The standup on his hateful first gig, battling with comedian DJs and whether he was right to pick A Fish Called Wanda as his funniest filmWho inspired you when you were first starting out?This is not the first time I have given the answer Simon Amstell…
Continue ReadingThe comedian on extreme nail-biting, a run-in with a copper, and buying his own Chitty Chitty Bang BangBorn in Salford, Greater Manchester, Jason Manford, 42, began his comedy career at 17. He was nominated for the Edinburgh fringe’s Perrier award in 2…
Continue ReadingPreston Park, BrightonMatafeo offers up heartbreak hilarity and Wang brings his dad jacket to the charming outdoor event with the nastiest hecklers on the south coastIt is, says host Suzie Ruffell, the only gig where you get heckled by gulls. Or worse:…
Continue ReadingAt a late hour, the former Perrier has found new sponsors. Some winners have mixed feelings about it but the prize brings attention to an art form that doesn’t get enough appreciationThe comedy industry, standups with dreams of glory and canapé waiters…
Continue ReadingCracking comedy, an eclectic mix of theatre – and aerial dance in an ice rink. Our critics share their picks for the August arts extravaganzaRhod Gilbert: Work in Progress Gilded Balloon Teviot Continue reading…
Continue ReadingSoho theatre, LondonNewman’s boffin-ish routines reach for huge ideas about humankind and its ancestors via Gary Numan and DH LawrenceThe closing song of Rob Newman’s new show hymns homo ergaster, a species of ancient human who – to our host’s approval…
Continue ReadingAs a comedian, Jones is known for her wit and enthusiasm, but her new documentary tackles the horrendous abuse she and other disabled people face. She discusses fame, therapy, flaws and backlashRosie Jones always wears earphones when she’s out alone. S…
Continue ReadingThe standup on dressing funny, stealing material from his nan and how a seven-minute set from Omid Djalili led to an obsession with comedyHow would you describe your style of comedy?Honest. Too honest. It’s got to the point where my family don’t want t…
Continue ReadingA Netflix standup show was ‘written by bots’. A TV writer has scripted joke software. And now artificial intelligence is taking on improvI’ve seen some bad comedy acts over the years – but not, until now, one that is part of an existential threat to hu…
Continue ReadingTheatre Royal, Drury LaneParks and Recreation actor is his own modest self in a show that has rugged charm in spades, from his rocking-chair-on-the-stoop delivery of stories to entertaining acoustic guitar songsRon Swanson is why everyone’s here – but …
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