Sara Barron

I was in L.A. on a very small, very non-glam book tour. I was staying at a friend’s flat in the Hollywood Hills, and drinking morning coffee under an orange tree, when I opened the L.A. Times and saw my name and book title, and read some lovely things about myself.

I have since given birth to a child, and I’ve heard this child laugh for the first time, and I’m telling you: that morning in L.A. was just as nice.

Richard Todd

I had lovely reviews last year but they all suggested I was mentally broken or physically wretched so I couldn’t show them to my mum. They were the best of times, and the worst of times.

Owen Roberts

Best review would probably be the first 4 star review I ever got. It gave me a huge feeling of relief that at least somebody thought I was good.

Lisanne Fridsma

My best review was in the Netherlands when I won a competition. The review said I was frank, fearless and funny. The worst review was only a few weeks after that. It said that as a woman I was treading dangerous grounds by attempting stand-up comedy and that I was using too much bad language for a lady.

Kiri Pritchard-McLean

The dream is to never be reviewed. As soon as I can sell tickets without favourable reviews I will have a press embargo like I’m a new iphone. I find it adds a layer of stress to the show that doesn’t make it better.

Ken Cheng

Reviewers are just another thing that you have to be aware of at the Fringe, but at the end of the day, the provide just another person’s opinion really.

Hardeep Singh Kohli

I don’t bother with reviews. My show is for the folk that pay to come and see it.

Jo Caulfield

The best was a personal review from Chris Rock. He saw me at the Comedy Store in London. Afterwards he introduced himself (like I didn’t know who he was!) He told me what he liked, why he liked it and what he thought I could improve. Everything was positive and encouraging. To have Chris Rock quoting my lines back to me was mind-blowing.

John Pendal

Reviewers are individuals with an opinion. Listen to it if it’s useful – ignore it if not. They have very little impact on the world other than the value acts give them.

Joe Sutherland

I think a lot of newer comics starting out will try and tackle the big subjects without a clue as to how to do it deftly and respectfully. Luckily, I’ve deleted those videos now.

Ian Smith

My opinion on reviewers probably differs depending on the review I get.

Close & Robinson

We haven’t had many reviews really! The ones we did have last year were all rather lovely, apart from one which critiqued the quality of the seats more than our actual show… As troubled as we were to learn the reviewer had got a ‘numb behind’, it seemed a confusing focus for a review.

George Rigden

Broadly I think reviewers are a welcome and necessary thing in comedy – a good pull quote is very effective in getting people in and all comics want to be told that someone else thinks they’re funny, but I’m not sure how anyone can scan a critical eye over something as subjective as comedy. Unless they’re reviewing someone who’s total shit.