Review: Pappy's, Edinburgh Fringe 2012
This is my review of Pappy's that ran during the Edinburgh Festival last August. I was on the Foster's Award Panel and I really thought they had a chance of winning it. Their shows had always been huge...
View ArticleTV Review: Badults, BBC3
There is a lot riding on Pappy's new BBC3 sitcom Badults. The much-loved sketch combo has already had two tries at transferring their lunatic stage sensibility, doing a pair of C4 Comedy Lab pilots, so...
View ArticleOpinion: Is The Edinburgh Bubble About to Burst?
There is a section in Daniel Kitson's current show, After The Beginning. Before The End, in which he talks about his difficulties with relationships. When he loves someone they don't love him and vice...
View ArticleEdinburgh Preview: Juliette Burton
Performers are always asking me how to get coverage in the media. The trouble is that I’m in the media and I’m not sure if I know the answer myself. There certainly isn’t a formula. I usually say “work...
View ArticleEdinburgh Preview: Phil Kay
Phil Kay is a comedy legend. Period. Do I really need to say more? The madcap Scot has always done things his own way, occasionally rubbing shoulders with the mainstream but never compromising. He was...
View ArticleEdinburgh Preview: Pete Firman
Every few years on slow news days journalists dust off the old “magic is the new rock and roll” story. This year, though, it might almost be true. As well as Derren Brown touring, there are two major...
View ArticleEdinburgh Preview: New Jewish Jokes
I've got a confesion to make. When I saw Ivor Dembina in Edinburgh a couple of years ago I nominated him for A Dave Award. Not for the Best Joke of the Fringe but for the Worst Joke of the Fringe....
View ArticleEdinburgh Preview: Trygve Wykenshaw
There seems to be no stopping the inexorable rise of clowning on the Fringe. Ever since Dr Brown won the Edinburgh Comedy Award in 2012 I feel as as I have been inundated by press releases mentioning...
View ArticleEdinburgh Preview: Matt Forde
Satirist Matt Forde has a problem. Just as he mastered his Ed Miliband impression Ed went and got wiped out at the election. Forde now has to master either Andy Burnham, Jeremy Corbyn or put on a...
View ArticleInterview: Rarely Asked Questions – Michael Dolan
Comedy's bleak philosopher is back asking the questions nobody else will. When did I last go outside? Am I already dead? How are you meant to maintain a happy marriage in the face of the unstoppable...
View ArticleInterview: Rarely Asked Questions – Pat Cahill
People talk about overnight success in comedy but it’s not really like that. Anyone who breaks through has probably been slogging away on the circuit for years, gigging to one man and his dog before...
View ArticleEdinburgh Preview: Harry Deansway
Harry Deansway’s place in British comedy history is assured. He is one of those noble idiots who has attempted to make a success out of publishing a comedy magazine. The Fix was a regular fixture on...
View ArticleEdinburgh Preview: David Mills
I was one of the judges when David Mills won the New Act of the Year in 2011 when the competition moved from the Hackney Empire to the Barbican. I suspect it was a pretty unanimous decision. He had...
View ArticleReview: Sofie Hagen, Liquid Room Annexe
****When Sofie Hagen decides to do something she certainly follows through. Whether it is becoming the world’s biggest Westlife fan at the age of 13 or making it on the UK stand-up circuit. The...
View ArticleEdinburgh Fringe Review: Liam Williams, Laughing Horse @ Free Sisters
***Liam Williams has one of the best voices in stand-up. In two senses. He has a deeply resonant, Yorkshire tone and he often says something, angry, political and relevant. Following last year’s...
View ArticleEdinburgh Fringe Review: Jo Neary, Assembly Rooms
****In comedy there are people who change and people who hone one particular thing to the point of absolute perfection. John Shuttleworth is one of the latter and so, to a slightly lesser extent, is Jo...
View ArticleNews: Richard Gadd Wins Amused Moose Award
Richard Gadd has been crowned winner of the Amused Moose Comedy Award 2015. Musical impressionist Jess Robinson was voted People's Champion at the grand final at the Space @ Symposium Hall. Full review...
View ArticleNews: Darren Walsh Wins Dave's Funniest Joke of the Fringe
TV channel Dave has announced the winner of the eighth annual award for Dave’s Funniest Joke of the Fringe.In his first ever full length show, Edinburgh pun-dit Darren Walsh has this year come top with...
View ArticleEdinburgh Fringe Review: Luke Toulson, The Stand
****A few years ago comedian Dan Tetsell did an Edinburgh show about the discovery that his grandfather was a German soldier in WW2. Maybe Luke Toulson should form an double act with Tetsell. Despite...
View ArticleEdinburgh Fringe Review: Rhys James, Pleasance Courtyard
****Rhys James was on the cusp of a breakthrough with his show last year. The follow-up is another step in the right direction for this young comic who pretty much has star-in-waiting running through...
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