Royal Albert Hall, LondonThe standup returns to the stage on fine form, though one might wish The Slap was addressed, not glossed“I’m OK, if you’re wondering …” Of course, Chris Rock broaches right at the start of his show the incident we’re all thinki…
Continue ReadingAs his hotly anticipated tour arrives in the UK, audiences are wondering whether Rock will share some freshly minted material on the Oscars bust-upMight “the slap” – when Will Smith walloped Chris Rock at the Oscars ceremony – have been a publicity stu…
Continue ReadingThe standup on starting out in comedy, increasingly savvy audiences and the best advice she has ever receivedHow did you get into comedy?I think I fell into it. It was a night out with the comedy society at my university and we all got up and gave it a…
Continue ReadingSoho theatre, LondonThe South African storyteller’s expressive presence and assured comedy chops ensure easy laughs With its back-to-basics account of who he is and where he comes from, Schalk Bezuidenhout’s set might be mistaken for a debut hour. Come…
Continue ReadingSoho theatre, LondonSkilful standup’s debut, Transience, takes the heat out of fraught conversations about gender and is well worth the waitWas ever a debut show longer awaited? Chloe Petts’ first solo hour was good to go just as Covid reared its spike…
Continue ReadingIncident raises further questions over comedian safety after Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at OscarsThe comedian Dave Chappelle was attacked during a performance in Los Angeles, according to witnesses and videos of the incident posted online.Footage sh…
Continue ReadingSoho theatre, LondonAs he tells the story of a one-night stand from 30 years ago, the comic explores youthful dreams and midlife disappointmentA bittersweet love letter to the Edinburgh fringe, performed by a middle-aged Scotsman? I may be the optimum …
Continue ReadingEdinburgh PlayhouseIn a joyful return to the stage, Steve Coogan’s deathless alter ego delivers a motivational lecture he keeps on derailingThe last time Alan Partridge graced the nation’s stages, he was trying his hand as a life coach, in Steve Coogan…
Continue ReadingRichmond theatre, LondonWhile an impish spirit remains, the comic behind Dame Edna Everage follows the well-worn template of celebs recounting their life storiesAt 88, with almost seven decades of character comedy behind him, “the one character I’ve ne…
Continue ReadingMatt Sienkiewicz and Nick Marx spent months researching rightwing comedy and found that whether or not you’re laughing, you can’t ignore its powerIn January, Neil Young gave Spotify an ultimatum: it’s me or Joe Rogan. The streaming giant picked Rogan, …
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