Candy Gigi: Friday Night Sinner! review – all-out bid for showbiz glory

Soho theatre, London Torn between wifely duty and her dream to become the Jewish Barbra Streisand, this would-be star finds an in-between world of outrageous comedyA teenage winner of Borehamwood’s Got Talent, Candy Gigi’s dreams of entertainment stard…

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August in England review – Lenny Henry’s remarkable one-man show about the Windrush scandal

Bush theatre, LondonThe actor makes his debut as a playwright with a richly detailed character study, performing with warm humour and outrage at injustice‘Have you seen Theresa May dance? Now that’s a hostile environment.” When the former UK prime mini…

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Adam Brace had a magic touch for comedy and theatre – both worlds will mourn his death | Brian Logan

Brace, who has died aged 43, was a hugely talented playwright, dramaturg and director who worked on a string of hits including One-Woman Show and Age Is a Feeling“The most high-profile director you’ve never heard of.” That’s what the Stage newspaper ca…

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‘I’m going for it like crazy’: Eddie Izzard on her one-woman, 19-role Great Expectations

After 30 years, the standup star is now finally winning acting plaudits, for a ‘tour de force’ take on Dickens with sharper punchlines – and Hamlet is nextFirst names first. What does the artist formerly known as Eddie Izzard, who recently announced sh…

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Kevin Hart returns to UK to amplify the outrageous in Reality Check tour

The controversial standup brings big cartoonish energy to his first tour since 2018, delivering a set of self-mockery and dismay at bizarre behaviourKevin Hart is back in the UK on his first tour since Irresponsible (2018) which, with zillions of ticke…

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Barry Humphries: Melbourne comedy festival says tribute is in works after criticism

Organisers exploring ‘a fitting tribute’ after friends say performer was hurt by decision to rename festival award after comments he made about trans peopleGet our weekend culture and lifestyle emailThe Melbourne international comedy festival has denie…

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Angela Barnes: ‘Comedy’s the only job I’ve had where I don’t feel like a failure’

As she tours her latest show, the sanguine standup talks about trolls, deafness and finding joy through performingAs a BBC regular Angela Barnes is used to triggering the anti-Auntie trolls, be it her political views, voice, appearance or – in one biza…

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Barry Humphries – a life in pictures

The Australian actor and comedian has died aged 89. Here are some of the best pictures from his long careerBarry Humphries, Australian comedian and creator of Dame Edna Everage, dies aged 89Tributes pour in for ‘one of a kind’ star – latest updatesBarr…

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Barry Humphries was a master of provocation and glorious grotesquerie

Despite a legacy tainted by PC-baiting provocation, many will remember Humphries with affection as the carnivalesque Dame Edna and foul-mouthed Sir Les PattersonBarry Humphries, Australian comedian and creator of Dame Edna Everage, dies aged 89Tributes…

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Zoe Lyons: Bald Ambition review – taking on midlife with ‘grief and relief’

The Hawth, CrawleyThe standup’s new show takes a while to get going, but squares up to hitting 50 with material finely balanced between the thoughtful and the uproariousGiven how often comics joke about getting old – all those grumpy gags about young p…

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