Fringe theatre

Casting comics in dramatic roles has become a staple of the Fringe. Being in a play during the day before your stand-up slot a night is almost a badge of honour, even if half the incentive is to restrict the opportunities for partying (allegedly). Thom Tuck is well cast here as Deputy Prime Minister and Lib Dem leader Matt Cooper, whose resemblance to the current holder of these posts is undeniable, and whose decline and fall the play documents. Phill Jupitus is his Tory nemesis Sir Francis Whitford, Minister without Portfolio, but clearly packing plenty of menace, as well as valise of bespoke gentleman's accessories. Jo Caulfield is chilly Lib Dem Chief Whip Angela Hornby, of whom Cooper might be well-advised to be more wary.

We are in familiar territory here: ground already fruitfully tilled by Yes, Minister, The Thick Of It, and the brilliant 2012 so it is no surprise that most audiences will see where Robert Khan and Tom Salinsky's play is heading long before the players get the chance to deliver the punchline. And just as – lest we forget amid the euphoria – the run up to the real Olympiad threatened to outdo its fictional counterpart, so Coalition is not so far fetched that Clegg's collapse may not trump it.

Ends August 26

Unhappy Birthday, Assembly

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Amy Lame is part of London-based performance collective Duckie, and probably genuinely among those for whom former Smith's frontman Morrissey can do no wrong, despite his propensity for just that (which she lists). Dishing out party hats (compulsory) and party poppers (discretionary) as she welcomes her audience, she instigates a game of pass the parcel that (almost) randomly selects members of the audience to help her celebrate her birthday as she unravels her life story and her relationship with the great Mozz himself, to the accompaniment of many of his songs from group and solo eras.

Hiding at the back is not only impossible because of the way the venue is set up, it would also serve little purpose once Ms Lame has you in her sights. Participation is the name of the game and if you have an aversion to being asked to sing or being splattered with cake it might be wiser not to attend. If the show has a greater purpose than to celebrate fandom, it eluded me, but when we all stood to join in a rousing version of This Charming Man I found that I still knew every word.

Ends August 26

How (Not) To Make It In Britpop

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Rosie Wilby used to front a band, called Wilby, in the era of Urban Hymns, Common People and Cigarettes and Alcohol. Nope, me neither. She never quite rivalled Louise Wener in the recognisability stakes, it is probably not too cruel to observe, but apparently the band had their moment in the sun. Some years on Wilby is re-inventing herself as a stand-up comic, something she mentions so often you begin to wonder who she is trying to convince.

It might be wise if she dawdles a bit where she is because, although far from a finished piece of work, this has the makings of a fine bit of personal comic storytelling – a direction many stand-ups now pursue. Wilby's secret weapon is that she spices her tale with her songs, some of which are very good, and she has a truly lovely singing voice. And she seems too sweet to be hurt all over again.

Run ended