Fancy a one night stand? Well your luck's in. Three of Britain's most contemporary comedians are coming to town for one night only (each) before they hit the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, writes Katherine MacAlister.

Jason Wood, Daniel Kitson and Jimmy Carr will be testing their newest material at Oxford's Old Fire Station before disappearing to the country's biggest comedy feast in a bid to win the most prestigious comedy accolade -- The Perrier Award.

Jason Wood

Jason Wood in particular must have struggled to pack the June 16 gig into his crammed schedule. Having spent the past year bringing his singing comedian's act to venues all over the UK and abroad, he has also played at festivals in Holland and South Africa and his Bare Camp show had a sell-out run at London's Soho Theatre.

Earlier this year he also filmed SpyTV, a primetime hidden camera show, which airs next month on BBC1. He is also working on his own pilot show for Channel 4, and a sitcom for BBC2.

As a result, the 31-year-old Londoner says he spends most of his time in his car -- his social life is fairly limited.

But the reviews at least must make it worthwhile. The Guardian called him a rising star with sharp wit as well as talent.

His new show, Jason Wood Gets His Hits Out For The Lads!, promises to be packed with his unique singing impersonations and biting wit. But Jason says that however well the festival goes this year, nothing has got close to the highlight of his career so far, which was performing at the London Palladium and singing for the Queen when he was nine.

As for Daniel Kitson, it seems he can't get enough of Oxford. He'll be making his third visit of year to Oxford on June 18. He won the Perrier Award last year and came runner-up the year before.

Daniel Kitson

The Yorkshireman's show this year is a little different. He uses a mix of film, audio and live performance, "telling a story, by turns moving, really funny and poorly thought through" in his words.

Having also added the Time Out Comedy Award and the South Bank Comedy Award Nominee 2003 to his list of accolades, you would expect him to be dancing on the roof tops, pen poised to sign up for a series of lucrative TV deals and arena tours.

But he isn't. The 25-year-old, who sports cord flares, thick glasses, long hair and sometimes a beard, is horrified by the media frenzy. What Daniel really wants is to remain anonymous and continue to make small crowds laugh.

"I don't suffer from stage fright," he says. "My stuff isn't rehearsed, it's more rambly and ramshackle. It's a bit like Billy Connolly, except I never remember what I was talking about to begin with, so can't go back to it."

Jimmy Carr was last year's Perrier nominee, losing out to Kitson.

Jimmy Carr

Since then he has had a phenomenally successful year, with sell-out performances in London and at comedy festivals across the country and abroad.

He has also won the Time Out Award 2002 for Best Stand Up and the Royal Television Society Award 2003 for Best Newcomer for his role as co-host of the C4 series Your Face Or Mine.

In the past year, he has branched out into television, performing on the Peter Cook Tribute show on BBC2, as well as the Royal Variety Show, when Prince Charles commented: "Very funny if I may say. Very good dead-pannery."

He also appeared on Have I Got News For You with Charlotte Church and hosted 100 Worst Britons for Channel 4.

His new show, Charm Offensive, is on June 19.

So, if it's a one-night stand you're after, or even a threesome, then The Old Fire Station Theatre is the place to be. For more details, call 01865 297170.