Comedy
Andy Hamilton, Blackheath HallsSunday, 16 May 2010
Most people know Andy Hamilton from his frequent (and very droll) appearances on panel shows such as Have I Got News For You and The News Quiz on television and radio, but he is also a prolific writer. His writing credits could take up the whole of... Read more... |
Hans Teeuwen, Soho TheatreFriday, 14 May 2010
“You pay money I be funny?” There are times in stand-up when it seems the wrong kind of transaction has taken place. A comedian brings a warped vision of the world to a paying public. He – and the weirder ones are always a he – parade neurosis,... Read more... |
American: The Bill Hicks StoryTuesday, 11 May 2010
If I had a fiver for every time I have heard a comic described (usually by the comic himself) as “the new Bill Hicks”, I would be rather comfortably off. It’s tosh, of course, and, as his brother astutely says in American: The Bill Hicks Story, only... Read more... |
Katy Brand, touringFriday, 30 April 2010
The first time I saw Katy Brand was at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2005, where she was performing Celebrities Are Gods in a tiny, windowless basement late at night. Hers was the last show in the room, which by now was a fetid sweatbox, and only a few... Read more... |
Ricky Gervais, Wembley ArenaWednesday, 28 April 2010
Do look away now if you’re squeamish. Why? Because before the star turn has even made his entrance, a film is shown on the screen suspended above the stage. An earnest American advises that there is a global shortage. Jumbo jets have been spraying... Read more... |
La La Land, BBC ThreeTuesday, 27 April 2010
“Marc Wootton is playing characters in real situations with real people” read the message that followed the opening credits of La La Land, as though Wootton were a comedic Archimedes unveiling his Eureka moment, rather than simply the latest “... Read more... |
Shappi Khorsandi, touringSunday, 18 April 2010
It’s not a good thing to be at a comedy gig fit to punch the wall, but I must confess I entered the auditorium for Shappi Khorsandi’s show last night in a less than Zen state. Not that I had arrived up for it, mind; I may be a sarf London girl but... Read more... |
Ken Dodd, Richmond TheatreWednesday, 31 March 2010
This is the first gig I have attended where a sign at the door states: “First act - long. Second act - even longer”. So we have been warned, and as soon as Ken Dodd takes to the stage he refers to his (by now) legendary ultra-lengthy shows. “This... Read more... |
Sean Lock, touringTuesday, 30 March 2010
Sean Lock, as well as being an acclaimed stand-up for many years, has also written for other comics, including Bill Bailey, Lee Evans and Mark Lamarr, and his profile has risen hugely through his stints as team captain on 8 Out of 10 Cats on Channel... Read more... |
The antidote to charity fundraisersThursday, 25 March 2010Next month a concert celebrating the unique career of Humphrey Lyttelton, the great jazzer, broadcaster and quizmaster, will take place at HMV Apollo in Hammersmith, west London. The show, which takes place on 25 April, has been constructed about... Read more... |
Udderbelly @ Southbank 2010Tuesday, 09 March 2010Udderbelly's 2010 season at London's Southbank has been announced and the line-up has some gems. American comic Rob Schneider, veteran of Saturday Night Live, will be the main overseas draw and The Wire fans will be rushing to An Evening With Clarke... Read more... |
Dara O Briain, touringSunday, 07 March 2010
What a joy to welcome Dara O Briain back into the stand-up fold. The Irishman has been away from live performance for five years because he has been busy hosting the panel show Mock the Week and mucking about in boats on various Three Men... series... Read more... |
