All stories by Brian Logan on BroadwayStars

Friday, March 31, 2017

Henning Wehn review " Brit-baiting banter from Germany's comedy ambassador by Brian Logan

Leicester Square theatre, LondonIn his upbeat new show, Westphalia Is Not an Option, the playful standup tackles the EU referendum resultIn the age of Brexit, is self-styled German comedy am…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 05:18AM[SHARE]
Monday, March 27, 2017

Andy Parsons review " punchline king makes the world more bearable by Brian Logan

Nuffield, SouthamptonParsons' cynicism about comedy's transformative potential doesn't stop him impaling his political targets with some smart barbsSatire has minimal effect, Andy Parsons te…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:54AM[SHARE]
Thursday, March 23, 2017

Tez Ilyas review " clever comedy about British National Pakistani life by Brian Logan

Soho theatre, LondonLight-hearted but trenchant, Ilyas's show Made in Britain keeps the audience on their toes as he focuses on what unites, rather than divides usAfter the EU referendum res…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:42AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Desiree Burch review " stellar standup set about racism, sex and self-esteem by Brian Logan

Soho theatre, LondonThe US standup takes a bull-in-a-china-shop approach to social anthropology " and riffs on the horrors of sleeping with someone born in the 90sAmerican comedian and theat…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:18AM[SHARE]
Saturday, March 18, 2017

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 appComedian …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:32PM[SHARE]
Thursday, March 16, 2017

'This won't do the children any good at all' by Brian Logan

With his vicious puppet and heavy drinking, Jeremy Lion is no ordinary clown. His creator talks to Brian LoganBy day, he is Justin Edwards: a modest and mild-mannered comic, one third of ske…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:02PM[SHARE]

Lucy Porter review " comic is an honest tour guide to middle age by Brian Logan

Soho theatre, LondonThe standup's letter to her teenage self prompts some fine routines about maturity, parenthood and suburban livingThere are only three types of standup show, jokes Lucy P…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:48AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Ricky Gervais's transgender jokes show we're all in a kind of transition by Brian Logan

The comic has been accused of transphobia after riffing about Caitlyn Jenner in his standup show. So does giving him a favourable review endorse those gags?Ricky Gervais sometimes gets peopl…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 02:36PM[SHARE]
Monday, March 6, 2017

Andrew Hunter Murray review " a fun-filled, pub quiz comedy by Brian Logan

Soho theatre, LondonThe Austentatious comedian divides the audience into competing teams in this frivolous, sometimes surreal and very likable showThe improv group Austentatious has become q…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:42AM[SHARE]
Thursday, March 2, 2017

Ugly Lies the Bone review " war veteran faces her demons in virtual reality rehab by Brian Logan

Lyttelton, LondonKate Fleetwood plays an American soldier returning home from a tour of duty in a striking, hi-tech production directed by Indhu RubasinghamWe know virtual reality is changin…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:32AM[SHARE]

Hate Thy Neighbor's Jamali Maddix: a crude, cartoonish, straight-up standup by Brian Logan

The comic who presented a TV series on the rise of the far right is back with a show that combines goofballery with cultural commentaryDid you see Hate Thy Neighbor on Viceland TV? A sizeabl…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 02:42AM[SHARE]
Sunday, February 26, 2017

Seann Walsh review " enjoyable riffs on crumbs and courgetti by Brian Logan

Theatre Royal, Brighton Walsh wears his comic curmudgeonliness well as he rebels against sober maturity, clean eating, Tinder, vapes and smartphonesProfessional curmudgeon is a familiar stan…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:06AM[SHARE]
Friday, February 24, 2017

RIP Richard Briers, Hynes's new sitcom and Gervais and Cleese " oops by Brian Logan

Also this week, Ronnie Corbett couldn't make it in comedy now, Billy Connolly smoked the Bible and Marmite man Judd ApatowIn the week we lost Richard Briers, one of the all-time TV comedy gr…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:18AM[SHARE]

Ricky Gervais review " ruthless, self-revealing show is his best yet by Brian Logan

Colston Hall, BristolGervais's new set, Humanity, is pumped with scorn and provocation but the inclusion of more personal material gives a rare glimpse of a gentler man In his new standup sh…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:18AM[SHARE]
Thursday, February 23, 2017

Alfie Brown review " subversive standup rages about the pieties of our age by Brian Logan

Soho theatre, LondonLike a British Doug Stanhope, the provocative comic oozes scorn, cynicism and sardonic spleenThere's a gap in the market for a British Doug Stanhope, although Alfie Brown…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 04:48PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Max and Ivan review " rambunctious comic duo are a dorky delight by Brian Logan

Soho theatre, LondonScout leaders haunt the woods with crossbows and there are groansome puns aplenty in this deliciously silly coming-of-age showAfter half a dozen shows together, Max Olesk…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:36PM[SHARE]
Monday, February 20, 2017

James Corden's TV show could learn from Simon Amstell by Brian Logan

Corden's US TV debut is a success, but the mutual back-slappery of such chatshows is almost unwatchable " all the more so when the hosts are comediansDid you ever watch Simon Amstell on Neve…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:18AM[SHARE]

Susan Calman review " Radio 4 favourite's sparky set is far from cosy by Brian Logan

The Stables, Milton Keynes The standup reveals she's taken up boxing on her Calman Before the Storm tour, and the show swipes energetically at a formidable array of targets"No one says, 'Hic…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:06AM[SHARE]
Friday, February 17, 2017

Sue Perkins: Spectacles Live review " comic comfort food from a good egg by Brian Logan

Cambridge Corn ExchangeThe ex-Bake Off presenter's show is a droll self-portrait full of nostalgia with hints at hidden depths, though risks are scarceNeither standup show nor book tour, but…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:48AM[SHARE]
Sunday, February 12, 2017

Whoopi Goldberg review - standup or glorified chat-show? by Brian Logan

London Palladium, LondonThe US comedian's first standup show in the UK got personal with segments about the indignities of getting old and her resentment for her child-friendly reputation Th…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:24PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Is comedy infectious to doctors? by Brian Logan

A white coat is often a sign of funny bones, as periodic outbreaks of medically trained comedians demonstrateIs there an affinity between comedy and medicine? Certainly, a notable number of …

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

Angelos and Barry review " comedy pals' barmy banter is a puerile delight by Brian Logan

Soho theatre, London The comic alter egos of Dan Renton Skinner and Alex Lowe claim to be the New Power Generation come to save us in a thin but skilfully written showIt's a match made in " …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:24AM[SHARE]
Thursday, February 2, 2017

Danny Baker live review " geezer with an endless appetite for gossip by Brian Logan

City Varieties Music Hall, Leeds The broadcaster's first standup tour, Cradle to the Stage, is a lucky-dip of nostalgic childhood stories and showbiz anecdotesYou've read the autobiography. …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:04AM[SHARE]
Thursday, January 26, 2017

Shappi Khorsandi review " comic's cheering vision of an inclusive England by Brian Logan

Soho theatre, LondonThe Iranian-born comic, marking 40 years since her arrival in the UK, makes a compelling argument for the multifaceted nature of nationhoodThe first 10 minutes of Shappi …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 03:48AM[SHARE]
Wednesday, January 25, 2017

It's Burns Night: what is it that makes Scottish comedians so funny? by Brian Logan

As suppers are held for Robert Burns' birthday, here's a toast to the standups of Scotland whose attitudes and accents are perfectly suited to comedyWhen I saw Scottish standup Scott Gibson …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:18AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Jack Whitehall | Comedy review by Brian Logan

Soho theatre, LondonAt one point in Jack Whitehall's new show, he stops shouting, and addresses his recent encounter with the News of the World, who photographed him using cocaine. The ears …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:36AM[SHARE]

Jack Whitehall review " maladroit man-child runs away from the truth by Brian Logan

Corn Exchange, CambridgeThe foppish comedian is a terrific performer but his tightly scripted comedy doesn't compensate for the dearth of anything real or insightful to say'God, these storie…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:18AM[SHARE]
Thursday, January 19, 2017

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 onNot for the first t…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:48AM[SHARE]
Monday, January 16, 2017

Jim Gaffigan review " confessions of a regular, middle-aged schlub by Brian Logan

Leicester Square theatre, LondonThe US standup star covers his love of junk food and his fear of doctors in a self-mocking set that shows off his voice as a well-tuned comic instrument Good,…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:18AM[SHARE]
Friday, January 13, 2017

Nath Valvo review " Aussie comic riffs on teen hormones and hellish weddings by Brian Logan

Soho theatre, LondonThe outre comedian, who was shortlisted for the best newcomer award at Edinburgh, is an engaging host as he reflects on adolescence and family lifeOn the basis of Nath Va…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:33AM[SHARE]
Saturday, January 7, 2017

Laughing gear: the best live comedy to start 2017 by Brian Logan

Hilarity to come this year includes Bridget Christie battering Brexit, Sue Perkins' post-Bake Off trip to Leicester comedy festival and a breathtaking bout of escapologyUnmissable Theatre | …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 05:18AM[SHARE]

All that Chat

2025-2026 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 12, 2025: Call Me Izzy - Studio 54
Sep 16, 2025: Art - Music Box Theatre
Oct 08, 2025: Beetlejuice - Palace Theatre
Nov 13, 2025: Oedipus - Studio 54
Nov 16, 2025: Chess - Imperial Theatre
Mar 23, 2026: Giant - Music Box Theatre
Apr 06, 2026: Becky Shaw - Hayes Theater
Apr 16, 2026: Proof - Booth Theatre
Apr 26, 2026: Drama Desk Cut-Off