Alex Horne looks back: ‘Both my careers – the Horne Section and Taskmaster – are an extension of playing with friends’

Alex Horne, Joe Auckland and Ben Reynolds on being best friends since childhood, their shared love of comedy, and spending their birthdays togetherBorn in 1978 in Chichester, West Sussex, Alex Horne is a comedian and co-host and creator of&nb…

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Loud and queer: Gareth Thomas, Rosie Jones and more on the culture that helped them find their true selves

From a rugby great to a former MP, LGBTQ stars spill the beans on the shows, songs and films that made them understand their identityBronski Beat – Smalltown Boy Continue reading…

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On my radar: comedian Sophie Duker’s cultural highlights

The London-born standup on a magical Netflix animation, Joe Lycett’s activist T-shirt, and how she fell in love with pole dancingThe comedian Sophie Duker was born in London in 1990. She studied French and English at Oxford, where she got into improv, …

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Who’s laughing now? The gags that derailed comedy careers

Kyle Gass’s ill-judged Donald Trump assassination jibe has put Tenacious D on ice. Will he be for ever cancelled, or bounce back like Billy Connolly and Jo Brand?On the edge. Walking a tightrope. When we admire comedy for its outspokenness, we make it …

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Jazz Emu: Knight Fever review – fun synthpop pastiche about a frontman striving for glory

Soho theatre, LondonHalf musical comedy, half party, Archie Henderson’s show ranges far and wide over the travails of his slinky singer vying for a knighthoodIt’s the Royal Variety Performance – or at least, a pre-show rehearsal in the dingy room downs…

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Rachel Parris: Poise review – satirical songs elevate standup’s acerbic wit

Leicester Square theatre, LondonThe Mash Report comedian’s material on middle age is sharp but it’s her political musical numbers that really hit homeIf life begins at 40, where does that leave the decades already under your belt? Rachel Parris fashion…

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On my radar: Katherine Ryan’s cultural highlights

The comedian on her favourite new painter, the downfall of Diddy, and wanting to save Britney SpearsBorn in Ontario, Canada in 1983, comedian Katherine Ryan won the Funny Women award in 2008. Since then she has appeared on numerous TV sitcoms and panel…

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‘One-off talent’: UK comedy composer Steve Brown dies aged 66

Hit 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….

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‘One-off talent’: UK comedy composer Steve Brown dies aged 69

Hit 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….

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The Horne Section’s Christmas Shindig review – peas and harmony from Taskmaster star

Indigo at the O2, LondonAlex Horne’s musical comedy band serve up peachy and puerile puns in an endearing, occasionally festive showThe Horne Section. A Christmas show. You can see the logic. They’re a jolly bunch, Alex Horne is forever pulling goodies…

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