Soho theatre, LondonThe fringe award-winner compares her romantic relationship to how she feels about her audience in this mildly evasive investigation of inner knottinessThere’s a formula for a comedian’s first show, and it’s “this is me”: an hour abo…
Continue ReadingThoughtifier, a new European tour, brings familiar whimsy from the Strictly Come Dancing champ. But does the mirth cramp his musical stylings?Forty years into his performing career, you know what you’re going to get with Bill Bailey. Musical noodling: …
Continue ReadingPark theatre, LondonA rich and messy revival explores ideas of belonging, with the Desperate Housewives star playing a determinedly indifferent matriarchChaos reigns. Every inch of Paige’s home is a domestic dumping ground. This rich and messy revival …
Continue ReadingSalisbury PlayhouseA fitfully funny play from the creator of Broadchurch considers the terrifying prospects of parenthood yet never quite deliversHere’s a perfect prop for farce: a huge, baby-blue birthing pool, stubbornly resisting inflation, plonked …
Continue ReadingThe comedian on his strangest fan encounter, preshow rituals and his new film with Tom Basden and Carey MulliganHow did you get into comedy?I joined a sketch group, went to the Edinburgh fringe, and then kept doing that for years. It’s a good place to …
Continue ReadingVarious venuesSets from Lily Phillips, President Obonjo and Foxdog Studios may not rival the Edinburgh fringe, but give a bracing sense of the diversity of the comedy sceneWe need a new kind of comedy, says character comic President Obonjo, “a comedy …
Continue ReadingSoho theatre, London New show Mettle finds the comic annoyed about flirting, litter, the climate crisis and more, following a milestone birthdayThere are few more familiar standup comedy attitudes than: I feel like I’m getting old. It’s the one Jessica…
Continue ReadingFor the Royal Court and Park theatres, putting on comedy acts is a moneyspinning way to find new audiences. But are playhouses set to stage fewer plays?Caryl Churchill. Sarah Kane. Chris Ramsey? Heads turned late last year when the Royal Court in Londo…
Continue ReadingBristol Old VicThis play with songs has pleasing performances but needs a clearer idea of what it wants to satiriseA comedy double act since their university days and now working as nannies, Lea and Amy dream of success at the Edinburgh fringe. This ye…
Continue ReadingLondon PalladiumThe fabulously gifted raconteur charts her stellar career with plenty of spit-out-your-wine moments and empowering life lessons‘Do you want to hear the story of the real Mr Big?” Candace Bushnell, the 65-year-old Sex and the City creato…
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