It's no joke: £58 film full of Fringe comics aims for Cannes

IT IS surely the greatest line-up of Fringe comedians ever seen on the same bill.

The new full-length feature film Peacock Season stars 38 performers, including award-winners Brendon Burns and Phil Nichol, Reece Shearsmith of the League of Gentlemen and Rhys Darby from Flight of the Conchords.

But the film, which was made during last year's Fringe, cost only £58 to make. It has been rapturously received at two premieres at the Underbelly, where it played to an audience of comedians and invited guests.

Co-writer James Wren, who plays rookie comedian Johnny Bathroom, said: "We spent £50 on DV (digital video] tapes and £8 on a pair of handcuffs."

He now plans to take the film to the Edinburgh Film Festival and Cannes, as well as looking for cinema distribution and television deals.

The film, directed by Alan Freestone and Fergus March, follows advertising executive Keith Graham, who loses his job in London and decides to become stand-up comedian Johnny Bathroom.

Mr Wren said: "Originally it was going to be a thriller, with a comedian being chased by a hitman. But then we realised that the Fringe is such a story in itself."

He added: "There have been other films made about the Fringe, but none has really captured the atmosphere. The thing about the people in this film is that they are all genuinely Fringe people.

"We wanted something that showed not just the highs and the lows, but the wonderful opportunities that this place offers. It's a strange, wonderful bubble that only exists in August – but there is no other place like it."

Sarah Harries, of the Underbelly venues said: "I just think it shows Edinburgh exactly as it is – and it really captures the rock 'n' roll spirit of the Fringe.

"I was delighted when the film-makers were given a standing ovation (at the premiere]. They worked so hard on it, and it is such a thing of love.

"It is a perfect picture of what the Fringe is like, and it will help show Edinburgh and the festival to the world."

The Peacock Season stars include Dan Antolpolski, Brendon Burns, Scott Capurro, Nina Conti, Rhys Darby, Anil Desai, Leon Fleury, Paul Foot, Richard Glover, Joy Gohring, Charlotte Jo Hanbury, Richard Herring, Adam Hills, Lucy Porter, Reece Shearsmith and Isy Suttie.