The 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…
Continue ReadingStage revivals of the 70s sitcom and The Fast Show have enough nostalgia value to delight fans. Less certain is what will happen to their more problematic materialThe essence of humour is surprise, according to that renowned comedy sage Immanuel Kant. …
Continue ReadingHit composer scored TV and radio as well as the stage shows X-Factor and TONY!The British comedy composer Steve Brown, who collaborated with the likes of Harry Hill, Steve Coogan and Lenny Henry, has died aged 66 from lung disease, his agent announced….
Continue ReadingHit composer scored TV and radio as well as the stage shows X-Factor and TONY!The British comedy composer Steve Brown, who collaborated with the likes of Harry Hill, Steve Coogan and Lenny Henry, has died aged 69 from lung disease, his agent announced….
Continue ReadingSydney Opera House In his new show, the creator of Please Like Me and Everything’s Gonna Be Okay takes stock of his life after two diagnoses – and interrogates whether he should, or even can, changeGet our weekend culture and lifestyle emailIt’s been f…
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