All stories by Brian Logan on BroadwayStars

Friday, August 9, 2013

David Trent: This Is All I Have " Edinburgh festival 2013 review by Brian Logan

Pleasance DomeThis ex-teacher needs to find a subject more worthy of his angry intelligence than disingenuous ad campaignsTV Burp meets Brass Eye, with added self-loathing. Interested, commi…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:57AM[SHARE]

Nick Helm: One Man Mega Myth " Edinburgh festival 2013 review by Brian Logan

Pleasance CourtyardHelm's incarnation as Evel Knievel makes for an exhilarating start to the show " but it's his songs that redeem his shoutingYou can shuffle on stage to a smattering of app…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:44AM[SHARE]
Thursday, August 8, 2013

Max and Ivan " Edinburgh festival 2013 review by Brian Logan

Pleasance DomePuns, pinging punchlines and geographical foreplay make this comic play a warm-hearted winnerAmong the many characters in their new comic play The Reunion, Max Olesker and Ivan…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:13AM[SHARE]

Claudia O'Doherty " review by Brian Logan

Pleasance CourtyardO'Doherty's overconfidence is amusing and her gags are good, yet her fantasies about fame lack real substanceNominated for last year's Edinburgh Comedy award, Claudia O'Do…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:10AM[SHARE]

Comedy at Edinburgh: when's best to watch it? by Brian Logan

The assumption that laughter is a dish best served drunk is being challenged. Meanwhile, Mark Thomas baits Ian Rankin and Gráinne Maguire elects to go politicalHalf past four is cooler th…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:45AM[SHARE]

Hannah Gadsby " Edinburgh festival 2013 review by Brian Logan

Assembly RoxyAnyone whose self-consciousness has loomed large will find much to enjoy in this Australian comic's showWe've all had issues with self-esteem, right? But how many of us have alm…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 05:04AM[SHARE]
Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Sara Pascoe: And now for Nietzsche ... by Brian Logan

Sara Pascoe is thriving at standup, but she'd rather be an 18th-century essayist. She talks to Brian Logan about politics, philosophy " and gigging with the RSCUsually, when you interview a …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:41PM[SHARE]

Mark Thomas " Edinburgh festival 2013 review by Brian Logan

Stand Comedy ClubFrom shoplifting smut to protesting at an Apple store " the riskier Thomas's exploits, the funnier his comedyIt's hard to believe, but Mark Thomas took a break from politica…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:33PM[SHARE]

Nat Luurtsema stages her breakup, and Red Bastard gets strangers snogging " Edinburgh comedy diary by Brian Logan

At the Edinburgh festival, Nat Luurtsema battles bad acoustics and a broken heart, David Quirk ponders cheating and Eric Davis's alter ego sets about demolishing some inhibitionsNo money: th…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:17PM[SHARE]
Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Liam Williams " Edinburgh festival 2013 review by Brian Logan

Just the Tonic at the TronThe comedy of disenfranchised, disillusioned Generation Y is upon us. It's been coming: Alfie Brown's show last year " a fierce attack on comedy and our cultural li…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:34PM[SHARE]

Edinburgh fringe 2013: what's the best comedy venue? by Brian Logan

The Stand, the Cabaret Bar and Pleasance Courtyard have had legendary shows " but could there be a better place? Plus, all the rest of the day's fringe newsThe best standup stages on the fri…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:36PM[SHARE]

Bridget Christie " review by Brian Logan

Stand Comedy Club"I am to Simone de Beauvoir what Horrible Histories are to Simon Schama," says Bridget Christie. It's true, and it's a breakthrough for this always endearing but until now o…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:42AM[SHARE]
Monday, August 5, 2013

Edinburgh fringe 2013: stand-up stars new and old prepare to have last laugh by Brian Logan

Phill Jupitus, David Baddiel and Harry Potter star Jessie Cave among those who will perform at this year's festivalFor comedy fans, Fringe 2013 offers the traditional combination of hyped ne…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:21PM[SHARE]

Baconface " Edinburgh festival 2013 review by Brian Logan

Stand Comedy ClubA Stewart Lee set is such a rarefied thing, its every word and beat so achingly precise, you wouldn't blame Lee for wanting to let his hair down. Step forward the "cult 1980…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:16PM[SHARE]

Aisling Bea " Edinburgh festival 2013 review by Brian Logan

Gilded Ballon, EdinburghAisling Bea won last year's So You Think You're Funny?, a prize for new comedians that boasts a list of past winners including Peter Kay and Lee Mack. On the strength…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:15PM[SHARE]

Stewart Lee returns … and Will Adamsdale put his back out " Edinburgh comedy diary by Brian Logan

The 'saint of division and dissent' is back in town with a new show, Much A-Stew About Nothing, but audiences will have to wait for their latest sighting of the 2004 Perrier award winner Ada…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:17AM[SHARE]
Sunday, August 4, 2013

Michael Che " review by Brian Logan

Assembly Rooms, EdinburghIn his native USA, Michael Che writes for Saturday Night Live and features on all the "Comics to watch" lists. It's easy to see why. He is composed, has an eye for a…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:39PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Christopher Green/Piff the Magic Dragon " review by Brian Logan

Shoreditch Town Hall, LondonIf it's surprising that Piff the Magic Dragon supported Mumford & Sons and played a sell-out season at Sydney Opera House, it's not only because it's a bloke and …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:39PM[SHARE]
Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping " review by Brian Logan

Battersea Arts Centre, LondonIf you want to draw attention to the fact that the earth is burning, worse things can happen than your show being interrupted by a fire alarm. In the event, Reve…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:47PM[SHARE]

Tim Allen demands to use the n-word by Brian Logan

The US actor sparks a fresh debate about racial jokes " and isn't the only one. Meanwhile, could Ricky Gervais swing a record deal for David Brent? And Spotify launches a comedy appThis week…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:23AM[SHARE]
Monday, July 29, 2013

Luisa Omielan: destiny's comic by Brian Logan

Luisa Omielan is aiming to be as big in standup as the inspiration for her show, Beyoncé, is in pop"You're going to think I'm a dick," says Luisa Omielan, "but I've always wanted …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 02:29PM[SHARE]

Luisa Omielan: destiny's comic by Brian Logan

Luisa Omielan is aiming to be as big in standup as the inspiration for her show, Beyoncé, is in pop Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 02:29PM[SHARE]
Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Woody Allen wants to make a Louis CK comedy by Brian Logan

The director reveals he is a 'great fan' of the US standup comic. Meanwhile, Geri Halliwell looks set to star in her own TV comedy show and London's Glee Club isn't happyThis week's comedy n…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:45AM[SHARE]
Monday, July 22, 2013

Jason Manford " review by Brian Logan

Assembly Halls, Tunbridge WellsIn fairness to Jason Manford, he told us it'd be trivial. The show is called First World Problems, after the popular Twitter hashtag for things that irk privil…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:49PM[SHARE]

Latitude comedy review: standup takes over the festival by Brian Logan

Huge crowds for sets by Tim Key, Dylan Moran and others show how popular comedy is at music festivals; no wonder standup was spilling out all over the site this yearAs a symbol of how comedy…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:14AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Will Frankie Boyle go hungry for Guantánamo's detainees? by Brian Logan

Comic hints that a high-profile hunger strike might be on the cards. And if that wasn't confusing enough, Sunday is now a day of atheism and Jo Brand a product of patriarchyThis week's comed…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:00AM[SHARE]
Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Sarah Silverman's 'anal probe' tweet sparks political row by Brian Logan

Comedian's response to US anti-abortion law no laughing matter for Republicans. Elsewhere, Stewart Lee blasts elitism in comedy and Lenny Henry's thespian thunder rages onThis week's comedy …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:49AM[SHARE]

Sarah Silverman's 'anal probe' tweet sparks political row by Brian Logan

Comedian's response to US anti-abortion law no laughing matter for Republicans. Elsewhere, Stewart Lee blasts elitism in comedy and Lenny Henry's thespian thunder rages on Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:49AM[SHARE]

Reece Shearsmith: 'I'm very unsure of myself as a person' by Brian Logan

Starring in a new film and two sitcoms, the fourth member of The League of Gentlemen is about to become a lot more visible. Not that he wants toPlenty of comedians take up acting; these days…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:39AM[SHARE]

Reece Shearsmith: 'I'm very unsure of myself as a person' by Brian Logan

Starring in a new film and two sitcoms, the fourth member of The League of Gentlemen is about to become a lot more visible. Not that he wants to Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:39AM[SHARE]
Thursday, June 27, 2013

Jake Hurwitz & Amir Blumenfeld with Streeter Seidell " review by Brian Logan

Soho theatreJake Hurwitz and Amir Blumenfeld are a double act who make sketches for the US website CollegeHumor.com. On the strength of this live outing, one fears for the state of American …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:34AM[SHARE]

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