Today has been my first day ever in Scottland and more to the point my first time at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and I have only spent an evening here yet I am already having a great time.

After some delays on the train journey I was glad when Charlie and I finally arrived and found our flat which is right in the centre and literally footsteps away from the Royal Mile! 

After catching up with the lovely Jen over a well needed Nandos to talk all things Bradley Manning, Charlie and I went into town with an open mind and a strong need to fit a couple of shows in on our first night. As we wondered around and looked to see what was on we managed to get two promoters from seperate companies to rap battle for us to come and watch their show

....we ended up seeing neither as we then got handed two free tickets to watch a comedy competition 'So You think you're Funny' at the Gilded Balloon! (who turns down free tickets??) And I was so glad we came across this as it had 8 promising acts who I'm sure I'll see headlining stand-up shows of their own one day. My faveourite being Jack Gleadow probably because I just can't resist a geek with a resemblance to the chuckle brothers.

Then I watched my first ever improve show at Bedlam Theatre by the Improverts and I wasn't too sure if I'd like it but in the words of Simon Cowell, I didn't like it....loved it!! I had such a great time sitting in the front row and walking in to c'est la vie by B*witched and Don't stop by Sclub made the show great before it started. The show was clever, funny and never felt forced. The audience could get involved and we enjoyed and shared the tasks they carried out on stage and this ownership made the whole thing even funnier. The best part had to be when one particular audience member was genuinely pretty rude to one of the cast members and the Improverts managed to ingeniously turn it around and make him look like the complete muppet that he was. The way they worked with each other was completely effortless. The audience cheered along and felt a connection with this talented group of young performers, I really admired what they did up there. If you are up in Edinburgh you must go and see them... I still haven't stopped smiling.  

Looking forward to watching a dress run of 'The Radicalistion of Bradley Manning' tomorrow!