New Venues on the Block

One of the main differences of this year's Fringe compared to others is the emergence of two challengers to the Big Three venues the Assembly Rooms, The Pleasance and The Gilded Balloon.

Pod Deco, a converted Thirties cinema, will be a fixture for 2004 only, before being turned into flats (no doubt luxury ones, they always are). But it has still managed to attract an impressive comedy line-up; including Andrew Maxwell, Richard Herring and Jenny Éclair, who might otherwise have expected to go to the ever-expanding Pleasance.

The Underbelly, too, is building on the reputation it started with its debut last year, giving quirkier acts a chance to perform, combined with the odd big name who wants to stay off the beaten track.

The venue itself is nicely bohemian ¼ all hollowed-out caverns and mysterious alcoves full of rubble ¼ a little on the grungy side maybe, but opened out a little since last year and, on the insistence of the city council, more comfortable too.

Stewart Lee is performing there this year, making his 52nd Fringe (that fact may not be watertight ¼but it's something like that). At the venue's programme launch he explained; "I don't feel exposed or under pressure here. There's a feeling of safety here, like in a bunker or bomb shelter." Which, if you've never been there, is exactly what it's like: 1942 London, but with more knob gags.

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