All stories by Brian Logan on BroadwayStars

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
Friday, May 9, 2014

Andrew Maxwell: a local comedy show for local people by Brian Logan

The Dubliner is touring London, and only London, with an act about the capital. Is regionalism the next big thing in comedy?The comedian Andrew Maxwell is doing something unusual next week (…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:58AM
Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Gruff Rhys review dotty prog-pop cabaret that tells an irresistible tale by Brian Logan

Soho theatre, LondonThe Super Furry Animals frontman brings his concept album, American Interior, to the stage in a ramshackle showIn 1170, as you no doubt know, America was discovered by th…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:23AM
Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Breakin' Convention: a comedy critic's take on the hip-hop festival by Brian Logan

From Street Kingdom's jittery krumping to Ukweli Roach's thoughtful dance about addiction, the best performers used visual punch lines and strong stories to reach audiences Breakin' Conventi…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:53AM
Monday, May 5, 2014

David Baddiel's Fame: Not the Musical review tales of trolls and groupies by Brian Logan

Menier Chocolate Factory, LondonIn a two-hour show on the perks and perils of fame, the comic strikes a deft balance between modesty and self-regardWe live in a celebrity-obsessed age, so it…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:54AM
Friday, May 2, 2014

Is Jeremy Paxman set to become Britain's Jon Stewart? by Brian Logan

The Daily Show and John Oliver's HBO gig prove that politics coverage benefits from a humorous touch. Now the Newsnight host looks set to explore a career in comedyJeremy Paxman quit Newsnig…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:22AM
Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Katherine Ryan review anti-sexist comedy ... with a bit of booty-shaking by Brian Logan

Katherine Ryan explores celebrity, sex and single motherhood in a flamboyant, sharp-tongued routine Behind the joke: Katherine Ryan "All I've ever wanted to be is a strong, powerful, beauti…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:52AM

Cardinal Burns: the comedy duo shaking up TV sketch shows by Brian Logan

They wear prosthetic penises as noses and turn Banksy into a suburban dullard. Brian Logan meets Cardinal Burns, the comedy duo bringing cinema values to the TV sketch showLittle and large. …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 03:00AM
Saturday, April 19, 2014

TV loves a tragic standup - but who's next? by Brian Logan

We've had Kenneth Williams, Kenny Everett, Frankie Howerd and Steptoe and Son now Tommy Cooper is getting the tears-of-a-clown dramatic treatmentDoes it sometimes seem to you that televisio…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:30AM
Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Russell Howard review 'beige comedy with nothing to say' by Brian Logan

Royal Albert Hall, LondonThere's no denying Howard's technical mastery, but his show relies on funny voices rather than contentAt one point in this show, Russell Howard in one of his many c…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:07PM
Monday, April 14, 2014

The Malcontent review Globe Young Players stage authentic but flat revival by Brian Logan

Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, LondonA company of actors aged 12 to 16 has trouble bringing psychological depth to John Marston's murderous dramaWritten for boy actors' troupe the Children of the …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:20AM
Sunday, April 13, 2014

Alan Davies review the QI man plays it safe by Brian Logan

Fairfield Halls, CroydonCleaving far too much to conventional 90s laddish standup, Davies is best when he goes further back in time"It's marvellous being a standup comedian," says …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:54AM