All stories by Brian Logan on BroadwayStars

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Adam Kay review " lurid comedy, lyrical flair and blunt NHS humour by Brian Logan

Bloomsbury theatre, LondonDoc-turned-comic Kay recalls Christmases spent in hospitals " with anecdotes about peanut butter, ill-used confectionery and a blast of Spandau Ballet 'Christmas co…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:24PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Jim Jefferies review " filthy comic leaves a nasty stench by Brian Logan

O2 Arena, LondonGlimpses of wit float to the surface in this sex-and-excrement bonanza … but are quickly flushed away by tedious misogyny Two trips to the O2 in 10 days: two shows wallowin…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:54PM[SHARE]
Monday, December 2, 2019

An Act of God review " the Almighty returns to Earth and she's mad as hell by Brian Logan

Vaults, LondonZoe Lyons is a pyjama-clad deity with wrath-management issues and a retinue of doubtful angels in David Javerbaum's enjoyable comedy It began as a Twitter account, which begat …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:24AM[SHARE]
Sunday, December 1, 2019

Jack Dee: Off the Telly review " new targets, same old grump by Brian Logan

Chequer Mead, East GrinsteadAttacks on Extinction Rebellion and smashed avacado keep Dee in default pissed-off mode, but there are a few inspired moments Jack Dee speaks out of a diagonal mo…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:03AM[SHARE]
Thursday, November 28, 2019

John Kearns review " a toothy, tragicomic delight by Brian Logan

Soho theatre, LondonKearns delivers a day-in-the-drab-life of a man with dreams, toting suburban existentialism in a style all his own Time was, I'd have bet my house against Count Arthur St…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:48PM[SHARE]
Monday, November 25, 2019

Cinderella review " woke meets trad at pop panto by Brian Logan

Lyric Hammersmith, LondonPrince Charming? You must be joking " but this show will still leave families and festive fun-seekers satisfied You might think assignations with princes have lost t…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:33AM[SHARE]

Ardal O'Hanlon review " shrugging off the ghost of Father Dougal by Brian Logan

Brighton DomeIn an endearing but gentle show, the comedian tries to leave his Father Ted alter ego behind Father Dougal casts a long shadow, Ardal O'Hanlon laments at the start of his tourin…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 02:48AM[SHARE]
Sunday, November 24, 2019

Jack Whitehall review " puerile, inauthentic and by-numbers jokes by Brian Logan

O2 Arena, LondonThe comic, who doesn't seem to have any interest in people or the world, puts on a weak show with anecdotes that ring untrue It's not an auspicious start to Jack Whitehall's …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:06AM[SHARE]
Sunday, November 17, 2019

Rob Beckett review " class-based laughs from a cheeky chappie by Brian Logan

Fairfield Halls, LondonThe perky comic provides plenty of material and eye-rolling at how the other half live but some of the jokes flatline Some marry for love, some for money, and some " y…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:54AM[SHARE]
Thursday, November 14, 2019

Fern Brady: Power and Chaos review " a scattergun blast of cynicism by Brian Logan

Soho theatre, LondonThe Scottish comic hits some acerbic highs with an oddly episodic set that hops from politics to porn to parenthood 'Scary. Brutal. Forthright." That's how Fern Brady fi…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:12PM[SHARE]
Sunday, November 10, 2019

Tim Minchin review " a triumphant comeback that is short on laughs by Brian Logan

Eventim Apollo, LondonIn his first tour for eight years, the Australian polymath offers up a three-hour spectacular tracing the story of his life Tim Minchin was "misdiagnosed" as a comedian…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 02:03PM[SHARE]
Thursday, November 7, 2019

Stewart Lee: Tornado / Snowflake review " joyously funny by Brian Logan

Leicester Square theatre, LondonWith typical deftness, the standup has made his scintillating two-part show a hymn to political correctness and a giddy attack on lefty sensibilities What is …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:18PM[SHARE]
Monday, November 4, 2019

Count Arthur Strong review " fuzzy logic and cosmic nonsense by Brian Logan

Leicester Square theatre, LondonAt every turn, the confused 'astronomer-in-chief' gives us something to marvel at " from crap ventriloquism to the films of 'Dustbin Hoffman' At least in the …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:48PM[SHARE]
Thursday, October 31, 2019

Lou Sanders review " feminism, desire and a 12-month 'man ban' by Brian Logan

Soho theatre, LondonSanders is genial company in her new hour, Say Hello to Your New Step-Mummy, but this isn't a big-hitting show Lou Sanders made a big leap forward with her 2018 show Sham…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:33PM[SHARE]
Monday, October 28, 2019

Lenny Henry review " clips, gossip and a night of self-congratulation by Brian Logan

Watford ColosseumThe comedian has his buddy Jon Canter tee up one big-name anecdote after another in a cosy night that pays tribute … to himself At one point in his touring show, Lenny Hen…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:12AM[SHARE]
Friday, October 25, 2019

Hannah Gadsby review " Nanette follow-up doesn't surprise, but delights by Brian Logan

New Theatre, OxfordFollowing the success of her 2017 smash hit, the Australian comedian returns triumphant with a confident routine about her dog, her body and her out-and-proud neurodiversi…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:06AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, October 22, 2019

David Baddiel on God, gags and being trolled " 'It hurts and then I think: material!' by Brian Logan

The comedian has written his first play " on whether science can prove that the Almighty exists. But first, there are some hecklers to deal with ... Schrödinger's cat can be both alive and…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:36AM[SHARE]
Saturday, October 19, 2019

Hannah Gadsby: 'Quit comedy? I can't " I've got no other skillset!' by Brian Logan

The comic was due to retire, until her show Nanette made her an overnight star. So how does she plan to top it? Over her 10-year standup career, Hannah Gadsby had played to more than a few t…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 04:42AM[SHARE]
Thursday, October 17, 2019

Josh Widdicombe review " the fine art of whingeing by Brian Logan

Cliffs Pavilion, Southend The focus stays on the everyday as the standup works himself into a shrill rage. It would get repetitive if he wasn't so good at it 'I realise that this show is me …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:36AM[SHARE]
Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Kate Berlant review " one of comedy's most electrifying performers by Brian Logan

Soho theatre, LondonIn the hilarious persona of a millennial narcissist blessing the audience with her precious jokes, Berlant's impro-comedy is blazingly in-the-moment 'This was incredible …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:48AM[SHARE]
Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Kate Berlant: 'There's a connection between being psychic and improv' by Brian Logan

She's had small roles in hipster thriller Search Party and the new Tarantino movie but comedy is Berlant's first love. Why? Because it's 'a place of terror' To fellow comic Bo Burnham, she i…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 03:36AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Ben Elton review " bracing return of a sexagenarian all at sea by Brian Logan

Nottingham PlayhouseFifteen years since he last performed standup, Elton's new show humbly embraces the madness of the modern world 'It hasn't been easy," says Ben Elton, "trying to decide …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:18AM[SHARE]
Monday, September 30, 2019

Brydon, Mack & Mitchell review " backchat and banter from TV trio by Brian Logan

Cliffs Pavilion, SouthendRob Brydon, Lee Mack and David Mitchell take the off-the-cuff gags of Would I Lie to You? on the road for a nonessential but entertaining night of comedy The panel s…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:03PM[SHARE]
Sunday, September 29, 2019

Eddie Izzard review " surreal, featherlight sugar on the pill of messianic politics by Brian Logan

Brighton DomeThe would-be MP's 'last' standup show teems with delightful animals and gobbledook but often feels in need of an edit 'This is my last tour before politics," says Eddie Izzard, …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 05:54AM[SHARE]
Thursday, September 26, 2019

Ben Elton's return to standup: 'I'm as scared as I get' by Brian Logan

Back on tour for the first time in 15 years, the trailblazing comedian has some scores to settle. How can he be a sellout, he asks, if he was never radical to begin with? They say you should…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 05:12AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Steve Martin and Martin Short: 'Do you think the Queen will come to our show?' by Brian Logan

Two of the Three Amigos are hitting the road with a banter and banjo-filled double act. But it's not about nostalgia, they insist "I'm a Guardian subscriber!" Oh, come now, Steve, you're jus…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:03AM[SHARE]
Sunday, September 22, 2019

Bianca del Rio review " startlingly mean drag star loves to hate by Brian Logan

Wembley Arena, London Though the timing is spot-on, the comedian's outrageous swipes at every sexuality, race and even disability descend to cliche as their wickedness exceeds their wit It'…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 04:03PM[SHARE]
Friday, September 20, 2019

Romesh Ranganathan review " entertaining grouchiness from TV's Mr Ubiquitous by Brian Logan

Royal Concert Hall, NottinghamIf the domesticity subject matter is well-worn, the Crawley comic's vivacity keeps it fresh You know your career has taken off when you become " as Romesh Ranga…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:42AM[SHARE]

The 50 best comedians of the 21st century by Hannah J Davies, Paul Fleckney, Harriet Gibsone, Brian Logan and Stuart Heritage

From apocalyptic standup Frankie Boyle to the many hilarious faces of Tina Fey, Steve Coogan, Sharon Horgan and Kristen Wiig, we present the funniest comics of the era Our No 1 comedian's f…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 03:18AM[SHARE]
Monday, September 16, 2019

'75% of the audience get it!' How Count Arthur Strong conquered comedy by Brian Logan

As the dyspeptic old-school entertainer embarks on a tour, his creator Steve Delaney reflects on dedicating his life to one character Comedy has its careerists: thrusting tyros zeroing in on…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:54PM[SHARE]

Frankie Boyle review " scorched-earth standup serves up a self-interrogation by Brian Logan

King's theatre, GlasgowOn his first home tour for a decade, Boyle tempered bad-taste gags by trying to decide whether his trademark humour has any worth in extreme times Australian standup H…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:42AM[SHARE]

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