Pinpoint parodies of ‘weird church ladies and soccer moms’ made the Ohio comic famous during the pandemic – even if progressives mistake her for the real thingMegan Stalter put a video online recently of a churchgoer from the US midwest distressed to b…
Continue ReadingThe prominent critics of ‘cancel culture’ received nominations for best spoken word album and best comedy album, respectivelyControversial comedians Dave Chappelle and Louis CK, who have both forcefully decried so-called “cancel culture”, have received…
Continue ReadingMenier Chocolate Factory, LondonThe misadventures of a hapless hero led astray by his false friend are funny but don’t quite fill three dimensionsThere was a setback last month for this play inspired by a hit podcast when co-writer and performer Harry …
Continue ReadingTaskmaster’s creator is happy to belt out a tune when fronting the Horne Section. But what’s on his stereo when there’s no one around to judge him?The Loco-Motion by Kylie Minogue. My brother and I were both big Kylie fans and I still stand by it: she’…
Continue ReadingWhether it is epic sci-fi, hilarious standup or a new album to listen to, our critics have your plans for this week coveredBigfoot HuntersOut nowHarking back to the days when first-time directors would borrow a camcorder and make an essentially zero-bu…
Continue ReadingSoho theatre, LondonKingsman spoofs the look-at-me egotism that sometimes animates solo shows, as she heaps meta layer upon layer in a tour de forceIt seems like five minutes ago that Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag was show-of-the-moment at this venue….
Continue ReadingStandups including Suzi Ruffell, Paul Sinha and Lee Peart reveal how hecklers, bookers and ‘the gay slot’ have affected their appearances in the spotlightThe comedian Stephen Bailey was hosting an Instagram Live earlier this year when he got a message …
Continue ReadingThe award-winning standup is known for his exuberance, but, as he writes in his memoir, he has had to dodge snobbery throughout his career. He discusses family, fame and being funnyRob Beckett is one of those comedians without whom many TV formats woul…
Continue ReadingThe comedian, 62, on growing up shy in Middlesbrough, losing his dad, meeting Vic Reeves, and the deep contentment of fishingI was quite a shy boy. Growing up in Middlesbrough, I felt a bit of an outsider. My three elder brothers are funny and boistero…
Continue ReadingFor character comics such as Zach Zucker, Bilal Zafar and Jay Bennett, performing as other people is a way to both escape from – and confront – their personal livesAfter an eventful 18 months away, Zach Zucker is back on a London stage, and making a me…
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