Can you do a whole standup set about blowjobs? The New York comedian thinks so, but don’t assume her show is a feminist rallying cry “Even I would be irritated hearing about this show if I wasn’t me,” admits Jacqueline Novak, who is attempting to accur…
Continue ReadingSoho theatre, LondonBohart’s shift from coupledom into pandemic isolation – and plotting revenge with a drill-happy dentist – is told with relatable warmthFive years ago, Sara Pascoe and John Robins made standup shows about their breakup – both were go…
Continue ReadingThe comedian has fond memories of feeling grownup listening to Macy Gray, and gets Alexa to play Barry White for a laugh. But what does she listen to behind closed doors?The song that is my karaoke go-toI’m really bad at singing, but I’ll have a go any…
Continue ReadingLeicester Square theatre, LondonThe comic who hit it big as Uncle Roger is a zesty stage presence but coasts into a comfort zone of easy cross-cultural wisecracksNigel Ng’s comedy career skyrocketed under lockdown, when his Uncle Roger persona, policin…
Continue ReadingPlaying junior doctor Shruti is a far cry from the standup’s ‘really silly’ sketch comedy but her improv background helped her find moments of levity in Adam Kay’s NHS dramaWhen Ambika Mod was cast in This Is Going to Hurt, Adam Kay’s TV adaptation of …
Continue ReadingNetflixThe terrific standup with the common touch remains an engaging everyman even as the material works in his adventures in showbizMo Gilligan performed no fewer than 10 nights at the 3,000-seat Hammersmith Apollo last autumn, a run now captured for…
Continue ReadingSoho theatre, LondonKey swerves Covid cliches by recreating his professional crisis in silly poems, poignant prose and punchlines involving his five-foot teddy bear companionStruggling to adjust as pandemic restrictions end? Don’t worry, Tim Key has cr…
Continue ReadingFrom a mind-scrambling breakup drama to a tender video game, our critics suggest popular culture inspired by matters of the heartYes, it all takes place after Joel (Jim Carrey) and Clementine (Kate Winslet) have bitterly broken up, but Michel Gondry’s …
Continue ReadingAvailable onlineWeaver chairs as Suzi Ruffell and Paul Sinha field questions from the crowd, Nathan Caton riffs on lockdown with a new girlfriend and Jessica Fostekew talks no-nonsense parentingYou can’t accuse Jackie Weaver of not seizing the opportun…
Continue ReadingAvailable onlineThe American standup takes aim at anti-vaxxers and rightwingers but his contempt also erodes the funAs high-wire openings to a standup show go, this will take some beating. David Cross begins I’m from the Future with the narrative of a …
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