Guardian critic Brian Logan examines two Edinburgh fringe shows that portray comedy reviewers as vain, snobbish and creatively frustrated. The pieces reflect a longstanding tradition of artists attacking critics, but Logan suggests they also expose the resentment and insecurity that poor reviews can provoke in performers.

Andrew Doherty’s *Reviewers Welcome … to Die!* was prompted by a three-star review of his previous show, following acclaim for his debut. The folk-horror parody follows an arrogant critic, Felix Chatelier, who is forced towards redemption by demons and by a fictionalised Doherty; Logan finds it entertaining but says its portrait of critics largely relies on familiar clichés, while also mocking artists who hold grudges.