IF YOU can’t get to the Edinburgh Fringe this year, is doesnae matter, because award-winning comedian Richard Sandling is bringing part of it to Southend.

The fortnightly Edinburgh preview shows will feature a mixture of new and established acts at the Railway Hotel.

They include James Acaster from Dave’s One Night Stand and Russell Howard’s Good News, Tony Law from Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle, Thom Thuck from the Penny Dreadfuls, plus both of Richard Sandling’s own shows – a music one and a film one.

Richard Sandling is a regular on the UK comedy circuit. He has also performed at Montreal Just For Laughs festival and is a regular performer at Robin Ince’s Science and Books gigs. He was in TV hits Peep Show, Big Babies and Miranda.

Richard says: “Ordinarily the Edinburgh shows cost £10 a ticket, but I am charging £5 for two shows. These previews are perfect for those who like intelligent, leftfield, alternative comedy.

“I used to do comedy nights in Southend, but don’t get the time anymore because most of my gigs are in London. But whenever I get the chance I do bring gigs back to the area. I thought this would be a nice one to do.

“I am still a local man, I live in Benfleet, so obviously care about the area. I do think there is a really good audience locally. They are comedy literate and enjoy good comedy.

“There always seem to be lots of discerning people around here, always prepared to try something a bit different.

The Shows

JUNE 16 JAMES ACASTER and RICHARD SANDLING

After a fantastic year touring the UK, supporting Josie Long then Milton Jones, James Acaster brings his exciting debut show to Southend before Edinburgh. James appeared on Russell Howard’s Good News and Dave’s One Night Stand. Richard Sandling will be reforming his one-man-band of Folk Rock Goddery Pot Pourri for an evening of music and comedy, with support from hip hop poet sensation Spak Whitman, as seen on Channel 4.

JUNE 30 THOM TUCK and TONY LAW

Thom Tuck watches all of the Disney straight-to-DVD movies in order for you to avoid doing so. The show is a discussion, dissection and descent into madness. It will also feature tales of heartbreak. Thom is one third of the award-winning sketch troupe, the Penny Dreadfuls. He brings a standuppy, sketchy, impro-ey, arty comedy show to “people who are already funny”.

JULY 14 STUART GOLDSMITH

Whether cheering up a distressed child, helping prevent a riot, or genuinely saving another human’s life, Stuart Goldsmith is excellent in a crisis. When the chips aren’t down however, it’s a very different story. Goldsmith’s show is an exhilarating stand-up about embracing anxiety, conquering indecision, and getting Tasered. Goldsmith was the Chortle Breakthrough nominee 2011, and the Leicester Comedy Festival’s Best Show nominee 2011.

NATHANIEL METCALFE and CHRIS BOYD

Hackney New Act of the Year finalist Nathaniel Metcalfe and the delightfully off-kilter Chris Boyd join forces. Along the way there will be song, dance and quite possibly a twisted tale or two. Join them for a gloriously unique hour of silly, surreal and spooky shenanigans. The observational and surreal style of Metcalfe has been noted. Thomas Meek of the List magazine, said: “Nathaniel Metcalfe is particularly engrossing with a surreal, meandering line of dry observations, delivered in an perfectly unsettling manner.” Comedian Josie Long has described him as being “brilliant, unusual and very funny”. Boyd brings an experimental, witty and bemusing performance, with glorious puns about Battlestar Galactica and the Jason Bourne movies.

JULY 28 BRETT GOLDSTEIN and RICHARD SANDLING

Brett Goldstein attempts to tell the 100 per cent true story of his time in Marbella as a young man, running a strip club with his dad. Marvel at the backstage secrets, laugh at the antics of the mafia, cry at the destruction of a young man’s innocence and clap politely at the end as you realise you’ve just sat through someone else’s therapy.

RICHARD SANDLING'S PERFECT MOVIE

Richard Sandling attempts to condense his long, sprawling three-hour monthly cult smash-hit of a night into a one-hour show for Edinburgh. It is a stand-up comedy show about films featuring special guests, games, sketches, videos and recreations of top comedians’ favourite scenes. Richard was the official film reviewer for myspace.com/ comedy and is featured in the Star Wars documentary the People vs George Lucas. He also collects videos and has about 5,000.

For more information, check the events pages in the Echo or search Facebook for Railway Hotel Edinburgh Previews