Missing out on Edinburgh Festival?

Don't despair, the temperature's rising in Holland Park. A comedy cauldron is set steam when rib-ticklers from Reginald D. Hunter, Jo Brand and Puppetry of the Penis strut their stuff from today.

Flanked by a host of rising stars, get ready for five day's worth of weather-proof gags.

"We've got it covered with our 1000-seater open-sided theatre," says the event's organiser Melvin Benn, director of Festival Republic.

This is their first year in Holland Park, but Melvin is a festival veteran of 20 years, with recent comedy tents pitched at Reading, Leeds and Latitude festivals.

Lucy Porter, who performs on Thursday night, says: "I'll be taking the flight down just as Edinburgh finishes and be up on stage by night for some up-beat, silly and resolutely not depressing improvisations."

With five comedians a night and a roof over your head, nothing should be able to spoil the fun.

Pimms Summerfest is at Holland Park from Wednesday, August 27, until Sunday, August 31. 7.30pm. £22.50 per night.

Call 0871 231 0821.

See www.festivalrepublic.com