THIS retelling of Beowulf, the Anglo-Saxon narrative poem, is a vehicle for a father to communicate with his nine-year-old son.

You may not be able to catch the St Andrew’s Day celebrations next week, but there is never a bad time to visit Edinburgh, says Denise O'Donoghue.

Are they women or men. No matter, says Richard Fitzpatrick, because the Lady Boys of Bangkok are great fun.

The Dublin comic Conor O’Toole is trying to figure out what kind of man he has become in his show, Manhood, which has a week-long run at the Tiger Dublin Fringe later in the month.

Getting an audience to join in a song about the Black and Tans wasn’t Des Bishop’s only achievement in China, writes Richard Fitzpatrick

Psychology Today magazine claims the average four-year-old laughs 300 times a day, while a 40-year-old only does four times.

And the winner just sucks (sorry)

Tim Vine dusted off his joke book and cleaned up at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe when his one-liner was voted the funniest wisecrack of the festival.

Irish actor Steve Blount, one of the co-creators and stars of Swing, currently on at the Edinburgh Arts Festival, was at a house party about a decade ago when he first met his co-star Janet Moran.

Aisling Bea is a performer in the old vaudeville tradition, a Lucille Ball for modern times — she writes, she acts and she does stand-up.

Foil, Arms and Hog have been six years on the road.

With a gig in the Project this week, comic Seán Hughes reflects on his success in Britain, writes Richard Fitzpatrick.

STAND-UP comedian Neil Delamere has endured unusual heckles. A silent one stands out.

TAMING is the operative word in The Taming of the Shrew, a play about the arranged marriage of Petruchio and Katherine. The original is set in Padua, a powerful city-state in Renaissance Italy. Petruchio lays it out baldly to his betrothed: “For I am born to tame you, Kate, and bring you from a wild Kate to a Kate conformable as other household Kates.”

A South African reimagining of the play Miss Julie has been wowing audiences around the world. Richard Fitzpatrick talks to the writer ahead of its Irish premiere.

WHITE Rabbit, Red Rabbit is not your ordinary theatre production.

THERE might not be a funnier act in Ireland this year than Reginald D Hunter, who is performing in 14 venues over the next three weeks, with a later date at the end of May, at Vicar Street.

STEWART LEE doesn’t do “fast gags”.

This month, O’Sullivan will act in Rape of Lucrece at the International Festival, and perform her album at the Fringe, says Richard Fitzpatrick

Dara Ó Briain’s Irish wit is loved in England where he is a big hit as a TV host, but stand-up is his first love, writes Carl Dixon

Des Bishop’s new book celebrates his father’s role as a loving parent despite a troubled past, Richard Fitzpatrick reports.

Comic Tim Vine was crowned king of the one-liners today after one of his gags was named the best joke of the Edinburgh Fringe.

The world’s largest arts festival got under way today with its busiest line-up to date.

Playwright Brian Friel and Dublin’s Gate Theatre were today celebrating winning a prestigious critics award at the Edinburgh International Festival.

The funniest joke at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe has been revealed: “Hedgehogs. Why can’t they just share the hedge?”

THE funniest joke at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe has been revealed: “Hedgehogs. Why can’t they just share the hedge?”

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe gets underway today with a record number of shows and soaring ticket sales.

Irish stand-up comic David O'Doherty has bagged one of the UK's most prestigious comedy awards.

Organisers of many of Ireland's best-known local festivals gather today for talks on how to cope with the dwindling number of volunteers who prop up the events.

LOCAL festivals generated €300 million for the economy this year, it emerged yesterday.

Local festivals generated €300m for the Irish economy this year, it emerged today.

A CIRCUS performer was attempting to set a world record last night by pulling a four-ton van with hooks attached to his back.

The nominations for this year's Perrier Awards at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe have been announced.

A Russian circus star is to stage a series of performances at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe in a lift.

One of the most unusual shows at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe was due to start today - a one man performance in a lift.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe performer Steven Berkoff says he plans to recite his September 11 poem rather than read it.

Previously unseen scripts by Graham Chapman which were due to feature in a show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe have been pulled.

Rory Bremner and Rich Hall are among the stars appearing at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe.