Edinburgh shows from Lucy Porter, Daniel Kitson and Brendon Burns.

If you don’t recognize diminutive comedienne Lucy Porter, you’ve probably seen her material. Her writing credits being something of a roll call of comedy’s great and good: Johnny Vaughan, Adam & Joe, Jenny Eclair, even cuddly old Griff Rhys Jones. Previous stand-up routines have made her a bit of a teenage boy’s wet dream: flirty and effusive, she talks about issues as diverse as sex and booze. This year, however, her Live At The Underbelly routine sees her tackle the weighty issues of truth and lies. Featuring a real life lie detector salvaged from a 50s sci-fi movie, she takes us into the darker recesses of her past, including details of a plucky intervention into fisticuffs between Gary Barlow and Gary Numan, and a shocking tale of violent confrontation involving a nun.

Having bagged the Perrier Award at last year’s festival, Daniel Kitson, a rather goofy lad from Barnsley, has gained more plaudits than a stripper at a stag night. In many ways he’s your classic British comic: sweary, northern, unpretentious and ever so slightly overweight. When riled he can even get a bit nasty. But it’s his status as professional outsider that many seem to identify with, self-deprecation being a trick we Brits always fall for. This year, Daniel’s Made-Up Story sees him getting to grips with cutting edge technology – using layered film and audio in a tale of love and futile courage which may or may not feature indigenous wildlife.

Less endearing is Brendon Burns, comedy’s answer to America’s shock-jocks. Pick a minority and he’s probably offended them (black icons, asylum seekers). Pick a burning issue (anti-war demonstrations) and his views will send liberal consciences running to the nearest moral guardian. But he’s more Sid Vicious than Bernard Manning, a self-proclaimed champion of free speech who loves to stir things up. His show, in title and content, is Not For Everyone. Chris Moore 04 July 03

Lucy Porter is at the Smirnoff Underbelly from 31 July until 24 August 03.

Daniel Kitson performs at The Comedy Gala (21, 22 August 03) and Stand Up For Freedom (17 August 03).

Brendon Burns is at The Pleasance Courtyard from 30 July until 25 August 03.