Le Gateau Chocolat: Musicals Mayhem review – dazzling charisma and thundering sonic richness

Soho theatre, London The major showman takes a solo stroll through show tunes, sing alongs and seasonal hits with vocal highlights that leave you gasping for breathSome Christmasses ago, Le Gateau Chocolat and Jonny Woo teamed up for a cabaret double a…

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The Christmas Thing review – Krampus comes to town as cult comedy is retuned for yuletide

Seven Dials Playhouse, LondonTom Clarkson and Owen Visser’s anarchic evening has some bright ideas but may be more fun for those taking part than onlookers‘A festive TV show live onstage,” promise multimedia double act Mr Thing, and they’re qualified t…

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Dick Whittington and His Cat review – the rats have no chance in merry panto

Hackney Empire, London It won’t win prizes for originality, but the joyful ensemble spirit of Clive Rowe’s show will keep the kids happyOne day, a panto may come along in which the story is given as much (OK, even half as much) attention as the dame’s …

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The best theatre to stream this month: Andrew Scott’s Vanya and an Othello with three Iagos

The Fleabag star delivers a bravura solo version of Chekhov’s classic, plus new perspectives on Shakespeare and a starry Rodgers and Hammerstein hoedownAndrew Scott plays every role in Simon Stephens’ Olivier award-winning version of Uncle Vanya, ingen…

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A Six follow-up, an LA clown … and War Horse rides again: theatre, comedy and dance autumn preview

Why Am I So Single sets dating angst to music; more Hollywood stars hit the West End; and a Brummie dance trilogy reaches its finale Continue reading…

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Sir Ken Dodd’s new ‘happiness centre’ tickles me but should be taken seriously | Michael Billington

A £15m, four-storey space in Liverpool is to be dedicated to the man once known as Professor Yaffle Chuckabutty. Let’s hope it will delve as deeply as he did into comedy’s infinite variationsWhat is the legacy of a great comedian? In the past it lay pr…

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A marathon of mirth and stress: comics with chronic health issues on completing Edinburgh fringe

The festival’s relentless pace is demanding for performers, especially with an underlying health condition. Three acts explain how their month has goneAn hour before she was due on stage for the first show of her month-long Edinburgh fringe run, Nina G…

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Reuben Kaye: Live and Intimidating review – the voice of an angel and a devil

Assembly George Square, EdinburghThe mesmerising Australian comic’s song-laced, sassy and polemical set is a clarion call for queer expressionHighest star wattage on the Edinburgh fringe? Give that award to Reuben Kaye right away. Best comedy show? Wel…

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Jobsworth review – caffeinated black comedy with a stupendous performance

Pleasance Courtyard, EdinburghActor-playwright Libby Rodliffe plays plate-spinning Bea, desperately working several jobs, in a monologue co-written with Isley LynnJobsworth is billed as a riotous comedy about a woman, Bea, juggling multiple jobs, some …

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Wankernomics: As Per My Last Email review – humdrum office hellscape

Pleasance Courtyard, EdinburghThese games lampooning business jargon and CV exaggeration are relatable and initially amusing but soon start to dragA grabby title and a clear concept sell tickets at the Edinburgh fringe. Australian comedy duo James Schl…

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