The Guardian’s theatre critic was at the sketch group’s first show in 1960. It was the beginning of a friendship … and a satire boom that changed the worldMy first sighting of Jonathan Miller was at the Lyceum theatre in Edinburgh in August 1960. I was…
Continue ReadingChicago’s pioneering club – where comics from John Belushi to Tina Fey learned their craft – is 60 years old. We crash an improv class in search of its secretsIn the fashionable Old Town district of Chicago, I am making mooing noises and performing dee…
Continue ReadingBrighton DomeIn an endearing but gentle show, the comedian tries to leave his Father Ted alter ego behindFather Dougal casts a long shadow, Ardal O’Hanlon laments at the start of his touring show. But it’s clear that the dopey sitcom alter ego is more …
Continue ReadingO2 Arena, LondonThe comic, who doesn’t seem to have any interest in people or the world, puts on a weak show with anecdotes that ring untrueIt’s not an auspicious start to Jack Whitehall’s show when he opens with a crude mime about hard, soft and “thum…
Continue ReadingThe standup and writer on the things that make him laugh the mostVictoria Wood and Julie Walters: The Waitress sketch. The simplicity of it is amazing. One great idea, one great performer and the rest sorts itself out. Perfect. Continue reading…
Continue ReadingLarry David took the role of “Larry David” onscreen. But how close are such characters to real life? Three comics starring as versions of themselves reveal where they draw the lineFans of the Canadian standup Mae Martin could probably tell you a lot ab…
Continue ReadingFairfield Halls, LondonThe perky comic provides plenty of material and eye-rolling at how the other half live but some of the jokes flatlineSome marry for love, some for money, and some – you would be forgiven for thinking – for reliable standup materi…
Continue ReadingStarting a new tour is difficult, and this time my pre-show anxiety has been the worst everI am on tour right now, and I have been looking forward to being on the road for the longest time. The decision to tour was made a year and a half ago, and I hav…
Continue ReadingSoho theatre, LondonThe Scottish comic hits some acerbic highs with an oddly episodic set that hops from politics to porn to parenthood ‘Scary. Brutal. Forthright.” That’s how Fern Brady finds herself described, much to her surprise. She can certainly …
Continue ReadingTransgressive, intimidating and smeared with ketchup, the performer loves to give audiences more than they’ve bargained for – from an X-rated Jesus to a bare BoudiccaLucy McCormick pulls her elbow back and closes her left eye. Whoosh, twang, thud: the …
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