I was writing the other day about the way Edinburgh acts can be divided into the mainstream crowdpleasers and arty experimentalists. Of course things are never quite that simple. Where, for instance does Carl Donnelly fit in? On the surface he seems like your tight-trousered off-the-peg gagsmith with a quip for every occasion. But he is definitely no lowest common denominator clown. Donnelly’s stories have emotional depth and heft to them as well as belly laughs. It was no surprise that couple of years ago he was nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award for a show that touched on veganism and marital strife as well as those awkward encounters one has on trains late at night. This year’s show, Jive Ass Honky, looks at therapy, depression, relationships, body issues and family. Not necessarily subjects that are a natural fit for mainstream comedy, but, as I said, Donnelly can find the funny in places others don’t even think of looking.

Carl Donnelly is at the Pleasance, N1 tonight, tickets here, with Steve Bugeja, and at the Pleasance Courtyard from Aug 5 - 30, tickets here.