The Big Yin mastered the art of funny – there was barely such a thing as standup comedy in the UK when he graduated from Glasgow’s shipyard to the stageIt was news we saw coming, but that barely diminishes the sadness of hearing that Billy Connolly’s l…
Continue ReadingComedian also rejects suggestions that Parkinson’s disease has ‘dulled’ his brainBilly Connolly has announced that after a half-century career in standup, music, film and television he is retiring from live performing.The news came in an interview wher…
Continue ReadingThe standup, screenwriter, novelist and Radio 4 regular on what makes him laugh the mostAli G trying to sell venture capitalists the business idea for an ice-cream glove: a glove you wear only when you want to eat ice-cream. Continue reading…
Continue ReadingNatalie Palamides’ bravura piece about machismo, Nate, is now being performed by its male director, Dr Brown“How many of you here haven’t seen Natalie do this show?” A surprising number of hands are raised – which might explain the laughter arrhythmia …
Continue ReadingWhen Roseanne Barr wrote a racist tweet, the comedian walked off the show – and 90 minutes later it was cancelled. She talks about the furore, coming out and being booed by Trump fansThe last time Wanda Sykes was booed was four days after Donald Trump …
Continue ReadingThe comedian and writer on her fear of flying, Adrian Mole and sniffing her cats’ pawsBorn in Glasgow, Susan Calman, 44, was a lawyer before becoming a standup in 2006. She was in the Channel 4 sketch show, Blowout, which won a Scottish Bafta in 2007, …
Continue ReadingThe actor and comedian on birdwatching, taking naps and gaming with his sonI try to go to bed around midnight because I like to get up early, at 7am. It’s difficult to wind down when you come off stage because of the adrenaline. It keeps me awake longe…
Continue ReadingThe Liverpudlian standup, podcaster and MC on the things that make him laugh the mostBill Burr’s helicopter tour routine on his Netflix special. It’s not just hilarious, it’s also the most incredibly performed, technically written bit I’ve seen. Contin…
Continue ReadingBristol Old VicNarrating his life via sonnets and speeches, the motormouth comic delivers a show that is both egotistical and endearing‘I’m trying to alchemise the work of our greatest playwright,” says Russell Brand, “into a tonic for our times.” My L…
Continue ReadingThe Stables, Milton KeynesFrom imagining Enya as president to a disappointing encounter with Leonardo da Vinci, the Irish whimsy merchant delivers oodles of soothing sillinessOh to be Irish! David O’Doherty ends his set with a paean to his country’s re…
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