All stories by Brian Logan on BroadwayStars

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Courtney Pauroso: Gutterplum review " the latest sexy clown from Dr Brown by Brian Logan

Underbelly Cowgate, EdinburghMore anarchic comedy, sexual frankness and in-yer-face clowning from the director behind Natalie Palamides Is there a more singular style in comedy than Dr Brown…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 03:32PM[SHARE]
Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Ahir Shah: Dots review " humour and poetry in existential angst by Brian Logan

Monkey Barrel Comedy, EdinburghThe polemicist style of his early work may have given way to a more conflicted thinker but the comedy remains emphatic Ahir Shah has long joked about the contr…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 05:03PM[SHARE]

Daniel Kitson review " seat-of-the-pants caper funnier than it has any right to be by Brian Logan

Stand Comedy Club, EdinburghKitson delivers a last-minute set of quarter-baked routines, but it's still a pleasure to be entertained by his unique humour It's from one extreme to the other w…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:06AM[SHARE]

Beat that: how dominatrix-turned-comic Desiree Burch plans to top her hit show by Brian Logan

Her last standup show, about working in a New York sex dungeon, was a fringe hit " and is now bound for TV. How will she top it? Desiree Burch is putting the finishing touches to her new Edi…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 05:36AM[SHARE]
Monday, August 5, 2019

Baby Reindeer review " Richard Gadd's solo theatre debut is a haunting hour by Brian Logan

Summerhall, EdinburghRecounting his experiences with a stalker, the comedian seems to live the horror afresh in a gripping show If you followed Richard Gadd's career up to his Edinburgh come…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 03:06PM[SHARE]

Titania McGrath review " Twitter avatar proves less substantial in 3D by Brian Logan

Pleasance Courtyard, EdinburghThe incarnation of a woke social media caricature raises a few smiles but mostly pokes predictable fun at the softest of targets Only the terminally woke would…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 03:06PM[SHARE]
Sunday, August 4, 2019

Catherine Cohen review " stellar strychnine-laced cabaret by Brian Logan

Pleasance Courtyard, EdinburghCohen crackles with attitude as she serves up an alarming but entertaining song-and-chat about sex, love and self-image One of the most eye-catching newcomers a…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 10:06AM[SHARE]

John Robins review " dating and DIY from standup's funniest fall-guy by Brian Logan

Pleasance Courtyard, EdinburghRobins delivers a masterclass in tone, tempo and character as he shares his failed attempts at flirting and home improvement If you're John Robins, there's alwa…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:33AM[SHARE]
Saturday, August 3, 2019

Sophie Duker review " charismatic comic's eye-catching debut by Brian Logan

Pleasance Courtyard, EdinburghIn her show Venus, the standup explores her sexuality, education and how black people are used as props in white narratives 'What colour am I?" Sophie Duker as…

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

Simon Brodkin review " the private life of prankster Lee Nelson by Brian Logan

Pleasance Courtyard, EdinburghThe comic best known as a cheeky-chappy explores male emotional inarticulacy and antisemitism When you've pranked Theresa May at the Tory conference, or public…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:33AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Michelle Wolf review " Trump's tormentor avoids politics but not controversy by Brian Logan

Leicester Square theatre, LondonOne of the US's most outspoken social commentators tackles sex and gender in a sparky show that confirms her place in the big league 'I've learned a lot," sa…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:54AM[SHARE]
Sunday, July 14, 2019

Jerry Seinfeld review " multimillionaire with a masterly common touch by Brian Logan

Hammersmith Apollo, LondonNow in his mid-60s, the comedian is still delivering beautifully honed, brilliantly timed observations on everyday life 'I feel like a blacksmith up here sometimes,…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:06AM[SHARE]
Saturday, July 13, 2019

Trevor Noah on Trump: 'I'm just trying to raise questions' by Brian Logan

From plummeting ratings to a global success, how did the Daily Show host become "America's therapist"? It is a few hours before Trevor Noah takes his seat at The Daily Show's presenting desk…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 04:42AM[SHARE]
Friday, July 12, 2019

'Stormzy inspired me': Mo Gilligan, the selfie comic turned chatshow star by Brian Logan

His viral videos earned him a sell-out tour and a new late night TV show " can the character comedian become the Instagram era's Chris Evans? Two years ago, Mo Gilligan was selling jeans in …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:48AM[SHARE]
Monday, June 24, 2019

Edinburgh fringe 2019: 10 essential shows by Brian Logan, Miriam Gillinson, Mark Lawson, Mark Fisher, Judith Mackrell, Bridget Minamore and Lyndsey Winship

Jessie Cave's intimate standup, a beatbox Frankenstein and a twist on the star-crossed lovers are among the Edinburgh shows we've previously reviewed. Here's what we said … Pleasance Court…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:48AM[SHARE]
Friday, June 21, 2019

Bad jokes? They're outright evil from this anti-comedian by Brian Logan

Neil Hamburger is a loser, insulting B-list celebs for our amusement, yet he can be less offensive " and funnier " than certain comedy superstars 'What disease did legendary ice-cream makers…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 03:36AM[SHARE]
Thursday, June 20, 2019

Sam Jay review " SNL comic's contrarian takes on Trump and #MeToo by Brian Logan

Soho theatre, LondonThe Saturday Night Live writer has skill but hits bum notes and wanders into incoherence at the end It takes more than a few smart routines to make a show. I left Boston …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 05:54PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, June 19, 2019

David Blaine review " astonishing spectacle is not for the squeamish by Brian Logan

Eventim Apollo, LondonIn Real or Magic? the bicep-piercing endurance artist demonstrates supernatural command of his body 'The last time I performed in London, I was shut in a box for 44 day…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 01:12PM[SHARE]
Sunday, June 16, 2019

Jimmy Carr review " a relentless wallow in grubbiness by Brian Logan

Rose theatre, KingstonDespite occasional glimmers of subversive wit, Carr continues to rely on dubious jokes about dwarves, fat women and FGM 'Welcome to 90 minutes of your life you're never…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:12AM[SHARE]
Friday, June 14, 2019

Edinburgh festival 2019: 50 theatre, comedy and dance shows to see by Mark Fisher, Lyndsey Winship and Brian Logan

There's a Belle and Sebastian play, a show in a hair salon, Frances Barber performing Pet Shop Boys songs and top comics including Josie Long and Stephen Fry. Here's our guide to the world's…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 04:06AM[SHARE]
Sunday, June 9, 2019

Michael Palin review " entertaining whistle-stop trip through history by Brian Logan

Anvil, BasingstokePalin offers up a fascinating potted history of an ill-fated naval journey, then goes on an affable tour through his six-decade career Geography, history and comedy. Those …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:12AM[SHARE]
Friday, June 7, 2019

Seann Walsh review " standup steps back into his Strictly scandal by Brian Logan

Loughborough Town HallHe became 'the most hated comedian in Britain'. Now Walsh is on tour with the most engaging show of his career Three weeks into Strictly Come Dancing last autumn, Seann…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 05:54AM[SHARE]
Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Jess Robinson review " slick impressions and super-powered ballads by Brian Logan

Soho theatre, LondonBig of voice and wide of smile, the Britain's Got Talent semi-finalist fills the room with her singing and mimicry At points in Jess Robinson's show, as you're being pinn…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 04:03PM[SHARE]

Frank Skinner review " Mr Funny Bones reaps big laughs by Brian Logan

Leicester Square theatre, LondonThe former king of lad comedy moseys through a delightfully meandering set about ageing, libido and 'the Strictly curse' Frank Skinner is 62, and it's remarka…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:33AM[SHARE]
Thursday, May 30, 2019

Ricky Gervais review " anti-woke tittering over Liam Neeson and Louis CK by Brian Logan

Bournemouth International CentreCasting himself as a taboo breaker for his Netflix show Supernature, the cacklesome comic delivers a squarely liberal-baiting set 'That's not going in … Tha…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:03PM[SHARE]
Monday, May 6, 2019

Human Jam: the hair-raising stories from HS2's exhumation of Euston's dead by Brian Logan

Haunted by the 60,000 bodies being disinterred to make way for High Speed Rail 2, Guardian comedy critic Brian Logan set out to connect Euston's past and present 'We've found four times more…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:24AM[SHARE]
Sunday, April 28, 2019

Rhod Gilbert review " volcanic, crusading odd-couple comedy by Brian Logan

G-Live, GuildfordAssisted by his life-saving chauffeur, Gilbert propels his high-octane humour with the pain of trauma When you make your name getting overheated at trivial things, what's le…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 06:13AM[SHARE]
Thursday, April 25, 2019

Could the divine agony of Christopher Bliss bring back character comedy? by Brian Logan

Rob Carter's delusional novelist is a lovable throwback to the comics of 20 years ago. The alter ego could be on the cusp of a comeback Fashions in comedy ebb and flow. Standup is hip now bu…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 08:05AM[SHARE]
Thursday, April 4, 2019

Aziz Ansari: Road to Nowhere review " combative set hits raw nerves by Brian Logan

Hammersmith Apollo, LondonThe US standup tackles morality, racism, R Kelly and Michael Jackson in a barbed satirical show Much has changed for Aziz Ansari since his last UK tour. The US comi…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 09:14AM[SHARE]
Friday, March 29, 2019

Mo Amer and Guz Khan review " hip-hop and hummus in a double dose of funny by Brian Logan

Leicester Square theatre, LondonNetflix's Vagabond star teams up with Man Like Mobeen's Khan to headline a mischievous night of smart gags When the US standup Mo Amer first toured the UK, it…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:56AM[SHARE]
Thursday, March 28, 2019

Harriet Kemsley review " ebullient comic slams slut-shaming by Brian Logan

Soho theatre, LondonKemsley packs in high-calibre jokes in a tour through the gendered politics of promiscuity In Nanette, Hannah Gadsby refused to pretend her personal pain was funny " and …

SOURCE: The Guardian at 07:48AM[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