The master clown helped generations of performers be more alive in the moment " and not take themselves too seriously. His teachings were for life as well as the stage ' Philippe Gaulier, cl…
Darlington HippodromePerkins' return to live comedy features some lurid stories of her personal and professional ineptitude, and jaunty tales about vacuum cleaners and a drug-addled trip to …
Bristol BeaconIf the comic's political fervour is dialled down, there is much to enjoy in a show delivered with flair and 10-ton sarcasm Inner peace and contentment are not always gifts to t…
Leicester Square theatre, LondonThe veteran standup deconstructs the science of laughter before scrolling back to his youth and a 1970s brought pungently back to life 'We're here, folks, to …
Circle and Star theatre, LondonTouring to mark the diarist and Carry On star's centenary year, David Benson's poignant show covers the full spectrum of what made Williams so funny, beloved "…
Soho theatre, London The standup mines familiar comedy scenarios, but dazzling one-liners and shaggy dog stories elevate the set Pierre Novellie protests that life is getting harder for obse…
White Bear theatre, LondonMark Carey's play asks why the former best-loved man on TV has been so thoroughly expunged from our comedy pantheon " but doesn't have a great deal to add TV has mi…
From laying eggs on stage to coaching the Clintons in clowning, the LA performer is full of surprises. She talks about bringing back her rollercoaster solo romcom Weer and the new project th…
Soho theatre, LondonThe comic targets Christian sexism head-on " while the argument is well worn, Owens' manic physicality and dark humour keep the show fizzing Who would have thought, in 20…
The Londoner from Lagos wowed the fringe with a show about language, family and cross-cultural identity. She talks about dread, dreams and her bid for 'controlled chaos' Before her first Edi…
Soho theatre, LondonThe comedian's compelling show explores gender politics in modern India, singledom and self-improvement Modesty: "I don't speak for all women …" Swagger: "… but I do …
Surprise is a key ingredient of standup but Jack Rooke and Joseph Morpurgo explore the potential of dusting down their hit 2015 shows for rare revivals Bands tour classic albums in their ent…
Park theatre, LondonGleefully leaning into all the cliches and groansome laughs, Dan Patterson and Jez Bond's musical vampire romp is supremely silly If ever there was a show where the title…
The Stand, GlasgowThe one time Dancing On Ice contestant is hard not to like but his judgment of audience as 'tepid' is wide of the mark " they did well to get through such slim pickings 'Ju…
Theatre Royal Stratford East, LondonAfrobeat-tinged music, an AI love interest, Elon Musk as a panto villain, and a cast who are clearly having a ball mean there is something for everyone in…
A new report suggests playwriting is in crisis after Covid, with producers retreating into safe old classics. Well, not from where I'm standing Crisis? What crisis? British Theatre Before an…
He's been in everything from Love Actually to Shakespeare with Al Pacino " but will he always be thought of as the string-vest-wearing boozy Glaswegian? Ahead of a tour as himself, the actor…
The Yorkshire comic was going nowhere with his act which relied on gimmicks, set-pieces and standing on tables. So he decided it was time to live a more interesting " and stressful " life Wh…
Soho theatre, LondonThe comedian considers his Brummie and Middle East identities in a polished set about belonging British-Iraqi comedian Hasan Al-Habib's eye-catching show is about coming …
A fringe favourite for his Houdini and Dracula spoofs, 'comedy's best kept secret' has finally had his breakout moment " in the least likely fashion When Nick Mohammed first toured his lates…
Stand Comedy Club, GlasgowAn emergency in the audience halts the gravel-voiced comic's set but he brings it to an uproarious close in the foyer 'Why weren't you like this through there?!" W…
Pavilion theatre, GlasgowThe surrealist standup's two hours of fantastic off-the-cuff material covers topics as divergent as dugongs, Gregg Wallace and hypothetical horror musicals Should we…
Arches London Bridge New show I Love It Here is billed as a departure from the comedian's familiar neurotic self-analysis, but it proves frustratingly unchallenging "An exciting departure fr…
Queen's Hall, EdinburghThe standup zeroes in on hormonal chaos and domestic indignities with rage, absurdity and self-awareness Talk about a hot flush: menopause, and its peri-predecessor, h…
Soho theatre, London These deftly sprung riffs on extended family and motherhood gain in power when mayhem offsets the tightly controlled set The last time I saw Janine Harouni perform she w…