A funny thing happened on the way here: comedians get personal about their backstage dramas

In their new shows, anarchic theatre company Spymonkey and sketch duo Max and Ivan place the spotlight on their own lives more than ever beforeIf you’re making comedy, or funny theatre, what’s the last thing you should include in your show? For years –…

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Expats review – Chicago’s improv squad riff on the ridiculous

Soho theatre, LondonThis quartet – familiar from Veep, SNL and Second City – respond well to audience suggestions but keep rebooting the process rather than delivering a full storyAs anyone who’s seen the great TJ & Dave at this venue can testify, …

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‘I wanted to be serious – but people would laugh so hard’: Julia Masli on her accidental comedy masterpiece

Her midnight agony aunt clown show became the hot ticket of the fringe – despite the fact that the Estonian never regarded herself as a comic. In fact, she says, she much prefers making audiences cry‘But it’s a serious show!!!” tweeted Julia Masli when…

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The best theatre, dance and comedy tickets to book in 2024

The new year’s hottest shows include stage versions of Minority Report, Spirited Away and La Strada, performances by Keeley Hawes and Ian McKellen – plus laughs from Julia Masli, Rhod Gilbert and Ania Magliano• More from the 2024 culture preview Contin…

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The best theatre, comedy and dance of 2023

Our critics’ highlights of the year include a 24-hour marathon, a standup welcoming hecklers, a reboot of The Matrix and a bus ride filled with emotion• More on the best culture of 202310. Standing at the Sky’s EdgeOne iconic housing estate in Sheffiel…

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The best theatre, comedy and dance of 2023

Our critics’ highlights of the year include a 24-hour marathon, a standup welcoming hecklers, a reboot of The Matrix and a bus ride filled with emotion• More on the best culture of 202310. Standing at the Sky’s EdgeOne iconic housing estate in Sheffiel…

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‘I experienced everyday sexism while reading Everyday Sexism’: how Katie Arnstein turns anger into laughs

She started out doing panto tours of northern garden centres. But Arnstein is now emerging as a thrilling performer, turning the shocks of her life – sexual harassment, her mum’s cancer – into bracing solo showsKatie Arnstein greets you at her theatre …

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Pandemonium review – Armando Iannucci’s furiously funny takedown of No 10

Soho theatre, LondonBoris Johnson and his successors Less Trust and Riches Sooner are satirised in a superb political pantomime directed by Patrick MarberKeenly anticipated since its summer announcement, Pandemonium finds the last seven years of Britis…

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Pandemonium review – Armando Iannucci’s furiously funny takedown of No 10

Soho theatre, LondonBoris Johnson and his successors Less Trust and Riches Sooner are satirised in a superb political pantomime directed by Patrick MarberKeenly anticipated since its summer announcement, Pandemonium finds the last seven years of Britis…

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Heard the one about the 80 banana skins? The chaotic world of comedy props

From Bill O’Neill’s slippery skins to Grubby Little Mitts’ ping-pong eyeballs, performers explain why their comedy leans on more than a mic stand‘I have this illusion that I’m in charge of what’s going on, but there are all these bananas on stage, and …

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