for impersonating a rather miscellaneous collection of creatures including “the bilingual mute” and “the secret agent in a maternal ward”.

Last year, Fin completed his fantastic 40-minute solo show Cramp.

Andrew Lawrence - Reasons to Kill Yourself

“Apparently getting up after 11 every day means you’re depressed...well it makes me feel very smug and happy!”

A regular on Channel 4’s Stand-up for the Week and appearing on BBC1’s Live at the Apollo, Andrew Lawrence is a well established comedian with more than 15 years experience after his debut at university.

His polite, soft delivery means audiences can easily get lost in a world of stories about modern life, social and awkward situations.

Andrew is back at Edinburgh Fringe with his new show Reasons to Kill Yourself, then sets off on a tour in autumn which will continue into next year.

Gein’s Family Gift Shop

The wonderful and strange Gein’s Family Gift Shop – Ed, Kath and James – are already being compared to The League of Gentlemen.

Wearing nothing but school P.E kits, you will experience an hour of dark, absurd, fasted-paced sketches, applying a warped vision of the world we live in thrown together with misery and hilarious subject matter.

The ability to take twisted, dark humour involving death and mortality and make people howl with laughter does not come around very often, this comedy trio will definitely take the Fringe festival by storm.

James Acaster

Taking up comedy more than six years ago, James uses his tall, skinny geeky look to his advantage and washes the crowds with his hilarious observant comedy.

Taking on the image of a social outcast, James’ material is highly thought of with elements of being out with the lads and viewing the world from his point of view is as fascinating as it is hilarious.

Cleverly using silence as a tool, James’ delivery fits his laid back, mellow manner on stage which audience’s find very easy to watch.

He will tour around the country in the autumn, definitely an up coming talent worth seeing.