How Edinburgh standups are dealing with the riots by Stephanie Merritt

Standups in Edinburgh are working the unrest into their routines. But is it too soon to use such material for laughs? Stephanie Merritt reports from the fringeThe fringe is a kind of bubble.…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 3:00pm on August 10, 2011☆⚑

Edinburgh comedy notebook: Is this amateur night? by Stephanie Merritt

Spotlights crashing to the stage, unrehearsed comedians ... how much bungling can we bear when we're paying a tenner a ticket?Two nights ago, I and tens of other people looked on and did not…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 11:18am on August 10, 2011☆⚑

Edinburgh comedy notebook: why are chatshows so popular with audiences? by Stephanie Merritt

The Edinburgh fringe is renowned for craft and originality, so where's the allure of watching sofa surfers talk to each other?There are a record-breaking 500-plus shows on the fringe this ye…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 12:46pm on August 9, 2011☆⚑

Alma Mater: Click here for tonight's show by Stephanie Merritt

Alma Mater's iPad-based show blurs film and reality to unsettling effectI was rather sceptical about the idea of a show you watch alone on an iPad. Surely you could do that at home…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 5:15pm on August 8, 2011☆⚑

Edinburgh comedy notebook: Why can't performers keep their clothes on? | Stephanie Merritt by Stephanie Merritt

In the first of our dispatches from the Edinburgh comedy frontline, we look at why standups are a lot like strippersFive days in Edinburgh and already I've seen five strangers naked, and two…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 9:19am on August 8, 2011☆⚑

Edinburgh fringe comedy roundup by Stephanie Merritt

From Isy Suttie and Margaret Cho to Dave Gorman and Asher Treleaver, Stephanie Merritt on the best of this year's Edinburgh fringe comedy offeringsWith more than 500 comedy shows on offer at…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:06pm on August 6, 2011☆⚑

Jerry Seinfeld " review by Stephanie Merritt

02, LondonJerry Seinfeld's first full-length show in the UK for 12 years was a masterclass in delivery, control and timing. Over a 90-minute set, he didn't lose his footing once; each sectio…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:05pm on June 11, 2011☆⚑

Tim Minchin and his Orchestra " review by Stephanie Merritt

Royal Albert Hall, London, and touring"Nothing ruins comedy like arenas," belts Tim Minchin to an audience of 4,000 from the stage of the Royal Albert Hall on his current arena tour. "But yo…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:05pm on May 7, 2011☆⚑

A little conservative laughter, please | Stephanie Merritt by Stephanie Merritt

You may not approve of Jim Davidson, but his new play poses interesting questions about the dearth of rightwing standupsWhen it comes to British comedy, we pride ourselves on being world lea…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:15pm on March 5, 2011☆⚑

Ruby Wax, Losing It " review by Stephanie Merritt

Menier Chocolate Factory, LondonIt's now such a commonplace for anyone off the telly to do a stint in the Priory, rehab and psychiatric clinic to the stars, that we rarely stop to think abou…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:02pm on February 26, 2011☆⚑

The Horne Section " review by Stephanie Merritt

Lyric Shaftesbury Avenue, LondonAlex Horne's solo shows have been memorable for his use of visual effects and technical wizardry, but his most unusual accessory so far is a five-piece jazz b…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:05pm on February 12, 2011☆⚑

Bill Bailey: Dandelion Mind " review by Stephanie Merritt

Wyndhams theatre, LondonDoubt is the theme of Bailey's latest show " "or is it?" he wonders. Despite dealing in vagueness, it seems the uncertainties of modern life have unleashed some of Ba…

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:06pm on November 20, 2010☆⚑

Stephen Fry Live by Stephanie Merritt

Royal Albert Hall, London Continue reading...

SOURCE: The Guardian at 7:06pm on September 25, 2010☆⚑