Stuart’s break at Fringe

Aug 26 2009 by Lynda Nicol, East Kilbride News

A FORMER aid to Gordon Brown is due to perform his first ever debut stand-up show at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.

East Kilbride man Stuart Mitchell, 26, who is performing five nights at the festival for free feels this is his chance to build his profile on the comedy circuit.

In his show, East Mains man Stuart takes an amusing look at some of the serious issues in what he says has been his own extraordinary life – life from losing the tips of his fingers to speaking at the House of Lords.

He said: "There is nothing better than writing material which makes an audience laugh.

“Scotland has so many great stand-up comedians and the competition is high.

“Hopefully with my own show I can prove I have what it takes to be successful in the industry”

Stuart, who quit a promising career in banking to concentrate on his comedy career is hoping to be picked up by one of the many talent scouts and agents who flock to Edinburgh for the festival.

He is no stranger to being under pressure.

“In 2005, he set up Fivez, which specialises in organising five-a-side football leagues.

Stuart collected numerous awards for the business and received backing from leading politicians and the Prince of Wales.

He also appeared on Channel 4’s Tricky Business Programme, with mentor John Boyle.

In 2002, aged just 19, when he was studying economics at Stirling University, he was the only university student outwith Oxford and Cambridge to gain at placement at HM Treasury working beside Gordon Brown.

Stuart Mitchell Live and Special Guests runs from August 26-30 at the Jekyll & Hyde from 9.55pm-10.50pm and best of all tickets are FREE. See www.freefestival.co.uk for info.