The comedian and author on studying laughter theory, industry frustrations and the perils of gigging at a racecourseHow did you get into comedy?I studied the history of variety and vaudeville under Oliver Double at university and then did a master’s in…
Continue ReadingScary movies can exorcise the audience’s own demons but silliness can also help you process rage, says the comedian“Stop being hysterical!” “You are over-reacting!” “Put that watermelon down!” If I had a pound for every time I’d heard one of these rebu…
Continue ReadingThe satirist on her favourite superhero show, her go-to gym motivation music, and why she loves Tim KeyComedian Rosie Holt came to prominence during lockdown with her online political parodies of Conservative MPs. She grew up in Somerset and trained at…
Continue ReadingFrom the madness of North Korea to memoirs of modern dating and caring for elderly parents, these books show how the best graphic artists can get a laugh out of almost anythingComics have their roots in comedy – the evidence is in the name. From early …
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, …
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, …
Continue ReadingEven as a child, the comedian knew her brain was atypical. But it was only in her late 20s that her anxiety, depression and meltdowns finally made senseYou don’t have to be an expert to know that people with autism don’t get to speak about their own ex…
Continue ReadingHaley McGee, James McNicholas and Mo Gilligan talk about the tricky business of turning stage performances into a reading experienceWhen developing her solo show The Ex-Boyfriend Yard Sale, theatre-maker Haley McGee was struggling for an ending. “A fri…
Continue ReadingThe producer whose TV hits include The Royle Family and Gavin and Stacey on finding the poignancy in life’s little moments, and heading back to the comedy circuit with his poetryComedians become actors, pop stars become TV presenters … we’re used to ar…
Continue ReadingThe producer whose TV hits include The Royle Family and Gavin and Stacey on finding the poignancy in life’s little moments, and heading back to the comedy circuit with his poetryComedians become actors, pop stars become TV presenters … we’re used to ar…
Continue Reading