Royal & Derngate, NorthamptonThe Aristophanes play is interwoven with the theatre company’s personal quest in a ramshackle show that loses its wayThis Aristophanes comedy is theatre’s oldest, we are told, but can it still be funny? That is one ques…
Continue ReadingSoho theatre, LondonIn a show revisiting her childhood and dissecting comedy tropes, the performer has captivating presence but her material meandersCelya AB offers us a promising premise: there are large parts of her childhood that she is unable to re…
Continue ReadingThe comedy series’ originators Charlie Higson and Paul Whitehouse will lead a 30th anniversary live show due to begin in MarchSwiss Toni, Competitive Dad and a pair of unsuitably smutty tailors were among the comic creations introduced by BBC sketch se…
Continue ReadingThe comedy series’ originators Charlie Higson and Paul Whitehouse will lead a 30th anniversary live show due to begin in MarchSwiss Toni, Competitive Dad and a pair of unsuitably smutty tailors were among the comic creations introduced by BBC sketch se…
Continue ReadingHammersmith Apollo, LondonThe Coventry comic’s new show centres more on storytelling than polished quips but this is still a boisterous setIn a world where big-name comics prep their tours months, nay years, in advance, then perform them over just as l…
Continue ReadingHammersmith Apollo, LondonThe Coventry comic’s new show centres more on storytelling than polished quips but this is still a boisterous setIn a world where big-name comics prep their tours months, nay years, in advance, then perform them over just as l…
Continue ReadingThe standup on finding a good preshow pint, getting heckled and reflecting on the death of his brother in Tragedy Plus TimeCan you recall a gig so bad, it’s now funny?A corporate gig for a financial reporting company. It was so bad, I was supposed to d…
Continue ReadingSoho theatre, LondonAcross 75 haywire minutes, Zach Zucker’s variety show features fire-breathing, copious nudity and superb performances from acts including Natalie Palamides‘It’s taken us 60 minutes to bring on stage a single comedian!” The variety n…
Continue ReadingLara Ricote is among the standups whose gags have landed with deaf and hearing people thanks to the work of stenographer Claire HillWhen Lara Ricote watches fellow comedians’ gigs, she likes to be near the stage. “I tend to sit in the front row – readi…
Continue ReadingIt is one of the most electrifying and unsettling sounds in theatre. Should we be encouraging crowds to do it more? Experts tell us about booing’s origins – and actors remember being on the receiving end of audience outragePanto season is just about ov…
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