THROUGHOUT July, Scoundrels Comedy Club is bringing to Winchester their pick of the best acts making the trip up to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year.

Previewing their full shows, audiences will get a chance to see these stellar performances before they are unleashed onto the thousands of people that make the trip north of the border every August.

On Thursday, enjoy shows from Stephen Carlin and Nick Helm.

Gambling Man is Stephen Carlin’s latest show. Are you content to fritter away your life in gainful employment... or are you feeling lucky? Well are you? Can you feel it in your bones? Are you on a roll? Are the gods smiling on you? Go on, put your money where your mouth is and bet your life savings on a horse, or a greyhound, or a football match. Oh, not so sure now? What, feeling a bit cautious? You disappoint me. Stephen Carlin examines gambling, chance, optimism and how to beat the odds in life.

Nick Helm is a One Man Mega Myth. Comedian and inspirationalist Nick Helm has overcome pain and suffering his entire life to become the greatest living example of not giving up the world has ever known. This year he returns with a show so monumental it will change your DNA forever.

AS seen on BBC 1’s Live at the Apollo and now a regular on Channel 4’s Stand Up For the Week, Andrew Lawrence is back on the road and stopping at Hanger Farm Arts Centre in Totton tonight.

Twice nominated as Best UK Headline Act at the Chortle Awards 2010/11, he’s also a former double Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee.

Expect a blend of rage and good grammar – and even the odd kamikaze philosophy - from his new show, Andrew Lawrence Is Coming To Get You.