After years working in bars and call centres, Brookes' absurdist show netted him the Edinburgh comedy award. So why does he want to want to blow the whole thing up? It's an hour after Jorda…
Queen's theatre, HornchurchShaina Taub turns the Bard's words into ingenious melodic mashups in a rousing community production A brutish leader hands his crown to his benevolent brother in …
The Weinstein scandal has inspired several new plays ranging from sharp satire to crass comedy. As the mogul heads to trial, we gauge theatre's response Katie Arnstein tells a story of a day…
The festival is over for another year but plenty of its theatre, comedy and dance hits have announced dates around the UK CollapsibleBreffni Holahan gives a searing performance as Essie in M…
Grand theatre, LeedsThe Spice Girl's spoken-word show spans her chaotic life story and provides a compelling look at superstardom's human cost This show is billed as "brutally honest" so let…
Pleasance Dome, EdinburghHelm's first new show since 2013 combines humour and emotional intimacy, directly addressing his depression Nick Helm was doing mental health comedy before it got tr…
This year's Edinburgh fringe was full of wokeness jokes from liberal standups as well as a host of conservative comedians who punch down Has there been a rise in rightwing comedy? Or just mo…
Pleasance Dome, EdinburghThe comedy duo " who don't do things by half " send themselves up as they attempt to reassemble their teenage band for one longed-for final gig 'I don't do things by…
Assembly George Square Studios, EdinburghIn a wistful show with playful paradoxes, the comic ruminates on the little round face on our wrists and what it means 'Did the people who set time g…
Assembly Roxy, EdinburghAs politicised as each of its predecessors but the musical comics also explore the ineffable mysteries of life 'As of right now, we're no longer political." That's t…
Various venues, Derry and DonegalThe annual celebration of the work of Brian Friel carries powerful reminders of the work of building community "Politics are so obtrusive here." The great Ir…
Almeida, London; Festival theatre, EdinburghRobert Icke concludes his dazzling run at the Almeida with another masterstroke. Plus, Stephen Fry's one-man Greek myths Robert Icke's time as ass…
Royal Opera House, LondonThe Bolshoi's London residency concludes with more breathtaking old-school brilliance The dancers of the Bolshoi Ballet have packed up their London base and gone hom…
After hours of watching standup and endless meetings fuelled by bad coffee, five themes emerged from this year's fringe I was asked to be a judge on this year's Edinburgh Comedy Awards, the …
Brookes has won the biggest prize in live comedy, with Catherine Cohen named best newcomer and Jessica Brough recognised for her Fringe of Colour project The Edinburgh Comedy award has found…
Gilded Balloon Teviot, EdinburghThe Australian standup's show is stuffed with arbitrary observations " and some of the funniest moments on the fringe Absurdism-gone-haywire won the 2015 Edin…
When the comic's life fell apart, he sought solace in the music of 2016. He discusses the songs that saved his life James Acaster strongly believes that 2016 was The Greatest Year for Music …
Scottish Storytelling Centre, EdinburghDrawing on her dual Scottish and Kenyan heritage, Mara Menzies weaves together an exquisite set of stories about the power of language to liberate and …
Pleasance Courtyard, EdinburghThe comic lets rip " if only a bit " for a fine hour of standup about new parenthood and his fogeyish tendencies The only thing holding Ivo Graham back in previ…
Pesky meerkats, War Dogs, Basil Brush … The puppets are taking over, says the standup " and they're sabotaging his Edinburgh show My reaction time is too slow to be a proper standup. It ta…
Jewish actors and playwrights criticise Falsettos for using non-Jews to play Jewish roles A West End musical about a Jewish family is at the centre of a row over cultural appropriation, with…
Pleasance Courtyard, EdinburghThe comic relives playground traumas in an attempt to make sense of his stunted emotions in this award-nominated show It's a common complaint among comedians t…
Donmar Warehouse, LondonDark secrets emerge as three siblings gather at their late father's old plantation home in this daring drama Branden Jacobs-Jenkins is a subversive writer. In An Octo…
Summerhall, EdinburghLaura Dalgleish is magnetic as a woman marauding through the Newport night after family pressures become too much Theatre is a laboratory where we put a character centre…
Royal Lyceum, EdinburghThis full-blooded agitprop cabaret comprises 10 monologues about resistance and emancipation, based on true stories about the treatment of women in Nigeria In a week w…