Sean Lock is a breath of very funny fresh air with his straightforward approach to stand-up.

It's a refreshing counterpoint to the wave of "themed" one-man shows, which look good on paper but ultimately come across as gimmicky.

He's one of the busiest turns in the business. When he's not writing or performing himself, he is writing for acts including Rich Hall, Bill Bailey and Mark Lamaar.

He has just finished a sitcom for the BBC based on his successful Radio 4 series, 15 Stories High. Since then, he has been hard at work penning his new stand-up show for Edinburgh.

"It's just a load of stand-up really," the amiable Londoner says. "It's not like some comedians who do theme shows for Edinburgh.

"They try to crowbar some title on to it, like doing an hour about trawler men in the North Sea, which only lasts five minutes before they start talking about Chopper bikes and the difference between men and women. I don't do that. I just write an hour of stand-up."

And what fantastically funny hours he has written before. He was nominated for the Perrier Award in 2000 and won best live stand-up at the British Comedy Awards the same year.

Lock's major weapon is his hyperactive imagination, which leads the audience on an offbeat journey that is impossible to describe to anyone who wasn't there for the ride.

He is a master of the shaggy dog story - like an English version of US comedy giant Steven Wright but without the butterfly mind and 180 degree turns.

Adored by critics and fans, Lock is regarded as one of the safest hands on the circuit. Don't wait too see him on telly, see him now - Lock is just one of the many top comedy acts warming up their Edinburgh shows at Komedia.

Tomorrow, the UK's top double act Dyball and Kerr follow-up last year's classic Crouching Ferret, Hidden Beaver with Lord Of The Ferrets: Fellowship Of The Beaver.

The premier sketch duo offer a master class in timing and comedy substance.

Next Friday at 8pm, sees the welcome return of circuit favourite Boothby Graffoe. One of the most respected acts on the circuit, his laid-back, nonchalant delivery belies his craftsmanship. A great mix of banter and surreal comic songs.

The deliciously sharp Scott Capurro is over from America and will be making a stop in Brighton on Saturday, July 27, at 8pm.

Sometimes controversial but always funny, you may have recently seen him on Channel 4 presenting The Truth About Gay Animals.

For more details and to book tickets, call the Komedia box office on 01273 647100.