The standup has successfully used laughter as a balm, creating a safe space for himself and the audience to engage with this most difficult of subjectsThe death of a loved one. It’s the least funny thing in the world, right? Try telling that to Sam Mor…
Continue ReadingConceived by the artistic director of Birmingham Rep, Sean Foley, the award will be open to all with the winner receiving £25,000A new playwriting prize dedicated to comedy has been launched in honour of Victoria Wood on what would have been the standu…
Continue ReadingTraverse, EdinburghGary McNair delivers verbatim interviews and misremembered Connolly routines from ordinary people in this love letterThere is an air of Nick Park’s Creature Comforts about Gary McNair’s “love letter” to Billy Connolly. The performer …
Continue ReadingCriterion theatre, LondonCaroline Leslie’s production sends up the less problematic Victorian foibles with a terrifically spirited barrage of juicy one-liners, blunt anachronisms and pleasing melodramaAs a commercial prospect, you can’t fault this stag…
Continue ReadingFrom drunk punters to myopic commissioners, the comic has faced many hurdles. She talks about her NHS career, the conflict in Sudan and finding the funny through her family‘I feel kind of selfish because I’m talking with you here in this fancy place an…
Continue ReadingThe New Zealand comedian shares what makes her laugh online, including her friend’s audition tape, Sean Lock and a singing catGet our weekend culture and lifestyle emailI’ve been on the internet for as long as I can remember. I spent hours as a child m…
Continue ReadingHackney Empire, London You’d expect bawdy lines delivered with deadpan frankness from the rising TV comedian, but injections of knockabout physicality raise her stage showpiece to higher joySometimes at a standup gig, the environment elevates the mater…
Continue ReadingHackney Empire, London You’d expect bawdy lines delivered with deadpan frankness from the rising TV comedian, but injections of knockabout physicality raise her stage showpiece to higher joySometimes at a standup gig, the environment elevates the mater…
Continue ReadingSoho 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…
Continue ReadingBush 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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