Pleasance Courtyard, EdinburghRobins delivers a masterclass in tone, tempo and character as he shares his failed attempts at flirting and home improvementIf you’re John Robins, there’s always something to be anxious about. In his new show, Hot Shame, i…
Continue ReadingPleasance Courtyard, EdinburghIn her show Venus, the standup explores her sexuality, education and how black people are used as props in white narratives ‘What colour am I?” Sophie Duker asks a white audience member – and it’s a neat way to launch into…
Continue ReadingPleasance Courtyard, EdinburghThe comic best known as a cheeky-chappy explores male emotional inarticulacy and antisemitism When you’ve pranked Theresa May at the Tory conference, or publicly showered ex-Fifa boss Sepp Blatter in dollar bills, performi…
Continue ReadingThe standup, writer and Mock the Week regular on the things that make him laugh the mostNot the Nine O’Clock News, specifically Gerald the gorilla. Continue reading…
Continue ReadingI moved to London in search of bustle, but friends were hard to come by. Then I tried standup and found a community with whom to share my ups and downsI had roughly two friends in London when I moved to the city in 2016. We would meet up for a drink ev…
Continue ReadingFringe of Colour campaigns to persuade venues to give free tickets to young local people of colourIt prides itself on being the biggest arts festival in the world, but the “overwhelming whiteness” of Edinburgh festival fringe can be off-putting to pote…
Continue ReadingComedy is under scrutiny as never before. So when is a joke not a joke? Context, intent and expectations are all key, say leading exponents of the artComedy is such a simple thing. One person tells a joke. Another person laughs. The end. Simple.Except,…
Continue ReadingThe actor, standup and creator of TV sitcom GameFace on the things that make her laugh the mostAnything by Key & Peele, like the terrorist on the plane sketch. Or Cardinal Burns’s acting sketch Fiery Hawk. Also Ellie and Natasia’s new show Ellie &a…
Continue ReadingLeicester Square theatre, LondonOne of the US’s most outspoken social commentators tackles sex and gender in a sparky show that confirms her place in the big league ‘I’ve learned a lot,” says Michelle Wolf at the top of her show, and we all know what s…
Continue ReadingAs the Edinburgh festival approaches, Ed Byrne, Susan Calman, Stevie Martin and others on why their pets are friends, companions and a source of inspirationComedians are needy, so of course we get dogs – they’re always pleased to see you. My cardigan c…
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