A bot walks into a bar … Edinburgh fringe performers use AI to write jokes

All aspects of artificial intelligence will get the comic treatment at this summer’s festivalA comedy show is probably not the first place to hear about a burning new issue, but standup routines have a habit of swiftly reflecting the worries of our tim…

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Happiness! Ken Dodd exhibition to open at the Museum of Liverpool

The comedian, who died in 2018, will be remembered in a new exhibition that brings together props, costumes and an interactive ‘giggle map’Tickling sticks, a Dicky Mint puppet and a Yorick skull complete with protruding teeth will go on display in Sept…

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Newsroom satire Drop the Dead Donkey to return in stage revival

The stage version of the much-loved sitcom, which finished on TV 25 years ago, will be written by the duo behind the original series and feature several members of the original castSnooty news anchor Sally Smedley, gung-ho reporter Damien Day and etern…

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New playwriting prize for comedy launched in honour of Victoria Wood

Conceived by the artistic director of Birmingham Rep, Sean Foley, the award will be open to all with the winner receiving £25,000A new playwriting prize dedicated to comedy has been launched in honour of Victoria Wood on what would have been the standu…

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Spitting Image stages revival – and this time the puppets are on a mission

Live theatre version of 1980s TV satire features Tom Cruise and other showbiz stars trying to save ‘broken Britain’Writing a political satire for the stage in today’s tumultuous times is no easy task, as the writers of the new Spitting Image Live were …

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Spitting Image stages revival – and this time the puppets are on a mission

Live theatre version of 1980s TV satire features Tom Cruise and other showbiz stars trying to save ‘broken Britain’Writing a political satire for the stage in today’s tumultuous times is no easy task, as the writers of the new Spitting Image Live were …

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Truss, Holly and Phil and MPs inspire UK’s best Christmas cracker jokes

In keeping with tradition, jokes chosen by Gold TV poll more likely to elicit groans of despair than laughterJokes about Phil Schofield, Liz Truss, and the cost of living crisis are among the best contemporary Christmas cracker jokes selected by the Br…

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Peter Kay brought to tears on opening night of comeback tour

Comedian appeared overwhelmed by reception as he took to stage at start of first comedy tour in 12 yearsPeter Kay was moved to tears on the opening night of his first live comedy tour in 12 years.The comedian received a rapturous standing ovation that …

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Peter Kay review – from tried and tested everyman routine to jaw-dropping pageant

Manchester ArenaAfter 12 years away from the stage, the slimmed-down entertainer is more unapologetically nostalgic than everNo hotcake ever sold in greater quantity than tickets for Peter Kay’s new tour: at one stage in my own bid for access, I was nu…

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Ryan Reynolds to appear at Just for Laughs comedy festival at O2 London

The festival will celebrate 40th anniversary in 2023 with London shows featuring the actor talking to Rob Delaney, plus host of standup actsJust for Laughs, the comedy festival that began in Canada in 1983, will celebrate its 40th anniversary next year…

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