Laughing away the doubters

Every year, comedy performers get a taste of success at Edinburgh then struggle to find places to play for the next 11 months. For sketch acts, or stand-ups trying something too involved for the clubs, it's hard to know where to go without getting lost in the murk of fringe theatre.

'Too many shows are hardly seen again after the Fringe,' says Ed Smith of comedy agency Karushi. 'The truth is, some of them can make as much impact with two nights in the centre of London as they can with three weeks up there.'

Hence Karushi's Soho Blast Festival over the next three weeks at the Soho Theatre. Apart from Marcus Brigstocke (whose Club Seals show runs Jan 29 to Feb 1), none of the acts is TV-famous - but there are some real gems among these hour-long shows.

It starts tonight with The Ustinov Files, in which comic and liar Keith Dover tells of his friendship with the stars. Pick of the week, though, is Live! Girls! (Wed to Sat). An exclamatory name conceals a double act with a sharp, theatrical way with character comedy. Give them a try.

Tomorrow and next Tuesday there's stand-up from Graham Norton writer Jo Caulfield - warning, she can be as salacious as her boss - then, this Thursday and Friday, perennial Fringe hot-ticket Danny Bhoy.

The following weeks include the unmissable Andrè Vincent Is Unwell (next Monday and Tuesday), gospel comic Reginald D Hunter (Feb 5) and Steve 'no, I'm not doing Lenny Beige tonight' Furst (Feb 6 to 8). No room to list everyone - see the theatre website for more.
Tonight until Feb 8, Soho Theatre And Writers Centre, 21 Dean Street W1, Mon to Sat 7.45pm and 9.15pm, £8 to £10, £6 to £8 concs. Tel: 020 7478 0100. www.sohotheatre.com Tube: Tottenham Court Road/ Piccadilly Circus