All stories by Brian Logan on BroadwayStars

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Des Bishop: an Irish-American standup in China Edinburgh 2014 review by Brian Logan

Pleasance Dome, EdinburghThe standup spices his story of moving east and teaching himself Mandarin with breathless skits about his job as a greeter and his appearance on the Chinese Take Me …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:19AM

Edinburgh festival 2014 review: Jonny and the Baptists pleasingly ridiculous protest songs by Brian Logan

Pleasance Dome, EdinburghThe incongruous leftwing revolutionaries are back with a meek but musically inspired set Jonny and the Baptists v Ukip: aren't there better targets to lampoon? Conti…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:37AM
Monday, August 4, 2014

Jim Davidson's Edinburgh show: provocative, predictable and oh so popular by Brian Logan

There's a predictable clash of sensitivities at Davidson's Edinburgh show at the Assembly Hall Review of Jim Davidson's Edinburgh show by Brian Logan Jim Davidson's Edinburgh fringe debut 'r…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 02:18PM

Liam Williams: 'I've had nervous breakdowns on stage' by Brian Logan

Is Liam Williams the voice of austere, embittered Britain? Brian Logan meets 'the Philip Larkin of comedy' as his angry new show Capitalism hits the Edinburgh festival Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:29PM

Josie Long brings fantasy and fervour to affairs of the heart Edinburgh festival 2014 review by Brian Logan

Long's show about growing older is authentic, revealing and generous of spirit but she still finds the space to mime attacking Nigel Farage with marshmallows Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:33AM
Sunday, August 3, 2014

Edinburgh festival 2014 review: Lucy Beaumont cosy as a Hovis ad by Brian Logan

Pleasance Courtyard, EdinburghAn endearing Beaumont makes her festival debut with a comedy routine that relies on homely tales and dizzy observations Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:55AM

Edinburgh festival 2014 review: Lucy Beaumont – cosy as a Hovis ad by Brian Logan

Pleasance Courtyard, EdinburghAn endearing Beaumont makes her festival debut with a comedy routine that relies on homely tales and dizzy observations• Lucy Beaumont: are northerners funnie…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:55AM

Jim Davidson's jokes are engineered to crank laughter Edinburgh 2014 review by Brian Logan

Assembly Hall, EdinburghDavidson once again defies good taste with a lurid, leering standup routine mainly about "fat birds", fannies and knobs Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:25AM

Edinburgh festival 2014 review: Kraken Doctor Brown-style silent comedy by Brian Logan

Underbelly, EdinburghNew Zealander Trygve Wakenshaw, of Squidboy cult fame, takes a skilful tour of an imaginary shape-shifting world Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 05:53AM
Saturday, August 2, 2014

Edinburgh festival 2014 review: Luisa Omielan self-love and laughs by Brian Logan

Laughing Horse at the Counting House, EdinburghOmielan balances a sense of her own ridiculousness with heart-and-soul ardour in a standup act thats unlike anything else comedy has to offer C…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:26PM
Thursday, July 31, 2014

Anthony Jeselnik review this mean-spirited villainy slips down devilishly easily by Brian Logan

Soho theatre, LondonThe American entertains with wind-up one-liners about paedophilia and serial killing, but his noxious pay-offs are surprisingly funny Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:21AM
Friday, July 25, 2014

An 'audience with' David Mitchell or Stephen Fry? I'd rather have more gags by Brian Logan

Increasingly, big-name comedians are swapping the usual standup format for something that seems more intimate, honest and a bit of a get-out Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 02:00AM
Thursday, July 24, 2014

Rhys Darby review Flight of the Conchords star's psychedelic standup by Brian Logan

Shepherd's Bush Empire, LondonDarby's loser act keeps him and us smiling, but some trimming of his silly storytelling would make this show a winner Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:56AM
Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Monty Python's reunion is about nostalgia and heroes, not comedy by Brian Logan

Monty Python Live (Mostly) massages a G-spot of familiarity with little truly funny live material we're left with a few comfortable laughs and a true sentimental charge Monty Python reviews…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:32PM
Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Edinburgh festival 2014: the unmissable standups by Brian Logan

How will Luisa Omielan follow up last year's triumph? Who will be this year's Bridget Christie? Here are the acts to watch out forThe comedy website Chortle reported this week on "a har…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 05:56AM

Jungle Book review shadow-puppet show makes fun from bare necessities by Brian Logan

Little Angel theatre, LondonThe much-loved Disney songs aren't missed in this one-woman performance of Rudyard Kipling's taleMy daughter does a fine line in misheard song lyrics, and one of …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 02:44AM
Friday, June 20, 2014

Penn and Teller review these old dogs need some new tricks by Brian Logan

Hammersmith Apollo, London There's too much talk and too few new tricks amid the fire-breathing, bottle-juggling virtuosity That's not magic: Penn, Teller and Derren Brown reveal all (or do …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:38AM
Monday, June 16, 2014

Why don't comics stand up to banks? by Brian Logan

The City of London festival will focus on late-night humour let's hope it brings an end to comedians' silence on the banking crisisIt's so old, no one can say how and when it came into bein…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:10AM
Friday, June 13, 2014

Rich Hall's Hoedown review a loosely stitched hour of songs and improv by Brian Logan

Soho theatre, LondonAt its best, the show simply spreads the pleasure Hall and his band take in the songs, and in one another's companyThe songs are often the best part of Rich Hall's standu…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:16AM
Thursday, June 12, 2014

Aamer Rahman review laconic comic on life in Australia, a 'Nazi beach resort' by Brian Logan

Soho theatre, LondonRahman's flippancy deficit flouts standup convention and his approach to racial politics is both outspoken and unsentimental How Aamer Rahman's 'reverse racism' joke save…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:34AM
Tuesday, June 10, 2014

That's not magic: Penn, Teller and Derren Brown reveal all (or do they?) by Brian Logan

In tune with our sceptical times, magicians debunk the supernatural But are they really as rationalist as they claim?Richard Dawkins may or may not approve, but I was reading my daughter a s…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 03:10AM
Monday, June 9, 2014

How Rik Mayall and his alternative-comedy generation changed UK standup for ever by Brian Logan

From his violent slapstick act in the the Dangerous Brothers to his anarchist poet Rick, his acts must have seemed outrageous to a generation reared on Jim Bowen and Tom O'Connor. Today's co…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:59PM
Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Die Roten Punkte review slapstick, songs and sibling squabbles by Brian Logan

Soho theatre, LondonPart White Stripes, part Dresden Dolls with added facial slap, this double act makes for an enjoyably silly hour of good tunesDie Roten Punkte are sibling duo Astrid and …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:08AM

Shock value: How Aamer Rahman's 'reverse racism' joke saved his career by Brian Logan

The Aussie comic on his YouTube hit, why teachers are using his video and how his 'police-related activity' means he won't be touring the US anytime soonLate last year, Aussie comic Aamer Ra…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 02:00AM
Monday, June 2, 2014

Deconstructing Jimmy Carr is no joke by Brian Logan

When critics analyse a standup routine it's considered pedantic and joyless what's wrong with being serious about comedy?Theatre critics are seldom called pedants for analysing how a stage …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 03:46AM
Friday, May 23, 2014

Mark Grist review rogue teacher recounts his rap battles by Brian Logan

Gulbenkian theatre, CanterburyGrist's tale of his rapid rise from English teacher to YouTube phenomenon is a great mix of playful verse and self-examinationMark Grist is the self-styled &quo…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:29AM

Hecklers put Paul Merton off standup but comedy is no longer a bear pit by Brian Logan

The Have I Got News for You star is not "temperamentally suited" to standup but the artform's audience has changedThere are macho myths surrounding standup comedy, and initiation rites uncom…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 05:20AM
Friday, May 16, 2014

Was Terry Gilliam right to call the Monty Python reunion 'depressing'? by Brian Logan

Are the Python's comments damagingly off-message or warming us up for shows that will be more than a cynical nostalgia fest?Were you excited when you heard Monty Python were reuniting for li…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:37AM
Thursday, May 15, 2014

Marcus Brigstocke review his eating-disorder material is fascinating and unexpected by Brian Logan

Soho theatre, LondonBrigstocke's confessional standup gives this show its edge: he should lose the standard comedy shtick that surrounds itThis show, says Marcus Brigstocke, is about "s…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:06AM
Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Adrienne Truscott's Asking for It review sophisticated confrontationalism by Brian Logan

Soho theatre, LondonTruscott's satirical broadside against rape culture transfers perfectly from the Fringe with firecracker wit Emma Brockes interviews Adrienne Truscott, the naked comicAt …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:02PM
Sunday, May 11, 2014

Jimmy Carr review does he enjoy being himself? by Brian Logan

Dorking HallsIn Funny Business, Jimmy Carr looks like a rich man making all the usual cruel remarks about Poles, lesbians and rape victimsDoes Jimmy Carr enjoy being Jimmy Carr? As an intell…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 05:44AM

All that Chat

2024-2025 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 05, 2024: Home - Todd Haimes Theatre
Jul 11, 2024: Oh, Mary! - Lyceum Theatre
Jul 30, 2024: Job - Hayes Theater
Sep 12, 2024: The Roommate - Booth Theatre
Nov 14, 2024: Tammy Faye - Palace Theatre
Dec 12, 2024: Cult of Love - Hayes Theater
Dec 19, 2024: Gypsy - Majestic Theatre
Mar 17, 2025: Purpose - Hayes Theater
Apr 01, 2025: Glengarry Glen Ross
Apr 10, 2025: Smash - Imperial Theatre
TBA: Titanic