Janey Godley: ‘I translate the news into what politicians are actually saying’

The Glaswegian comedian’s voiceover videos are a lockdown hit – not least with Nicola SturgeonJaney Godley is having a productive lockdown. The 59-year-old comedian has had a run of viral (in the good sense) hits with her sweary and very funny voiceove…

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‘I’ll miss the camaraderie’: readers on the Edinburgh festival cancellation

We asked you to share your thoughts and experiences about this summer’s festival being cancelled because of the coronavirus. Here’s what some of you saidCoronavirus and culture – a list of major cancellationsThe best theatre and dance to watch onlineWe…

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How have you been affected by the cancellation of the Edinburgh festivals?

If you were planning on performing or attending the festivals, we’d like to hear from youThe cancellation of this year’s Edinburgh festivals, including the world-famous fringe, will be felt far and wide. This year, the August festivals were due to welc…

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Edinburgh’s August festivals cancelled due to coronavirus

Fringe joins international, book and art festivals and military tattoo in pulling plugEdinburgh absence will be felt throughout arts worldCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageEdinburgh’s five August festivals, which were due to w…

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Comedy’s coronavirus crisis: ‘performers are in deep, deep trouble’

With gigs cancelled and no support given to an art form that Art Council England does not officially recognise, comedians fear the worstCoronavirus and culture – a list of major cancellationsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverage‘…

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Sadie Clark on dating, swipe culture and creating a ‘bisexual Bridget Jones’

Algorithms, Clark’s hilarious one-woman show, triumphed at the Edinburgh fringe. Is a hit TV series on the way?Sadie Clark is one of theatre’s most exciting rising stars but back in 2017 she was in a rut. Depressed and anxious, she couldn’t stop checki…

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‘It still frightens me’: Tommy Tiernan on 25 years in comedy, from the Perrier to Derry Girls

The titan of Irish comics is on a roll after his sitcom and chatshow success, but he is still excited and overwhelmed by the art of standup‘The older you get,” asks Tommy Tiernan, “do you get lazy, and complacent? Or do you get more joyfully reckless? …

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A front-row sofa at the theatre: binging on VR fringe shows

LIVR allows subscribers to catch up on theatre in 360-degree virtual reality. How does it compare with the fringe experience?I’m having a beer and enjoying an Edinburgh fringe show from the front row. But I’m on the sofa rather than a folding chair, th…

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Going to see standup comedy? Don’t fear the front row!

Sitting near a performer puts you in the firing line – but it also makes you an invaluable part of any comedy showJohn Oliver looked into my eyes and cocked his head. We held each other’s gaze. On the “stage” of an upstairs room in a grimy little pub, …

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Jordan Brookes: ‘I wanted to be the existential Michael MacIntyre’

After years working in bars and call centres, Brookes’ absurdist show netted him the Edinburgh comedy award. So why does he want to want to blow the whole thing up? It’s an hour after Jordan Brookes’s life changed, and we’re sitting in a cafe yards fro…

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