Michael Che: Cartoon Violence, The Assembly Rooms

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James Acaster: Lawnmower, Pleasance Courtyard

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Christian O'Connell: This is 13, Underbelly Bristo Square

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Stand-ups often employ a gimmick, whether it's a puppet, a bit of masking tape or even removing all their clothes (in many instances, this is not a good move). For other shows, you have absolutely no idea why their show is called what it is, bearing no relevance to the content, which may change daily.

For MICHAEL CHE on Friday night, it was safe to say he found the audience a tough crowd. The young but seasoned performer from New York's Lower East Side found the front row of fund managers a stumbling block that he just couldn't seem to overcome. When other members of the audience started chatting in front of him, he let rip and it was less comedic and more out of control. When it turned out that the chap in the front row had requested a hearing loop before the show and had not received one Che's cartoon violence seemed to veer a little too far towards the gratuitous.

Until 25 August

JAMES ACASTER, clad completely in mock-schoolwear M&S, was a far less challenging character on Saturday evening. Why his show is called Lawnmower couldn't quite be fathomed, but with his deadpan delivery and awkward physical comedy he teased out more than a few smirks. His quest to clear the name of Yoko Ono (and her bedtime biscuit eating) and his odd obsession with Mariachi bands provided affable chortles but when the biggest audience reaction is when your old-school art easel nearly falls over, perhaps it's time to look for more cutting-edge content.

Until 25 August

Absolute Radio's CHRISTIAN O'CONNELL, left, effortlessly filled the Saturday night easy-listening slot. This is 13 revisited a list the breakfast show DJ made when he was but a teenager about what he wanted to achieve before his 40th birthday (which was on 7 April this year). A date with Kelly LeBrock and a duel with Darth Vader were two of the more temporal items, while his overwhelming aim was actually to take a stand-up show to the Edinburgh Fringe (job done).

With a very relaxed air, and no over-reliance on the ominous PowerPoint screen behind him, references to the 1980s struck a chord with the more mature crowd. O'Connell also wasn't afraid to shock at times and he adeptly controlled the audience participation when appropriate. Run ends a little earlier, on Tuesday 20 August, as presumably this stand-up has to get back to his day job.

Until 20 August