Edinburgh festival 2024: the best comedy, theatre and dance already reviewed

Five-star standup, late-night debauchery, staggering circus tricks … as the arts spectacular approaches, here are some of the shows rated by our writersGary McNair builds a joyful one-man show from interviews with ordinary people about what they think …

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Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society CEO defends Baillie Gifford sponsorship

Investment management firm cancelled deals with UK literary festivals over links to Israel and fossil fuel companiesThe chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has robustly defended its sponsorship by Baillie Gifford, after the investm…

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The Government Inspector review – Ghosts stars team up for cartoonish corruption satire

Marylebone theatre, LondonKiell Smith-Bynoe and Martha Howe-Douglas ably embody Gogol’s schemers, but this show doesn’t hit any 21st-century targetsYou can see why, in 2024, one might revive Gogol’s play about rampant government corruption, and adaptor…

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Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith announce stage version of Inside No 9

The pair, whose final season of the hit horror-comedy will air on the BBC this month, say the West End production will feature familiar characters and fresh surprisesAs the ninth and final series of their BBC hit Inside No 9 begins this month, Steve Pe…

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John Cleese cut N-word from Fawlty Towers revival because people ‘don’t understand irony’

Speaking at launch for West End adaptation, Cleese complains about literal-minded viewers ‘not playing with a full deck’John Cleese said that he decided to cut the N-word from a scene in his West End Fawlty Towers revival because in contemporary Britai…

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John Cleese cut N-word from Fawlty Towers revival because people ‘don’t understand irony’

Speaking at launch for West End adaptation, Cleese complains about literal-minded viewers ‘not playing with a full deck’John Cleese said that he decided to cut the N-word from a scene in his West End Fawlty Towers revival because in contemporary Britai…

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Doctor Brown: Beturns review – the original clown prince in total control

Soho theatre, LondonPhil Burgers made clowning hip after winning the Edinburgh comedy award in 2012. Now older, if not wiser, his new show is a little undercooked, but his skill as a performer is undeniableClown is the hippest thing in comedy right now…

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Monét X Change: Life Be Lifein’ review – Drag Race champ’s fabulous rise to fame

Soho theatre, LondonThe star’s stage presence is impressive as she charts the journey from her religious upbringing to her first sexual encounters and becoming an adored icon“Premium ticketholders will get a post-show meet and greet opportunity.” That’…

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Monét X Change: Life Be Lifein’ review – Drag Race champ’s fabulous rise to fame

Soho theatre, LondonThe star’s stage presence is impressive as she charts the journey from her religious upbringing to her first sexual encounters and becoming an adored icon“Premium ticketholders will get a post-show meet and greet opportunity.” That’…

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‘We are devastated’: London’s Vault festival to close after funding falls through

Launchpad for theatre and comedy talent, which had planned to open its new longterm home this year, announces its closureLondon’s Vault festival, which has kickstarted countless theatre and comedy careers in a warren of performance spaces beneath Water…

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